BUDDHIST

PERIOD INDIA
 BUDDHISM
Around 530 BC a young prince named Siddhartha Gautama challenged
the ideas of the Brahmin priests and created a philosophy of living life,
which flourished and spread across the word as Buddhism. The religion
taught non – violence , oneness and humanity.
Philosophy

• First Noble Truth: Everything in life is suffering

and sorrow

• Second Noble Truth: The cause of all this pain

is people’s self-centered cravings and desires --
- people seek pleasure that cannot last and
that leads only to rebirth and more suffering

• Third Noble Truth: The way to end all pain is to

end all desires

• Fourth Noble Truth: People can overcome their

desires and attain enlightenment by following
the Eightfold Path
The eight elements of the path/8 fold path :
1.Right knowledge,
2.Right purpose
3.Right speech
4.Right action
5.Right living
6.Right effort
7.Right mindfulness
8.Right meditation

• By following the eightfold path, anyone could attain nirvana--which was the
release from all pain and suffering .

• The religion initially did not involve making of figures of idols but gradually with
the passage of time, the followers started making sculptural representation of
Buddha.
Buddhist sects

Hinayana
Buddha was represented by religious
symbols like, Dharmachakra, Chattri,
Footprints, etc.
Mahayana
Buddha was represented by sculptures
carved out in various sizes, depicting
various postures like standing, sitting,
laying, etc
• Buddha taught his followers to treat all living
things (humans, animals, and even insects) with
kindness and love.
• Buddha eliminated the caste system, the rituals
associated with Hinduism, and the ancient
language (Sanskrit) of the Vedas and
Upanishads
• Concerned with all human beings---women as
well as men, and lowborn as well as highborn.

• Primarily a monastic religion---young men leave

their families to become monks dedicated to
the Eightfold Path and achieving enlightenment
(and, eventually, nirvana)

• The most important symbol in Buddhism is the

Wheel of Life which depicts the cycle of birth
and life

• The eight spokes symbolize the Eightfold Path.

• Buddhist teachings & beliefs were recorded in a

collection called the Tripitaka.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND POLITICAL
CONDITION
 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF INDIAN DYNASTIES Buddhism

Bimbisar Ajatshatru Nine Nanda kings Hinduism

(last king was Dhananand) Jainism
Mix religion flourished
Maurya dynasty

Greco – Bactrian Mahameghvahana Sung dynasty Satvahana Kanav

kingdom

Kushan Indo Scythian(n) Andhra

Yuezhi Indo Malavas in Vaktakas, Kadambas , Pandya(s)

Parthian Rajasthan(w), Chalukya,Sakas Pallavas (c & s)
Nagas, (c)
Uccakalpas,
Lichhavis(e & c)
Persian invasion
Imperial Gupta dynasty Chalukyas and Pallava(s.w)
(n ,w, c.e , s.e) Rashtrakutas Chola dynasty (s)
Islamic
invasion(n)
Gurjara pratiharas, Rajputa (w) Pala, Chandella, Vijaynagar and Hoysala (e,s)
DYNASTIES AFTER MAURYA PERIOD
THE LAST BUDDHIST HARSHA
ARCHITECTURE
 BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE
Buddhist architecture is a term used to define special kind of
buildings/monuments/structures, those were constructed during the period when
Buddhism was practiced and received patronage of many rulers, during different
periods.
Sculpture and Roc-cut /cave
Burial mound architecture

Edicts inscribed on the Stupas / Chaityas / Viharas/

rocks and monolithic Burial Prayer halls Monasteries
pillars/ Stambha mounds
EDICTS INSCRIBED ON THE ROCKS
MONOLITHIC PILLAR
 IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC
 The architectural composition of monolithic pillars is remarkable and can not be left
unnoticed.
 It consists of 2 pieces join together, by means of a barrel shaped copper bolt.
 The total height is about 50 feet.
THE SAFT
 The shaft has plane surface without any ornamentation, with finished smooth as if
polished, perhaps for writing on them.
 It is circular in plan and 30ft to 40ft high.
 There is no base at ground level (the shaft starts right from the ground), and tapers
upwards (reduces in diameter) to 2ft diameter at the top.
THE CAPITAL AND THE SUPERSTRUCTURE
 These are the most ornamented parts of the columns both carved in a single piece of stone.
 The capital has an abacus and carved Buddhist symbol attaining a total height of around 7ft.
 The capital has a diameter of 3ft and it consist of fluted petals, in the shape of bell or
inverted lotus.
 The superstructure consists of figures of animals having mythological significance, carved
on the base pedestal.
SAFT CAPITAL AND SUPER STRUCTURE

STAMBH AT VAISHALI
ASHOKA PILLAR • The authentic examples of these pillars are those
which king Ashoka set up to bear inscriptions
conveying to his subjects the leading doctrines of
the new faith he had adopted, Buddhism. These
are sturdy, finely proportional and properly
balanced religious sign posts.
• The pillar at sarnath more than 15m high has a
group of four addressed lions with flowing
manes, surmounting the capital.
• These lions originally supported a massive metal
wheel with 24 spokes called ‘wheels of the law’.
• The capital more than 2m high resembles the
shape of a inverted bell or lotus bub with series
of fluted petals.
• Above the capital is the abacus which is circular,
having broad edge carves with ornamental
borders, containing four figure of animals
alternate with the four small wheels.
• At Sarnath, the carved animals are as follows:-
1) Elephant- guardian of the east.
2) Horse- guardian of the south.
3) Bull- guardian of the west.
4) Lion- guardian of the north
STAMBH AT SANCHI STAMBH AT LUMBINI
STUPA
 IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC
 Stupa is term applied to the burial mounds,
where the relics of Buddha are preserved.
 They were initially constructed as hemispherical
mounds, in brick masonry. Perhaps the early
deterioration started because of the use of
perishable material like unburnt bricks.
 These were size 16”x10”x3”. The mound was
finally covered with thick layer of plaster.
 Later renovations and modifications exchanged
the wood with stone, for preservation and easy
maintenance.
SOME COMMON TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STUPA ARE:

 Anda or egg - the hemispherical mound.

 Parasol - umbrella on the top of the mound, as a symbol of dignity.

 Pradakshina path - circumambulation path for processional passage or individual

movement around the stupa.

 Vedika - wooden railing enclosing the monument.

TYPES OF STUPAS
Built for a variety of reasons, Buddhist stupas are classified based on form and function
into five types:

Relic stupa, in which the relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples and lay saints are
interred.

Object stupa, in which the items interred are objects belonged to the Buddha or his
disciples such as a begging bowl or robe, or important Buddhist scriptures.

Commemorative stupa, built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his

disciples.

Symbolic stupa, to symbolise aspects of Buddhist theology, for example, Borobuddur is

considered to be the symbol of "the Three Worlds (dhatu) and the spiritual stages
(bhumi) in a Mahayana bodhisattva's character."

Votive stupa, constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at

the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.
Later Period Evolution
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA  The original stupa was constructed in brick
having 70ft diameter and 35ft height.
 The diameter of the final form of stupa,
finished in stone, is 120ft and height is 54ft.
 There is ambulatory passage at 2 levels: one
at the ground level and second at an elevated
level approached by two flights of steps in
the southern direction, facing each other.
 These passages are guarded by railings at
both the levels.
 The ambulatory path at the ground level has
4 toranas/doorways facing 4 directions.
 The vedica/railing constitutes vertical
members (stambha) and horizontal members
(soochi). These are made in mortise and
tenant joints made in stones. The railing is
topped by coping. There is carving at certain
locations in this vedica. The inscriptions on
the stone suggest that various pieces of the
vedica and torana have been donated and
devoted by various rulers.
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
 A hermica (cubical casing), surrounded by
vedica is placed on the top of dome.
 In the center of the hermica is a canopy in
three tiers.
 Toranas comprise two vertical
posts/upright and three horizontal bands
on the top, at regular interval and with
spiral curves carved at the free ends.
 Each of the four toranas is carved
differently and on the top of each square
column there are animal figures.
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
SANCHI STUPA
THE HOLLOW CORE STUPA OF
KRISHANA GODAVARI

PLAN
SECTION
AMARAVATI STUPA
AMARAVATI STUPA
AMARAVATI STUPA
 AMARAVATI
STUPA
• The stupa well have been the one to
have the largest marble-surfaced
dome in the world.

• The dome and the outer and inner

sides of the railing were richly
adorned with carvings, depicting
events from the life of Buddha.
 AMARAVATI STUPA

GATEWAY

There were four gateways in the

railing around the Stupa. Each one
of the gateways marked one of the
four directions, north, south, east
and west.

ARYAKA PLATFORM

A small platform extended out from

the drum at each of the gateways.
Five pillars were mounted on top of
each of the ayaka platforms. The
ayaka platform may have been used
in the rituals which took place at the
Amaravati Stupa.
 AMARAVATI STUPA
RAILING
Around the outer limits of the Stupa was a tall railing made of limestone. The railing
marked the boundaries of the Stupa.

LION

Lion sculptures were

placed at the
gateways to the
Amaravati Stupa.
Lions represented
power and strength
and were meant to
ward off evil spirits
and protect the Stupa.
DHAMEKA STUPA , SARNATH
MAHABODHI STUPA, BODHGAYA
 AJIVIKA
• The lomas rishi carved out by the
Ajivikas in 250 BC was the first step
towards the creation of the creation
of the great art of cave architecture
of the Buddhist.
• One of the earliest sculptural
embellishments applied by stone
carvers to caves inspired by the
traditional timber forms.

ORIGIN AND INSPIRATION FOR ROCK CUT ARCHITECTURE

AJIVIKA
AJIVIKA
CHAITYA AND VIHARA
 CHAITYA
 Chaityas are the halls of worship for large
congregations.
 The need for large space in these lonely areas
for some religious purposes like chanting or
circumambulation, etc. in groups, brought
into picture the “chaityas” or “prayer halls” or
“assembly halls”.
 Various remains have proved that these
chaityas were carved out spaces in various
shapes like rectangular, circular, and
elongated with apsidal end.
 The roof of these halls was that of barrel
vaults in section.
 A small representational stupa is also evident
in some cases, at the end of these halls,
perhaps for the purpose of circumambulation
around it.
 The columns are also created out in these
halls by carving them out from this living rock.
• These members were not actually transferring EARLIER CHAITYA HALLS IN URBAN ARAES
loads, or in other words they were non
structural members.
CHAITYAGRIHA AT LALITGIRI
CHAITYAGRIHA AT BHAJA
 CHAITYAGRIHA AT BHAJA
 Location: Bhaja, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS
 It is an excellent work of architecture.
 The entrance to the hall is decorated
with timber.
 The plan is 55ft x 26ft.
 There is a 2'6” wide passage on both
sides in plan.
 Columns of the hall are 11ft high.
 Height of the hall is 29ft from the floor
level.
 There is a small stupa built in stone with
wooden vedicas all around, inside the
hall. There is also a small vedica at the
top of stupa.
CHAITYAGRIHA AT BHAJA

PLAN OF BHAJA CAVE

CHAITYAGRIHA AT BEDASA
 CHAITYAGRIHA AT BEDASA
 Location: Bedsa, Mumbai,
Maharashtra.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS
 It is a small chaityagrih, made in
stone.
 The plan is 45'6”x21'.
 Roof is barrel vault in section.
 Entrance to chaitya is carved on
the facade with horizontal bands
and gavaksha windows one
above the other.
 Two pillars one on each side are
carved, having elephant and
horse capital.
CHAITYAGRIHA AT BEDASA
CHAITYAGRIHA AT BEDASA
CHAITYAGRIHA AT BEDASA
CHAITYAGRIHA AT KARLI
 CHAITYAGRIHA AT KARLI
 Location: Karle, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
 It is suppose to be the best and the most beautiful chaityas in india.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS
 The entrance facade is double storied resting on columns.
 There is projected musical hall made in timber, in the center of the hall.
 The plan is 124'x45'6”, including the side galleries (separated by pillars)
 The height of chaitya is 45ft. The roof is barrel vault in section, with ribs carved on
the ceiling.
 The chaitya has an apsidal end having 7 columns surrounding a small stupa.
Perhaps this stupa was used for circumambulation around it. It is ornamented with
a chhatri on top.
 There are 15 columns on both side and 7 the rear, making a total of 37 columns.
 The shaft of column is octagonal and resting on pedestal and a square base.
CHAITYAGRIHA AT KARLI
CHAITYAGRIHA AT KARLI
CHAITYAGRIHA AT KARLI
 VIHARA
 Viharas are monasteries or dwellings
of monks.
 These can be witnessed as raw cut
caves, created for living purposes.
 Viharas are separated over large
areas. Generally a good number of
caves are grouped together. these
groups have combination of viharas
and chaityas.
 Viharas for living and chaityas for
praying together by these monks, as
per the decided schedule.
 The viharas are simple chambers cut
into the living rock, with finished
smooth in surface.
 The chambers were generally square,
arranged around a courtyard or a
EARLIER VIHARA IN URBAN ARAES
pillared hall. The pillars were simply
carved out of stone and were not
participating in actual load transfer.
VIHARA AT AJANTA
VIHARA AT AJANTA
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
 AJANTA CAVES
 There are 29 caves in this group and they lie on a horse-shoe shaped valley.
 There are caves dedicated to buddhism that date back from 2nd century BC to 7th
century AD.
 The caves belong to the two styles, Hinayana style (2nd century BC to 7th century AD)
and Mahayana style. (4th century AD to 7th century AD).
 The glorious work of art and architecture, the frescoes and paintings, etc. can be
credited to the golden age of Guptas, when this art was at its peak and received full
patronage of the Gupta leaders.
 Location: Nr. Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
 Out of 29 caves number of viharas are 25 and number of chaityas are 4.

IMPORTANT CAVES
 Cave number 7- vihara having 17 chambers, all set around a rectangular hall.
 Cave number 12- it is the oldest vihara. The hall is a square of 38ft, having columns
carved on both the sides. There are 4 chambers on each of the 3 sides of this hall.
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
AJANTA CAVES
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
NALANDA UNIVERSITY
BODHGAYA
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 2
1.Explain philosophies of Buddhism.
2.Explain different sects of Buddhism in detail.
3.Explain different types of Buddhist structure. State the example for each.
4.Explain Monolithic Pillar with example and sketches(plan and section).
5.Explain Stupa in detail and its types and example with sketches(plan and section).
6.Explain Chaitya in detail with examples and sketches(plan and section).
7.Explain Vihara in detail with examples and sketches(plan and section).
8.What is rock cut architecture? Explain it with first example of rock cut architecture.
9.Discuss the evolution of concept of Stupa, its form space organisation for various purposes /
rituals.
10.Explain the difference between Vihar and Chaitya with sketches and describe the guiding
factors for their development.
11.Explain in detail Sanchi Stupa with sketches(plan and section).
12.Explain in detail Karli Chaitya with sketches(plan and section).
13.Explain in detail Bhaja Chaitya with sketches(plan and section).
14.Explain in detail Ajanta caves.
15.Explain in detail Bodhgaya temple complex.
16.Writes note on Ashoka’s stone pillar and its symbolic representation through
carvings on its upper part.
BOOK REFRENCE

1. Buddhist and Hindu architecture – Satish Grover

2. Ancient Indian architecture - Sanjeev Maheshvari ,Rajiv Gerg
3. History of Indian architecture : Buddhist ,Jain and Hindu – Sharmin Khan
4. Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu)- Percy Brown