Home > Indian History > History of India > Cave Architecture of Mauryan Empire
Cave Architecture of Mauryan Empire
Cave architecture of Mauryan Empire is evident in the stupas and chaitya halls which were built during the reign of Ashoka.

Share this Article:

Cave Architecture of Mauryan EmpireCave architecture of Mauryan Empire the architectural remains usually ascribed to the Maurya period very few are artistically significant. The chaitya halls and the stupa do not exist in their original form except the excavated chaitya-halls, bearing inscriptions of Ashoka and Dasaratha, in the Barabar caves. The monolithic rail at Sarnath in grey and polished Chunar sandstone has been erected under the patronage of emperor Ashoka himself. Its architectural form is similar to the rails of Bharhut stupa and must have been literally transferred into stone from contemporary wooden originals. The plinth or the alambana, the stambhas, the horizontal bars and the coping have all been just carved out of what must have been a huge slab of stone. The altar or the bodhimanda situated at Bodhygaya is traditionally associated with Ashoka. The Bharhut altar consists of four pilasters.

The Barabar and Nagarjuni caves are lineal descendants of similar rock-hewn caves. They are the earliest instances of the rock-cut method and are exact translations in stone of existing wood and thatch structures. The exterior walls and roofs of simple cells, including that of the Lomasa Rishi cave of the same Barabar-Nagarjuni series are highly polished which is typical of Mauryan art. The earliest of these caves is most probably one bearing an inscription dated in the twelfth year of Ashoka`s reign-the Sudama. It was dedicated to the monks of the Ajivika sect. This rock-hewn cave consists of two chambers: a rectangular antechamber with barrel-vaulted roof and has a doorway with sloping jambs. This indicates an adoption of wooden prototypes. In the long side of the chamber at the end there is a separate circular cell with a domed roof that is hemispherical. The two chambers are connected by a central interior doorway. The circular cell at the outer side has overhanging caves which are conversion in wood of thatch construction. The live rock walls are marked by irregular perpendicular grooves

In the granite Nagarjuni hill there are three more caves, each bearing an inscription of the Mauryan king Dasaratha. Among these two caves are very small consisting of a simple rectangular cell each entering from the end and having a barrel-vaulted roof. The largest one is locally know as Gopi or Milkmaid`s cave which is a long rectangular hall with a barrel-vaulted roof and with circular ends. One can enter it through a doorway that is situated in the south.

The latest and architecturally the best of the series is the Lomasa Rishi cave which though bearing no inscription probably belongs to the Mauryan period. In ground plan and general design it is similar to the Sudama cave. It also consists of a rectangular antechamber with barrel-vaulted roof entered by the long side through a doorway with sloping jambs. There is a separate cell which is oval and not round as in the Sudama cave. The facade is the most interesting architectural element in the Lomasa Rishi cave which is an exact conversion of the gable end of a wooden structure in the language of stone. The ornamentation that surmounts the gable of the facade seems to be translated from either terracotta originals or from wooden copies.

However these caves do not represent any conscious attempts towards architectural achievement. The architect of the Maurya court merely copied in stone what they saw before them constructed of wood and bamboo and clay. The facade of the Lomasa Rishi proves that there was no careless work permitted in the actual cutting of the stone. Every detail is precisely chiselled. These rock-cut chaitya halls represent the earliest extant remains of and perhaps the second stage in the evolution of this type of Indian monuments.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.