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Art, Architecture and Culture

Art, Architecture and Culture

Section titled “Art, Architecture and Culture”

2020-04-27 11:53:12

Art and Architecture during Sunga Period

Section titled “Art and Architecture during Sunga Period”
  • The art of the Sunga-Kanva period had a much wider social base
  • important development of this period is ==modelling of the image of the Buddha== both in the Mathura and Gandhara schools. This was later replecated by the Brahmanical religion.
  • Many large sized and well modeled Yaksha and Yakshini figures were also made.
  • ==Image worship in Jaina== is dated to the Sunga period. In eastern India it goes back to pre Mauryan times. Torso of a nude Thirthankara was found in Lohanipur, images with eight aucpicious marks/ashtamangala was found in Mathura.
  • Stupas became larger and more decorative in the post-Mauryan period.
  • Stone was increasingly used in place of wood and brick.
  • The Shunga dynasty introduced the idea of toranas as beautifully decorated gateways.
  • evidence of Hellenistic influence can be seen.

![[Pasted image 20220921180447.png |600]]

Gandhara School

Section titled “Gandhara School”
  • Greek and Roman sculptors, which influenced the local traditions.
  • Also came to be known as Greco-Indian School of Art.
  • @ It flourished in 2 stages the 1st stage is known for its use of bluish-grey sandstone, the later school used mud and stucco for making the sculptures.
  • They mainly made Buddhist imagery and were patronised by Kushanas.
  • @ Buddha is shown in a spiritual state, with half closed eyes, with very few ornaments, seated in yogi posture with a protruberance in his head showing his omniscience.
  • Included the valley of Peshawar, Svata, Buner and Bajjora. Chief patrons were Sakas and the Kushanas.
  • Drapery is transparent, Buddha’s hair is curly.
  • & Jalalabad, Hadda, Bamaran, Begram and Taxila were main centers.
  • Examples are
    • Drum of Chira Stupa has decorated images of Bodhisattvas.
    • Sehribhelol stupa images of Buddha and incidents from his life has been carved
    • Bronze sculptures of Buddha, Kusana kings and flying geese(symbol of monks) was found at Shah ji ki Dheri.
  • Gold reliquary and Ivory plaques have been found from Bagram.

![[Art,-Architecture-and-Culture-image1-23432830.jpg|600x600]]

Mathura School

Section titled “Mathura School”
  • @ Influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions of the time — Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Images of kings etc were also produced.
  • Images were modelled on Yaksha images.
  • Showed a striking use of symbolism in the images.
  • $ The Hindu Gods were represented using their avayudhas.
  • Halo around the head of Buddha is Larger than in Gandhara School decorated with geometrical patterns.
  • Used locally available white spotted red sandstone to make sculptures.
  • @ Dev around the areas of Mathura, Sonkh and Kankalitila - famous for jain sculptures.
  • Buddha is shown smiling, dress is tight, figure is masculine, face and head is shaven and seated in Padmasana.
  • it depicted various patterns of life on the votive pillars viz scenes from forests where men and women are collecting flowers, women playing with cranes, offering fruits etc.
  • Votive pillar from Kankali Tila is an example of this.

Amravati School of Art

Section titled “Amravati School of Art”
  • #todo 🔼
  • This school was centered in the region of Andhra Pradesh in southern India and was known for its elaborately decorated stupas and stone sculptures, which featured intricate reliefs and carvings.

Sarnath School of Art

Section titled “Sarnath School of Art”
  • #todo 🔼
  • Centred in Central Northern and Central India was known for its representation of the Buddha and other Buddhist figures, as well as for its intricate carvings and reliefs.

Sanchi School of Art

Section titled “Sanchi School of Art”
  • #todo 🔼

Buddha Idols

Section titled “Buddha Idols”
  • Sarnath image of standing Boddhisattva was installed in the reign of Kanishka I.
  • Buddha images are either sitting or standing.
  • Image of Buddha found in Katra shows Buddha sitting under Bodhi tree, Right hand in Abhaya mudra, Dharma Chakra and tri ratna are chiseled, head is shaven except one lock.

![[Pasted image 20220921180854.png |600]]

Jaina Idols

Section titled “Jaina Idols”
  • Kanakali Tila has yielded large numbers of Sculptures, Ayaqapatas or stone slabs with Jaina figures carved at the Center.
  • Prashvanatha and Rishabhanatha are the 2 identifiable Tirthankaras from here.

![[Pasted image 20220921181007.png |600]]

Brahmanical Images 1

Section titled “Brahmanical Images 1”
  • @ Siva, Lakshmi, Surya and Sankarshana or Balarma figures have been found.
  • During the Kushana period Karttikeya, Vishnu, Sarasvati, Kubera and certain other gods, including Naga images, were represented.
  • Shiva had been represented by his Chaturmukha linga form ie linga with 4 human faces.
  • $ Surya in the Kushana age is shown riding a chariot driven by two horses, wearing a heavy coat, boots, a sword and a lotus.
  • Balaram has heavy turban on his head.
  • Saraswati and Durga/Mahishasurmardani have been also depicted. ![[Pasted image 20220921181342.png]]

Images of Rulers

Section titled “Images of Rulers”
  • Kanishka, Wima and Chastana have been sculpted
  • Sculptures of Sythian dignitaries have been found showing Gandhara influence here

PYQs and Answers

Section titled “PYQs and Answers”
  1. Write a short essay on “Indian participation in the silk trade through Central Asia.” [1990, 20m]
  • Refer Anki for silk route sites
  1. Explain as to how the early Buddhist Stupa art, while using folk motifs and narratives and common cultural symbols, succeeded in transforming these themes for expounding the Buddhist ideals. [2013, 20m]
  1. Review critically the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian subcontinent between the second century BCE and the third century CE and evaluate the socio-religious factors responsible for it. [2014, 20m]
  1. “The changes in the field of art from the Kushana period to early medieval period are mere reflection of changing outlook.” Comment. [2016, 20 Marks]
  1. Write a short essay on: “Origins, chronology, characteristics and geographical spread of Gandhara art.” [1991, 20m]
  1. Furnish a critical and comparative account of various schools of art in the Post -Mauryan period (c. 200 B.C. - c. 300 A.D.) [1998, 60m]
  1. Explain as to how the early Buddhist Stupa art, while using folk motifs and narratives and common cultural symbols, succeeded in transforming these themes for expounding the Buddhist ideals. [2013, 20m]
  1. Review critically the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian subcontinent between the second century BCE and the third century CE and evaluate the socio-religious factors responsible for it. [2014, 20m]
  1. “The changes in the field of art from the Kushana period to early medieval period are mere reflection of changing outlook.” Comment. [2016, 20 Marks]
  1. Write a short essay on: “Origins, chronology, characteristics and geographical spread of Gandhara art.” [1991, 20m]
  1. Furnish a critical and comparative account of various schools of art in the Post -Mauryan period (c. 200 B.C. - c. 300 A.D.) [1998, 60m]

Footnotes

Section titled “Footnotes”

  1. Brahmanical Imagery in the Kuṣāṇa Art of Mathurā: Tradition and Innovations on JSTOR ↩