ART OF MAURYAN PERIOD: A Comprehensive Discussion

  For BPSC mains Writing.

• New social and Religious movements in the form of buddhism and jainism which were part of "Shraman Tradition", both become popular due to, they opposed varna and jati system of Hindu religion.
• Ashoka emerged as the most powerful king of MAURYAN DYNASTY who patronised the SHRAMAN TRADITION.
• religious practices had many dimensions and were not confined to just one particular mode of worship.
• mauryan art and architecture are divided into two parts.

1. state sponsored art.       2. folk art.

State sponsored art: this is the art which were patronised by kingship.    

1. Pillars: the tradition of constructing pillar were very old and it may be observed that erection of pillars were prevalent in the Achamenian empire as well, but the mauryan pillars are different from the Achamaenian pillars. The Mauryan pillars are rock cut pillars thus displaying the carver's skills, where as archamenian pillars are constructed in piece by piece, by a mason. stone pillats were erected all over the mauryan empire with inscription engraved on them. the top portion of pillar was carved with capital figures like, THe Bull, THe lion, The elephant etc. All the capital figures are vigourous and carved standing on the square or circular abacus. Abacuses are decorated with stylish lotus which are inverted in shape. Exampli- basarah- bakhita, lauriyanandangarh, rampurva, sankisa, sarnath.

• This capital symbolises "DHAMMA CHAKRA PRAVARTAN"- (first sermon by Buddha) has become a standard symbol of this great historical event in the life of buddha.
• the loin capital originally consists of five components 1. the shaft, 2.a lotus bell in inverted shape, 3. a drum bell base with four animals proceeding clock- wise, 4. figure of four majestic lions, 5. crowning elements, dhammachakra, a large wheel.
• the abacus has depction of the a wheel having 24 spokes in all four directions and abull, a hores, an elephant, a lion , between every chakra is finely carved.
• circular abacus is supported by an inverted lotus capital. each petals of the lotus is sculpted keeping in mind its density.

2. Stupas and Viharas: due to popularity of buddhism and jainism, stupas and  viharas were constructedd on a large scale. it is important to note that Stupas were constructed over the relics of buddha at rajgriha, vaishali, kapilavastu, allakappa, ramgram, vethadipa, pava, kushinagar and pippalivan. stupas, chaitya, viharas are the part od buddhism and jainism but largest one is belongs to buddhism. stupa of Bairat, rajasthan is one of the finest example.

3. Rock cut: depiction of monumental rock cut- elephant at Dhauli in oddissa, shows modelling in the  round with linear rythm. the rock cut caves carved at Barabar hills near gaya known as lomus rishi cave. the facades of tne cave is decorated with the semicircular chaitya arc as the entrance. the interior hall of the cave ie rectangular with with circular chamber at back. the cave was patronised by Ashok for Ajivika sects.

FOLK ART: mainly patronised by local govt. and rich people.

examples are- 1. yakshini statue from didargang, patna.

2.  jain torso from lohanipur 3. Terracotta of dancing girl from patliputra 4.laughing boy from Busear 5.laughing nati and natin statue.

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