Question

what are the major contributions of the mauryan to buddhist art

Answer 1

Stupas as are Buddhist religious monuments  and were originally only a simple mound of mud or clay to cover the supposed relics of the Buddha basically funeral mounds- which were low and circular mounds ringed by the boulders. 
Stupa construction was a Buddhist art...
 Pillars built by Ashoka furnish the finest remains of the Mauryan art. The pillars with Ashoka edicts inscribed on them were placed either in sacred enclosures or in the vicinity of towns. The Pillars were made of two types of stone: The spotted Red and white sandstone from the region of Mathura and the Buff colored fine grained hard sandstone usually with small back spots quarried in Chunar near Banaras.


The architectural remains of the cave architecture ascribed to the Mauryan period are few. The Chaitya halls and the Stupa do not exist in their original form expect the excavated chaitya-halls, bearing inscription of Ashoka and Dasaratha, in the Barabar caves.
The monolithic rail at Sarnath in grey and polished Chunar sandstone has been erected under the patronage of the Emperor Ashoka himself.


The ravage of the fabulous city of Pataliputra near modern Patna is extremely important for an understanding of the whole character of the Mauryan civilization which Ashoka inherited and perpetuated

Answer 2

Answer:With Ashoka adopting buddhism, it spreads in gangetic valley. This spread was also reflected in development of budhhist art and architecture during mauryan period.

Explanation:The contribution can be seen from below examples.

1. Aahokan Stone pillars- these pillars were erected to spread Dhamma, which though not Buddhism but highly influenced by it.

Rumendei stone pillar talks of tax exemptions as Rumendei(Lumbini) was birth place of Buddha.

2. Stupas- stupas were burial mounds. These were originally made to store Budhhas remains. this flourished during Ashoka times. Examples- Sanchi Stupa, Piprahwa stupa etc.

3. These Stupas were engraved with symbols related to Hinyan buddhism.

4. At many places torans of stupas were engraved with Jataka stories relating to Budhhas previous births.

5.Caves- These cave were made to be used as Chaityas(resting halls) by Buddhist,Jains and Ajivika monks.

Though Buddhist art flourished the most during Muryan period but we can also see art relating to other sects flourishing. For example,Lomas Rishi caves were given to Ajivika monks, Yaksha and Yakshini sculptures also came up which were local Gods. Thus Mauryan Art reflects the inclusivity of society of Mauryan period.