CH : 3 Sculpture and Architecture

 Sculpture :
→ The art of shaping figures and design with the help of chisel and hammer is
known as sculpture.
 Architecture :
→ Architecture means art of construction.
→ The word ‘vastu’ is used fro architecture in Sanskrit language.
 Ancient Indian Town Planning :
→ India has acquired expertise in the field of town planning.
→ Many such towns have been found out during archaeological excavation
work. Towns divided into three section (i) fort of rules, (ii) Houses of
administrative officers situated on the upper part of town, (iii) Residences of
common people situated on the lower part of town.
→ Forts for rulers were constructed on the upper part of the town.
→ Upper part of the town is safe and protected with houses having two to five
rooms.
→ House on the lower part of the town are mainly constructed with handmade
bricks.
 Mohan – Jo – Daro :
→ In 1922, archeologists named Rakhal Das Banerji and Dayaram Sahni found
out remains of huge town planning, during excavation work which was being
carried out under the guidance of sir John Marshal and Colonel Meke, in
Larkhan district (New in Pakistan) of Mohan – Jo – Daro. Mohan – Jo – Daro
means ‘The heap of the deads.’
1. Construction of Town : From the point of view of town planning, Mohan
– Jo – Daro is the best house were built on high plinth to protect from
floods and dampness. The houses of the rich people were double stored
having five to seven rooms, while those of poor people were single stored
having two to three rooms. There was proper arrangement of doors and
windows to keep the houses airy and ventilated.
2. Roads :
→ Roads were 9.75 meters wide
→ Pits on the roads side suggest that there might have been lamp post.
→ Roads are straight
→ Main roads are constructed north to south.
→ One road was going from north to south.
 → One road was going from east to west.
→ Both roads crossed each other at right angle.

 Drainage System :
→ This system is a unique feature of this town planning.
→ Such system was found in island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea.
→ This system was built to drain dirty water out from the town.
→ Each and every house had a Cesspit.
→ This planned, systematic and efficient drainage system clearly proves that
they were very careful about their health and hygiene.
 Public baths :
→ A huge bath was excavated at Mohan – Jo – Daro.
→ There was on arrangement to put fresh water in and dirty water out.
→ There might have been facility for hot water and small rooms for changing
the clothes.
→ These public baths might have been used on festivals and religious
ceremonies.
 Public Buildings :
→ The ruins of two huge buildings have been found at Mohan – Jo – Daro.
→ They might have been used as a town hall or as a theatre or an
administrative office or a granary.
→ The barrack of such buildings was also found out.
→ This must have been used to accommodate soldiers.
 Harappa :
→ In 1921, under leadership of John Marshal and colonel Meke.
→ Dayaram Sahni discovered very ancient remains of Indian civilization in
Punjab district near Harappa.
→ The remains of India valley civilization were found from rapar in
Himalayan region.
 Lothal at Dholka in Gujarat
 Rangpur Near Limbdi in Savrashtra
 Kantasi near Morbi and Samnath
 Shrinathgad (Rozadi) near Gandal.
→ The region of Saptsidhu river is a region of our Indian culture
→ The culture which developed here is known as “Indian valley Civilization”.
But its remains found first from Harappa, so it is known as “Harappa
Civilization”.
 → Weapons made up of copper and stone and other things were found, so it
is also known “Copper stone age”.
→ Town planning of Harappa Civilization was systematic.
→ Its granaries and forts were remarkable.
→ People of Harappa were fond of wearing ornaments.

 Dholaveera :
→ A huge systematic ancient town has been found ‘2 Km’ away from
Dholaveera village at Khadirbet, in vast desert of Bhachau taluka which is
about 140 km away from Bhuj.
→ Archaeological department of Gujarat Surveyed this “heap of rains”.
→ After this officer of Archeological survey had undertaken the research
work in 1990.
→ Special task of excavation was carried out under the guidance of
“Ravindrea singh bisht”
 Remains of Dholaveera :
→ Main wall of town were painted with white colour.
→ Such fortified walls encircling town suggest strong security.
→ This wall is made up of clay, stone, bricks, potable water was
available here.
→ As well as proper system of water purification was set up.
 Lothal :
→ Lothal is situated in Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad.
→ Dholka is a place between two rivers.
→ Bhogavo and Sabarmati.
→ It is 18 km far from Bay of Khambhat, from where three layers of human
habitat were found.
→ A huge dockyard was contracted to facilitate ships in time of high tides at
the lower eastern part of the town.
→ This is a unique feature of Lothal. Such dockyard, storage shop etc. show
the proof of exports and imports.
→ So this, suggest that Lothal might be a rich and prosperous port of India.
 Mauryan Art :
Stupa : An oval shaped construction under which the remains of lord Buddha’s
body were kept in a box is known as Stupa.
 There are five famous stupa of king Ashoka’s time :
→ Stupa of Sanchi
 → Stupa of Sarnath
→ Stupa of Berat
→ Stupa of Nandangadh
→ Stupa of Devarnimori in Gujarat.
 Besides, chaityes, viharas and maths were constructed.
 The period of king Ashoka was the golden period of prosperity for Buddhist
religion and age of sculpture and architecture.
 Buddhist religion has gifted caves, viharas, chaityas and stupas to field of
architecture.
 Stupa of Sanchi :
→ The Sanchi Stupa was built during Mauryan Period.
→ It is situated at Madhya Pradesh.
→ The original stupa of sanchi was made of bricks.
→ It was half in size compared to the present stupa.
→ This Buddhist stupa is precious specimen of art of architecture.
 Pillar Inscription :
→ stone inscription were made from single rock.
→ Stone inscription carved out by the religious order of emperor Ashoka are
the best specimen of engraving an stone.
→ They were polished so well that they gleamed (shined).
→ Such pillars were erected in Ambala, Meerut, Allahabad, Sarnath, Loriya
near Nandangadh, Sanchi, Kashi, Patna and Bodhivruksha near Bodh-Gaya.
→ They were carved in Brahmi script.
 Pillar at Sarnath :
→ The stone inscription at sarnath is the best specimen of sculpture.
→ The pillar has four lions facing four direction.
→ Sarnath preaching place of lord Buddha.
→ Dharmacharas are carved below the lion images.
→ This chakra indicates triumph of religion.
→ That is why it is called Dharmachakra.
→ A part from this, it has sculpture of elephant, house and bullock.
→ This chakra has been placed in the national flag of republic India.
→ Images of four lions have bee placed as our national emblem.
→ This is considered to be one of the best specimens of sculpture in the
world.
 Stone inscription :
 → Stone inscription carved by religious orders of emperor Ashoka are the best
specimens of engraving on stone.
→ Wooden art, stone sculpting show an excellent specimen of art of
architecture.
→ Along with erections of pillars of wood and stone beautiful arches are
engraved on the door, which stress religious behaviour.
→ Such stone inscriptions have been found from Peshawar, Dehradun, Thane,
Mumbai, Dhayli, Jaugada and Chennai.
→ Such type of stone inscription has been found form the foot hill of Girnar
Mountain on the way to Junagadh in Gujarat.
→ Other this, Palitana Jain temples on shetrunjajy Mountain in Gujarat, Jain
temple of Hathisinh in Ahmedabad are such stone inscriptions which
provide complete in formation in Sanskrit and Gujarati Languages.
 Dravid style of Art in south India :
→ Many Buddhist stupas were built in the regions near Krishna and Godavari
river during the reign of Satvahan kings.
→ They were of semi-circle, oval and bell shaped.
→ Stupa in Nagarjuna – Kaunda and Amravati are the best specimen of
Dravid style of art.
→ Chola kings adopted Dravid style of architecture up to the great extent.
 Art of Gupta Period :
→ During the Gupta period, architecture, sculpture, painting dancing and
music flourished.
→ Parvati temple at Jabalpur, Bhumara shiva temple Eran’s Narsinh temple,
Gopmadir at Jamnagar, stupas, chailyas, maths, viharas, flags and pillars
are the unique examples of Gupta art.
→ Gupta period is known as the golden period of art.
→ Buddha statue of Mahavir swami, caves of Udayagiri and statue of Vishnu
in the form of varnch etc are best specimens of sculpture of Gupta period.
 Cave Architecture :
→ Cave architecture is considered as a manmade place of beauty.
→ Caves of Ajanta and Ellora at Aurangabad, Elephanta caves near Mumbai,
Udaygiri and Bagh near Gawalior, Bhuvenshwari near Odisha, khandgiri
and Nilgiri are the famous specimens of cave architecture of Gupta period.
→ The cave inscriptions of Ashoka have been carved on the walls of three
caves of Berber Mountain, 16 Km away from Gaya.
→ The describes works of charity done by Ashoka.
 Cave of Gujarat :
→ Khambhalida cave :
→ It is discovered in 1959 A.D.
→ They are situated at Khambhalida near Gondal,70 Km from Rajkot.
→ Three of them are remarkable.
→ Chaitya Gruh with stupa is situated in the middle cave.
 Chariot temple :
→ A unique feature of pal lava age can be seen in the famous chariot temple
of south India, which is carved out from a single rock.
→ Kaliashrnath temple – kanchi, temple of vaikantha perumal are best
examples.
→ Mandapas of Mahablipuram are world famous.
→ These chariots are named after the names of pandavas.
→ Chariot temple of Dharmaraja is the biggest.
→ Chariot temple of Dhraupadi is the smallest.
 Temple Architecture :
→ Many famous temple architecture are seen with high pedestal and
pinnacle with ladder.
→ But some art flat with pradakshina path encircling the “Garbha Gruha”.
→ Bhoomana shiva temple new Jabalpur.
→ Temple of Larkhan in Bijapur district.
→ Copper statue of lord Buddha in Nalanda.
→ Jain temples of Mathura.
→ All are unique specimens of architecture and sculpture.
→ There is greater contribution of pallava kings.
→ Temples constructed in kanchi, the capital city of pallavas are very
famous.
→ Tanjavar was the capital of the chola Dynasty.
→ The brahadeshwar temple was the first temple constructed by Rajraja of
chol dynasty.
→ It is about 200 meters high.
→ It is an extra-ordinary temple of ancient India.
 Architecture of Gopuram :
→ Gopuram means entrance of the people.
→ The construction of temples gained momentum due to the
encouragement of Pandya rules of south India.
 → They built high outer walls and beautifully decorated gates out sides the
temple.
→ The gates of this temple are known as “Gopuram”.
→ The artistic glory of Gopuram has become more popular than its temples.
→ Gopuram of kanchi and Madurai gives us arthectic pleasure even today
when viewed from distance.
→ The sun temple of konark is in Odisha, which is one of the forms of
chariot temple.
→ Brahadeshwar temple of Tanjavar has thirteen stored “Gopuram”
→ Metallic and stone idols of this age have special characteristic features.
→ Bronze statue of Natraj is the best example of idol sculpting of that time,
→ Chola temples have their own splender in age in the field of art and
architecture.
→ Meenakshi, one of the huge temples of India is in Madurai spread in vast
area.
→ It was four main “Gopurams” from the architectural point of view.
→ It is a wonderful temple.
→ In the medieval period, khajuraho was the capital city of chandela rules
of bundelkhand.
→ Chandela rules built a beautiful temple. At khajuraho.
→ The style of pinnacle varies from others.
→ Khajuraho temples are the finest temples.
 Jain temples (Derasar) :
→ Jain temples are found at various places of India.
→ There are five temples:
 Vaibhar at Rajgruha.
 Vipulachal
 Ratna giri
 Udaya giri
 Shramgiri
→ There is a siddhakashetra pilgrim in samet shikhagri, bihar and it is
known as Madhuvan.
→ Aadinath bhagwan and other 20 Tirthankars attained Nirvana.
→ There are temples of abhinandan Nathji and parshwa nathji.
→ Bhagwan Mahavir reached here and many sages attained salvation.
→ There is a Jain temple at Palitana and Shankheshwar temple at
Panchaswra in Gujarat.
 → Jain temple at Delwara (Mount Abu) and Ranakpur in Rajasthan are
excellent and wonderful form of construction carving, artistic skill and
sculpture point of view.
→ Especially delwara temples of Abu which have been constructed by
minister vimal shah are “Vimal Vasahi” and other minister Vastupal
constructed “Luna Vasahi” are excellent example of sculpture.
→ These are constructed with white marble.
→ They are famous in India as well as abroad because of their attractive
minute and artistic work of sculpture.
→ There temples are wonderful and memorable gifts of Jain religion to the
Indian culture.
→ Jain temple are worldwide famous due to their art of sculpture and
architecture.
 Sun temple of Modhera :
→ Modhera temple in Gujarat was built in 1026 A.D. during the reign of
Solanki king Bhimdev – 1.
→ In this temple , a gem was studded in the middle of the crown of sun God.
→ The entrance gate on Eastern side of this temple is constructed in such a
way that the first ray of sun falls directly on the gem and because of it,
the entire sanctum is lit up, creating a divine atmosphere.
→ Twelve different images of Sun God and erotic sculptures are seen in this
temple.
→ The carving of this temple is done in Iranian Art.
→ There are 108 small temples surrounding the outside tank which creates a
pleasant sight at dusk and dawn.
 Medieval Architecture :
1. The architecture of mosques, minarets, royal palaces, bridges and inns etc.
are seen in medieval age.
→ Qutub – ud – din – Aibak built Qutubminar and Quwwat – ul – Islam
mosque.
→ Similar mosque named Adhai – Din – Ka Jhopara was built by Qutub – ud
– din Aibak, in Ajmer.
2. Bengal :
→ Adina mosque at Pandua region of Bengal.
→ Tomb of Jalal – ud – Muhammad Shah.
→ Tanitpara mosque all were constructed in Bengal.
→ This region developed its own special style in the field of architecture.
 3. Jaunpur :
→ Sultans of Turkey built Atala Mosque.
→ There is an artistic grill around the dome.
→ The walls and ceiligns are decorated with many Indian designs including
lotus.
4. Malwa :
→ Peculiar style of Mandhu buildings is seen udner the protection of
sultans.
→ Many such tombs have been created over there.
→ They huge and impressive domes and carving of balcony in this structure
are attractive.
→ Tomb of Hoshang Shah is completely made of marble in India style.
5. Other provinces :
→ Besides this, the rules of Kashmir and Bahmani built dome of Bijapur,
builddings at Bidar and Gulbargani and “Madrasa” of Mahmud Gava,
temples of Hampi vithala Swami and Hazar Rana, Gopurams and artistic
pillars are well – known art of vijaynagar Empire.
 Architecture of Gujarat :
→ Sculpture and architecture of Gujarat include temples of various religions,
mosques, viharas of Buddha religion, maths, stupa, chaityas, cave –
temples, Jain temples.
→ Beside this, different types of building construction useful for the society
like – royal palace, fort, domes, gates. Kritistambh, upashrya of animal
and birds are the most beautiful and magnificent structures.
1) Temple :
 In the religious field, temples of different religious have been built in
Gujarat.
 Temples :
→ Bhadrakali
→ Geeta mandir
→ Veda temples
→ Jagannath temple (jamalpur)
→ Ranchhodraiji temple (Dakor)
→ Sun temple (Modhera)
→ Hathkeshwar Mahadev temple (vadnagar)
→ Ambaji temple
→ Shamlaji temple
 → Samnath temple
→ Jagat temple (Dwarka)
→ Bahucharaji temple
→ Mahakali temple (pavagadh)
→ Swaminarayan temple (kheda Brahma)
→ Khodiyar Mataji temple (Bhavnagar)
→ Madh of Ashapurama (Kachchh)
2) Mosques :
→ Jama masjid near Teen Darwaja in Ahmedabad.
→ Sultan Ahamd shah – 1 built this mosque in 1424 A.D.
→ It has 260 pillars and 15 domes.
→ Other structures include Sidi saiyyad grill with minute carving, Roza of
Sarkhej, shaking towers (Ahmedabad), Mosque of queen Sipri, which is also
known as “Mosque of Nageena’ and Jama Masjid at champaner.
→ There are many such mosques in big cities of Gujarat.
3) Jain temple :
→ Jain temple of Hathi sinh, Kumbhariyaji, shankheshwar, siddhgiri,
shetrunjya giri, palitana etc. are quite well – know from sculpture,
architecture and carving point of view.
4) Step – wells of Gujarat :
→ Step well of Adalaj.
→ Step well of Dada Hari ( Hari ni vav, Ahmedabad)
→ Rani ni step – well of Patan.
→ Step well of Dabhoi etc are very splendid examples of step – well (vav)
construction.
→ A part from this, there are many best specimens in the field of architecture.
Ex :
 Fort of Bhadra
 Teen Darwaza
 Nageenawadi
 Kankariya lake (Ahmedabad)
 Rudra Mahalaya (siddhpur)
 Shahstralinga lake (Patna)
 Chori of shamlaji
 Samadhi of Tana – Riri
 Kirti Toran (vadnagar)
 Munsar lake (viramgam)
 Malav lake (Dholka)