Indian Art: Shunga Period

Sunga Dynasty (185 BC-75BC)

The Sunga dynasty was established in 185 B.C. The center of Sunga Empire was Magadha and extended to Malwa in Central India.

Art under the Sunga period comprises the large part of the decoration of the stone railings and gateways of Buddhist stupas originally started under king Ashoka, at Sanchi in Bhopal, Barhut in Nagod state and Amravati on the Krishna river.

The Mathura school of art flourished during this period as well● Main theme was Buddha - depicted as Human● Purely indigenous style● Material used in this school was the spotted red sandstone● The Standing Buddhas of the Sravasthi Sarnath and Kausambhi belong to the Mathura Mathura

School.● The halo around the head of Buddha was profusely decorated

● The depiction of the human figure is in every case theoretical rather than realistic.

● Although no examples of jewellery and the like have survived from the Sunga Period, one can gain some idea of the character of personal ornaments from the detailed realistic representation of these accessories from the sculpture at Barhut.

● The deities at this site are seen wearing an elaborate series of necklaces.

● These strands appear to be made up of metal beads, rather than precious stones.

● At the centre of each is a little box or casket to contain amulets or spells to ward off evil forces.

Famous WorksEarly monument of Sunga art that demonstrates a native tradition of stone-carving is the ornamentation of the second Stupa, at Sanchi in Bhopal. Features:1. Consists of a circular base and with a sandstone railing around it with its gateways disposed like

the claws of a swastika attached to the circular plan of the enclosure. 2. Consists of medallions carved on the uprights of the interior and more complicated rectangular

panels emphasising the posts of the actual entrances.3. Subjects of the medallions are generally constrained to a single motif, such as the Wheel and

the Tree, to typify moments from the life of the Lord Buddha.

The railing at the famous Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya: 1. The ground-plan of the railing is rectangular rather than round. 2. The carving consists in the decoration of uprights and railing medallions. 3. In the Bodh Gaya,the chariot is seen in front view, but

a. The horses are deployed to right and left of the axle-tree so as to be shown in profile.

b. This is simply another instance of the abstract point of view. c. It is an arrangement that also conforms to the archaic fondness for

symmetrical balance.Key Points:1. Though the early Sunga rulers despised Buddhism but continued to impart a profound effect in

the art of this period. 2. Art flowered in this period with the rise of the Mathura school of art. 3. Played a pivotal role in patronising Indian culture at a time when some of the most significant

developments in Hindu thought were taking place. 4. Facilitated the tradition of royal sponsorship of learning and art that would be sustained by later

dynasties which ensured that Indian culture remained imperative and creative.

Stupas

● The Stupa represents Buddha’s holy mind. ● It is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing

Buddhist relics typically the ashes of Buddhist monk● Use Buddhists as a place of meditation.

● In prehistoric times, stupas were simply mounds of earth and stones – places to bury important kings away from the village.

● Twenty-five-hundred years ago, at the time of Shakyamuni Buddha’s death, a change came about in the way stupas were regarded.

● The Buddha requested that his relics be placed in a familiar stupa. Instead of being just a place of honor where the bones or relics of a cremated king were placed, the stupa was to be located at four corners (i.e. a crossroads), to remind people of the awakened state of mind. So, the stupa evolved from a mound of dirt, to a king’s burial tomb, to a religious monument.

● After the Buddha’s death, stupas evolved from being used as shrines to the dead and into places to honor the living. They were erected to remind people far into the future that they, while living, had the seed of enlightenment.

Historical Relevance

Famous StupasThe Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, India The Great Stupa at Sanchi

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Phra Pathom Chedi in Thailand

The shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a throne1. His crown is the top of the spire; 2. His head is the square at the spire's base; 3. His body is the vase shape; His legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; 4. The base is his throne.

Five purified elements● The square base represents earth● The hemispherical dome/vase represents

water● The conical spire represents fire● The upper lotus parasol and the crescent

moon represents air● The sun and the dissolving point represents

the element of spaceA pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves, built in traditions originating in historic East Asia or East Central Asia.Symbolism

Tibetan Stupas

Sanchi Stupa● Oldest structure in India● Commissioned by Ashoka● Completed under Sunga dynasty● Stupa was expanded almost twice

the size● Dome was flattened● Relief and Semi-relief Sculptures

Bharhut Stupa● Commissioned by Ashoka● Completed under Sunga dynasty● Style represents earliest phase of

Indian art● Buddha represented as Buddha

wheel and Dharma tree

Chaityas

● A Chaitya is a Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with stupa at one end

● Chaityas were constructed to hold large numbers of devotees

● The earliest rock-cut chaityas consisted of an inner circular chamber with pillars

● The walls were polished in Mauryan style

● It was faced with a substantial wooden facade

Architecturally, they show similarities to Roman design concepts of column and arch

The pillars had three parts: ● Prop : The base which is buried into the ground● Shaft : The main body of the pillar which is polished and chiseled● Capital : The head of the pillar where figures of animals are carved.

Viharas

● A secluded place in which to walk.

● It was considered an act of merit not only to feed a monk but

also to shelter him.

● Monastery is an important form of institution associated with

Buddhism

Plan of cave 1 at Ajanta, a typical vihara hall for prayer and living

Structural Design● Designed in the old traditional Kushana pattern

● During Mauryan empire, the Mahabodhi Temple was

built in the form of vihara

● Cave interiors became more elaborate with interior

walls decorated with beautiful paintings

Mahabodhi Temple in India.

Viharas- Bhaja Caves

● Bhaja Caves or Bhaje caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in Pune, near Lonavala, Maharashtra

● The sculptures feature elaborate headdress, garlands, and jewellery;

● they might have originally been painted in bright colors but later covered with plaster.

● Characteristic for early Buddhism, initially the caves had symbolic Buddha representation.

A Royal person with two attendants, driving with four horses. A person, may be diety, driving an elephant

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