Early Indian Architecture: Cities and City Gates

Indian architecture is diverse and rich, with Buddhist architecture being a significant feature. Coomaraswamy's volume focuses on Buddhist architecture in ancient India, including city and city gates, Bodhi-gharas, and the Pali literature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 34 pages
Publication date: 08 May 2024
Publisher: Manohar Publishers and Distributors

Indian architecture is a rich and diverse tapestry, with Buddhist architecture playing a significant role in its development. This volume by Coomaraswamy focuses on Buddhist architecture in ancient India, which emerged during the Mauryan Empire and spread to other parts of East, Central, and South East Asia. The book explores the importance of city and city gates from the perspective of Buddhist architecture, dividing the work into two parts: Part I deals with cities and city gates, while Part II focuses on the Bodhi-gharas, which represent the Bodhi tree with or without a temple structure. The book also examines the Pali literature, which includes tales from Jatakas depicted in stupas located at Bharhut, Sanchi, and Amravati.

One of the key features of Buddhist architecture in ancient India was the use of stone as the primary building material. Stone was chosen for its durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal, and it was used to create a variety of structures, including temples, stupas, and monasteries. Stone was also used to create intricate carvings and sculptures, which added to the beauty and grandeur of the buildings.

Another important feature of Buddhist architecture was the use of symmetry and balance. Buildings were designed to be symmetrical, with each side of the building mirroring the other. This created a sense of harmony and balance, which was believed to be essential for spiritual growth. Symmetry was also used to create a sense of grandeur and grandeur, which was important for the religious ceremonies that took place in the buildings.

Buddhist architecture also featured a variety of architectural styles. The most common style was the Mahayana style, which was characterized by its large, ornate temples and stupas. The Mahayana style was influenced by the teachings of the Buddha and was designed to promote the teachings of Buddhism. Other architectural styles included the Theravada style, which was characterized by its simple and minimalist temples and stupas, and the Vajrayana style, which was characterized by its complex and intricate temples and stupas.

One of the most famous Buddhist structures in ancient India is the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. The Mahabodhi Temple was built in the 5th century CE and is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in the world. The temple is located on the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it is a symbol of the Buddha's teachings. The temple is designed in the Mahayana style and features a large, ornate temple complex, including a temple, a stupa, and a monastery.

Another famous Buddhist structure in ancient India is the Ashoka Pillar in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar was built in the 3rd century CE and is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist monuments in the world. The pillar is located on the site where the Buddha gave his first sermon, and it is a symbol of the Buddha's teachings. The pillar is designed in the Mahayana style and features a large, ornate pillar with a capital and a bell.

In addition to these famous structures, Buddhist architecture also featured a variety of other structures, including monasteries, stupas, and temples. Monasteries were used by monks to live and practice their religion, while stupas were used to house the remains of the Buddha. Temples were used for religious ceremonies and for the worship of the Buddha.

Buddhist architecture also had a significant impact on the development of Indian art and culture. The use of stone as the primary building material led to the development of a unique style of art, which featured intricate carvings and sculptures. The use of symmetry and balance also led to the development of a unique style of art, which featured a sense of harmony and balance.

However, Buddhist architecture also faced challenges during its development. One of the biggest challenges was the destruction of Buddhist structures by invaders. Many of the famous Buddhist structures in ancient India were destroyed by invaders, including the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya and the Ashoka Pillar in Sarnath. This destruction led to the loss of a significant amount of cultural heritage and has had a lasting impact on the development of Indian art and culture.

Despite these challenges, Buddhist architecture continues to be an important part of Indian culture. Many of the famous Buddhist structures in ancient India have been restored and are still visited by tourists from all over the world. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, for example, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and is visited by millions of people each year.

In conclusion, Indian architecture is a rich and diverse tapestry, with Buddhist architecture playing a significant role in its development. Buddhist architecture was one of the remarkable features, which gave rise to the sacred architecture in India, as it developed during the Mauryan Empire, and subsequently went to other parts of East, Central, and South East Asia. The book by Coomaraswamy explores the importance of city and city gates from the perspective of Buddhist architecture, dividing the work into two parts: Part I deals with cities and city gates, while Part II focuses on the Bodhi-gharas, which represent the Bodhi tree with or without a temple structure. The book also examines the Pali literature, which includes tales from Jatakas depicted in stupas located at Bharhut, Sanchi, and Amravati. Despite the challenges faced by Buddhist architecture during its development, it continues to be an important part of Indian culture and is visited by millions of people each year.

Dimension: 300 x 230 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788119139637