APPSC GROUP 1: GUPTAN AGE - GOLDEN AGE OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

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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:

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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

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)

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First Stage:

Second Stage:

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:

Fifth Stage:

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