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Edicts & Pillars

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The advent of stone architecture in India is attributed to Ashok (BC 265-228)

Ashokawas responsible two significant things:1. Spread of Buddhism2. Building an architectural language with stone as the primary material.

Buddhism <> Stone

What led to the change from wooden architecture to stone architecture?

Wood:(-) Perishable(+) Better material

(+) Since can be easily cut, shaped (structurally and ornamentally)(+) Allows larger spans.

Consequence of India’s contact with western wor ld:1. Through Alexander’s invasion2. Establishment of Baktr ian kindgom in its proximity to Indus river.

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Before Buddhism

Ar yans who were dominant before the rise of Buddhism wrote book and expressed through words.

They had not developed a language of aesthetic arts and architecture to express splendour and durabilty.

Mauryan Dynasty

Became the first to bring all the settlements under one rule. This marked a great cultural progress.

•impetus to the art of building > royal patronage.•Capital Patliputra was formed.

•Narrow parallelogram > 9 miles long – 1.5 miles wide•Ranged along banks of Ganges like an immense castellated breakwater•Surrounded by timber palisade with loopholes for archers and surrounded my deep-wide moat

•At intervals were bastions with towers > 500 in number•64 entrance gates•Encompassed the royal palace > unprecedented spacious and elaborate edifice

Other ornamental features:•Hypostyle halls with wooden pillars > designs of vines and birds embossed in gold and silver(Hypostyle walls had long been a feature of Persian palaces)

These indicate that Mauryan Dynasty was beginning to look even at that early date beyond its western boundariesfor architectural inspiration. (Also confirmed from Megasthenes’ account of the grandeur of Mauryan Dynasty)

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Initial Buddhist Architecture

Resembles wooden style architecture incorporated in lithic (stone) forms.

6-7 centuries later, they refine the details to true lithic forms. (structural understanding of stonecomes in)

Classification:

1. Stambhs / Pillars2. Stupa / Topes3. Rails4. Chaityas / Assembly Halls5. Viharas / Monastr ies

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1. Stambhs / Pillars

Stambhs or pillars are common to all styles of Indian Archtiecture.Buddhism > Inscription on shafts of pillars with emblems or animals on their capitals.Jainism > Generally lamp (diya) bearing pillars, sometimes supporting quadruple figures.

A. Edicts (law)

Collection of 33 inscriptionsNo Buddhist beliefs > but concepts of a humanitarian society that could be imbibed my commonersCode of conduct

The inscriptions comprised of various directives and reforms instated :1. No sacrifice of animals2. Medical treatment for humans and animals, importation of foreign herbs, wells dug and trees

planted for human and animal benefits3. Respect for parents4. Officials to work on various Indian and Western borders; including Greece to help people

irrespective of their caste or religion5. Welfare of people6. Practice self-control

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B. Pillars of Ashoka

• Hold a high place as works of art > boldly designed and finely propor tioned• Purpose (architectural viewpoint) was solely monumental, as they were free-standing pillars, not

part of an architectural composition