Class 11 Fine Art Notes Chapter 3 (Chapter 3) – An Introduction to Indian Art Part-I Book

Alright class, let's delve into Chapter 3: Arts of the Mauryan Period. This is a crucial phase in Indian art history, marking a significant shift towards the use of stone on a monumental scale, largely under royal patronage. Understanding this period is vital for your exams.

Arts of the Mauryan Period (c. 4th - 2nd Century BCE)

1. Historical Context:

• The Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya and reaching its zenith under Emperor Ashoka (c. 273-232 BCE), established political unity over a vast part of the Indian subcontinent.
• This period witnessed the consolidation of state power and the widespread propagation of Buddhism, especially under Ashoka.
• Art became an instrument of the state, used for religious propagation (Dhamma) and asserting imperial authority.
• There was a notable transition from perishable materials like wood (used extensively earlier) to stone for creating durable, monumental art and architecture.

2. Pillars:

• Patronage: Primarily Emperor Ashoka.
• Purpose:
  • To disseminate Ashoka's edicts on Dhamma (moral and ethical conduct).
  • To commemorate significant events or victories.
  • To mark important sites related to the Buddha's life or the Mauryan empire.
• Material & Technique:
  • Made primarily of Chunar sandstone.
  • Characterised by a highly lustrous polish, often called Mauryan Polish, which has survived for centuries.
  • Monolithic: Carved from a single block of stone. This required immense skill in quarrying, carving, and transportation.
• Structure: Comprised of three main parts:
  • Shaft: A tall, smooth, tapering monolithic column. Usually plain without a base.
  • Capital: Placed atop the shaft, typically consisting of:
    • An inverted lotus or bell-shaped member.
    • An Abacus (a square or circular platform) above the lotus/bell, often decorated with reliefs.
    • A crowning animal sculpture (single or multiple) surmounting the abacus.
• Famous Examples & Animal Symbolism:
  • Sarnath Lion Capital: (Most famous) Found at Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon.
    • Features four majestic lions seated back-to-back on a circular abacus.
    • The abacus depicts a Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law) alternating with four animals: an elephant (east), a horse (west), a bull (south), and a lion (north), symbolizing guardians of the four directions or key events in Buddha's life (conception, renunciation, first sermon/enlightenment, Sakya clan symbol).
    • Sits on an inverted lotus base.
    • Adopted as the National Emblem of India (without the lotus base and the wheel below).
  • Lauriya Nandangarh Pillar (Bihar): Single lion capital, well-preserved with edicts.
  • Rampurva Pillar (Bihar): Two pillars found here - one with a Bull capital (now in Rashtrapati Bhavan) and another with a Lion capital. The Bull capital is noted for its powerful realism.
• Influence: Some scholars suggest Achaemenid (Persian) influence (e.g., bell-shaped capital, polish), but the monolithic nature, iconography (lotus, animals), and overall form are distinctly Indian.

3. Rock-Cut Caves:

• Earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in India.
• Location: Primarily in the Barabar Hills and Nagarjuni Hills near Gaya, Bihar.
• Patronage: Commissioned by Ashoka and his grandson, Dasharatha.
• Purpose: Donated mainly to monks of the Ajivika sect.
• Features:
  • Excavated from hard, granitic rock.
  • Highly polished interior walls, mirroring the Mauryan polish of the pillars.
  • Often imitated wooden architectural forms (e.g., arched entrances, vaulted ceilings).
• Examples:
  • Lomas Rishi Cave (Barabar Hills): Famous for its ornate arched entrance (chaitya arch) mimicking wooden prototypes, decorated with a relief frieze of elephants worshipping stupas. The interior remains unfinished.
  • Sudama Cave (Barabar Hills): Dedicated by Ashoka, has a circular chamber and a rectangular mandapa. Polished interiors.
  • Gopi Cave (Nagarjuni Hills): Dedicated by Dasharatha.

4. Sculpture:

• Pillar Capitals: (Discussed above) Represent the finest Mauryan court art – sophisticated, stylized yet powerful, symbolic.
• Monumental Freestanding Sculptures (Yaksha & Yakshi Figures):
  • Large, imposing stone figures representing folk deities (nature spirits, associated with fertility and abundance).
  • Found in various locations like Parkham (near Mathura), Pawaya (near Gwalior), Didarganj (Patna), Besnagar (Vidisha).
  • Style: Robust, voluminous, somewhat stiff posture compared to pillar animals, detailed ornamentation (jewellery, drapery). Often possess the Mauryan polish, though sometimes less refined.
  • Example: The Didarganj Yakshi (Patna Museum) is a famous example – life-sized, holding a chauri (fly-whisk), noted for its sensuous form and polished surface. Represents a slightly later phase or a different tradition co-existing with court art.
• Terracotta Figurines:
  • Represent the art of the common people. Found widely across Mauryan sites (Patna, Taxila, Mathura, etc.).
  • Technique: Mostly mould-made, but some hand-modelled elements.
  • Subjects: Mother goddesses, animals, birds, toys, narrative scenes, figures with elaborate headdresses and attire.
  • Style: Less refined than stone sculptures, often vibrant and expressive. Provide insights into popular beliefs and daily life.

5. Stupas:

• While stupas became grander later, their origins as Buddhist commemorative monuments trace back to this period.
• Concept: Burial mounds containing relics of the Buddha or revered monks.
• Ashoka's Role: Tradition credits Ashoka with opening earlier stupas, redistributing relics, and building thousands of stupas across his empire to popularize Buddhism.
• Early Form: Likely simpler structures – a hemispherical dome (Anda) built over the relics, possibly topped by a square railing (Harmika) and a parasol (Chhatra). The elaborate railings (Vedika) and gateways (Torana) seen at sites like Sanchi are later additions/enlargements over Mauryan cores.
• Example: The core of the Great Stupa at Sanchi is believed to be Mauryan. The Piprahwa stupa (UP border) might be pre-Mauryan or early Mauryan.

6. Key Characteristics of Mauryan Art:

• Use of stone on a large scale.
• Monumentality.
• The distinctive Mauryan polish.
• Patronage by the Emperor (Court Art) vs. Folk Art traditions.
• Use of art for political and religious purposes.
• Symbolism embedded in forms (lotus, animals, chakra).
• Beginning of rock-cut architecture.

Significance for Exams:
Focus on the patrons, locations, materials, specific features (like polish, monolithic pillars), key examples (Sarnath Capital, Lomas Rishi Cave, Didarganj Yakshi), and the purpose/symbolism behind these artworks. Understand the difference between court art (pillars, capitals) and more popular/folk art forms (terracottas, Yakshas).

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. The famous Lion Capital, adopted as the National Emblem of India, was originally found atop a Mauryan pillar at which site?
   (a) Lauriya Nandangarh
   (b) Rampurva
   (c) Sarnath
   (d) Sanchi

2. Mauryan pillars were typically made from which type of stone, often sourced from Chunar?
   (a) Granite
   (b) Marble
   (c) Sandstone
   (d) Basalt

3. The distinctive highly polished surface found on Mauryan pillars and some sculptures is known as:
   (a) Glazing
   (b) Mauryan Polish
   (c) Tempera Finish
   (d) Stucco Lustro

4. The earliest surviving rock-cut caves in India, commissioned by Ashoka and Dasharatha for the Ajivika sect, are located in the:
   (a) Ajanta Hills
   (b) Ellora Hills
   (c) Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills
   (d) Udayagiri and Khandagiri Hills

5. The Lomas Rishi Cave is particularly famous for its:
   (a) Elaborate paintings depicting Jataka tales
   (b) Large seated Buddha statue inside
   (c) Highly polished interior resembling Mauryan pillars
   (d) Ornate entrance archway imitating wooden architecture

6. Monumental freestanding sculptures of Yakshas and Yakshis found from the Mauryan period, like the one from Didarganj, are generally interpreted as representing:
   (a) Emperors and Empresses
   (b) Buddhist monks and nuns
   (c) Folk deities associated with fertility and nature
   (d) Characters from the Ramayana epic

7. Which Mauryan emperor is credited with erecting numerous pillars inscribed with edicts to propagate 'Dhamma'?
   (a) Chandragupta Maurya
   (b) Bindusara
   (c) Ashoka
   (d) Dasharatha Maurya

8. Which of the following is NOT one of the animals depicted on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital?
   (a) Elephant
   (b) Horse
   (c) Deer
   (d) Bull

9. Mauryan pillars are described as 'monolithic', which means they were:
   (a) Composed of many small stones
   (b) Carved from a single block of stone
   (c) Hollow from the inside
   (d) Decorated with mosaic tiles

10. Terracotta figurines from the Mauryan period primarily represent:
    (a) Courtly scenes and royal portraits
    (b) Abstract geometrical patterns
    (c) Popular art forms like mother goddesses, animals, and toys
    (d) Detailed battle scenes

Answer Key:

1. (c) Sarnath
2. (c) Sandstone
3. (b) Mauryan Polish
4. (c) Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills
5. (d) Ornate entrance archway imitating wooden architecture
6. (c) Folk deities associated with fertility and nature
7. (c) Ashoka
8. (c) Deer
9. (b) Carved from a single block of stone
10. (c) Popular art forms like mother goddesses, animals, and toys

Study these notes carefully, focusing on the keywords and examples. Let me know if you have any questions!