The Evolution of Buddhist

Architecture:
An Indian-subcontinent
context

Punya S Marahatta, PhD( Arch.), MSc. (UMD), MSc. (Arch.)

Sessional Instructor
Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary
pmarahat@ucalgary.ca
Oct 31st 2013
Indian sub-continent
 Early Development of
Buddhist Architecture
Ashokan contribution and contribution of Sunga Dynasty
 Photo credit: blogs.utexas.edu

Ancient India after Vedic period

 Asoka
◦ left behind the first ever written language
Prakrita , which was other than Sanskrit, in
the subcontinent since the ancient city of
Harappa;
◦ built 84000 Stupas and sent his family
members for teaching Dhamma ( religion
widely understood either Hinduism or
Buddhism in the subcontinent);

Ashoka and early development of

Buddhist Architecture
 Six Ashokan contribution in art and
architecture of ancient India:
1. A series of edicts inscribed on rocks;
2. A number of tumuli or Stupas;
3. Certain monolithic pillars;
4. Several monolithic accessories to shrines;
5. The remains of vast palace;
6. A group of rock cut chambers;

Ashoka and early development of

Buddhist Architecture
 Ashokan Stupa At Sanchi

Ashoka and early development of

Buddhist Architecture
 Sanchi

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 Pillars

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 Pillar and Stupa in Vaisali

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 Pillar in Lumbini

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 Toranas at Sanchi

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 Toranas in Sanchi

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 Rock inscription in Kathiyawar, West India

Architecture of Ashokan Era: Early

Development
 The autocratic nature of Ashokan school
of architecture ended with the demise of
Ashoka, but was spread all over the
region being such strong in architectural
values;

Ashokan influences
Indian Buddhist architecture
Early development
 Ashokan movement after
50 years ended by rise
of Sunga Dynesty;
 Sungas ( Hindu clan)
◦ started to learn
Buddhism> Increased
religious importance of
Sanchi for both Hindus and
Buddhists;
◦ expanded Sanchi stupa
adding:
 The height to 70’ and
diameter to 120’;
 circumambulation of two
levels the upper to the monks
and lower to the commoners;

Indian Buddhist architecture

Early development
 Torana added;
 ‘Vedica’- railing with coping was introduced
usually with 12’ height;
 ‘Harmika’- the finial of Stupa in the form of a
pedestal was added with triple umbrella in
stone;

Indian Buddhist architecture

Early development
 In India, the rock cut Buddhist
architecture resolves two distinct
movements:
1. Earliest phase or Hinayana movement(
2nd BC-2nd AD);
2. Later phase or Mahayana as theistic
Buddhism;

Indian Buddhist architecture

Hinayana tradition as rock cut architecture
 Hinayana:
primitive
Buddhism;
 architecture
expanded in places
like Sanchi,
Bharhut,
Bodhgaya by the
Ashokan
movement using
construction
technologies; Source: http://records.photodharma.net

Indian Buddhist architecture

Hinayana tradition as rock cut architecture
Indian Buddhist architecture
Early development/ Lomas Rishi Doorway and Interior
Indian Buddhist architecture
Hinayana tradition as rock cut architecture
Indian Buddhist architecture
Hinayana tradition as rock cut architecture
Further Development of
Buddhist Architecture
Introduction of Mahayana, Development in North-west
and South India
 Developments at Gandhara:
- With the extension of Greek power to
Bactria( Northern Afghanistan)>Alexander
the great (4th century BC)> the Greek
architectural influence in Indian
subcontinent;
- Bactria’s extension in northern India by 190
BC> followed by Parthians>later overrun by
Scythians, who eventually founded the
Indo-Scythian empire of Kushans;

Indian Buddhist architecture

Further Development
Kushan Empire
Indian Buddhist architecture
Further Development
Indian Buddhist architecture
Further Development

- The height of this temple is 40’

with a heavy superstructure;
- The most significant part of this
temple is column capital which is
made of sandstone;
- Portico followed Ionic order
rather than Corinthian, where the
columns were not monolithic
rather shafts were made of
separate drums fixed with
dowels;
Indian Buddhist architecture
Further Development
Indian Buddhist architecture
Further Development
Indian Buddhist architecture
Further Development/ Takht-I-Bahi
Further Development of Buddhist
architecture
(south India ca 200BC -4th century AD)
Amaravati stupa
 Ghantashala stupa:
- It is perhaps the most
scientifically constructed
stupa;
- Consisted of cross-walls
forming compartments in
the centre;
- Other walls are radiating
towards the circumference
like the spokes of a wheel;
- Used kiln burnt large size
bricks;
- As to the shape and height,
it was provably one of the
first to built the low
hemispherical mound similar
to the large stupa at Sanchi;

Further Development of Buddhist

architecture
(south India ca 200BC -4th century AD)
Later Development of
Buddhist Architecture
Indian Buddhist Architecture
Later development
 Later development of Mahayana Buddhism
were at four major sites where Buddha took
point of diversions;
1. Kapilvastu –renunciation;
2. Bodhgaya –enlightment;
3. Sarnath –Dharma preaching;
4. Kushinagara –nirvana;
 Fusion of Gandharan and Sanchi architecture
was in the process in Mathura which
contributed for the evolution of mentioned four
key sites of later development;

Indian Buddhist Architecture

Later development
  By this time the skill in brick
building was also developed
and the style of this era is
characterised by large scale and
massive structures consisting of
Stupa, Chaitya hall,
monasteries and colleges
(example: Nalanda);

Indian Buddhist Architecture

Later development
 Four major sites along with
University of Nalanda:
- The sanctuaries were of
immense size with walled
enclosures along with defended
gateways;
- Found very large in size to
accommodate monks and
followers of the faith taking
refuse at the time of religious
prosecution;

Indian Buddhist Architecture

Later development
Indian Buddhist Architecture
Later development: NALANDA
Indian Buddhist Architecture
Later development
Bodh Gaya
 - At each corners of terrace is
a turret, a copy to a smaller
scale of the central tower;
- At a whole, this
composition of five towers
corresponds to a
Panchayatana or five shrine
temples of Hindus( possibly
introduced in 14th century);

Indian Buddhist Architecture

Later development
Indian Buddhist Architecture
Later development

 Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath:

- Sarnath, near Benaras;
- Benaras renowned for Hindu
shrines whereas Sarnath
consists of Buddhist shrines;
- Sarnath is well known for the
Dhamek stupa;
- Dhamek built with a
substantial core of brick but
faced with solid ’envelope’ of
stone masonry;
 The most prominent features of Mahayana
rock cut architecture are found in Ajanta;
 Ajanta site is renowned completely for
Buddhist rock cut architecture;
 Both Hinayana development and Mahayana
developments are found in Ajanta;
 Caves no 8,9,10,12 and 13 are of Hinayana
development;
 From 5th century AD, Mahayana development
took place in Ajanta whereas after the rise of
Pallavas in 642 AD the process stopped;

Indian Buddhist Architecture

Later development
Mahayana Rock cut architecture(450-642AD)
 Chaitya hall no.19 at Ajanta:
- Hall with apse;
- Treatment of Mahayana development;
- Sizes are decided according to the
aesthetic standpoint;
 Chaitya hall no.26 at Ajanta:
- Started to understand the durability
and stiffness of stone as building
material;
- This understanding gave slender
architecture;
 After this period of development,
Pallavas rose and pushed themselves
further south therefore Buddhist
architecture also chased out from this
region and Hinduism revived;

Indian Buddhist Architecture

Later development
Mahayana Rock cut architecture(450-642AD)
 One of four Ashokan Stupas in Patan (ca 250 AD)

Stupas in Kathmandu
 Swayambhunath Stupa
King Vrsadeva (464-505 CE)

Stupas in Kathmandu
 Bouddhanath Stupa
King Shivadeva (C. 590-604 CE)

Stupas in Kathmandu
 Chilancho Stupa
King Jagatpal Verma(1515 AD)

Stupas in Kathmandu
Questions?
Thank you!