Major Stages in the evolution of Art and Architecture | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Ancient Indian Architecture: A Glimpse into the Past

India's architectural journey spans nearly four thousand years, with its roots deeply embedded in ancient times. The foundation of Indian architecture was established during this early period.

The Indus Valley Civilization provides the earliest evidence of advanced architectural skills. Excavations have uncovered the remains of well-planned towns and impressive structures. Notable architectural achievements from this era include:

• The Great Bath: A significant structure at Mohenjodaro, measuring 11.88 x 7.01 x 2.43 meters. It featured a floor made of burnt bricks set in gypsum, showcasing the innovative use of materials.
• Granaries: Evidence from Harappa highlights the presence of six granaries within the citadel, indicating advanced storage solutions.
• Multi-Pillared Assembly Hall: A large assembly hall with multiple pillars, demonstrating the architectural sophistication of the time.
• Dockyard: Excavations at Lothal revealed the existence of a dockyard, reflecting the civilization's maritime capabilities.

The extensive use of burnt bricks in construction was a remarkable feature of Indian architecture during this period, setting the stage for future architectural developments in the subcontinent.

Evolution of Architecture in Ancient India

Proto-Historic to Early Historic Phase:

• There is a significant gap between the proto-historic phase of architecture and the early historic phase.
• The Vedic Aryans, who came next, lived in simple houses made of wood, bamboo, and reeds. Their straightforward religious practices meant these basic structures were sufficient for their daily needs, contributing little to the advancement of architecture.

Second Urbanization and Mauryan Period:

• Architecture in India saw further development during the sixth century B.C. with the second urbanization and the growth of economic activities.
• Contemporary texts like the Jatakas mention the presence of beautiful buildings in the cities of that time.

Architectural Achievements in the Mauryan Period:

• The Mauryan period marked a high point in architectural achievements, evident in stupas, caves, and residential buildings.
• Stupas: These were solid domes made of brick or stone masonry, built to commemorate sacred sites or to house relics of the Buddha. Emperor Ashoka was known for constructing numerous stupas, with the Great Stupa at Sanchi being one of the most famous, believed to have been built by him. Historical accounts, like those of Huen Tsang, mention the vast number of stupas built during this time.
• Cave Dwellings: Ashoka and his grandson also created cave dwellings for monks. Notable examples include the caves in the Barabar hills, such as the Sudama Cave, dedicated to the merchants of the Ajivika sect, and the Karna-Chaupar Cave, known for its rectangular hall with an arched roof. These caves, carved from hard gneiss, had interior walls polished to a mirror-like finish.
• Residential Buildings: While no physical examples of Mauryan residential buildings survive, accounts from ancient writers like Megasthenes describe the grandeur of the palaces in the capital city of Pataliputra. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed the ruins of these structures, with the most notable being the remains of a hundred-pillared hall.

Evolution of Indian Architecture: Post-Maurya to Gupta Periods

The evolution of Indian architecture continues from the post-Maurya period, marking significant developments in the construction of stupas, caves, and temples.

Post-Maurya Period: Architectural Developments

During the post-Maurya period, particularly under the reign of the Shungas, notable architectural advancements were made, especially in the construction of stupas.

Bharhut Stupa:

• At Bharhut, a large stupa was built, although today only fragments of its railings and one gateway remain.
• The surviving railing, crafted from red sandstone, features upright pillars, crossbars, and coping stones.

Bodh-Gaya:

• Another example of post-Maurya architecture is found in Bodh-Gaya, where the railing surrounding a stupa also dates back to this period.

Sanchi Stupas:

• Sanchi is home to three large stupas, all remarkably preserved.
• The main stupa, initially built by Emperor Ashoka, was expanded during the post-Maurya period, with the addition of four intricately designed gateways, one on each cardinal direction.

Cave Excavations:

• Numerous large caves were excavated during this time, including those at Bedsa, Bhaja, Kondane, Junnar, Nasik, Ajanta, and Ellora.
• These caves served as chaityas (prayer halls) or viharas (monasteries).

Gupta Period: The Dawn of Temple Architecture

Characteristics of Gupta Temples:

• The temples of the Gupta period are typically simple and unpretentious in design.
• Several well-defined types of temples can be identified from this period, which later evolved into medieval Indian temple styles.

Types of Gupta Temples:

• Flat Roofed Square Temple with Shallow Pillared Porch: A square temple with a flat roof and a shallow pillared porch at the front.
• Flat Roofed Square Temple with Covered Ambulatory: A square temple featuring a covered ambulatory around the sanctum, with a pillared porch in front and sometimes a second storey above.
• Square Temple with Low Shikhara: A square temple topped with a low and squat shikhara (spire).
• Rectangular Temple with Apsidal Back: A rectangular temple with an apsidal back and a barrel-vaulted roof.
• Circular Temple: A circular temple with shallow rectangular projections on its four cardinal faces.

Influence on Later Styles:

• The first three types of temples are seen as precursors to the medieval Indian temple styles.
• Particularly, the second type is considered a precursor to the Nagara style, while the third type laid the foundation for the Dravida style.

In summary, the evolution of Indian architecture from the post-Maurya to the Gupta period showcases a transition from stupas and caves to the beginnings of temple architecture, laying the groundwork for the rich architectural heritage that would follow.

Emergence of Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara Styles

The post-Gupta period marked a significant phase in ancient Indian architecture with the emergence of three main styles: the Nagara in North India, the Dravida in South India, and the Vesara in the Deccan region.

Nagara Style:

• The Nagara style is characterized by temples with a square base and multiple graduated projections (rathakas) on each face, giving the exterior a cruciform shape.
• In elevation, it features a tower (Shikhara) that gradually inclines inward and is capped by a spheroid slab with ribbed edges (amalaka).
• Notable examples of Nagara style temples include:
  • Dasavatara Temple at Deogarh
  • Brick Temple at Bhitargaon

Dravida Style:

• The Dravida style is distinguished by a sanctum cella surrounded by an ambulatory with receding storeys.
• Notable examples of Dravida style temples include:
  • Parvati Temple at Nachnakuthar
  • Siva Temples at Bhumara and Aihole
  • Pallava Temples like Kailashnath Temple at Kanchi and Vaikunta-perumal Temple

Vesara Style:

• The Vesara style is a blend of Nagara and Dravida styles.
• Notable examples include temples at Aihole and Vatapi, such as:
  • Ladhkhan Temple
  • Hucintaligudi Temple
  • Papanath Temple

Post-Gupta Phase:

• The architecture of the post-Gupta phase also includes the seven ratha temples found at Mahabalipuram and the cave-style temples of the Pallavas.
• This period laid a strong foundation for Indian culture and tradition in architecture, which continued to evolve and receive rich infusions in the succeeding ages.