Mauryan Art and Culture Flashcards
Types of Mauryan Art
Mauryan art is classified into Court Art (State-sponsored) and Popular Art (individual efforts by people).
Mauryan Court Art
Includes palaces, pillars, stupas, and caves, often commissioned by the state for political and religious purposes.
Material Used in Mauryan Palaces
Mauryan palaces were primarily built using wood, influenced by Achaemenid Persian architecture.
Megasthenes’ Description of Mauryan Palace
Megasthenes described the Mauryan palace as “one of the greatest creations of mankind,” highlighting its grandeur.
Mauryan Pillars: Purpose
Mauryan pillars were built to spread Buddhist teachings and establish imperial authority.
Material of Mauryan Pillars
Mauryan pillars were made of polished sandstone with monolithic shafts and intricately carved capitals.
Significance of Mauryan Pillars
They reflect high craftsmanship, Persian and Greek influences, and serve as symbols of state power.
Most Famous Mauryan Pillar
The Sarnath Lion Capital is the most famous, later adopted as India’s National Emblem.
Characteristics of Mauryan Pillars
- Monolithic structure\n2. Highly polished surface\n3. Animal capital designs\n4. Use of lotus bell bases
Ashoka’s Edicts on Pillars
Ashoka’s edicts were inscribed on pillars and rock surfaces to propagate Dhamma (moral law).
Mauryan Stupas
Stupas were built to preserve relics of Buddha and promote Buddhism.
Most Famous Mauryan Stupa
The Sanchi Stupa, though expanded later, was originally built by Ashoka.
Features of Mauryan Stupas
- Hemispherical dome\n2. Harmika (square railing)\n3. Chhatra (umbrella-like structure)
Mauryan Rock-Cut Caves
Rock-cut caves were built as dwelling places for monks, mainly in Barabar and Nagarjuni hills.
Barabar Caves: Significance
The oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, built during Ashoka’s reign.
Influence on Mauryan Caves
Mauryan caves were inspired by wooden structures and had highly polished interiors.
Popular Art Under Mauryas
Includes terracotta figurines, Yaksha and Yakshi sculptures, and folk pottery.
Yaksha and Yakshi Statues
These large, free-standing statues were linked to nature worship and fertility cults.
Famous Yaksha Sculptures
Yaksha statues were found in Parkham, Didarganj, and Mathura, reflecting indigenous traditions.
Didarganj Yakshi
A highly polished sandstone statue of a female nature deity with Persian influence.
Mauryan Pottery
The period is known for Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) pottery, featuring a fine, glossy finish.
Features of Northern Black Polished Ware
- High luster and smooth texture\n2. Thin-walled structure\n3. Usually black or golden in color
Decline of Mauryan Art
After Ashoka, state-sponsored art declined, but local and folk traditions continued.
Legacy of Mauryan Art
Mauryan artistic styles influenced later Buddhist and Gupta art and rock-cut architecture.
