Mauryan sculpture is a remarkable artistic legacy from ancient India that flourished during the Mauryan Empire, which ruled over the Indian subcontinent from the 4th to the 2nd century BCE. Characterized by its distinctive features, Mauryan sculpture is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and the use of various materials, including stone and polished sandstone. One of the most iconic examples of Mauryan sculpture is the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, which now serves as the national emblem of India. This sculpture showcases the excellence of Mauryan artists in their ability to carve intricate details and achieve a sense of realism in their representations. The Mauryan style of sculpture often featured human and animal figures, emphasizing the religious and cultural themes of the time. These sculptures not only provide valuable insights into the artistry of the Mauryan period but also offer glimpses of the social, political, and religious aspects of ancient India.
- The Mauryas became a major power in the 4th century BCE and controlled large parts of India by the 3rd century.
- During this time, various religious practices existed, but Buddhism became the most popular.
- After the Harappan civilization, monumental stone sculpture and architecture emerged mainly during the Mauryan period.
Mauryan art was created during the time of the Mauryan Empire in India from 322 to 185 BCE.
Various structures like pillars, sculptures, rock-cut architecture, stupas, viharas, and chaityas served different purposes.These structures are admired for their beauty and clever design and construction.
The period from the 4th to the 2nd Century BC saw notable progress in Indian sculpture.
Mauryan Sculpture (4th and 2nd Century BC)
- Local sculptors during the Mauryan Period created popular art, possibly without the Emperor’s commission.
- Local governors were patrons of popular art.
- Mauryan sculptures are categorised into Court Art and Popular Art by Dr. Ananda Coomarswamy.
- Court art consists of the pillars and their capitals, while popular art includes sculptures like the Yakshas and Yakshinis.
- Worship of Yakshas was widespread before and during Buddhism, and it influenced both Buddhism and Jainism.
- Notable examples are
- The Yaksha picture from Parkam and the Yakshini figure from Besnagar.
- The earliest reference to yakshi can be found in Silappadikaram, a Tamil text.
- The torso of a naked male figure was discovered at Lohanipur in Patna.
- The Didargunj Yakshi was found in the village of Didargunj in Patna.
- Consequently, the idea of sacred sculpture was widespread throughout the Mauryan Empire.
- Ancient religious practices like Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism had a diverse influence on Mauryan sculptures.
Sculptures of the Mauryan Age
1. Pillars:
- Mauryan pillars, distinct from other world pillars, were erected across the Mauryan Empire.
- The capital of the pillar features carvings of animals like lions, elephants, bulls, and horses, along with stylized lotuses.
- The Lion Capital at Sarnath, discovered more than a century ago, symbolises power and courage with four Asiatic lions seated back to back.
Lion Capital, Sarnath
- The Lion capital was constructed by Ashoka to remember the Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath, known as the Dharmachakrapravartana.
- It consists of five main parts:
- The shaft
- A base shaped like a lotus bell
- A drum (circular abacus) on the bell base with four animals positioned clockwise
Features of the Abacus:
- It showcases a wheel with twenty-four spokes in all four directions.
- Four animals displayed are a horse, a bull, a lion, and an elephant.
- It is held up by an upside-down lotus-shaped top that can be seen from all sides.
- The sculpture’s surface is smoothly polished, characteristic of the Mauryan Period.
- The capital, featuring four lions without the crowning wheel and the lotus base, is now the National Emblem of Independent India.
- Four impressive addorsed lions
- The topmost element, the Dharmachakra, a large wheel.
2. Yaksha and Yakshi:
- Yakshas and Yakshinis, friendly nature spirits, were prominent in Mauryan art, found in various Indian locations like Patna and Mathura.
- These statues often depict standing figures with detailed physiques, portraying human sensitivity.
- The life-size standing statue of Yakshi with a fly whisk, found in Didarganj near Patna, exemplifies Mauryan sculpture.
Yakshini, Didargunj
- A life-size standing sculpture of a Yakshini from Didargunj, near modern-day Patna.
- The right hand holds a chauri (flywhisk), while the left hand is damaged or broken.
- The sculptor skillfully portrays the rounded muscular body.
- The necklace beads completely encircle and hang from the belly button.
- The artist creates a bulging appearance by manipulating the garment around the belly button.
- Like many other sculptures, it has a polished, shiny finish.
3.Rock-cut caves architectures:
- Ashoka supported rock-cut architecture during his reign, primarily for Buddhists and Jains.
- Notable examples –
Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli, Odisha
- A rock-cut elephant at Dhauli, Odisha, displays rounded modelling with linear rhythm. It also bears an Ashokan inscription.
Lomus Rishi Cave, Gaya
- The Lomus Rishi Cave, situated near Gaya in the Barabar Hills, features a semicircle chaitya arch at its entrance. The cave’s inner hall is rectangular, with a prominent relief sculpture of an elephant. It also has a circular chamber towards the back.
- This cave was supported by Ashoka for the Ajivika sect.
4. Stupas and Chaityas:
- Stupas, Chaityas, and Viharas were significant structures of the Mauryan age, especially in Buddhist and Jain monastic complexes.
- The Great Stupa at Sanchi, initially built with bricks and later embellished with stones, is a prominent example.
- Chaityas were rectangular prayer halls with a central stupa, while Viharas served as residences for monks.
Influence of Foreign Countries on Mauryan Sculpture
- The first three Mauryan emperors, Chandragupta, Bindusara, and Asoka, had friendly relations with the Hellenic West, particularly with the court of the Seleucid rulers, successors of Alexander the Great and the Achaemenids of Iran.
- Foreign influences likely originated from these connections, as evidenced by the adaptation of Achaemenid models in the Edicts of Asoka and the remains of the Mauryan palace at Pataliputra.
- However, the Mauryan pillars differ from the Achaemenid pillars. Mauryan pillars are rock-cut, showcasing the skill of the carver, while Achaemenid pillars are assembled by a mason.
Conclusion
Mauryan sculptures stand as a testament to the ancient Indian artistic brilliance, showcasing remarkable advancements in both skill and technique. Reflecting a blend of diverse cultural influences, these sculptures not only depict the religious and cultural ethos of the era but also exemplify the craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities prevalent during the Mauryan period. Their enduring legacy continues to inspire and captivate modern audiences, serving as a rich cultural repository of India’s ancient artistic heritage.
FAQs
1.What were the major characteristics of Mauryan sculptures?
A: Mauryan sculptures were characterised by their polished finish, realistic portrayal of human and animal forms, emphasis on detailed anatomical features, and incorporation of both Indian and Hellenistic artistic influences.
2.How did Mauryan sculptures reflect the cultural and religious beliefs of ancient India?
A: Mauryan sculptures depicted various aspects of contemporary religious beliefs, showcasing the influence of Buddhism and Jainism, along with representations of Hindu deities, reflecting the prevalent religious syncretism during the Mauryan era.
3.What was the significance of the Ashoka Pillars in the Mauryan Empire?
A: The Ashoka Pillars, with their inscriptions promoting moral and ethical values, played a pivotal role in disseminating Ashoka’s dharma, reflecting the emperor’s commitment to propagating peace, religious tolerance, and social welfare in his empire.
4.How did the Mauryan sculptural art reflect political authority and imperial ambitions?
A: Mauryan sculptural art, particularly in the form of monumental pillars and edicts, symbolised the authority and territorial reach of the Mauryan Empire, serving as markers of imperial presence and tools for propagating imperial ideology and governance.
5.What is the historical significance of the Lion Capital of Ashoka?
A: The Lion Capital, found at Sarnath and now the National Emblem of India, symbolises the ideals of power, courage, and righteousness associated with Ashoka’s reign. Its portrayal of four lions back to back represents the spread of dharma to the four corners of the empire.
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