Bharhut stupa - Post mauryan Art and Architecture - Art and Culture Notes

Bharhut stupas are tall, like the Mauryan depictions of Yaksha and Yakshini, and the sculptural volume is modeled in low relief to ensure linearity. A large stupa was built in 100 B.C. in Bharhut, which is now part of modern-day Madhya Prade in Satna District). The Sungas adapted the Bharhut stupa, which was originally erected by Asoka. This article will explain to you the concepts related to Bharhut stupa which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Bharhut stupa

• Bharhut sculptures are tall, like the Mauryan depictions of Yaksha and Yakshini, and the sculptural volume is modelled in low relief to ensure linearity.
• The illusion of three-dimensionality is conveyed with slanted perspective in the relief panels displaying storytelling. The narrative's clarity is improved by focusing on key occurrences.
• At Bharhut, narrative panels are exhibited with fewer characters, but as time passes, other characters begin to appear in the picture area, in addition to the main character in the story.
• Occasionally, more than one event in a single geographic location is shown in the pictorial space, or only one major event is depicted in the pictorial area.
• At Bharhut, narrative reliefs demonstrate how artisans employed pictorial language to effectively transmit stories.

Bharhut stupa

Historical background

• A large stupa was built in 100 B.C. in Bharhut
• The Sungas adapted the Bharhut stupa, which was originally erected by Asoka.

Architectural Significance

• Unlike the Mauryas' imperial art, the reliefs and figures in Bharhut stupa were provided by lay people, monks, and nuns, according to inscriptions on the railings. As a result, it is considered one of the earliest instances of Maurya popular art.
• The Buddha's previous incarnations' birth stories, known as Jataka tales, are depicted on the railings.
• The aniconic phase of Buddhist art is represented by the Bharhut stupa. Buddha has been shown as a series of symbols.
• Except for one foreigner, presumed to be an Indo-Greek soldier, who is represented wearing the Indian dhoti with Buddhist iconography, the style is mainly flat, with low bass relief, and all figures are depicted wearing the Indian dhoti.
• The Bharhut stupa railings feature several depictions of yakshas and yakshis, who have long been a part of Indian society.
• The earliest depictions of the Yakshas and Yakshis, which later became part of later art, may be seen at Bharhut. These represent the spirit of nature and help to remind us of the divinity that lurks beneath all we see.
• The Yakshas and Yakshis represent nature's protection and plenty, which ensures the continuation of life.
• Kubera, whom the Yaksha and Yakshis attend, is depicted on the north gateway of the Vedika at Bharhut.
• The photos of Yakhsi Chandra and Krishika, who are seen entangled with a tree, can be found. Another Yakshi, Ashok Dohada, holds an Ashoka Tree leaf in her palm as well as a kid in her womb (two hearts) and weaves her way through the tree like a creeper, symbolizing fertility.

Bharhut stupa

• One of the sculptures depicts Laksmi on the Bharhut's railing, which is the earliest representation of the goddess.
• The sculptures on the Bharhut railings are in low relief and do not have the depth of later Indic art.
• A Greek warrior is depicted on a pillar of the vedika. He has short hair and a headband and is dressed in boots and a tunic.
• A Nagaraja, the serpent king, is shown on another fence, dressed in human form but wearing a serpent hood. Naga deities, like yakshas and yakshis, serve to remind us of the power, protection, and fertility of nature.
• The railing of the Bharhut "stupa" depicts Queen Maya's dream, which occurred before the Buddha's birth.
• The figure of the Buddha was never depicted in early Buddhist art. Instead, symbols of him were there, including a seat, footprints, the Bodhi tree, the wheel, and the "stupa." The railings' sculptural reliefs are a veritable collection of early Buddhist iconographic elements.

Conclusion

As the number of stupas built in different sections of the country increased, regional artistic differences began to appear. The knotted headpiece is a common feature in all-male images from the first to second centuries BCE. It is quite constant in numerous sculptures. The Indian Museum in Kolkata houses some of the sculptures discovered at Bharhut.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which dynasty is associated with the embellishment of the Bharhut Stupa?

A. Maurya
B. Shunga
C. Gupta
D. Satavahana

2. What type of stories are primarily depicted in the reliefs of the Bharhut Stupa?

A. Ramayana stories
B. Jataka tales
C. Stories from the Mahabharata
D. Lives of Hindu deities

3. What is the significance of the toranas at the Bharhut Stupa?

A. They are simple, unadorned gateways.
B. They depict scenes from the Ramayana.
C. They are intricately carved gateways with narrative reliefs.
D. They were added during the Gupta period.

4. Which of the following symbols is commonly associated with early Buddhist art at the Bharhut Stupa?

A. Nataraja
B. Lingam
C. Bodhi Tree
D. Shivalinga

5. What was the primary function of the inscriptions on the Bharhut Stupa?

A. To describe the history of the Gupta dynasty
B. To provide religious chants
C. To document the names of donors
D. To give instructions for Buddhist rituals

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

1. Discuss the significance of the Bharhut Stupa in the development of post-Mauryan art and architecture.

Answer: The Bharhut Stupa is a significant monument in the development of post-Mauryan art and architecture, particularly under the Shunga dynasty. Its detailed narrative reliefs, depicting Jataka tales and other scenes from the life of the Buddha, reflect the growing prominence of Buddhist art in India. The Stupa's architectural elements, including sculpted railings, toranas (gateways), and medallions, demonstrate a departure from the simpler Mauryan style and indicate the evolution of more complex and intricate artistic expressions. Additionally, the Stupa played a crucial role in promoting Buddhist teachings through visual narratives, making it an essential example of early Buddhist iconography and narrative art.

2. Analyze the role of narrative reliefs in communicating Buddhist teachings at the Bharhut Stupa.

Answer: The narrative reliefs at the Bharhut Stupa played a crucial role in communicating Buddhist teachings to the masses. These reliefs, particularly those depicting Jataka tales, served as visual representations of the moral and ethical lessons found in Buddhism. By illustrating stories from the Buddha's previous lives, the reliefs conveyed complex spiritual ideas in a form that could be easily understood by the general population. The use of visual storytelling at the Bharhut Stupa highlights the importance of art in the dissemination of religious teachings during the post-Mauryan period, making it an essential tool for spreading Buddhism in ancient India.

3. Explain how the architectural features of the Bharhut Stupa reflect the artistic developments during the Shunga dynasty.

Answer: The architectural features of the Bharhut Stupa, particularly the sculpted railings and toranas (gateways), reflect the artistic developments during the Shunga dynasty. These features are characterized by intricate carvings that depict animals, floral motifs, and narrative scenes, which mark a departure from the simpler Mauryan style. The Shunga period saw a greater emphasis on detailed narrative reliefs and ornamentation, as seen in the Bharhut Stupa’s carvings of yakshis, animals, and Jataka tales. The development of more elaborate decorative elements during this time demonstrates the growing sophistication of Indian art and its ability to convey religious and cultural narratives through visual media.

Previous Year Questions on Bharhut Stupa

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following is a notable feature of the Bharhut Stupa?
A. Sculpted railings and narrative reliefs
B. Tall spires and intricate carvings of Hindu deities
C. Dravidian-style temples
D. Frescoes depicting scenes from the Ramayana

Answer: A

Explanation: The Bharhut Stupa is notable for its sculpted railings and narrative reliefs, which depict scenes from the Jataka tales and early Buddhist symbolism.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: "The Bharhut Stupa provides valuable insights into the art and architecture of post-Mauryan India." Discuss.

Answer: The Bharhut Stupa offers significant insights into the art and architecture of post-Mauryan India, particularly during the Shunga dynasty. The intricate narrative reliefs, sculpted railings, and elaborate toranas reflect the artistic evolution from the simpler forms of Mauryan art to more detailed and narrative-driven designs. The reliefs, which depict Jataka tales, scenes from the Buddha's life, and early Buddhist symbols, highlight the role of art in communicating religious teachings to the public. The Stupa’s architectural features demonstrate the Shunga dynasty’s contribution to the development of Buddhist art and its integration of narrative elements into religious architecture, marking a key phase in India's artistic history.