π Topic 05 of 6 Β· Chapter 04 Β· Mahajanapadas, Jainism & Buddhism
Jain & Buddhist Art & Architecture
Stupas, viharas, chaityas, Sanchi Stupa, Ajanta-Ellora caves, Jain temples β art and architecture.
ποΈ Buddhist Architecture
1. Stupa
- A stupa is a hemispherical dome-shaped structure built over the relics of Buddha or Buddhist saints
- Parts of a stupa: Anda (dome), Harmika (square railing on top), Yashti (umbrella/spire), Vedika (railing), Torana (gateway), Pradakshina Patha (circumambulatory path)
- Stupas were built for circumambulation (pradakshina) β walking around clockwise
2. Vihara (Monastery)
- Residential quarters for Buddhist monks
- Cells arranged around a central courtyard
- Famous viharas: Nalanda, Vikramashila, Taxila
3. Chaitya (Prayer Hall)
- Prayer hall with a stupa at one end
- Apsidal (semi-circular) plan
- Famous chaityas: Karle, Bhaja, Nasik (Maharashtra)
ποΈ Major Buddhist Sites
| Site | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sanchi Stupa | Madhya Pradesh | Oldest surviving stupa; built by Ashoka; UNESCO World Heritage Site; famous toranas (gateways) |
| Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | 30 rock-cut caves; Buddhist paintings and sculptures; 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE; UNESCO WHS |
| Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | 34 caves β Buddhist (12), Hindu (17), Jain (5); Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) β Hindu; UNESCO WHS |
| Bodh Gaya | Bihar | Site of Buddha’s enlightenment; Mahabodhi Temple; UNESCO WHS |
| Sarnath | Uttar Pradesh | Site of first sermon; Dhamek Stupa; Ashoka Pillar (Lion Capital β national emblem) |
| Nalanda | Bihar | Greatest Buddhist university; destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji (1193 CE); UNESCO WHS |
| Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Important Buddhist stupa; Satavahana period; marble sculptures |
β Ajanta vs Ellora:
β’ Ajanta = Buddhist only; famous for paintings; 2nd BCE to 6th CE
β’ Ellora = Buddhist + Hindu + Jain; famous for sculptures; 6th to 11th CE
β’ Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra
β’ Ajanta = Buddhist only; famous for paintings; 2nd BCE to 6th CE
β’ Ellora = Buddhist + Hindu + Jain; famous for sculptures; 6th to 11th CE
β’ Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra
ποΈ Jain Architecture
- Dilwara Temples (Mount Abu, Rajasthan) β finest Jain temples; white marble; intricate carvings; 11thβ13th century CE
- Ranakpur Temple (Rajasthan) β 1,444 marble pillars; 15th century CE
- Gomateshwara (Bahubali) statue (Shravanabelagola, Karnataka) β 57-foot monolithic statue; 10th century CE; Digambara Jain
- Palitana temples (Gujarat) β 900+ temples on Shatrunjaya hill
π Exam Tip:
β’ Sanchi Stupa = Ashoka; MP; oldest surviving stupa
β’ Ajanta = paintings; Buddhist; Maharashtra
β’ Ellora = sculptures; Buddhist + Hindu + Jain; Maharashtra
β’ Gomateshwara = Bahubali; Shravanabelagola; Karnataka; Digambara Jain
β’ Dilwara = finest Jain temples; Mount Abu; Rajasthan
β’ Sanchi Stupa = Ashoka; MP; oldest surviving stupa
β’ Ajanta = paintings; Buddhist; Maharashtra
β’ Ellora = sculptures; Buddhist + Hindu + Jain; Maharashtra
β’ Gomateshwara = Bahubali; Shravanabelagola; Karnataka; Digambara Jain
β’ Dilwara = finest Jain temples; Mount Abu; Rajasthan