INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

THE ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS, STYLISTIC FEATURES, SYMBOLISM, AND CONCEPTS OF SPACE IN

THE INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA & SAATVAHANS)

200 BC
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30 BC
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200 AD
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• Ashoka’s successor were unable to preserve unity and sovereignty of the empire.

• Around 187 BC the last of them was defeated by his rebel general pushyamitra shunga , who founded the shunga

dynasty.

• Lots of controversy regarding origin of satvahansa.

• Suggested that… Origin home of satvahanas is Maharashtra

• Satvahanas became independent of weak Mauryans.

• Satvahana (Andhra) included

✓ Saatkarni I and II

✓ Gautami Putra Sri Satakarni

✓ Vashistha Putra
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ART AND ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS

• Buildings, Stupas, Rajprasadas were made up of stones instead of timber, sun-dried bricks and mud .

• Shungas drew the subject matter of art and architecture from public life – providing direction to the common

people, instead of religious symbols, temples, viharas and stupas

• This period is important link of Indian architecture. Architecture of Stupa developed to its present day form in

this period.

• Rock cut architecture grew and developed to its finest form in this period (ex: Karle, Bhaja, Nasik)

• Ajanta’s cave and monolithic pillar also developed during this period.

• Buddhism transformed from Hinayana belief to Mahayana belief.

• Depicts Floral Patterns, animals, human forms in relief.

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

SHUNGA – SAATVAHANS ARCHITECTURE

Rock cut caves

Sculptures

Stupas
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ROCK CUT ARCHITECTURE

• Constructed in eastern and western India

• Caves of Udaygiri and Khandgiri…

✓ Constructed during rule of Kharvela Kings

✓ For residential purpose of Saints

• Rock cut caves constructed in western india for budhhist monks.

• Caves have been dated from 2nd century BC to 7th Century AD.

• Hinayana- from 2nd century BC to 2nd Century AD

• Mahayana- from 3rd century AD to 7th century AD

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

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CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

• Located 5 miles north-west of present day bhuwaneshwar in khandagiri and udaygiri hills

• Khandagiri – 16 caves…

✓ Navgiri, Devasabha, anant,Tatowa,Tentuli,Trishula etc.

• Udaygiri – 19 Caves…

✓ Rani , Ganesh , Hathi,Vyaghra, Sarpa,Thakurani etc.

✓ Cave No. 1 - Rani Gumpha does not allow a man to stand erect.

✓ Cells are narrow such that one can not stretch himself

✓ Cells are - Dormitories (Sloping rise of the floor at the rear end to serve the purpose of pillow).
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CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

Hathi Gumpha:
• Detailed inscription in Brahammi Language.
• Dates Back to 2nd Century BC
• Portrays a life sketch of Kalingraja Kharvela.
• Constructed for residential purpose of Saints.

Rani Gumpha:
• Largest (Two floors of 8ft Height)
• Every room has central chambers and courtyard.
• Rectangular in shape and layout of letter ‘L’
• Two tiered Rani gumpha probably used for Auditorium
• A Rectangular platform with Four richly carved columns with bowl like capital.
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

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CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

Alkapuri Gumpha:

• Cave no 4 adjoins cave no 3 with 2 spacious cells

• with convex ceiling one above the other

Jay –Vijay Gumpha:

• Cave no 5 with 2 cell monastery with benched veranda in front.

• Front side of left and right pilaster, Resp. by male and female figure.

• Bracket above Male figure

• Cells have separate decorated doors with animal having single horn.
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CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

Thakurani Gumpha:
• Cave no 7- Spacious and high with convex ceiling
• Upper cells, Usual Pillows like inclination & veranda w/o pillar.
Ganesh Gumpha:
• Cave no 10
• Called Ganesh gumpha because…
• Figure of ganesha carved on back of the right cell.
• Both cell have two door opening with sloping jambs.
Bagh Gumpha:
• Cave no 12-Front façade in form of tiger with open jaws.
Sarpa Gumpha:
• Cave no 13-Three hooded snake carved on façade of narrow verandas.
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CAVES OF EASTERN REGION

Tatowa Gumpha 1 & 2:

• Cave no 1 and 2 at Khandagiri - Figure of parrot carved on arches of their doorways.

• A low cell with two doorways, fronted by a benched veranda.

• Ceiling of verandah is supported by pillars. (Octagonal in middle and square below and above)

Ananta Gumpha:

• Cave no3 – figure of twin serpents on door arches.

• Long cell has convex ceiling and height of a man.

Navamuni Gumpha:

• Cave no 7- Figure of Nine Tirthankara carved on back and right walls (with smaller figure of chandraprabha)

• Figure of Parshwanath carved twice.

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

Caves of Western region can be divided into Three Categories:

• First Category Caves (Bhaja, Kondane)

• Second Category Caves (Pitalkhora,Ajanta, Bedsa, Karle, Junnar, Nasik)

• Third Category Caves (Kanheri)

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

First Category Caves:

• Bhaja Architectural Style:
✓ Viharas
✓ Chaityas
✓ Stupas

• Vihara:
✓ Entrance Foyer: 9 ft X 18 ft
✓ Inner Hall: 16 ft 7 inches deep
✓ Residential chambers for the monks on the three sides of the hall
✓ Artistic sculptures inside the vihara
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

CHAITYA HALL AT BHAJA

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

First Category Caves:

• Bhaja Architectural Style:

✓ Chaitya Hall:

➢ 55 ft X 26 ft in Plan

➢ 2 ft 6 Inches wide galleries

➢ 11 ft high columns

➢ Height of the vault is 29 ft from the floor.

➢ Stupa within is carved out of solid rock

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

BHAJA ROCK CUT CAVES

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

• Bhaja Caves are a group of 221 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BCE
located at Karli in Maharashtra.
• These caves are on a major trade route of the past that ran from the
Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan region, the division between North
India and South India.
• The Bhaja caves share the same set of architectural designs as Karle
caves.
• Visually most impressive monument is large shrine - chaityagriha - with
open, horseshoe-arched entrance part. The chaitya has unique reliefs of
Indian mythology.
• Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid stupa
and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the circumambulation
path.
• Notable part of monument is a group of 14 stupas, five inside and nine
outside an irregular excavation. One of the caves has some fine sculptures.
Near the last cave is a waterfall which, during the monsoon season, has
water that falls into a small pool at the bottom.
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

Indra riding an elephant, door relief Indra riding an elephant, door relief From Bhaja cave,
From Bhaja cave, 2nd. Century BCE 2nd. Century BCE
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

Bhaja Cave
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

Chaitya Hall, Bhaja Cave, 1st Century BCE

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

Bhaja, Living Quaters

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

Main facade of the Bhaja caves. Horse-shoe shaped façade.

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

• First Category Caves:

✓ Kondane Architectural Style:

✓ Vihara:

➢ In the Center there is a large pillared hall

➢ On three sides there are residential chambers for the monks

✓ Chaitya Hall:

➢ Entrance façade and internal hall is similar to Bhaja Architectural Style

➢ Inner Garbh Grih is 26 ft 6 Inches wide and 66 ft deep

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

• Second Category Caves:

• Pitalkhora Architectural Style:

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION

• Second Category Caves:

✓ Ajanta Architectural Style:

➢ Ajanta caves developed during 2nd century BC to 7th century AD.

➢ Developed in two different styles

➢ 2nd Century BC to 2nd Century AD – Hinayana Style

➢ 2nd Century AD to 7th Century AD – Mahayana Style

➢ In total there are 29 caves, out of which 4 are chaitya halls and 25 viharas
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• These caves are 60 km from Jalgaon.

• The caves are situated in a horse – shoe

shaped valley and spread over a length
of more than 500 m from east to west
wherein flows the small rivulet Waghor .

• There are 30 caves out of which 9, on

the face of almost vertical cliff 79 m
high. The caves were excavated in
different periods (circa. 2nd century B.C.
to 6th century A.D.) according to the
necessity. Each cave was connected to
the stream by a flight of steps, which are
now almost obliterated, albeit traces of
some could be noticed at some places.
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• The cave walls are filled with figures of celestial
beings , dancers and deities of the buddhist.

• In all, total 30 excavations were hewn out of rock

which also include an unfinished one. Out of these,
five (cave no. 9, 10, 19, 26, and 29) are chaityagrihas
and the rest are viharas.
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• Second Category Caves:

• Ajanta Architectural Style:

• Cave No. 10 at Ajanta:

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• Second Category Caves:

✓ Ajanta Architectural Style:

✓ Cave No. 10 at Ajanta:

➢ Built in 2nd Century BC

➢ 96 ft 6 inches long, 41 ft 3 inches wide and 36 ft high

➢ Central portion of the chaitya hall is separated from the gallery by 59 simple octagonal pillars

➢ Semi circular dead end has a decorated Stupa

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• Second Category Caves:

• Ajanta Architectural Style:

• Cave No. 9 at Ajanta:

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• Second Category Caves:

✓ Ajanta Architectural Style:

✓ Cave No. 9 at Ajanta:

➢ Smaller Chaitya Hall

➢ In the middle of the façade, there is a Toran Dwara

➢ On both sides of the toran dwara there are window openings

➢ Music hall is located on top of the toran dwara

➢ Chaitya window has been provided on the music hall, which is used to illuminate and ventilate the hall
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

• Second Category Caves:

✓ Bedsa Architectural Style:

✓ Chaityagrih at Bedsa:

➢ Smaller in Size

➢ Greater use of stone as compared to timber

➢ Frame of the Chaitya opening is carved out of stone

➢ Tapered columns with beautiful column capital has been introduced

➢ Two entrance pillars at the foyer with carved animals

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – AJANTA CAVES

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – CHAITYAS

• Chaityas or ‘sacred spots’ are the temples as well as
assembly halls created out of the particular demands of
buddhist religion. These became necessary to
accommodate those who congregated to pay their
homage.

• These have a small rectangular door-way which opens to a

vaulted hall, with apsidal end and divided longitudinally by
two colonnades forming a broad nave in the centre and
two side aisles.

• At end is a stupa also carved in natural rock with enough

space around it for circumambulation

• The roof is usually semi-circular.

1-stupa, 2-nave, 3-aisles, 4-entry

 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – CHAITYA AT KARLI

• The entrance of the chaitya is very grand and consists
of three doorways set underneath a gallery.
• The chaitya hall is 38.5m long and 13m wide with a
vaulted roof rising to a height of 13.7m.
• The roof is supplemented by a series of wooden ribs
which are closely spaced.
• The hall is divided by two rows of columns forming a
broad nave in the centre.
• Each column is 1.22m in diameter and 7.32m high,
with bell shapes capital which supports a pair of
kneeling elephants carrying male and female riders
and those of horses and tigers in the rear.
• The shaft is octagonal in shape and has a vase-shapes
base.
• At the end is a stupa, caved in natural rock, with
railing and inverted stepped pyramid at the top.
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – CHAITYA AT KARLI

Detail of wooden frame for Facade of chaitya hall at

window karli

Richly carved pillars Couples on elephant

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – CHAITYA AT KARLI

Section in perspective of rock-cut

chaitya hall at karli
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – CHAITYA AT KARLI

Karle Chaitya Hall, a Buddhist cathedral with a

nave and two aisles, 2nd century CE
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – CHAITYA AT KARLI

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – JUNNAR

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – KANHERI

THIRD CATEGORY CAVES KANHERI CAVES:

• In totality there are 109 Caves

• Initially of Hinayana belief, but in the later period following Mahayana belief
• Time period – 1st Century BC to 9th Century AD
• The entire cluster of caves was working as a large Buddhist institution and was active untill 11th Century AD
• Various Inscriptions were carved out in Brahammi, Pallavi, Sanskrit and Devnagri.
• Most of these caves are Viharas and some of them are Chaityas and Buddhist temples, where monks used to
assemble for prayers
• Cave No. 3 is the most impressive amongst all the caves at Kanheri.
• Cave No. 11 is a Darbaar Hall, having several long seats meant to facilitate face to face group discussions among
the monks.
• Some other functioning found in these caves are cooking hearth, cremation grounds, public toilets, water
conservation and management system with small surface drains on the upper layer.
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – KANHERI

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – KANHERI

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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – SCULPTURES

• Two Distinct styles of sculpture movement

✓ Mathura Style
✓ Gandhara Style
• Mathura Style:
✓ Sculptures used RED SAND STONE
✓ Initially they drew inspiration from Jainism and therefore they carved out statues of Digamber Tirthankars
seated in a “Padmasan”
✓ Later they made statues of Yakshinies adorning the entrance of Stupa
• Gandhara Style:
✓ This style originated and grew when Greeks lost their control over this region.
✓ In this style, subject matter remained Indian but the expressions and their depiction had the lingering
expressions of the Greek Style.
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE – I (ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGA, SAATVAHANS)

CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – STUPA

• Stupas made by the great Ashoka at Sanchi Bharhut & Bodhigaya were renovated and extended during the rule of
Shunga Kings.
• In these process several new elements were executed on these monuments.
• STUPA AT BHARHUT:
✓ The existing Stupa was extended and a boundary comprising of stone vedica with Torana was constructed.
✓ Ambulatory path between Stupa and the boundary of 10 ft 4 Inches
✓ Collonade of Vedica had a 7 ft 1 Inch tall 80 pillars
✓ Stone railing with coping over the Vedica
✓ “Soochi” – a member in the middle to tie the columns
✓ Inscriptions on the eastern Torana dipicting history of construction of this Stupa
✓ Way of life, natural scene have been carved out on the Toranas, Suchies and Architrave of Bharhut Stupa
✓ Several Yaksh – Yashinies, creepers, animals and trees have been beautifully carved out.
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CAVES OF WESTERN REGION – STUPA

STUPA AT SANCHI:

• Vedicas were constructed for core of the Stupa, stairway and around “Harmica”
• Temple no. 40, Stupa no. 2 & 3 together with Vedica was rebuilt and completed during this period
• Apart from these Torana’s have been carved out and categorized as below:
• Scenes from the folk lore
• Events related to Buddha’s birth
• Events of the history of Buddha religion
• Human form of Buddha
• Various Scenes and ornamentation