Gupta Architecture

• From the fourth to the sixth century CE, the Gupta Empire held sway over ancient India, reaching its pinnacle between 319 and 467 CE.
• The era is commonly referred to as India’s “Golden Era.”
• King Sri Gupta established the ruling dynasty, featuring notable figures like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, and Skandagupta.
• Insights from the Chinese traveler Fa-Hien aided in visualizing the Gupta Empire’s actual situation.

Gupta Art

• Gupta paintings boasted a unique style, distinct from later Indian medieval art, with a focus on people rather than religious concepts.
• Notable creations included carved stone gods, large statues of Buddha, and Jain tirthankaras.
• Mathura remained a hub for sculpture, and even regions outside the Gupta Empire, such as Gandhara, left their mark.
• Emerging artistic centers like Sarnath played a significant role, with sculptures disseminated to other parts of northern India.

Background of Gupta Art

• Gupta art found its roots in the influence of Kushan art, merging Greco-Buddhist elements from Gandhara and Indian art from Mathura.
• The Western Satraps in Western India, notably in Devnimori, contributed to advanced art preceding the Gupta era, influencing subsequent artwork in places like the Ajanta Caves and Sarnath.
• The art of the Satavahanas in central India had already established an advanced Indian style.

Gupta Empire Achievements

• Under rulers like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II, the Gupta Empire expanded its dominion across central, northern, and northwestern India, the Punjab, and the Arabian Sea.
• Renowned for achievements in the arts, architecture, sciences, religion, and philosophy, the Guptas not only continued but also expanded older artistic traditions, forming a distinctive Gupta style of sophistication and glory.
• Unlike some Indian dynasties, the Gupta imperial family didn’t rely on inscriptions or portraits to emphasize their connection to the art of their time.

Types of Gupta Art and Architecture

Gupta Cave Shrines

• The earliest religious buildings took the form of cave-temples, featuring one carved doorway and external sculptures.
• Internally, these caves housed sculptures for rituals, such as the Shiva linga, and walls adorned with narrative carvings.
• An exemplary rock-cut cave near Udayagiri in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, dated 401 CE, embodies Jain and Hindu religious beliefs.
• A renowned Gupta art piece in this cave depicts Vishnu as Varaha, a boar-headed figure, in a 7 by 4-meter panel. The artwork illustrates Vishnu emerging from water, defeating a snake-like creature, and saving Bhudevi, the goddess of Earth. The depiction, based on a Hindu tale, potentially symbolizes the protection and peace brought by the Gupta kings.

Ajanta Caves

• A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra comprise 29 rock-cut caves exhibiting Buddha’s journey. The site features mural paintings and fresco technique painting.
• During the 5th and 6th centuries AD, Ajanta caves witnessed the construction of numerous rock-cut architectures. Cave building occurred in two phases:
  1. Hinayana phase by the Satavahana dynasty.
  2. Mahayana phase under Vakataka rule, where Buddha is overshadowed by the significance of Bodhisattva.

Ellora Caves

• Located in Charanandri hills, the Ellora caves consist of 34 rock-cut caves reflecting Brahminical (Hindu), Jain, and Buddhist philosophies through art.
• Constructed during the Kalachuri, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta dynasties from the 6th to 12th century.

Elephanta Caves

• A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Elephanta caves are divided into two groups – the first group is Hindu, and the second group is Buddhist.

Bagh Caves

• In the Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, the Bagh caves comprise nine Buddhist caves, also known as Bagh Gupha.

Pandav Caves

• Dating from B.C. 250 to A.D. 600, the Pandav caves in Nashik, situated in the Trirashmi hill, showcase ancient water management systems and Buddha sculptures.

Gupta Temple Architecture and Types

The Gupta royals, initially Hindu Brahmins, embraced diverse deities across different regions of India, worshipping Vishnu in North and Central India, Shiv in South India, and Shakti deities in Bengal. This religious diversity influenced the evolution of five distinct types of temple architecture during this period:

1. Square Temples with Flat Terraces:
   • Characterized by flat terraces, surrounded by pillars, featuring an entrance, garbhagriha, and mandapa.
   • Example: Kankali Devi temple at Tigawa.
2. Square Temples with Pradakshina Area:
   • Similar to the first type but includes a Pradakshina area.
   • Some are two-storeyed temples, as seen in the Shiva temple in Bhumara.
3. Square Temples with Pyramidical Roof (Shikhara):
   • Features a pyramidical roof (shikhara) and a higher platform.
   • Notable example: Dashavatara temple, showcasing ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
4. Rectangular Temples with Hollow Roof:
   • Characterized by rectangular structures with a hollow roof.
   • Example: Kapoteswara temple.
5. Circular Temples with Distinct Corners:
   • Circular temples with corners creating a rectangular pattern.
   • Example: Maniyar Math in Rajgir.

Gupta Sculptures and Pillars

• Evidence of remarkable sculpture during the Gupta age includes the Buddha statue with Abhaya mudra in Mathura, made of red sandstone.
• The Sarnath Buddha sculpture displays a calm expression of Siddhartha, and the cave sculptures are noteworthy.
• The Allahabad pillar, engraved with words of Harisena, the court poet of Gupta Emperor Samudragupta, stands as a testament to Gupta literary achievements.
• Another renowned pillar from the Gupta era is the iron pillar of Delhi, built under the patronage of Chandragupta II, remarkably free of rust even today.

Stupas of Gupta

• The Mirpurkhas stupa in modern Pakistan, constructed during the Gupta age, features an iconic cross-legged Buddha in a meditative pose, symbolizing the artistic brilliance of the era.
• The outer designs of the Dhamek stupa, attributed to Gupta artists, exhibit intricate patterns, including depictions of animal figures, showcasing the artistic mastery of the Gupta dynasty.
• The Chaukhandi Stupa, situated in Sarnath, stands as a prime example of stupa architecture and serves as a memorial to Buddha’s early encounters with his disciples.

Other Aspects of Gupta Art and Architecture

Despite art and architecture being predominant features of the Gupta Empire, several other fields witnessed significant development:

Governance:

• Ruled an extensive empire with the capital at Pataliputra, ensuring unity and integrity in India.
• Political unification of India occurred after a long period of over 500 years following the decline of the Mauryans.
• The martial system efficiently managed the large kingdom, divided into smaller provinces called pradesha.

Economic Prosperity:

• Witnessed economic prosperity, with the power center described as full of cities and wealthy individuals by the Chinese traveler Fa-hien.
• Issued the largest number of gold coins (dinaras) in ancient India, indicating a robust economy.
• Flourishing trade and commerce domestically and internationally, exporting silk, cotton, spices, medicine, gemstones, pearls, and precious metals.

Literature:

• Sanskrit literature thrived under the Guptas, with renowned figures such as Kalidasa, Shudraka, Harisena, Vishnu Sharma, and Amarasimha.
• Significant Sanskrit dramas like Mṛcchakatika and lexicons like Amarakosha were composed during this period.

Science:

• Noteworthy advancements in science, mathematics, and astronomy, with contributions from Aryabhatta and Varahamihira.
• Development of the Indian number system with a base of 10.

Social Culture and Religion:

• Final touches to Hindu epics during this period.
• Tolerance towards Buddhism and Jainism, along with the rise of the Shakti cult and tantrism.
• The game of chess is said to have originated during this time.
• Ajanta Caves showcase exquisite Gupta paintings, demonstrating the Madya Desa school of painting.

Legacy and Decline of the Gupta Period:

• The decline started during Skandagupta’s reign due to conflicts draining the empire’s resources.
• Huns’ invasions and internal conflicts weakened the empire, leading to its decline.
• Independent rulers emerged, restricting the Gupta Empire to Magadha only.
• The adoption of Buddhism by the later Guptas further weakened military and territorial power.
• Social issues, such as the worsening condition of chandalas (untouchables), surfaced during the Gupta age.

The Gupta age marked a period of prosperity and growth, often referred to as India’s Golden Age. However, the characterization of this era as entirely golden is subject to degrees, considering the complexities and challenges faced by the Gupta Empire.

Related Posts

• Indus Civilization
• Temple Architecture
• Medieval Architecture
• Rock-cut Architecture
• Buddhist Architecture

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