The Ashokan columns were works of art, architecture and engineering. How far is the above statement true? Justify with the help of an example from your course.
Answers
Answer:
ABSTRACT
During the reign of the Mauryas art and architecture reached a highest level. The artefacts of Chandra Gupta Maurya and his son Bindusara were destroyed. But their sense of architecture can be studied from Greek literatures. Emperor Ashoka is well known for hisbuildings, pillars, stupas and inscriptions. These monuments are very famous for their perfections. The pillars obtained from the archeological site of Pataliputra describe their heritage and contributions towards art. The architectural marvel of Emperor Ashoka stood as a symbol of the flourishing art and culture of ancient India.
INTRODUCTION
History of Art is concerned with no single class of objects. Every manmade structure and artefact from furniture and ceramics to buildings and paintings from photography comes within the field of the art. Although, traditionally art history has concentrated on painting, sculpture and architecture, the Mauryan emperors were great patron of art, literature and sculpture. The fine art developed and progressed under their patronage.
MAURYAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE
The art remains of the Mauryan period have been so overshadowed by their closenessin style to those of the Achaemenid period of Persian history that they tend to be regardedmore as ammunition in the battle between those art-historians who treat them as products of Persian craftsmen and the opposing school which regards them as purely indigenous. Art remains of the Ashok an period are found in association with the inscriptions.
The inscriptions were placed either in sacred enclosures or else in the vicinity of towns. The most commonly found remains are the animal capitals of the pillars. It is not difficult to determine the origin of the pillar as a structure goes back to the monolith of the prehistoric period. These were generally cut from a single block of stone and stood in an enclosure which was regarded as sacred. The engravings on pillars, rocks, caves and walls also enlighten us on many aspects of life and society in the days of Mauryan rule. The Monuments of this age give a glimpse of the progress of art, literature, sculpture and architecture. There are ruins of many stupas and caves which still preserve the art of Mauryan reign.
Answer:
During the reign of the Mauryas art and architecture reached a highest level. The artefacts of Chandra Gupta Maurya and his son Bindusara were destroyed. But their sense of architecture can be studied from Greek literatures. Emperor Ashoka is well known for hisbuildings, pillars, stupas and inscriptions. These monuments are very famous for their perfections. The pillars obtained from the archeological site of Pataliputra describe their heritage and contributions towards art. The architectural marvel of Emperor Ashoka stood as a symbol of the flourishing art and culture of ancient India.
Explanation:
INTRODUCTION
History of Art is concerned with no single class of objects. Every manmade structure and artefact from furniture and ceramics to buildings and paintings from photography comes within the field of the art. Although, traditionally art history has concentrated on painting, sculpture and architecture, the Mauryan emperors were great patron of art, literature and sculpture. The fine art developed and progressed under their patronage.
MAURYAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE
The art remains of the Mauryan period have been so overshadowed by their closenessin style to those of the Achaemenid period of Persian history that they tend to be regardedmore as ammunition in the battle between those art-historians who treat them as products of Persian craftsmen and the opposing school which regards them as purely indigenous. Art remains of the Ashok an period are found in association with the inscriptions.
The inscriptions were placed either in sacred enclosures or else in the vicinity of towns. The most commonly found remains are the animal capitals of the pillars. It is not difficult to determine the origin of the pillar as a structure goes back to the monolith of the prehistoric period. These were generally cut from a single block of stone and stood in an enclosure which was regarded as sacred. The engravings on pillars, rocks, caves and walls also enlighten us on many aspects of life and society in the days of Mauryan rule. The Monuments of this age give a glimpse of the progress of art, literature, sculpture and architecture. There are ruins of many stupas and caves which still preserve the art of Mauryan reign.