
The emergence of Gupta Empire is called as the Golden Age of Indian Architecture.
The temple architecture,
Buddhist architecture and cave traditions reached its climax.
Caves tradition in Western India
- Mainly three architectural types were executed while building caves in Western India:
- Apsidal vault-roof Chaitya halls examples Ajanta, Pitalkhora, Bhaja
- Apsidal vault-roof pillarless hall, examples, Thana-Nadsur
- Flat-roof quadrangular hall with circular chamber, example, Kondivite.
- The front of Chaitya is dominated by motif of a semi-circular Chaitya arch and a Stupa at the back is also common.
- At Karla, biggest rock-cut Chaitya was excavated.
- Chaitya hall pillars are decorated with human and animal figures.
- Viharas included hall, cell and veranda. They are found at Ajanta & Nashik. The interior decorative motifs like that in Chaitya and vihara are found over cell doors of cave. The front pillars are carved with ghata-base and ahata-capital with the human figures.
- One Vihara at Junnar is called Ganeshleni as one image of Ganesha is instilled here.
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Most important sites are: Ajanta, Ellora, Nashik, Junnar Karla, Kanheri, Junagarh and Bhaja.
Ajanta Caves
- It is located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
- There are 29 caves, 25 viharas and 4 chaityas. There are 1-2 storey caves.
- The large chaityas-viharas are decorated with sculptures and paintings (from 1st-5th CE). They were primarily built during Gupta period.
- The biggest Buddha image of Mahaparinibbana is found in 26th cave.
- Pillared virandha and halls and cells, and the back wall is considered as the Buddha Shrine.
- Bhoomiparshmudra: Buddha showing right hand indicating to earth -> it is the largest sculpture panel in Ajanta.
- Multi coloured paintings depicting Jatakas and Avadanas.
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Frescos are also found of rice husk, limestone and natural colours.
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For
example, preaching Buddha, flying apsaras, a bodhisttva holding lotus.
- Both Hinayana and Mahayana art are found.
- Some of the Caves Number and images associated with them:
Caves |
Pictures Found |
Cave 26 |
Victory of Buddha over Maya |
Cave 16 |
Vakataka king depicted |
Cave 17-20 |
Harisena Upendragupta |
Cave 26 |
Buddhabhadra |
Ellora Caves
- These caves are located in Aurangabad.
- These were built during the rule of Rashtrakutas.
- There are 34 caves which includes the Buddhist, Brahaminical and Jain caves. It mostly includes Mahayana art only.
- Caves are usually 3-storey caves.
- Under Shaivite theme, Ravana shaking the Mt. Kailash; Andhakasurvada; Kalyanasundra.
- Under Vaishnavite theme, avatars of Vishnu are depicted.
- These are unique in stylistic eclecticism i.e. confluence of many styles at one place.
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Rock-cut temples are also carved. For example: Kailashnath temple.
- Some of the Caves Number and images associated with them:
Cave Number |
Images Found |
Cave 16 |
Kailash leni; Kailashnath temple in Dravida Architecture |
Cave 10 |
Vishkarma God |
Cave 14 |
Ravan ki khai |
Cave 15 |
Dashavtara Cave |
Elephanta Caves
- These are located in Mumbai.
- It was originally a Buddhist site but later dominated by Shaivite Sect. The sculptures show stark light and dark effects.
- Some examples are: Maheshmurti (3 headed deity), Bhairava and Uma.
Eastern India Caves
- Coastal region of Andhra (Guntapelle) and in Odisha have structured monasteries.
- Anakapalli Cave has the biggest rock-cut stupa.
- Udaygiri and Khanadigri Caves of Odhisa has mostly Jainist caves.
Udayagiri caves
- These are located in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
- These were created under the patronage of Chandragupta II.
- The caves have one of the earliest Hindu sculptures.
- Some caves are dedicated to Shiva.
Other Caves
Bagh Caves
- These are located in Madhya Pradesh.
- There are 9 Buddhist caves developed around 6th Century A.D.
Junagadh Caves
- These caves are located in Gujarat.
- These are Buddhist caves.
- A 30-50 ft high citadel known as Upar Kot is found in front of the prayer hall.
Nasik Caves
- These are located in Maharashtra.
- It is a group of 24 Buddhist Caves.
- Thses are also called as Pandav Leni.
- It has influence of both the Hinayana sect and the Mahayana sect.
Stupas
- Dhamek stupa at Sarnath near Varanasi is an example of Stupa developed during this period.
Did You Know
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In 1819 Jon
Smith, who
belonged to the 28th Cavalry, accidentally chanced upon the horse-shoe
shaped rock while hunting a tiger in and around the Deccan Plateau region near
Waghora River. This was the location of Ajanta Caves.
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Throughout his life, Buddha was against the idea of sculpting and painting images of him.