Stupas - Art and Culture Notes

The Sanskrit term stupa refers to a heap. It began as a small semi-circular earthen mound known as Anda. With the passage of time and the inclusion of artwork, it gradually evolved into a more sophisticated structure. Stupas were constructed in sacred locations. These places were considered sacred because they were associated with Buddha's life. The art of writing flourished throughout Ashoka's reign. This article will explain to you the concepts related to the Stupas which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

What are Stupas?

• A stupa is a relic-filled mound-like or hemispheric structure used for meditation.
• From the Vedic time onwards, stupas were used as burial mounds in India.
• It's a traditional depiction of a burial cumulus, where the dead's relics and ashes are maintained.
• The art of stupas reached its pinnacle during the era of Ashoka. During his reign, around 84000 stupas were built.
• Before the period of Ashoka, the stupa was common throughout India. The stupas became objects of cult worship from the moment Ashoka broke up the Buddha's existing body relics and created monuments to enshrine them.
• According to Buddhist tradition, the nine stupas were originally built following Buddha's death, eight over the relics and one over the vessel in which the relics were first put.
• At Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilvastu, Allakapa, Ramagrama, Vethadipa, Pava, Kushinagar, and Pippalvina, stupas were built over Buddha relics.
• The stupa is made up of a cylindrical drum and a circular anda with a harmika and chhatra on top, which are mostly the same with minor variations in shape and size.

Stupa

Historical background

• The Great Stupa was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and is thought to store the Buddha's remains. During the second century BCE, the modest building was ruined.
• It was eventually repaired and enlarged, with new features added, and it was finally completed in the first century BCE. The structure has a width of 120 feet (37 meters) and a height of 54 feet (17 meters).
• Stupas were elaborately created in the early century, with features such as the enclosing of the circumambulatory path with railings and sculptural embellishment.
• Sanchi was abandoned after the 12th century CE, and its monuments fell into decay. The location was discovered in 1818 by British General Henry Taylor, who reported his findings.
• Under the supervision of Sir John Hubert Marshall, director-general of the Indian Archaeological Survey, restoration work began in 1881 and was finished in 1919.

Stupa - Features

• The stupa's core was composed of unburnt brick, with a burnt brick outer face covered in a thick coating of plaster.
• The stupa was capped by a wooden railing that encircled a pradakshina walkway (circumambulatory path).
• It is a magnificent stupa with a circumambulatory route and a circular mound. During the time of Ashoka, the big stupa at Sanchi was erected with bricks, then covered with stone and many further additions were made.
• Gateways were added in addition to the circumambulatory circuit. With the elaborations in stupa design, architects and sculptors had plenty of room to plan elaborations and carve out images.
• Wooden sculptures were used to embellish the medhi and toran. As a form of worship, devotees walk around the pradakshina patha, or open ambulatory pathway.
• Sculptures were largely utilized to decorate stupas, the torana, and the medhi, as well as a form of religious expression.
• The three chhatra on the stupas symbolize the Buddhist triratnas: Buddha (the enlightened), Dhamma (doctrine), and Sangh (community).
• Gateways were added in addition to the circumambulatory circuit. With the elaborations in stupa design, architects and sculptors had plenty of room to plan elaborations and carve out images.

Stupa - features

• Bairat in Rajasthan has one of the outstanding examples of a stupa building from the third century BCE.
• Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, for example, is the most well-known Ashokan stupa. The oldest is the Piprahwa stupa in Uttar Pradesh.
• Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethapida, Pava, Kushinagar, and Pippalivana are the nine stupas built following Buddha's death.

Some Important stupas

Conclusion

During the post-Mauryan period, stupas grew larger and more beautiful. Wood and brick were being phased out in favor of stone. The idea of torans as artistically painted gates to stupas was established by the Shunga dynasty. The torans were carved with elaborate designs and patterns, indicating Hellenistic influence.

FAQs

MCQs

Question: Which of the following is/ are not present in a stupa?

1. Medhi
2. Shaft
3. Abacus
4. Hermika

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(b) Only 3

(c) Only 4

Question: Consider the following historical places. [UPSC 2013]

1. Ajanta caves
2. Lepakshi temple
3. Sanchi stupa

Which of the above place(s) is/are also known for mural paintings?

(a) Only 1

(b) 1 and 2

(c) All of these

(d) None of these