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Buddhist architecture in India is a deep rooted meaning of spiritual faith and a creation of high art. It dates back to the 3rd century BCE, and it includes such buildings as stupas, viharas, and chaityas with the functions of a religious and communal use. This type of architecture is deeply represented in Buddhist philosophy and it appears not only as a result of the historical development of Buddhism but also as a reflection of its ties to the styles in the regions and the world. This heritage, studied by aspirants of RPSC and other civil services, is the foundation of their learning about the old culture and religion fabric of India.

History of Buddhist Architecture

Origins 

  • The development of Buddhist architecture had started in the life of Gautama Buddha (6th-5 th century BCE) at that time, wooden buildings and the surrounding scenery were used to host meetings and make teachings. 
  • The earliest structures may be characterized as stupas which consisted of the domical monuments that functioned as reliquaries, and viharas, the monastic accommodations.

Early Developments

  • The early aniconic period saw Buddha being symbolised non-humanly (i.e. by a lotus, Bodhi tree, stupa or the Dharma Chakra). 
  • It is a moment of spiritual minimalism that changed over time as the Buddhism religion disseminated and acquired imperial support.

Major Dynastic Contributions 

Mauryan Period

  • During the reign of Emperor Ashoka (273 232 BCE) Buddhist architecture experienced a thunderous boom. Ashoka converted to Buddhism and ordered the building of 84,000 stupas of which the greatest and most notable one is the Stupa at Sanchi. 
  • These buildings signified a shift to lasting architectural buildings and reinforcement of Buddhism with stone inscriptions, railings, and ornamental toranas (gateways).

Gupta Period

  • The Gupta period (320 550 CE) has been described as the Golden Age of Indian culture that saw the flourishing of Buddhist artwork in terms of more decorative ornamentation, sculptures, and symbolic expression. 
  • There also appeared during this period architectural monastical complexes on a large scale especially in Ajanta where artistic murals and rock-cut caves were produced under the influence of the Mahayana sect.

Buddhist Architecture Structures

1. Chaityas (Prayer Halls)

Chaityas were long halls and applied to congregational worship.

  • They were rectangular in shape (often cut into rock) and possessed a stupa at the apse end, a vaulted ceiling and colonnades.
  • One of the best examples is the Chaitya at Karle (1st century CE) full of intricate carvings and a sizable stupa.
  • Hinayana Chaityas: Objectified devotions referred to the worship of stupas in symbols; examples of these include Bhaja, Ajanta (Caves 9 & 10) and Nasik.
  • Mahayana Chaityas: It also introduced a kind of idol worshipping of the Buddha; it is also seen in Ajanta (Caves 19&26) and in Ellora (Caves 10-12).

Notables Chaitya in India

  • Ajanta caves (Maharashtra):
    • It has features on paintings of intricately carved chaityas dating back to 2nd century BCE, early Buddhist art and architecture.
  • Karle Caves (Maharashtra):
    • It contains one of the greatest rock-cut chaityas in India, and it's great pillars and entrance with an amazed facade.
  • Bhaja Caves (Maharashtra):
    • Buddhist rock-cut chaitya grihas from early days that bear the evolution of Buddhist rock-cut architecture, dating to 2nd century BCE.

2. Viharas (Monasteries)

  • Viharas were originally temporary homes of monks but were later a permanent structure made of stone after the time of Buddha.
  • Generally they were square/rectangular corridors with cells and circled with a central courtyard.
  • Mahayana viharas contain images of Buddha, Bodhisattva and the panels depicting the life of Buddha.

Notable Viharas in India

  • Nalanda (Bihar):
    • Famous ancient Buddhist monastery complex and a university, used between 5th and functioning in the 12 th century CE.
  • Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra)
    • Well known because of rock-cut viharas with beautiful Buddhist murals and sculptures, dating to 2 nd century BCE.
  • Sanchi, (Madhya Pradesh):
    • It is famous with its Buddhist stupas and monasteries (viharas) where monks meditated and studied.

3. Stupas (Relic Mounds)

  • Stupas were the main objects of Buddhist worship and contained the remains of Buddha or monks of honor.
  • Stupas are visually represented by a pedestal (medhi), hemispherical dome (anda) and harmika (square railing) as well as a central decorative pillar (yasti) crowned with chhatra (umbrella).

Notable Stupas in India

  • The Great Stupa at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh):
    • The oldest stone structure in India, Emperor Ashoka created it and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Dhamek Stupa (Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh):
    • The site of the first sermon of Gautama Buddha after enlightenment.
  • Kushinagar stupa(Uttar Pradesh):
    • Commemorates the site where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final liberation).

Stupas in Categories:

  • Relic (The remains/skeleton of Buddha)
  • Commemorative (events)
  • Theological (symbolic principles)
  • Devotional offerings (votive)
  • Object (The possessions of Buddha)

Indian Style:

  • Piprahwa: Nepal oldest stupa.
  • Sanchi: Biggest stupa; decorated with toranas and the tales of Jataka.
  • Amaravati: Stupa in white marble of the Satavahana period.
  • Dhamekh (Sarnath): Place, where Buddha delivered the first sermon.
  • Kesariya (Bihar): The stupa in volume is the largest.

Gandhara Style:

  • Combined Greco-Roman styles with perceptions of Buddhists.
  • Some extant Stupas: Dharmarajika Stupa (Taxila) Dharmarajika Stupa (Purushapur), Purushapur Stupa (Peshawar), built by Kanishka.

Rock-Cut Architecture

The cutting of rock caves into a complex of Buddhist caves is one of the most impressive features of Buddhism architecture:

  • Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra): 29 caves (2 nd century BCE 6 th century CE) of wonderful paintings and sculptures. Caves 9, 10, 19 and 26 are chaityas and others are viharas.
  • Ellora Caves: 34 caves in it belong to three religious ideologies Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism which presents religious coexistence.
  • Bhaja and Karle: Perhaps among the oldest chaitya halls (dating to the time of imitation ribs in stone).

Buddhist Universities – Place and Founder

Buddhist University

Location

Ruler Associated

Dynasty

Nalanda

Bihar

Kumaragupta I

Gupta

Odantapuri

Bihar

Gopala

Pala

Vikramashila

Bihar

Dharmapala

Pala

Somapuri

Bengal

Dharmapala

Pala

Jagadal

Bengal

Ramapala

Pala

Vallabhi

Gujarat

Bhattarka

Maitrak

Types of Buddhist Architecture

Mathura School of Art

  • Time: 1 st-3 rd century BCE
  • Media: Red sandstone
  • Subject matter: A concentration on inner beauty, eyes and facial expressions and Buddhist gods such as Buddha, Vishnu, Shiva and their female partners.
  • Strengths: Extravagant boundaries on the head of Buddha, undulations in the fabric and unrealistic human figures.
  • Suggestive places: Mathura, Sonakh, Kankalitila.

Gandhara School of Art

  • Time: 50 BCE - 500 CE
  • Material: Bluish-grey sandstone, mud, stucco
  • Graeco-Buddhist style with realistic human figures with intense influence of Greek art.
  • Features: elaborate drapery, realistic representations of the life of Buddha, muscles, mustache and curly hair.
  • Important Sites: North-West Frontier (present Kandahar), Jalalabad, Begram, Taxila.

Sarnath art school

  • Time: 5 th century CE
  • Material: metal and sandstone cream-coloured
  • Emphasis: Handsomeness, and ease, plain covering of statues of Buddha.
  • Aspects: Buddha figures wearing transparent clothes and few ornamentation.
  • Famous Sites: Sarnath.

Modern Buddhism Architecture in India

Nowadays, Buddhist buildings are experiencing a revival combining ancient symbols with contemporary style:

  • Global Vipassana Pagoda (Mumbai): The world's largest stone dome constructed without pillars.
  • Buddha Smriti Park (Patna): The park was constructed as a museum in remembrance of the life of Buddha with a theme.
  • Tathagata Tsal (Sikkim): A huge complex of Buddha statues and tourist attractions in terms of religious education.

Preservation and Problems

Threat to buddhist heritage

  • Worn-out state, erosion and bad treatment.
  • Urbanisation pressure and tourism encroachments.
  • Lack of money and awareness of conservation by the community.

Preservation Measures

  • Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is in charge of large-scale restoration work.
  • The NGOs and the immediate communities are being encouraged to be involved in conservation of the heritage.
  • The Sanchi, Ajanta, and Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya are some of the Buddhist sites to be identified by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
  • Such initiatives are important in terms of preserving the rich Buddhist heritage of India as a source of cultural, spiritual and academic development.

Conclusion

What makes the Buddhist architecture in India special is that it is more than just a cluster of ancient buildings and constructions. It is also a proof of life to the religious tolerance, genius and philosophical insight of Indians. Stupa of Sanchi or the rock-cut caves of Ajanta built in memory of all of them, each stupa tells us the story about the spiritual path of India and the development of its culture. To the students and those who want to enter the civil service, the knowledge of this architectural heritage is necessary as regards appreciating the syncretic ethos of Indian civilisation and its contribution to the world.

 

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