Ducuss the contribution of The mauryas to the
field of art and architecture (150 words)
Answers
Answer:
Introduction
The Great Mauryan ruler Ashoka embraced Buddhism (as a part of shraman
tradition) and the immense Buddhist missionary activities that followed during his rule
paved the way for the development of Mauryan sculptural and architectural styles.
King Ashoka patronized the shraman tradition in the third century BCE.
The shraman tradition refers to several Indian religious movements parallel to
but separate from the historical vedic religion.
It includes Jainism, Buddhism, and others such as Ajivikas, and Carvakas.
Background
In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Chanakya (author of
Arthashasthra) founded the Mauryan dynasty after overthrowing Nanda Dynasty.
The Mauryan Empire was the first most powerful Indian empire to bring the entire
Indian subcontinent under a single rule.
The Mauryan empire under Chandragupta Maurya spread its boundaries into
Central Asia and Persia.
Expansion of Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son
Bindusara in 298 BC who expanded the kingdom over most of present-day India,
except Kalinga.
Mauryan Dynasty under Ashoka: Bindusara's kingdom was inherited by his son
Ashoka the Great in 274 B.C.
Kalinga Invasion: During the invasion of Kalinga, Ashoka renounced bloodshed and
adopted the policy of Ahimsa and adopted Buddhism.
Mauryan Art and Architecture
Mauryan architecture can be divided into Court Art and Popular Art.
auryan Court Art: Implies architectural works (in the form of pillars, stupas and palaces)
commissioned by Mauryan rulers for political as well as religious reasons.
Palaces: Greek historian, Megasthenes, described the palaces of the Mauryan empire
as one of the greatest creations of mankind and Chinese traveler Fa Hien called
Mauryan palaces as god gifted monuments.
Persian Influence: The palace of Chandragupta Maurya was inspired by the
Achaemenid palaces at Persepolis in Iran.
Material Used: Wood was the principal building material used during the
Mauryan Empire.
Examples: The Mauryan capital at Pataliputra, Ashoka’s palace at
Kumrahar, Chandragupta Maurya’s palace.
Pillars: Ashoka pillars, (usually made of chunar sandstone), as a symbol of the state,
assumed a great significance in the entire Mauryan Empire.
Objective: The main objective was to disseminate the Buddhist ideology and
court orders in the entire Mauryan empire.
Language: While most Ashoka pillar edicts were in Pali and Prakrit language,
few were written in Greek or Aramaic language also.
