GS1 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Buddhism and Jainism | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. (GS 1 Mains Paper)

Answer:

Introduction:

Preserving India's rich artistic heritage is imperative in safeguarding its cultural identity and history. This is particularly evident in the context of Buddhism and Jainism, two ancient Indian religions that have profoundly influenced the country's art and culture.

Points:

• Symbolism in Art: Both Buddhism and Jainism emphasize symbolism in their art, with intricate depictions of deities, teachings, and philosophies. This symbolism serves as a visual representation of the spiritual concepts and narratives within these religions.
• Art as a Medium of Expression: The art forms associated with Buddhism and Jainism, such as sculptures, paintings, and architectural marvels like stupas and temples, serve as mediums through which followers express their devotion and reverence towards their respective faiths.
• Historical Significance: Many of India's ancient Buddhist and Jain artworks are not only religious artifacts but also historical treasures, providing insights into the socio-cultural milieu of bygone eras. Preserving these artworks is essential for understanding India's rich historical tapestry.
• Cultural Continuity: The art heritage associated with Buddhism and Jainism embodies centuries-old traditions and craftsmanship that have been passed down through generations. Safeguarding these artworks ensures the continuity of cultural practices and craftsmanship unique to these religions.
• Tourism and Identity: India's Buddhist and Jain art heritage attracts tourists from around the world, contributing significantly to the country's tourism industry. Moreover, these artworks serve as symbols of India's cultural identity on the global stage.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the preservation of India's art heritage, particularly in the context of Buddhism and Jainism, is crucial for maintaining cultural continuity, understanding historical narratives, and promoting India's rich cultural identity. Efforts must be made to safeguard these invaluable treasures for future generations to cherish and learn from.

Q2: Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (GS 1 Mains Paper)

Answer:

The Pala dynasty, founded by Gopala, governed Bengal and Bihar from the 8th to the late 11th century. The Pala rulers, being Buddhists, implemented initiatives and policies that contributed to the flourishing of Buddhism.

Key Points:

• Religious Tolerance: While the majority of Pala subjects were Hindus, the rulers advocated religious tolerance, fostering peaceful exchanges between faiths. This open-mindedness played a crucial role in the assimilation of Hindu Tantrism into Buddhism, giving rise to the Vajrayana philosophy.
• Architecture: The Palas constructed various mahaviharas, stupas, chaityas, temples, and forts. Dharmapala's creation, the Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur, stands as one of the largest Buddhist viharas in the Indian subcontinent.
• Sculpture: Pala-era sculptures, crafted from stones and bronze, drew inspiration from Buddhism. Notable examples include two standing Avalokiteshwara images from Nalanda and crowned Buddhas, signaling a departure from earlier bareheaded ascetic figures.
• Paintings: Reflecting the Tantrayana-Vajrayana aspects of Mahayana Buddhism, Pala miniatures, such as those found on the Astasahasrika-prajnaparamita text, are visual expressions of these cults.
• Universities: Pala-period universities, like Vikramshila and Odantipur, became hubs for Buddhist studies. The Palas supported these institutions, attracting scholars worldwide to learn Buddhist tenets. Buddhist teachers from the Pala kingdom also spread the faith to Southeast Asia, with figures like Atisha preaching in Sumatra.
• Foreign Policy: The Palas actively engaged with diverse cultures to promote new trade routes. The empire maintained strong connections with Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Devapala, for instance, granted villages to the Shailendra king of Java for the upkeep of the matha established at Nalanda for scholars from that country.

Legacy:

The Pala dynasty not only provided an environment for thriving Buddhist philosophies but also facilitated the global spread of these ideas, leaving a lasting legacy that remains visible today.

Q3:  Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss.  (GS 1 Mains Paper)
Answer: 

Indian philosophy encompasses philosophical traditions that developed in the Indian subcontinent, including Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain Philosophy, among others.

Influence of Philosophy on Monuments and Art:

Art, as a cultural activity, serves as a means through which individuals express ideas, values, feelings, aspirations, and reactions to life. The connection between philosophy and monuments, from Asoka’s Pillars to Chola’s Brihadeshwara temple, is inseparable.

The early monuments were primarily influenced by Buddhism and Jainism, with Hinduism gaining prominence during the Gupta period.

• Buddhist Influence: Monuments like Asokan Pillars and Stupas reflect Buddhist philosophies, depicting teachings, stories, and symbols associated with Buddhism. For example, the Chakra of Sarnath’s pillar symbolizes Dharmachakrapravartana.

• Places for Meditation: Rock-cut caves such as Lomas Rishi, Ajanta, or Ellora were carved out to provide places for meditation for ascetics from Ajivika, Jainism, and Buddhism.

• Depiction of Teachings: Engravings, paintings, and sculptures in these caves depict the teachings of these philosophies. Ajanta caves showcase paintings illustrating the life cycles of Buddha, while Ellora caves contain images of 24 Jinas.

• Jain Influence: Jain temple works include carvings of Jinas, gods, goddesses, yaksa, yakshi, and human devotees. Jain viharas' cells are designed for rigorous asceticism by Jain monks.

• Hindu Influence: Hindu temple architecture evolved from the Gupta period onwards, with styles like Nagara, Vesara, and Dravida. Hindu temples' architecture and walls are adorned with sculptures influenced by Hindu epics and mythologies.

• Symbolism in Hindu Temples: Khajuraho temple's layout reflects Hindu symbolism for three realms (trilokinatha) and five cosmic substances (panchbhuteshvara).

• Monolithic Temples: Monolithic temples like Kailasha at Ellora and Group of monuments at Mamallapuram have been influenced by Hindu religion and mythology, narrating stories from Shivapurana, Mahabharata, etc.

• Comprehensive Influence: Indian philosophy and traditions have significantly influenced the architecture and interiors of monuments, although they have also incorporated elements from activities such as trade and cultural interaction.

Q4: Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (GS 1 Mains Paper)

Answer: 

Gandhara Art:

Gandhara art, a form of Buddhist visual expression, flourished from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE in present-day northwestern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. The region, influenced by various kingdoms, gave rise to a diverse art school, blending Bactrian, Parthian, and local Gandhara traditions. Notably, the Scythians and Kushanas, especially Kanishka, were the principal patrons of this artistic tradition.

Features Borrowed from Greco-Bactria:

• The Gandhara school embraced anthropomorphic elements from Roman religion, portraying the Buddha with a youthful, Apollo-like face and attire resembling Roman imperial statues—a departure from earlier non-human representations of Buddha.

• Characteristic features included wavy hair in a top knot, occasional facial hair, urna (a dot or third eye) between the eyebrows, elongated earlobes, and a garment with thick pleats covering both shoulders, along with a well-defined muscular body.

• Incorporation of motifs and techniques from classical Roman art, such as vine scrolls, cherubs with garlands, tritons, and centaurs.

West and Central Asiatic Influences:

• Gandhara art integrated features from West Asiatic and Central Asiatic traditions, like disc-shaped attributes behind Buddha's head associated with solar deities in Persian and Greek art.

• Figures wearing conical caps resembling Scythian designs and the regular depiction of fire worship, possibly derived from Iranian sources.

The amalgamation of foreign elements elevated Gandhara art to great artistic heights, enabling the first naturalistic portrayal of the human form in Indian art history. Noteworthy physiognomic features, such as calm expressions, sharp outlines, and smooth surfaces, became central to the artistic allure of Gandhara.