Buddhist Art and Architecture
In India the monuments that were created between the Harappan and
2nd c B C did not survive the ravages of time. The earliest architecture in the form of
stone memorials (pillars), stupas and rock-cut viharas constitutes the Buddhist
foundations of India.The aesthetic expression of this art and architecture can be
witnessed throughout the great expanse of Asia from India, the land of Buddha’s birth
to central Asia and South-East Asia. Buddhism developed roots in the countries of
Afghanistan, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Srilanka, Burma, Thailand, Japan and Korea etc.
Buddhist art encompasses an enormous space over a period of two thousand and two hundred
years. Hence it becomes a vehicle of varied expression imbibing the local flavour. The
evolution of Buddhist art all over the world has defined the developments, namely the
schism that Buddhist religion underwent.
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The earliest Buddhist monuments in India owe their existence to Bihar or the ancient Magadh’ where the Buddha spent better part of his life.
The sculpture in India starts appearing from 3rd c B C with the stone pillars of Ashoka, the stupas and Toranas of Sanchi, Bharhut, Amaravati and the rock-cut viharas of Barabar, Bhaja, Pitalkhoda, Karle, Bedsa, Ajanta and others and continues till 12th c A D. These monuments are in varied state of preservation now. By Buddhist art we mean the sculptures carved on the torana gates, stupa slabs, viharas and the paintings made in the interiors of the caves and pillars; functional and ritual art object like reliquaries etc.
The pillars of Ashoka are the earliest structures extant in India. They usually exceeded 50ft in height. They had a mirror like polish similar to Persepolitan pillars and lotiform capitals mounted by animals. The Ashokan pillars throw light on the contacts India had with Persia and other countries.
Buddhist art came to serve edifying ends. The stupa came to signify the Master’s Nirvana, hence the most sacred object of worship. The evolution of stupa is of great interest. From a plain mound the stupa evolved to become embellished with sculpture as at Amaravati. In the stupas of Sanchi and Bharhut the elaborately carved gateways carried the message of the Buddha in a language close to the masses. The art of Sanchi and Bharhut reflects the alliance of Buddhism with popular cults.
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The early stupas were hemispherical in shape with a low base. The hemispherical shape symbolized the cosmic mountain. The later stupas assumed an increasingly cylindrical form. The early stupas were known for their simplicity.
Other than ruins of stupa at Piprahwa (Nepal) the core of stupa No 1 at Sanchi is the oldest one. Originally built by Asoka. It was enlarged in subsequent centuries. In the 1st century AD the railing and the four toranas were added. The Sanchi railing is not sculpted. The four gateways are elaborately carved. The figures on the gates are suppler than the ones of Bharhut. An inscription by the ivory carvers of Vidisha on the southern gateway throws light on the transference of building material from perishable wood and ivory to the more durable stone.
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Amaravati stupa, built in 2nd or 1st c BC was probably like the one at Sanchi. But in later centuries it was transformed from a Hinayana shrine to a Mahayana one.
The diameter of the dome of the stupa at ground level was about 160 ft and it’s height was 90 to 100 feet. Amaravati stupa differs from Bharhut and Sanchi stupas. It had freestanding columns surmounted by lions near the gateways. The dome was covered with sculpured panels. The stupa had an upper circumambulatory path on the drum as at Sanchi. This path had a railing. The two railings were also intricately carved. The stone is greenish-white lime stone of the region. Another remarkable feature was platforms located at the 4 gates of the stupa surmounted by five pillars that signify the 5 principal events of Buddha’s life. The base of the platforms had images of Buddha that testifies that panels belong to the Mahayana phase.
The Gandhara stupa is a further development of stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut In Gandhara stupas the base, dome and the hemisphere dome are sculpted. The stupa tapers upward to form a tower like structure.
The stupas of Nagarjrnakonda in Krishna valley were very large. At the base there were brick walls forming a wheel and spoks . Thes were filled with eart. The Maha chaitya of Nagarjunakonda has a base in the form of Swastika which is a sun symbol.
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The solar cult is believed to have influenced the construction of stupa. As we know the stupa is a solid structural dome raised on one or more terraces and surmounted by a railed pavilion from which rises the shaft of the crowning umbrella. The stupa has four cardinal points. In Bharhut the four cardinal points ended in a swastika, the ancient sun symbol.
The stupa has circumambulatory passage enclosed by a railing. The devotee by a clockwise circumambulation follows the sun in its journey.
The adornment in the stupas of Bharhut and Sanchi are confined to the rails and gates.
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