Indian art and architecture: Post-Indus Civilization through the Maurya Dynasty

Post-Indus Civilization through the Maurya Dynasty

Of the period from the end of the Indus civilization (c.1500 b.c.) until Alexander the Great crossed (325 b.c.) the Indus, few traces remain. However, the principles of Indian architecture were developed in wooden buildings, long since disintegrated.

From the great Maurya dynasty the most famous remains are the edict pillars, erected throughout N India by the Emperor Aśoka to proclaim his devotion to Buddhism. The monolithic, smooth columns are over 50 ft (15 m) high and are surmounted by lotus capitals and animal figures. Some of the pillar capitals reveal forms that suggest Persepolitan influences. Also dating from the reign of Aśoka is the earliest stone ogival chaitya window, found on the portal of a small rock-cut sanctuary near Bodh Gaya. The chaitya halls were monastic sanctuaries hewn out of rock. As they evolved, from the 3d cent. b.c. through the 1st millennium a.d., they became elaborate colonnaded halls, or walls embellished with painting or sculpture.

Sections in this article:

Introduction
The Modern Era
Indian Painting
Architecture and Sculpture of the Hindu Dynasties
The Gupta Period
Gandhara and Mathura
Sunga and Andhra Dynasties
Post-Indus Civilization through the Maurya Dynasty
Indus Valley Civilization
Bibliography

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