Indus & Saraswati Rise of Jainism and Golden Age of India India's

Periods Pre-History Vedic Period Mauryan Period Art Muslim Invasions The Moghul Empire The British Rule Freedom
Civilizations Buddhism
& Sciences Struggle
Events in the Land of Harappa and Aryan Migration Gautama Buddha The Great Marco Polo visits Akbar defeats Prohibition of Sati Massacre at Jallianwala
the Timeless Theater Mohenjodaro (563- Alexander invades India (1288) Rana Pratap at (1829) Bagh (1919)
Communities (2500- The Vedas 433 B.C.) parts of India (326 Haldighat (1576)
1550 B.C.) are composed. B.C.) Khilji Dynasty (1300) East India Company First Indian war of Quit India Movement
Timeline of India is formed (1600) Independence (1857) (1947)
Mahabharata Chandra Gupta The Vijayanager
is composed. Maurya (300 B.C.) and Khajuraho Temples are Empire (1336- Indian National
the establishment of built. 1565) Congress is formed
Indian Empire. (1885)
The Hoysala Ibn Batuta in India
Indian History is as old Emperor Ashoka Dynasty The temples 19th Century India
as the History of Mahavira (599 B.C.) (272 B.C.) and the of Belur Halebidu are First voyage of Vasco
Dravidian traditions are
Mankind. Artifacts spread of Buddhism. de Gama to Goa History of India:
Pre-Historic

established in south. 24th supreme preacher built. Chalukyas of The March of Dandi

1200 A.D.

1500 A.D.

1800 A.D.

1900 A.D.
2000 B.C.

1000 B.C.

600 B.C.

400 B.C.
dating back to as much (1498) Timeline of Freedom

0 A.D.
of Jainism. Badami and Kalyani Bebur (1530), Akbar and Rise of Mahatma
as 500,000 years have Mauryan Empire (1606), Aurangzeb Movements Gandhi (1930)
Hero-stones Hinduism takes deep
been found. Bimbisara (543-491 Ancient India, the Guptas (320-647) Southern Dynasties: (1700)
roots.
B.C.) one of the early Land of Mystery Chola, Pandya, Martyrdom of Bhagat
Rock Paintings kings of the Indian Pallavas of Kanchi Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Guru Gobind Singh Singh
Caste System
Cave Life and Cave kingdom of Magadha. (300- 888) Ganga, Chalukyas and
is established.
Art Khalsa Subhas Bose and Indian
Hinduis Buddhis Fa Hien (400) & Women in Medieval Taj Mahal is built National Army
m m Hiuen Tsang (630) in Deccan Shivaji (1646) and
Potpourr Jainism India the Marathas
Bhakti Movement
i
Biographies of
10th Century India Bahmani Kings Tilak, Savarkar,
Alberuni in India Hyder Alis and Cama
(1020) Mahmud of Tippu Sultan (1761-
Ghazni invades 1799) 19th Century India
Somnath temple (1026) Battle of Plassey 20th Century India
(1757)
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The physical features of India can be divided into six broad categories
according to their physiographic forms:
• Himalayan mountains

• Northern plains

• Peninsular plateau

• Indian desert

• Coastal plains

• Islands
• Timber was available in plenty in Indus and Ganges Valleys

• Building stones were rare

• White marble was available in some parts of India

• Rock-cut temples were built

• More than half of the country lies in the Tropic Cancer

• Climate varies widely

• Wet in winter and dry in summer

• Building built to adapt climate

Hinduism
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to
many scholars, with roots and customs dating back
more than 4,000 years.

Hinduism is unique in that it’s not a single religion but

a compilation of many traditions and philosophies.
Beliefs:
• Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this
reason, it’s sometimes referred to as a “way of
life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a
single, organized religion.

• Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which

means they worship a single deity, known as
“Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and
goddesses. Followers believe there are multiple
paths to reaching their god.

• Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the

continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation)
and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).
Beliefs:
• One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is
“atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy
holds that living creatures have a soul, and
they’re all part of the supreme soul. The goal is
to achieve “moksha,” or salvation, which ends
the cycle of rebirths to become part of the
absolute soul.

• One fundamental principle of the religion is the

idea that people’s actions and thoughts directly
determine their current life and future lives.

• Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code

of living that emphasizes good conduct and
morality.
Beliefs:
• Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the
cow a sacred animal.

• Food is an important part of life for Hindus.

Most don’t eat beef or pork, and many are
vegetarians.
 Beliefs:
Some of the most prominent deities include:

Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the world and all living things
Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the universe Shiva: the
god that destroys the universe in order to recreate it Devi: the
goddess that fights to restore dharma
Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love
Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity Saraswati: the
goddess of learning
Buddhism
Buddhism is a faith that was founded by
Siddhartha Gautama (“the Buddha”) more than
2,500 years ago in India.

Types:

Theravada Buddhism: Prevalent in Thailand,

Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Burma

Mahayana Buddhism: Prevalent in China,

Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam

Tibetan Buddhism: Prevalent in Tibet, Nepal,

Mongolia, Bhutan, and parts of Russia and
northern India
Beliefs:
• Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a
supreme god or deity. They instead focus on
achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace
and wisdom. When followers reach this spiritual
echelon, they’re said to have experienced nirvana.

• The religion’s founder, Buddha, is considered an

extraordinary man, but not a god. The word
Buddha means “enlightened.”

• The path to enlightenment is attained by

utilizing morality, meditation and wisdom.
Buddhists often meditate because they
believe it helps awaken truth.
Beliefs:
• There are many philosophies and
interpretations within Buddhism, making it a
tolerant and evolving religion.

• Some scholars don’t recognize Buddhism as an

organized religion, but rather, a “way of life” or a
“spiritual tradition.”

• Buddhism encourages its people to avoid self-

indulgence but also self-denial.

• Buddha’s most important teachings, known as The

Four Noble Truths, are essential to understanding
the religion.
Beliefs:
• Buddhists embrace the concepts of karma (the law
of cause and effect) and reincarnation (the
continuous cycle of rebirth).

• Followers of Buddhism can worship in temples

or in their own homes.

• Buddhist monks, or bhikkhus, follow a strict

code of conduct, which includes celibacy.

• There is no single Buddhist symbol, but a number

of images have evolved that represent Buddhist
beliefs, including the lotus flower, the eight-spoked
dharma wheel, the Bodhi tree and the swastika (an
ancient symbol whose name means "well-being" or
"good fortune" in Sanskrit).
Beliefs:
All Buddhists live by five moral precepts, which
prohibit:

• Killing living things

• Taking what is not given

• Sexual misconduct

• Lying

• Using drugs or alcohol

Beliefs:
The Four Noble Truths

• The truth of suffering (dukkha)

• The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)

• The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)

• The truth of the path that frees us from

suffering (magga)
Beliefs:
The Eightfold Path of Buddhism teaches the
following ideals for ethical conduct, mental
disciple and achieving wisdom:

• Right understanding (Samma ditthi)

• Right thought (Samma sankappa)
• Right speech (Samma vaca)
• Right action (Samma kammanta)
• Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
• Right effort (Samma vayama)
• Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
• Right concentration (Samma samadhi)
Jainism
Jainism is one of the 3 most ancient Indian
religious traditions which still in existence.

The religion originated in the 7th -5th century BCE

in the Ganges basin of eastern India.

Jainism promotes ascetism, the abandonment of ritual,

domestic and social action, and the attainment of
spiritual illumination in an attempt
to win, through one’s efforts, freedom from
repeted rebirth (samsara)
Sikhism
A religion and philosophy founded in the Punjab
region of the Indian subcontinent in the late 15 th
century.

Sikh ethics emphasize the congruence between

spiritual development and everyday moral conduct.
Its founder Guru Nanak summarized this perspective
with "Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is
truthful living“

The religion prohibits cutting of hair, intoxication,

priestly class, eating halal meat, and adultery
Beliefs:
1a. Simran (spiritual
contemplation) 1b. Sewa (selfless
service)
2. 3 Pillars
2a. Naam Japo (contemplating God's names) - Meditating on
God's name to control the five evils and living a satisfying life.
2b. Kirat Karo (work diligently) - Earning/making a living
honestly, without exploitation or fraud
2c. Vand Cchako - Sharing with others, helping those with less
or those who are in need
3. Five Thieves
3a. Kaam (lust)
3b. Krodh
(anger) 3c. Lobh
(greed)
3d. Moh (attachment, e.g. to material things or people)
3e. Hankaar (ego, pride)
4. Five Virtues
4a. Sat (truth)
4b. Santokh (contentment)
4c. Daya
(compassion) 4d.
Nimrata (humility) 4e.
Pyaar (love)
The architecture of the Indian subcontinent, from the Indus valley culture of the Harappa
to the Mauryan era, and later periods of foreign domination and indigenous rule,
characterized especially by Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Sometimes sharing the same
site, and rhythmic, stratified multiplication of motifs and profuse carved ornamentation,
often combining the religious and the sensuous
• SIKHARA – the extravagantly decorated peaks of
the towers rising from the core of the Hindu
temples
• SYMBOLIC LAYERS

o The tower specifically of Hindu temples

tell stories as they rise upwards
o Each has its own distinctive “handwriting”
and depicts the concerns of local cults as well
as universal theme.
 • ANIMAL STATUARY

o To Hindus, all life is sacred and

deserving of representation
o Most temples show fine sculpture and
carving of animals
• FIGURATIVE DECORATIONS

o To Hindus, the carving of sacred images

and figurines was an art form in itself,
requiring years of disciplined training
• Mandira
• Stupa
• Chaitya
• Vihara
• Stepwell
• Stambha/Lat
• Public Baths
• Palace
• Stupa – hemispherical
mound for worship/memory
Stupa III, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India
Parts of a
Stupa
• Torana – also called vandanamalikas; a
free-standing ornamental or arched gateway
for ceremonial purposes seen in the Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain Architecture
• Anda – dome
• Vedika – a railing around the stuppa

• Medhi – A circular terrace, enclosed by a

railing, surrounding the dome
• Harmika – a small platform with a railing
located at the very top of a stupa

• Yashti – a central pillar symbolizing the

 cosmic axis and support
• Chattra – A triple umbrella structure
supported by a yashti.
Parts of a
Stupa
• Chaitya – place of worship
Ajanta Chaitya
Parts of a Chaitya
1. Stupa
2. Nave
3. Aisles
4. Entry
Chaitya
Arch A motif characterized by
repetitive, elaborate frame,
spreading rather wide, around a
circular or semi-circular
medallion, which may contain a
sculpture of a figure or head.

GAVAKSH
A or
CHANDRASHALA
The motif center on an ogee,
circular or horseshoe arch that
decorates many examples of
Indian rock-cut architecture and
later Indian structural temples
and other buildings.
Chaitya Arch
• Vihara – monastery
Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple, Sarnath, India
• Vihara – In early Sanskrit and Pali texts, it meant
any arrangement of space or facilities for pleasure and
entertainment
Plan of a Vihara
• Stepwell – a
subterranean edifice
which serves as a
water reservoir
during periods of
drought,
/Rani Ki/Ranki Vav, Patan, Gujarat, India
• Stepwell is also known
as baudi, bawdi, bawri,
baoli, bavadi, and
bavdi (Hindi); vav,
vaav (Gujarati); kaiyani,
pushkarani (Kannada)
and barav (Marathi)
 Plan and Elevation of Ranki Vav
Parts of a Stepwell:
E E E
E
E
A – Torana
C D C B D B B D B D B D BA
B – Flight of stairs
E
C – Well-shaft E E
E
E
D – Passageway

E - Chamber Plan
Elevation
Building Typologies
Kirti Stambha,
Chittorgarh,
Rajasthan, India

• Stambha – or stamba; a
freestanding memorial pillar
in Indian Architecture, bearing
carved inscriptions, religious
emblems, or a statue. It is
believed to be a cosmis
columns which bonds heaven
(Svarga) and earth ( Prithvi)
• Lat – a monolithic stamba, as
distinguished from one built up of stone
courses.
Building Typologies
Different Stambhas (according to purpose):
• Dhvasjastambha – flagstaffs that are placed opposite the main
shrine, on an axis with the main deity
• Kirtistambha – erected to commemorate victories

• Ashokastambha – Pillars of Ashoka; erected during the reign of

Ashika which bear different royal edicts

• Adi Purana – a huge manastambha (“column of honor” in front of

Jain temples) which stands in front of the samavasarana of the
tirthankaras (an individual who has conquered samsara and made path
for others to follow) which causes someone entering a samavasarana
(divine teaching hall of the tirthankara)nto shed their pride
• Mandira is a Hindu temple

• Rath - or ratha - is a Hindu temple cut

out of solid rock to resemble a chariot

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Mahdya Pradesh, India

Hindu Temple Architectural Styles
Nagara
(North India Temples)
• Developed around 5th century is characterized by a beehive shaped tower
(sikhara)

• Square plan despite of its tower being circular

Dravida
(South India Temples)
• Developed around 7th century has a pyramidal tower consisting of
progressively smaller storeys of small pavilions, a narrow throat, and a dome
on the top

• The repeated storeys give a horizontal thrust to the southern style

Vesara
(some North and Central Indian Temples)
• Hybrid style
(Top Left) A Nagara-style temple (Top
Right) A Vesara-style temple (Bottom)
A Dravida-style temple
Plan of a Mandira
Elevation of a Mandira
Elevation of a Mandira

Circumambulation – the act of moving around a sacred object or idol. It is an integral part of Hindu and Buddhist devotional practice.
Types:

Parikrama – the art of circumambulating or walking around a stupa which is the focus of devotion, was an important ritual and devotional practice
Pradakhshina – A ritual circumambulation either immediately around the stupa or around the passage behind the columns of a temple
Section of a
Mandira