Important Points: Arts of the Mauryan Period | Fine Art for Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

1. Religious and Social Movements:

• Sixth century BCE marked the beginning of Buddhism and Jainism in the Gangetic valley.
• Both religions opposed the varna and jati systems of Hinduism.
• Magadha emerged as a powerful kingdom, later consolidated by the Mauryas.
• Ashoka patronised the Buddhist shraman tradition.

2. Religious Practices:

• Multiple forms of worship existed, including Yaksha and mother-goddess worship.
• Yaksha worship was prevalent before and after the advent of Buddhism and Jainism.

3. Architectural Developments:

• Construction of stupas, viharas, stone pillars, rock-cut caves, and monumental sculptures.
• Mauryan pillars are rock-cut and feature capital figures like bull, lion, elephant.

4. Mauryan Pillar Capitals:

• The Lion Capital at Sarnath is a notable example, symbolising Dhammachakrapravartana (Buddha's first sermon).
• Pillar capitals often decorated with stylised lotuses.

5. Monumental Images:

• Yaksha and Yakshini statues found at various locations, showing sensitivity towards depicting the human physique.
• Example: Yakshi figure from Didarganj, Patna.

6. Rock-cut Architecture:

• Example: Lomus Rishi cave at Barabar hills, with a semicircular chaitya arch and high relief carvings.

7. Buddhist Structures:

• Stupas and viharas constructed over Buddha's relics at various locations.
• Example: Great Stupa at Sanchi built during Ashoka's time.

8. Patronage and Inscriptions:

• Stupas often had inscriptions mentioning donors, ranging from lay devotees to kings and guilds.
• Artisans like stone carvers, goldsmiths, stone-polishers, and carpenters are mentioned in inscriptions.

9. Sculptural Tradition:

• Lion Capital at Sarnath, with four lions and depictions of chakra (wheel) and animals, adopted as the National Emblem of India.

10. Yakshini Sculpture:

• Life-size Yakshini holding a chauri from Didarganj, showing sophistication in form and medium.

11. Buddhist Art:

• Early depictions of Buddha were symbolic: footprints, stupas, lotus throne, chakra.
• Narrative art included Jataka stories and events from Buddha's life, like birth, renunciation, enlightenment, dhammachakrapravartana, and mahaparinibbana.