HISTORY OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Mauryan Period (321 BC- 185BC)

 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)
Bimbhasara/bimbhisara (Magadha)– First historically acknowledged
king of India
Who himself had gained throne by killing his own father
Ajatasatru
Rise of Maurya dynasty with victory of
republic of virji’s

Son of King Bimbisara established the concept of kingship in India

>> ruled Magadha, Kashi, Koshala and Virji’s

Nine Nanda kings after Ajatasatru ruled there within short

periods- not so significant

Last Nanda king, Mahapadma Nanda was defeated by

Chandra Gupta Maurya, Chieftain of Maurya tribe in
321 BC
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Chandra Gupta Maurya, first emperor of India , ruled with his

capital at Pataliputra
In almost 25 yrs of reign, Chandra Gupta established his
empire with efficiently structured army, police and bureaucracy

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya – PM to Chandra- helped to

settle country in all respects and wrote Arthasastra

Bindusara, son of Chandra Gupta accession to throne in 297 BC

and expanded empire as south to modern Mysore

Ashoka , son of Bindusara came in power in 272 BC

conquered Kalinga in 264 BC.>> later became great
follower of Buddhism
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Hindukush
Khyber
Pass

Kandahar HIM
RA ALA
NG YA
Bolan E N
Panjab
Pass
Baluchista
Indus
Mohenjodaro
n
River

SIND
Gangetic plainBrahmaputra
Ganges
river

ARABIAN SEA

Bay of Bengal
Persian Empire 490 BC bactria
Greece
MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Approximate Dates of Mauryan Dynasty

Emperor Reign start Reign end
Chandragupta Maurya 322 BCE 298 BCE
Bindusara 297 BCE 272 BCE
Asoka The Great 273 BCE 232 BCE
Dasaratha 232 BCE 224 BCE
Samprati 224 BCE 215 BCE
Salisuka 215 BCE 202 BCE
Devavarman 202 BCE 195 BCE
Satadhanvan 195 BCE 187 BCE
Brihadratha 187 BCE 185 BCE
 Conquest of Magadha

The approximate extent of the Magadha

state in the 5th century BCE.

The Nanda Empire at its greatest

extent under Dhana Nanda circa 323
BCE.
 The Maurya Empire when it was first founded by
Chandragupta Maurya circa 320 BCE, after
conquering the Nanda Empire when he was only
about 20 years old

Chandragupta extended the borders of the

Maurya Empire towards Seleucid Persia
after defeating Seleucus circa 305 BCE
 Chandragupta extended the borders of the
empire southward into the Deccan Plateau
Kalinga circa 300 BC.[9

The Maurya Dynasty at its largest

extent under Ashoka the Great
Ashoka the Great extended into Kalinga during
the Kalinga War circa 265 BCE, and
established superiority over the southern
kingdoms
Ashoka the Great extended into Kalinga during the Kalinga War circa 265 BCE,
and established superiority over the southern kingdoms
MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive and powerful empire in
ancient India, ruled by the Mauryan dynasty from 321 to 185 BC

Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in the Indo-Gangetic plains (modern

Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengal) in the eastern side of the Indian
subcontinent, the empire had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna).

The Empire was founded in 322 BC by Chandragupta Maurya, who had

overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westwards
across central and western India taking advantage of the disruptions of local
powers in the wake of the withdrawal westward by Alexander the Great's Greek
and Persian armies.

By 320 BC the empire had fully occupied Northwestern India, defeating and
conquering the satraps left by Alexander
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)
It was the world's largest empire in its time

At its greatest extent, the empire stretched to the north along the natural boundaries
of the Himalayas, and to the east stretching into what is now Assam.

To the west, it reached beyond modern Pakistan, annexing Balochistan and much of
what is now Afghanistan, including the modern Herat and Kandahar provinces

The Empire was expanded into India's central and southern regions by the emperors
Chandragupta and Bindusara, but it excluded a small portion of unexplored tribal and
forested regions near Kalinga (modern Orissa)

The Mauryan Empire was one of the largest empires to rule the Indian subcontinent. Its
decline began 60 years after Ashoka's rule ended, and it dissolved in 185 BC with the
foundation of the Sunga Dynasty in Magadha
MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Mauryan city of Pataliputra

• Capital Pataliputra Located on current Patna

>> area of 16 x 3.5 sq. km ( 9x 1.5 miles) along the Ganga River
• 200 yards ditch and timber palisades with bastion around the city as
fortification

Foundation was of timber : use of teak wood

MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Mauryan city of Pataliputra

According to Greek envoy, Megasthene:

Development both in landscape and building architecture

king’s palace set within beautiful parks studded with lakes, fountain,
sprays, swings and artificial hillocks
City planned in cluster of houses of varying plans with barrel vaulted roof
with tiles or thatch.

Horse shoe shaped windows and lattice balcony overlooking street.

Higher status family had houses at suburbs >> courtyard system
King’s palace grandeur version of Vedic hut with series of barrel vault
timber roof supported over series of stone columns
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Beginning of Buddhist architecture under Ashoka

Birth of Buddha in 563 BC

No erection of durable monument during Indus and Vedic period
Matured monumental architectural development was came into
light only during Mauryan dynasty

Ashoka , accession to throne in 272 BC – King of non violence

(Ahimsha)
Grand son of Chandra Gupta Maurya- contributor of matures
architecture in Buddhism
>> indulged in warfare for expansion of his empire
>> conquered Kalinga (modern Orrisa) after prolonged war
causing immense loss of life and property
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

Kalinga war- turning point in Ashoka’s life

adopted Buddhism to peace from misery and suffering of war :
great turning point in his life and state
>> declare Buddhism as state religion: roles for its propagation
- the messages and teaching carved on stone in pali text put at
strategic locations
Contribution of Ashoka
Stone Edict (message and teaching of Buddha carved in pali text in stone
at strategic location
Stupa
Ashokan stambha (Pillar)

Beside above rock cut cave (Chaiya hall & monastery)are the
major monumental development in Buddhist architecture
MAURYAN
Mauryan periodPERIOD
(321-185) (321 BC- 185BC)
Architectural Development : Early Buddhist

1. Buddhist stupa:
• Initially, irregular humble mound of rubble piled over the relics and
ancient treasures to mark the sacred site
• Now transformed into more durable form, hemispherical brick paved
mass called Tumuli
MAURYAN
Mauryan periodPERIOD
(321-185) (321 BC- 185BC)
Architectural Development : Early
Buddhist
1. Buddhist stupa:

Tumuli : the plan elevation and total form derived form circle
- Circle symbolizing the Buddhist ‘wheel of law (Dharma chakra) &
Ideal focus of Buddhist Ritual of endless circumambulation of sacred
site
- Tumuli as embryo of most powerful architectural form of
Buddhism, the stupa emerged under patronage of Ashoka
- spherical form symbolized the infinite space of the sky, abode of god
• At Sanchi, the stupa in the form of semi circular brick mound with 70ft
(21.3m) Dia built as Asoka’s historic architecture campaign
MAURYAN
Mauryan periodPERIOD
(321-185) (321 BC- 185BC)
Architectural Development : Early Buddhist
1. BUDDHIST STUPA:

Tumuli :
Embryo form of Buddhist Architecture covered with stone or brick
Dome- worm/Garbha/egg as it containss seed or relic of Budhha or Monk

Small square balcony in decorative form- HERMIKA (heaven of 33 gods

and also represent bodhi tree) at the top of dome enclosing pedestal
Pedenstal comprises of 3 tired umbrella (CHHATRAVALI) made of stone or
timber supported on shaft (CHHATRAYASTI)
MAURYAN
Mauryan periodPERIOD
(321-185) (321 BC- 185BC)
Architectural Development : Early Buddhist

Stupa: (Thupa)
 Sculpture rather than structure
 Hemispherical dome or mound built over sacred relic of Buddha himself
and Buddhist saint
2 choice for Buddhist Architecture
Square (denotes stability)
Circle (Denotes endless round which matches endless life)……so circle was
chosen……
Also resembles wheel of law and matching circumambulation
 Mauryan
MAURYAN Period
PERIOD (321 BC-
(321185BC)
BC- 185BC)

Architectural Development : Early Buddhist

2. STAMBHA:
• Asoka’s innovation inspired by the timber totem
poles of ancient settlements
• Carved with inscription
• Placed at regular intervals along the road leading to
Buddhist pilgrimage
• These columns : 12m long and weighs 50 tones,
• carved out of single block of sand stone: quarry at
Chunnar, Bihar
• With / without circular brick platform
• Crowned with a sculptured figure of animal (Lion,
bull, Horse, Elephant)
• Varnished and polished to get lustre
• Later similar prototype of pillars used in chaitya
halls and Vihar of Hinayan

Example: the Ashokan pillar at Sarnath

MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

The Architectural Development : Early

Buddhist

Example: Ashokan pillar at Sarnath

• India’s national emblem
• About 15m high
• Capital about 2 m in ht. consists of life sized
sculptured lions facing four cardinal directions
 as guardians of four quarters of universe
• Abacus consist of carved animal figure
• Capital and shaft joined with 60 cm long
cylindrical copper dowel
• Wheel symbolized first sermon delivered by
Buddha at Sarnath.
• The design & craftsmanship has Persian
influence
MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

The Architectural Development :

Early Buddhist
3. Rock cut caves:
• Habitable caves carved out of solid
natural rocks for sanctuaries by
Ajivikas>> Chisels & Hammer
• An attempt to immortalize the traditional
dwelling of Indian sage : an escape from
crowding city to natural caves in
isolated hillside
• Pioneering work of the most unique work
of Indian architecture: Hindu & Buddhist
• Adaptation of carpenter’s art by stone
carver: existing structure in timber and
thatch reproduced in stone art in caves
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

The Architectural Development : Early

Buddhist:
3. Rock cut caves
7 caves of Ajivikas (an anti-Brahminical philosophy,
which literally translates to "following an ascetic way
of life) at Barbar hills : cave of Lomus Rishi more
popular

Ex. Lomus Rishi  interior circular cell of Dia 6m

with hemispherical dome and approached
through 10m long tunnel like hall
 entrance details and elephant carving
<< rectangular barrel vaulted Vedic hut
perpetuated in the form of cave
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

The Architectural Development : Early

Buddhist:
3. Rock cut caves
 MAURYANMauryan Period
PERIOD (321 BC-(321
185BC)
BC- 185BC)

The Architectural Development : Early Buddhist

4. The cult of chaityas:

Chaitya: from sanskrit chita = a pyre or sacred spot

Budddhist borrowed this from sacrificial rites of Brahmins

Traditional chaitya : a grove of trees in middle of which small
tumulli of earth built over ashes of tribal chief

Buddhist monks transferred this to stupa that also carried ashes

or relics of Buddha
 MAURYANMauryan Period
PERIOD (321 BC-(321
185BC)
BC- 185BC)

The Architectural Development : Early Buddhist

4. The cult of chaityas:
With large no. of followers and assured patronage of elite &
merchant. Buddhist monks instead of wandering for begging,
settled around the chaityas >> Growth of small monasteries

Cult of chaitya became touchstone for Buddhist ritual and worship

By the time of Asoka’s death and after, countryside possessed
many such Buddhist settlements

For temporary construction, non of the settlements survived to

date
Permanent and enduring architectural masterpieces in
Monasteries developed later in succeeding periods.
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)
Contributions of Ashoka
1. Creation of memorials of permanent material
> introduced stone extensively in architecture
2. Treatment of stone surface :
High lustrous polish resembling fine enamel on stone surfaces for the first
time in India
>> learned from Graeco Persian culture
>> used in stambha, gateways, entry of cave, etc.
3. Inscribed stone stele : carved Buddha’s messages and teachings in Pali
text put at strategic locations
4. Tumuli or Stupa
>> the hemispherical mound or dome built over relic of Buddha himself,
Buddhist saint and teachers
Ex. Sanchi stupa (70 ft dia)
development of stupa: enlargement, Chhatra, Vedika
5. Stambhas:
the place markers, pilgrims route from Pataliputra to Lumbini
As land marks also
 Mauryan(321
MAURYAN PERIOD Period
BC-(321
185BC)
BC- 185BC)

The contributions of Ashoka …

6. Several monolithic accessories:

Monolithic production like stupa railings, finials in the form of umbrellas, lion
thrones, colossal figures, pillars of hypostyle halls in palace show highly
diversified order of that time

7. Extension of Pataliputra palace: hypostyle hall

250’ square, 3 floors, 15’ square bays, 15 stone pillars in each direction,
floor structure of timber, today archaeological remains only.

8. First rock cut chambers

Secluded monasteries of Ajivikas
Barbara Nagarjuni hills, north of current Bhuwanesore ( Orrisa)
Ex. Lomus Rishi

# The contribution of Ashoka pioneering efforts in development early

Buddhist architecture and its symbolism
Later copied and further developed in both Hindu /Budhhist architecture
 Mauryan(321
MAURYAN PERIOD Period
BC-(321
185BC)
BC- 185BC)

The contributions of Ashoka …

Disinterred the remains of the Buddha from their

original 10 stupas for the redistribution in new stupas
throughout the empire
 MAURYAN PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)

End of Mauryan empire

• In 185 BC, after 50 years of Asoka’s death Mauryan empire

collapsed
• The last Maurya King, Brihadrata was assassinated in 185 BCE
during a military parade, by the commander-in-chief of his
guard, the Brahmin general Pusyamitra Sunga, who then took
over the throne and established the Sunga dynasty Dynasty of
Sungas followed
• Buddhist architecture continued to its excels By the Buddhist
followers
Thank You
MAURYAN
Decline PERIOD (321 BC- 185BC)
Ashoka was followed for 50 years by a succession of weaker kings.
Brhadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, held territories that
had shrunk considerably from the time of emperor Ashoka, although
he still upheld the Buddhist faith.
Sunga coup (185 BCE)

Brihadrata was assassinated in 185 BCE during a military parade, by

the commander-in-chief of his guard, the Brahmin general
Pusyamitra Sunga, who then took over the throne and established
the Sunga dynasty. Buddhist records such as the Asokavadana write
that the assassination of Brhadrata and the rise of the Sunga empire
led to a wave of persecution for Buddhists,[34] and a resurgence of
Hinduism. According to Sir John Marshall,[35] Pusyamitra may have
been the main author of the persecutions, although later Sunga kings
seem to have been more supportive of Buddhism. Other historians,
such as Etienne Lamotte[36] and Romila Thapar,[37] among others,
have argued that archaeological evidence in favor of the allegations
of persecution of Buddhists are lacking, and that the extent and
magnitude of the atrocities have been exaggerated.
Ajivika is an anti-Brahminical philosophy, which literally translates
to "following an ascetic way of life". The Ajivikas were
contemporaries of the early Buddhists and historical Jains; the
Ajivika movement may have preceeded both of these groups, but
may have been a more loosely organized group of wandering
ascetics. Very little concrete information is known about the
Ajivikas. Their scriptures and history were not preserved directly-
instead, fragments of Ajivika doctrine were preserved in Buddhist
and Jain sources, and they are me