Mauryan rock cut architecture: Mauryan and post Mauryan period
The Mauryan Empire which lasted from 322 BCE to 185 BCE became the first major empire
to unify most of the Indian subcontinent under one rule. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya,
the empire reached its peak under Emperor Ashoka, who is especially remembered for
spreading Buddhism and patronizing modern art.
Under the Mauryan empire the first large scale use of stone in architecture began, replacing
perishable materials such as wood. They introduced the famous Mauryan Polish. And
developed early examples of rock cut caves, pillars, and stupas. Emperor Ashoka became one
of the first ones to issue rock and pillar edicts across the empire. He also commissioned the
early stupas.
ORIGINS
Monumental stone architecture such as this emerged after the Harappan period, such rock cut
pieces of art were last seen then. This came about due to the increased organized religious
activities in the sub continent along with imperial centralization and urban wealth.
There were a total of 7 caves that were made during this period and were donatory in nature,
meaning that they had been donated to various sects, such as the Ajivikas for religious
purposes. There were 4 caves in the Barabar hills, which were commissioned during
Ashoka’s reign, and 3 in Nagarjuni, which were commissioned during his grandson,
Dashratha’s reign.
1. BARABAR AND NAGARJUNI SITES IN BIHAR
These caves are the earliest examples of rock cut architecture. The site is located near
Bodh gaya and were donated to the Ajivika sect by Ashoka and his grandson
Dashratha. These caves are known for their highly polished forms and the simplistic
style.
KEY FEATURE: Lomas Rsi
Its key features include long halls that run parallel to the rock face. A
particular caves known as the Lomas Rsi cave is especially elaborated upon in
the book by Susan Huntington. The cave has a doorway modelled after
wooden architecture. And is decorated with Chaitya (Gavaksha) arch. A
chaitya arch refers to a shrine with rounded edges. One of the earliest
examples of this.
The cave has a frieze of elephants, makaras and lattices.
The interior has two chambers within it: a rectangular hall and a circular hut
like room, which may be mimicking a thatched dwelling.
Even though the Lomas Rsi is made to look like a building made out of
perishable articles such as wood, it is made in rock.
2. Dhauli rock edicts
In Odisha, the site of Dhauli contains a set of inscriptions carved into the rock face.
These edicts are foundto be written in Brahmi script. It is located near the site of the
Kalinga war and the inscription expresses remorse over the war, and Ashoka’s
intention to govern peacefully. Above the rock edict an almost naturally carved
sculpture of a elephant exists, Upinder Singh writes that it looks as if the elephant is
emerging out of the rock itself.
3. Other caves such as Sudama Cave which is part of the Barabar Caves in Bihar, is
structurally identical to Lomas Rsi but without an ornamented façade.
Nagarjuni caves too establish the tradition set in Barabar.
The influences for these caves may be indigenous or may have been derived from
foreign structures such as Achaemenid (Persian). Or indigenous megalithic structures
such as the natural caves used by Indian Ascetics.
PILLAR INSCRIPTIONS:
There were 14 major rock edicts that were found across the subcontinent, mostly
found in: Girnar, Kalsi, Mansehra, Shahbazgarhi, Dhauli, Jaugada, Sopara, Yerragudi
These rock edicts contained a few major ideas, that were central to the themes found
in the inscriptions, some of these were:
Moral conduct (Dhamma)
Religious tolerance
Kindness to animals
Obedience to parents and elders
Justice and fair administration
Rejection of meaningless rituals
The 13th rock edict expresses Ashoka’s remorse over the Kalinga war. It says, “A
hundred and fifty thousand were deported, a hundred thousand were killed, and many
times that number perished.”
Along with Major rock edicts there were a few minor rock edicts as well. The key
features of this were:
More personal and direct in tone.
Ashoka refers to himself as “Devanampiya Piyadasi”.
Encourages people to follow Dhamma and embrace moral living.
Maski Edict is especially important because it includes Ashoka’s personal
name—proving that “Devanampiya Piyadasi” and Ashoka are the same. It
translates to beloved of the Gods.
The use of “Devanampiya Piyadasi” implies a divine assertion of political power over
the subjects of the land. This theme is particularly common among rulers who wished
to establish their authority through divine means which would be translated as being
more powerful in nature than assertion of any other kind.
There were seven pillar inscriptions that were located in Lauriya-Nandangarh,
Lauriya-Araraj, Rampurva, Sanchi, Sarnath, Topra (Delhi). The main highlights of
these were:
Humane treatment of prisoners
Appointing Dhamma Mahamatras to promote moral conduct
Ashoka’s concern for public welfare
Promotion of religious harmony
Pillar edict VII summarises the main principles of Dhamma.
Minor Pillar Edicts
Found at places like Sarnath, Rummindei (Lumbini), and Nigali Sagar.
Rummindei Inscription: Declares that Lumbini was the Buddha’s birthplace,
and Ashoka exempted it from tax and reduced land revenue.
