GUPTA AGE - GOLDEN AGE OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

• Beginning of temple architecture and also reached its climax in the gupta age.
• Greatest development in caves were mural paintings
• Guptas were Bramhanical by religion but they also showed their exemplary tolerance for both Buddhism and Jainism
• Early Gupta period shows emphasis on Hindu art and later also Buddhist and Jaina Art, Buddhist Art reached its climax during this stage.
• Under Hinduism, 3 deities were worshiped->

• Vishnu -> Vaishnavas (Northern and central part)
• Shiva – Shaivas (Southern part)
• Shakti – In southern Malabar region and eastern India

Caves
        Development in cave architecture took the form of cave paintings
Ajanta caves-

• Near Auragnabad in Maharashtra
• 29 caves discovered in 19th century(1829)
• Period of development 200BC to 650 AD
• Out of 29, 4 chaityas and 25 Vihars
• They are carved on a perpendiculat cliff(unlike ellora which is on sloping side). As they are on perpendicular side, there are no countryyards
• All three forms of art are combined in these caves – Architecture, sculpture and paintings – Mural painting

Techniques involved in preparing painting –

• First step: A layer of clay mixed with cow dung and rice husks was first spread on the rough surface of the rock
• Second step: A coating of lime plaster is done
• Third step: Surface was kept moist until the color was applied. ( Hence they are called Fresco paintings)
• Outlines are drawn in red color and then all colors are used except blue as it cant be obtained from the hills.

Theme : Inspired by Jataka stories

• Chinese Buddhist traveler Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang refer to Ajanta in account of their travel to India
• Out of 29 caves, 5 belong to Hinayana period and rest 24 belong to Mahayana period.
• Cave number 16 is the most elegant architecturally

Famous Fresco paintings of Ajanta:

• Dying princess
• Flying apsara
• Preaching Buddha

 

Ellora Caves

• Has 34 caves
• These caves are associated with all three religion unlike Ajanta
• 17 caves – Hinduism Dominant , 12 – Buddhism and 5 – Jainism
• excavated or craved out on sloping side of hill, hence most temples have courtyard
• Cave no 10 is a chaiyta dedicated to lord Vishwakarma, indicating its dedication to patrons saint of craftsman
• Cave 14 – Ravan ki Khai
• Cave no 15, Dashavtaram cave
• Cave 16 – Kailash Temple is architectural wonder as it is craved out of monolith (Kailash leni)
• Ellora has even triple storied caves – Ajanta has only double storied

Jain caves

• Indra Sabha
• Jagannath Sabha( smaller than Indra Sabha. Same techniques of painting used that is mural and fresco painting

Bagh cave

• Near Bagh river in MP, there is 9 Buddhist caves dated around 6th century AD similar to Ajanta caves.

Junagadh Caves

• In Gujarat
• Main feature – UparKot that is citadel.
• Uparkots are 30 to 50 feet high. Artificial platform connected by staircase to the hall

Nasik caves

• 25 Buddhist caves belonging to Hinayan perion dated around 1st century AD called as Pandav Leni . Spiritual presence of Buddha denoted by thorn and footprints.

Mandapeshawar caves

• Dated to 8th century AD
• Only Brahmanical cave converted into a christian cave

 

Sculptures

• One new school was added that is Sarnath school
• As name suggest – developed at Sarnath
• Use of cream color sand stones
• Nakedness was lacking- more dress and properly covered
• Halo is more decorative
• Even metal sculptures were developed during this age – eg. Sultanganj Buddha (7.5 ft in height)

 

Stupas

• less number of stupas constructed
• Best example – Dhamekh – Stupa near Sarnath

 

Temple Architecture

• Temple architecture began and also reached at its climax during Gupta age
• Development occurred in 5 stages

First Stage:

• Flat roof temples
• Square Temples
• Shallow Pillared approach at the front
• On low platforms
• eg – Temple number 17 in Sanchi

Second Stage:

• Continues – Flat roof, square, pillared approach – not shallow
• Now on high or upraised platforms
• Covered ambulatory around the sanctum sanctorum
• Even instances of 2 storids temples are found
• Ex. Prabhavati Temple in MP

Third Stage:

• Continued – square temple, pillared approach, High platform or covered ambulatory
• Flat roofs not seen
• Low and square Shikhars(curve-linear tower
• Introduction of panchayatan style of temple making
• Ex. Dashavatara temple at Deogarh(UP), Durga temple at Aihole, Karnataka
• Nagar style is successor of Third stage of temple making

Fourth Stage:

• Rectangular temples
• Rest all features continued
• temple at Solapur

Fifth Stage:

• Circular Temples with shallow rectangular projects
• Rest all features continued
• Ex. Maniyar Math at Rajgir