In the second century BC, the Mauryan empire came to an end due to its enormous size and unstable rulers and was overtaken by numerous rulers like Shunga's, Guptas, Kanvas, Abhiras. The post-Mauryan period also saw a surge in the Brahmanical denominations like Vaishnavas and Shaivas.

Due to the abrupt transformation in the empire, Indian Art and Architecture also underwent this transformation and received a new form and shape. Some fine and major examples of sculptures found in the Post-Mauryan period are - Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh), Mathura ( Uttar Pradesh), Bodhgaya ( Bihar). Let's take a glance at the formation of these sculptures.

NCERT Art and Culture Notes on Bharhut

• Bharhut sculptures are gargantuan and enormous like the portraits of yaksha and Yakshini and the available space is utilized prudently.
• The narrative, stories and the incident are exemplified pictorially.
• To maintain linearity, the modelling of the scriptural volume is in low relief and the vision of three-dimensionality is represented.
• At Bharhut, the narrative panel is enhanced and enriched by selecting and portraying the main events and main characters

• Originally, the depiction of hand and feet was complicated and entangled thus, flat images were depicted, but with the gradual progress in time, the carving of hands and feet were possible to give a realistic manifestation of the human form.
• One of the significant scriptures present at Bharhut is of Queen Mayadevi. In this scripture, Queen Mayadevi is depicted dreaming of an elephant plummeting towards her womb.

Sanchi Stupa: Gandhara

• Gandhara ( modern Pakistan) ensued as an imperative art production centre.
• Gandhara art form is a confluence of Bactria and Parthia and the Buddha fetches a human form here.
• Gandhara Buddha images possess Hellenistic characteristics.
• The Buddha at Gandhara are muscular and the scriptures are highly polished.
• The hair is curly, the ear lobes are lengthened and the garments are normally flowing.

Sanchi Stupa: Mathura Art Form

• The Buddha images at Mathura schools are designed after the yaksha images.
• At Mathura schools, the scriptures are prepared from red stone and the garments are explicitly shown.
• Less symbolism is shown at Mathura schools and the Mathura art symbolism is strong enough to disperse in the parts of India.

Sanchi Stupa: Sarnath

• Sarnath is also a substantial art centre besides Mathura and Gandhara art centre.
• Here the Buddha scriptures are presented with transparent drapery camouflaging the shoulders.
• The circle surrounding the Buddha is highly adorned and embellished.

Early Temples (Post-Mauryan Period)

• The temples of earlier times were adorned and decorated with images and portrayals of gods and goddesses.
• Every temple possessed a prominent image of God and with the presentation of Purana myths.
• The shrines of the temple are of three sorts-
  • Sandara type- in this sort of shrine there is the absence of Pradakshinapatha.
  • Nirandhara type- in this type of shrine the Pradakshinapatha is present in the temple.
  • Sarvatobhadra type- Sarvatobhadra implies that it can be accessed from every direction.

• Significant temple sites from the Post-Mauryan period are- Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh), Eran, Udaygiri and Nachna- Kuttara ( Madhya Pradesh).

Buddhist Monuments of South India

The Vengi region of Andhra Pradesh has numerous Buddhist monuments like Amravati, Goli, Jaggayyapeta, Bhattiprolu, etc.

Amaravati School of Art

• Amravati school of art was established during the Satavahana period.
• The Amaravati school of art is entirely indigenous and had a profound impact on art in Sri-Lanka and southeast Asia as the products from the Amaravati school of art are delivered to these places.
• Amaravati stupa( school of art) has a Pradakshinapatha and a Vedica (fence) with numerous scriptures on it.
• The unique feature or characteristic of Amaravati stupa is that the dome is camouflaged with scriptural slab and relief stupa.
• Events and incidents from the life of Buddha and Jataka are depicted and portrayed in the Amaravati school of art. In the original phase of the establishment of the Amaravati school of art, the images of Buddha were not depicted but with a gradual increase in time, the events from the life of Buddha were depicted and portrayed.
• The structure depicted at the Amaravati school of art is more intricate and complex as compared to the structure present at Sanchi.

The sculptures of Goli are decreased in animation but are still portrayed in three dimensions. Besides, the images of Buddha images and portraits of Boddhisattvas like Vajrapani, Avalokiteshwara, Padmapani, Amitabha and Maitreya Buddha are also found.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a characteristic of Post-Mauryan art?

A) Use of only local Indian motifs
B) Influence of foreign art traditions
C) Focus on purely religious themes
D) Absence of sculpture

2. The Gandhara school of art is associated with which of the following influences?

A) Greek and Persian influences
B) Dravidian influences
C) Chinese influences
D) Roman influences

3. Which of the following is a prominent feature of the Post-Mauryan stupas?

A) Absence of decorative reliefs
B) Greater focus on symbolism and narrative
C) Simple, unadorned structures
D) Small scale of construction

4. The Sanchi Stupa is famous for its:

A) Use of Jain iconography
B) Hellenistic style of Buddha representation
C) Decorative sculpture and reliefs
D) Indo-Saracenic architecture

5. What role did foreign influences play in the development of Post-Mauryan art?

A) They led to the decline of indigenous styles
B) They introduced new iconographic themes and techniques
C) They had no significant impact
D) They encouraged the use of only local materials

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of foreign influences in shaping Post-Mauryan art and architecture. Discuss the resulting stylistic transformations.

Answer: Foreign influences, especially from Greek, Persian, and Central Asian cultures, had a profound impact on the evolution of Post-Mauryan art and architecture. The Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, for example, introduced the human form of Buddha, departing from earlier symbolic representations. This fusion of Greek naturalism with Indian religious themes led to the development of realistic sculpture, which became central to Buddhist art. The architectural style also evolved, with stupas and viharas becoming more elaborate and decorated with narrative reliefs depicting the life of Buddha. This transformation reflects the broader cultural exchanges that took place during the Post-Mauryan period and highlights the syncretic nature of Indian art during this time.

Q2: Discuss the significance of the Sanchi Stupa in the context of Post-Mauryan art and its role in the spread of Buddhism.

Answer: The Sanchi Stupa is a monumental example of Post-Mauryan architecture and is crucial in understanding the evolution of Buddhist art. Built during the reign of Ashoka, it was later expanded and adorned with intricate sculptures and reliefs that depict the life and teachings of Buddha. The stupa's symbolic architecture, which houses relics of the Buddha, was a key element in the spread of Buddhism throughout India. The detailed carvings and decorative elements at Sanchi represent a significant shift in the artistic expression of Buddhist themes, combining local and foreign influences. As a center of pilgrimage and artistic development, the Sanchi Stupa helped cement the role of stupas in the Buddhist architectural tradition.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of Post-Mauryan trends on the development of Indian art and architecture in the subsequent centuries.

Answer: The Post-Mauryan period marked a significant shift in Indian art and architecture, setting the stage for developments in the subsequent centuries. The fusion of Greek, Persian, and indigenous styles during this period led to the creation of new forms of art, such as Gandhara and Mathura art, which influenced later artistic traditions in India. The elaborate and symbolic designs of Post-Mauryan stupas became models for later Buddhist architecture, while the naturalistic sculptures introduced during this period influenced both religious and secular art. These trends also contributed to the expansion of Buddhism and its spread across Asia, highlighting the lasting legacy of Post-Mauryan art in shaping the cultural and architectural landscapes of ancient India.

Previous Year Questions on Post-Mauryan Trend in Indian Art and Architecture

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2016 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the evolution of Indian art and architecture from the Mauryan period to the post-Mauryan period, highlighting significant developments."

Answer: The post-Mauryan period saw the evolution of Indian art and architecture, characterized by the emergence of regional styles. Notable developments include the emergence of the Gandhara style, influenced by Greek art, and the Mathura school, which saw the development of distinctive sculptures of deities. The post-Mauryan period also witnessed the construction of Buddhist stupas and monasteries, as well as the adoption of new materials like terracotta for sculptures, reflecting the socio-religious shifts of the time.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2014 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Analyze the changes in architectural styles from the Mauryan period to the Gupta period, and their significance in Indian art history."

Answer: The transition from the Mauryan to the Gupta period marked a shift in architectural styles. The Mauryan period emphasized massive structures like the Ashokan pillars and rock-cut caves. In contrast, the Gupta period saw the rise of temple architecture with intricate carvings, domes, and more elaborate structures. The Gupta period also witnessed the development of mathematical precision in architecture, as evidenced in the construction of temples and their decorative elements. This evolution reflects the growing sophistication of religious and cultural practices in India.