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Art and Culture Class 01

CAVES (01:05 PM)

Post-Mauryan Period

  • The post-Mauryan phase of cave architecture reflects remarkable progress.
  • For example, Ornamentation increased during this phase (Aesthetic Impact).
  • Pillars were added at the entrance as well as in the walls.
  • The decorations include geometrical designs, floral designs, and animal and human motifs.
  • Another important characteristic includes the construction & multi-storeyed caves.
  • Important examples:-
  • Eastern India: The post-Mauryan caves in eastern India are largely located across the Udaigiri Khand Giri ranges.
  • These caves are dedicated to Jainism and are constructed in the form of chaityas and viharas.
  • Chaitya:- A place of worship
  • Viharas:- Residential complexes/educational establishments
  • The construction of these caves started from around 1 Century CE.
  • Prominent Examples: Hathigumpha; Ranigumpha; Tatowa gumpha; Tentuli gumpha, etc.
  • Hathigumpha is famous for the Kharvela inscription. The Hathigumpha inscription talks about the military campaign of Kharvela against Magadha after which he brought back the image of Jina sculpture that was taken away by Mahapadmananda (the founder of the Nanda dynasty).
  • The most famous of these caves is Ranigumpha (it is a double-storeyed cave).

Caves in Western India: (01:33 PM)

  • These caves lie across the western ghats mostly located across present-day Maharashtra. 
  • They are in the form of Chaityas and Viharas. 
  • Important Examples include: Karla, Bhaja caves, Kanheri, Ajanta, Junnar, etc. 
  • 1. Karla:
  •  Pune district--MH (Having 1 Chaitya and 3 Vihara)
  • The Chaitya at Karla is the most beautiful and was constructed around the 2nd Century CE during the period of satvahana ruler Pulamgir II. 
  • Also, the earliest double-storeyed caves carved in Western India are located in Karla. 
  • 2. Nasik: 
  • There are a total of 23 caves (1 chaitya and the rest Viharas)
  • The Chaitya of Nasik contains benches that were probably used by musicians to perform.
  • These caves were constructed between 1 century BC and 3rd Century CE. 
  • The Nasik caves were later added to Mahabharata traditions and are sometimes known as Pandava Leni or Pandulena.
  • The Marathi word leni means caves and in Sanskrit literature, Chaityas are referred to as Lena. 
  • 3. Junnar:
  • It is the largest cave complex in the country having a total of 130 caves dedicated towards Buddhism. 
  • They were constructed between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE.
  • 4. Ajanta:
  • Ajanta caves are located in Waghora River, Sambhaji Nagar District, MH
  • It is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • A total of 30 caves (29 finished) and 1 unfinished.
  • The Ajanta caves are dedicated to both the Hinayana and Mahayana traditions of Buddhism. 
  • Ajanta Cave no. 1,  is famous for a mural painting known famously as Bodhisatva Padmapani---> Avalokiteshvara.
  • It was commissioned by Vakatak ruler Harisena. 

Caves during Gupta Period (02:09 PM)

  • The caves are located at Ajanta, Bagh, Udayagiri, and Mandargiri.
  •  At Ajanta, caves no. 16, 17, 18, and 19 were contemporary to the Gupta period.
  •  For instance, caves 16 and 17 were constructed during the reign of Varahadeva, a feudatory of the Vakataka ruler Harisena.
  • The Bagh caves are situated in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, comprising nine caves dedicated to Buddhism.
  • These caves were carved between the 4th and 6th centuries CE. According to tradition, the caves were carved by the Buddhist monk Dataka and are renowned for their mural paintings.
  • Udaigiri caves are located at Vidisha-MP.
  • There are a total of 20 caves--> 18 dedicated to Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shakti Cult and 2 dedicated to Jainism. 
  • At Udaigiri, we find large images of Vishnu in his Varaha Avatar.
  • Madargiri caves are located in Bihar dedicated to Jainism. 

Post-Gupta and Early Medieval Age Caves (02:24 PM)

  • These caves are located mostly in the Peninsular part of India. 
  • Examples are located at Ellora; Elephanta; Badami and Pallava caves in the far south. 
  • Ellora Caves:
  • Located at Sambhaji Nagar, district of MH. 
  • A total of 34 caves: 17 were dedicated to Brahmanism;12 to Buddhism and 5 to Jainism. 
  • These caves were carved between 600-1000 CE.
  • The ancient name of Ellora was Elapura.
  • Cave no. 15 is famously known as the Dasha Avatar temple. 
  • The plan of the caves suggests that it started as a Buddhist Vihara but later finished as a Vishnu temple. 
  • The most famous cave of Ellora is cave no. 16 known as Kailash temple. It is the biggest Monolithic construction in the world and was commissioned by Rashtrakuta king- Krishna I (760 CE).
  • The Kailasa temple, though monolithic, was carved after the model of the Dravidian style of freestanding temple architecture. 
  • Elephanta Caves (02:41 PM)
  • The ancient name of Elephanta was Gharapuri. 
  • It is located off the Mumbai coast.
  • It was carved between 5th and 8th century CE. Out of 7 caves, 5 are dedicated towards Brahamanism and 2 are dedicated to Jainism. 
  • It is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
  • At Elephanta, we find beautiful images of: Trimurti; Maheshmurti; Ardhanarishwara, and Uma-Maheshwar.
  • Badami Caves/Vatapi: (02:47 PM)
  • Baghalpur district, Karnataka
  • These caves were constructed during the Chalukyas of Vatapi or Badami. 
  • 6-7 Century CE
  • The Badami caves were dedicated to Brahminism and Jainism. 
  • Pallava Cave Architecture (03:09 PM)
  • 1st phase: Mahendra style
  • 2nd phase: Mamalla style
  • 3rd and 4th phase: freestanding temple architecture
  • 3rd phase: Rajasimha style
  • 4th phase: Nandivermana style
  • The Pallavas offered patronage to both rock-cut and free-standing temple architecture. 
  • The Pallava capital was located at Kanchipuram. 
  • The 1st and 2nd phases of Pallava architecture are marked by the Carving of Rock-Cut caves. 
  • The first phase of Pallava architecture marks the initial period. 
  • These cave temples were known as Mandapas and chaityas. 
  • These caves were constructed by Mahendraverman-I who assumed the title Chaityakari.
  • These caves are located at Mahendravadi and Pallavavaram (both are located in Tamil Nadu).
  • The caves of the early stages are simple in character without much ornamentation. 
  • Pillars of the entrance are short and broad without any motive for Ornamentation.
  • The caves carved in the second stage are known as the Mamalla style (started by Narsimhavarman Mamalla)
  • These caves are more elaborated as compared to previous ones. For example, more ornamentation; taller and narrower pillars with lion motives.
  • Dwarapalas can be found at the entrance of the main gates. 
  • Ratha Architecture and Mahabalipuram bas-relief (03:28 PM)
  • Ratha temples were cut at Mahabalipuram during the reign of Narsimhavarman-I Mamalla.
  •  These rathas were monolithic, cut out of live rock (Live rock here refers to natural rock formations that have not been altered or moved)
  • There are 5 rathas themed after Mahabharatha known as "Panch rathas". 
  • Another famous architectural evidence is the Mahabalipuram bas relief.
  • It is the large rock holders depicting various gods and goddesses.
  • Because of multiple themes, it is known as Descent of the Ganges" and "Arjuna`s Penance".

FREESTANDING TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE (03:39 PM)

  • **Nagara style --> Nagri inscription--> Ancient name of Nagri is Madhyamika
  • Temples in India are variously referred to as:
  • Mandir; Devalaya, Devkula; Kovil; Deol, Devasthanam or Prasada depending on which part of India we are in.
  • The first archaeological evidence of a temple in the Indian subcontinent is found in Jandial near Taxila.
  • It is a Zoroastrian temple [religious text Zend-Avesta in this Avesta is the oldest]
  • The earliest inscriptional evidence of a temple comes from the Hathibada Ghosundi inscription (Nagri village in Rajasthan)
  • On the basis of the shrine:
  • a) Sandhara- without pradakshina patha
  • b) Nirandhara- with pradakshina patha
  • c) Sarvatobhadra - can be accessed from all sides
  • Early temples of Nagara style (based on shikhara)
  • a) Rekha Prasad/Latina style b) Phamsana style c) Valabhi style
  • Rekha Prasad style/Latina:
  • It is the most common type.
  • They are generally square at the base. The walls slope inwards to a point at the top. 
  • The Phamsana style:
  • Is broadened and shorter as compared to the Latina style.
  • The roofs are comprised of slabs rising to the top over the centre of the building. 
  • Valabhi-type temples are rectangular buildings with a roof that rises into a vaulted chamber representing a bamboo house or a wagon.

TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: WILL CONTINUE WITH THE TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE