Gupta Age Art and Architecture

Introduction
12 Aug 2021

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.

Mainly three architectural types were executed while building caves in Western India:

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.
Most important sites are: Ajanta, Ellora, Nashik, Junnar Karla, Kanheri, Junagarh and Bhaja.

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 1^st-5^th CE). They were primarily built during Gupta period.
The biggest Buddha image of Mahaparinibbana is found in 26^th 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.
Frescos are also found of rice husk, limestone and natural colours.
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:

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.
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

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.

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.

Bagh Caves

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

Dhamek stupa at Sarnath near Varanasi is an example of Stupa developed during this period.

Did You Know

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.
Throughout his life, Buddha was against the idea of sculpting and painting images of him.