The Mauryan period arts

• Sixth century bce marks the beginning of new religious and social movements in the gangatic valley in the form of Buddhism and Jainism.

• Both religions became popular as they opposed the jati and Varna system in the Hindu religion.

• By the fourth century bce Mauryan established their power and by the third century bce, the large part of India under Mauryan control.

• Ashoka emerged most powerful ruler of Mauryan dynasty who patronised Buddhist religion.

• During the Mauryan period construction of stupa and viharas as a part of  monastic establishment became part of the Buddhist tradition.

• Apart from stupa and viharas this time rock-cut caves, stone pillars, monumental figure sculpture carved from several places.

• Stone pillars were erected by Ashok, which have been found in the north Indian part of the Mauryan empire with inscription engraved on them.

•  the top portion of the pillars was carved with  capital figures like the bull, the elephant, the lion etc.

• All capital figures are vigorous and carved standing on square and circular abacus(the flat slab on top of a capital, supporting the architrave). Abacus are decorated with Lotus.

• Some of the existing pillars with capital figures were found at  Basarah-Bakhira, Lauriya Nandangarh and Rampurva in Bihar, Sankisa and Sarnath in uttar pradesh.

•  Sarnath Lion capital figures were the finest example of Mauryan sculpture tradition. It is also our national emblem.

• Monumental images of Yaksha, Yakhinis and animals, pillar columns with capital figures, rock-cut caves belonging to the third century BCE have been found in different parts

of India. 

• Large statues of Yakshas and Yakhinis are found at many places like Patna, Vidisha and Mathura. One of the distinguished elements in all these image is their polished surface.

•  One of the finest examplesis a Yakshi figure from Didarganj, Patna, which is tall and well-built. 

• Terracotta figurines show a very different delineation of the body as compared to the sculptures. 

• Depiction of amonumental rock-cut elephant at Dhauli in Odisha.  

•Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli is one of oldest monument which sculpted elephant faces east.

•The rock cut caved at Barabar hills near Gaya in Bihar is known as the Lomus Rishi cave. 

         • Decorated with semicircle chatiya arch 

             show in entrance.

           •The interior hall of this cave is  

             rectangular with a circular chamber at

              the back.

           • The entrance was located side wall of

               of hall.

• Ashoka donated this caved to Ajivika sect.

• Stupas were constructed over the relics of the Buddha at Rajagraha, Vaishali, Vethadipa and Pava in Bihar, Kapilavastu, Allakappa and Ramagrama in Nepal, Kushinagar and Pippalvina in Uttar Pradesh. 

• The great stupa at Sanchi was built with bricks during the time of Ashoka and later

it was covered with stone and many new additions were made. 

• Construction of stupa Popularly related with Buddhism and there were very few example of royal patronage. 

• We getting many inscriptions evidence mentioned donors and at the time their profession. Few craftsmen and organisations of traders ( shreni) they donate for construction of stupa . 

• Very few inscriptions that mentioning the names of artisans.

• Image of yakshni holding a chauri( flywhisk)

from Didargunj near modern Patna one of the finest example of Mauryan sculpture tradition. 

                Yakshni holding chauri in

                  Didargunj