Buddhist Architecture

Ashokan India & the Gupta Age

by Romila Thapar

Book – A Cultural History of India, Edited by A L Basham

Oxford University Press – ISBN – 0 19 561520 4

·        Time Span of this age – from 4^th Century BC to 6^th Century AD.

·        The Ashokan age - establishment of a centralized imperial structure which embraced the entire subcontinent. Methodically organized & Efficient Bureaucracy

·        First time Imperial idea found expression  in India

·        Chandragupta Maurya conquered Magadha (south Bihar) and in 321 BC founded the Mauryan Dynasty with his capital at Pataliputra (vicinity of modern Patna). He proceeded to annex various parts of northern India and campaigned against the Greek, Selucus Nicator, the former general of Alexander. The successful outcome of this campaign brought him the trans-Indus region & areas of Afghanistan. His son Bindusar , continued  the campaign into peninsular India. But it was his grandson Ashok who, inheriting the subcontinent, established an all-India empire & discovered both the advantages & problems inherent in such a political structure.

·        Ashoka inherited an efficiently running machine dominated by a central administration.

·        Agriculture always remained the dominant factor in the economy.

·        Land revenue had been recognized as a major source of state income before the Maurya.  

·         The Legitimacy of taxation had bee established by the time of the Mauryas & its Potentiality in terms of income recognized. According to Arthshastra  every activity from agriculture to prostitution, might be subjected to taxation by the state. No waste land to be occupied & no tree to be cut without permission from the state, as they are ultimately sources of revenue.

·        2 factors – taxation & administration were interlinked. High salary for bearucarets so as to rigoursly collects taxes.

·        Chandragupta had a large army, and taxation money was used to maintain 9000 elephants, 30,000 cavalry & 600,000 infantry.

·        The king was the supreme source of power & authority.

·        Maurayn kings were always available for consultation. They ministerial council was not barred to meet the king at any point of time for discussing important matters or complaints.

·        To run the centralized administrative system, communication was important so this was part done by building a network of the roads. Royal highway ran from Taxila to Patliputra.

·        By the end of the 4^th century BC artisans & merchant guilds were and established part of the urban pattern. Towns evolved from trade centres & craft villages, and consequently the dominant institution of urban life was the guild.

·        The exchange of envoys between the Greek kings of Western Asia & Egypt & the Maurya is on record, as also the curious request for gifts such a s sophists, singing boys, & wine. Close relationship with King of Ceylon, Tissa resulted in greater communication between the two countries.

·        In the caste based society of this period, the trader of the artisan was not included among the most socially privileged citizens. 

·        There was no other factor which possibly aggravated social tensions, i.e. the two new religions, Buddhism & Jainism. They had won the sympathy of the artisans & the merchants; and these religions were heterodox sects which challenged the established order.

·        Undoubtedly Asoka was a Buddhist & much of the ideology of Dhamma which he enunciated was inspired by Buddhism.

·        50 Years after the death of Ashoka the Mauryan Empire had declined. By 185 BC the Mauryan Empire ceased to exist. The reasons for the decline (Evidence is far too slight)

1. Policies of Asoka, Claiming that his pro-Buddhist sympathies led to a Brahmanical revolt against the Mauryan ruler
2. His adherence to non-violence led to a weakening of the military strength of the empire & laid it open to attacks, particularly from the north-west.
3. The Mauryan kings may have been weak ineffectual rulers, unable to hold together such a vast empire.

·        The immediate inheritors of the Mauryas in the Ganga heart-land, Magadha, were the Sungas, a Brahman family which had usurped the throne at Pataliputra. Sungas gave way to Kanvas, to be followed by minor dynasties until the rise of the Guptas in the 4^th century AD.

·        Kalinga (a part of modern Orissa) came to the forefront with the meteoric rise of King Kharavela, and then subsided into quietude. Their prosperity was due to sea trade & the fertility of their hinteland, generally a delta region.

·        Alexander after his rapid campaign through Persia & north-western India, left behind a number of governors, who on his death in 323 BC declared themselves kings of the respective provinces which they governed.

·        The history of south India emerges between 200 BC to 300 AD – Sangam literatures of the early Tamils. Mysore and all were not under Ashokan rule.

·        Asoka’s references to his neighbors in the south, the kingdoms of the Cholas, Pnadayas, Keralaputra’s  & Satiyaputras (mentioned in Sangam Literature).Archaeology evidence – well organized megalithic culture in this region during the Mauryan empire. Possibly in contact with a similar culture in Western Asia.

·        Prosperity of India – Overseas trade. Trade ventures in all directions: to Central Asia & China, to Western Asia, & in the South-East Asia as far as Funan in modern Vietnam. Indian merchants became the middlemen in the commerce between South-East Asia & the Mediterranean. They were the entrepreneurs in the Trade.

·        This increase in trade resulted greater prosperity of the guild. Guilds became financial centres of trade rather than just basis for the production & distribution of merchandise.

·        With the accumulation of the wealth in the hands of guilds & merchants, patronage of learning & the arts was no longer limited to royalty. Not surprisingly, most magnificient Buddhist monuments are of this period.

Examples of few :

1. Stupa at Sanchi
2. Stupa at Bharhut
3. Stupa at Amravati

·        China received its first Buddhist mission in AD 68 at Loyang. In the early centuries after Christ, Buddhists were active in  Funan & Champa.

·        Split in Buddhism during the reign of Kanishka:

1. Mahayana – estb. In Central Asia, China & Japan
2. Hinayana – more popular in Ceylon
3. Vajrayana –

The Guptas

·        The Guptas were in origin – probably a family of wealthy landowners who gradually attained both economic power & political status.

·        The founder  - also called Chnadra Gupta, belonged to a family which had estb. its power at a local level in Magadha. His Coronation as a king of Magadha in AD 319 – 20 Chandra Gupta took title of maharajadhiraja- Great king of kings.

·        In AD 335 his son, Samudra Gupta, inherited the kingdom of Magadha. He issued beautiful coins – & himself as conqueror & musician imprints.

·        The nucleus of Gupta Kingdom – Ganga heartland. This & adjoining territory to the west were the only regions over which Samudra Gupta had absolute & unchallenged control.

Indian Architecture

(Buddhist & Hindu)

By

Percy Brown

Chapter – 1V

The Building Art Under the Sungas & Andhras

(cir.B.C. 185 to AD 150)

• The nominal successors of the Mauryans were the Sungas, a power which was supreme mainly in the northern and western regions and which lasted until c.70 B.C The Sungas were Supplanted by the Andhras. Who han long been paramount in west and south of India
• 
  
• Under both these Brahmanical dyanasties the Buddhists on the whole appear to have been treated with toleration as the numerous monuments produced by them plainly testify. For more then three centuries, before and after the beginning of the era,the stupa, as the symbol of the Buddha, that the pious pilgrims paid their most fervent devotions. At this early date it is fairly clear that these tumuli of brick,they consisted of a masonry hemisphere some 70 feet in diameter and about 35 feet high, solidly constructed of  large unburnt bricks each of which averaged the large size of 16 ins. X 10 ins. In the centre of this domical mound or anda (egg) a small space was usually left for a receptacle containing a relic of the Buddha and on the summit as a mark of dignity was raised a wooden parasol (chhattrayashti). This honorific umbrella was in some instances,The brickwork surface of the dome was finished off with a thick layer of plaster, in which at intervals recesses were left for the reception of small lamps to be lit on festival occasions.
• Buddhist ritual consisted of circumambulating the stupa, a processional passage (Pradakshina patha) was provided by enclosing the monument within a wooden railing (medieval) leaving a space for promenading with an entrance at each of the cardinal points ,
• Chief among these is the shrine at Sanchi in Bhopal state, central India, the history of which has been disclosed by excavation,
• Another stupa at Barhut in Nagod start, Central India, also provide much valuable material, while a railing and its accessories of Budh Gaya in Bihar, throw further light on the progress of Buddhist art at this time.
• somewhat  similar changes as those effected at Sanchi appear to have been carried out in the stupa of Barhut,a site which was possibly a halting-place on in the pilgrims’ route to the Buddhist holy land, In this instance, however, the brick stupa was not enlarged, as it retained its oririnal dimen-sions of some 68 feet in diameter, but the railing around it was reconstructed In size the Barhut stupa was only about half that of Sanchi its railing being a little over seven feet in height but in market contrast to solid simplicity of the latter, every portion of its stonework is richly carved in bas-relief portraying nicidents in the jatakas, or scanes connected whit the lifew fo the Buddha. What remains of the arailng is now preserved in the Indian museum,
• Budh Gaya, square plan of the building it eclosed, was not circular but disposed around a quadrangle measuring 145 feet by 180 feet
• whit the railing at Budh Gaya there was also constructed a chankrama or promenade consecrated by the Buddha as he waked  on this spot. Which was afterwards converted into pillared passage or corridor and possibly covered by a roof. The pillars had stepped pedestals with a vase-shaped bases, and one shaftremains,decorated with a very graceful caryatid figure. This type of figure found much favour with the stone masons.

Mahabodhi

or

The Great Buddhist Temple

under

The Bodhi Tree

at

Buddha-Gaya

By Author – Major General Sir Alexander Cunningham, R.E., KCIE, CSI

Publisher – Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

  

Chapter VIII – Bodhi Tree

·        First description of famous Pipal Tree under which Sakya Sinha sat for 6 years until he obtained emancipation is given by Huen Thsang.

·        Buddha sitting under this tree reached perfect wisdom, & therefore it is called the ‘ Tree of Knowledge’ (Bodhi Druma)

·        The Bodhi tree was first cut down by Ashoka himself, and , on its miraculous restoration, it was again cut down by Ashoka’s Queen (Tishya Rakshita). Again restored on its own. No mention of destruction again till Raja Sasangka, who cut it down & dug up the roots. He then burnt it with fire, and sprinkled it with sugarcane juice to destroy it completely, and not leave a trace of it behind. Some months later Raja Purna Varma revived the roots of the Tree with the Milk of a 1000 cows, & in a single night it sprang to 10 ft. height.

·        Fearing the tree may get cut again, Purna Verma surrounded it with a stone wall 24 ft. ht. which in Hwen Thsang’s time was still 20 ft. high. Time period of this restoration 600 – 620 AD, after the power of Sasangka had been humbled by Harsha Vardhana.

·        I found 2 large pieces of an Old Pipal Tree, one 6.5 inches in length, and the other 4 inches. These 2 fragments maybe part of the Pipal Tree which was cut down by Sasangka about 600 – 620 AD.

·        No doubt that the Bodhi Tree was often cut down. As Pipal is a quick growing & short-lived Tree, there must have a long succession of frsh trees raised from seed, maybe 12 or 15 or 20 to meet frequent destruction.

·        In the Burmese Chronicals – King Prasenajit surrounded the Bodhi Tree with a double wall, & a 3^rd wall was added by Dharm-Ashoka

Chapter IX – Toran Gateway

·        At 78 ft. to east of the Great Temple, & 54 ft. from the Bluestone Railing, there was formerly a massive Toran Gateway.

·        Toran Gateway was leading up to the Temple. Confirmed by the discovery of 2 large four-bracket capitals, which corresponded in size with the top of the shaft, which was happily still unbroken.

·        Foundation of 15ft. long by 6ft. broad with a large square stone let in near each end, on each face of which there were two socket holes for the reception of iron cramps.

·        The shafts of the pillars are 14.5 ft. high, 2’1” at base & 1’3.5” square at top. The bracket capitals had a square centre of 15.5 inches, with 2 oblong branches, & 2 short branches of 11.5 inches. They were 16” in height, thus making the clear height of the Toran nearly 17ft. See plate XVII.

·        The capitals were ornamented both on their faces & on their sides. The decoration of the shafts consisted of several bands of simple ornament, gradually changing from the plain square dado to octagonal, then to 16 sided & to circular. The whole of the ornamentation is similar to that of the pillars of the portico of the Great Nalanda Temple (Gupta period).

·        These Toran Pillars are also similar to those of the portico of the Mahabodhi itself, it can’t be later than 6^th century. Must date to 4^th  - 5^th Century AD.

·        The pillars of all 3 (Torana Gateway, Mahabodhi & Nalanda Temples) are made of granite from the same quarry.

·        Plate XVII. The c/c dist. between the pillars is10’4”, & clear roadway between them is 8’3”, which differs by only 5” from the width of the northern & southern Gateways of the surrounding railing. But as the Toran pillars have a great slope, the clear width between them at 5’ above the ground, is 8’6”.

·        East & West side of the Pillar had shallow hollows, maybe for receiving kneeling figures with hands joined in adoration.

Chapter XIII – Votive Stupas

·        Buddhist pilgrinm – custom of offering – no matter small or big to the shrine & set up memorial of their visit. Offerings of – money, precious stones, vessels & costly cloths by rich, and fruits & flowers by poor.

·        The memorials generally took the form of temples & large Stupas by the Wealthy & of small stupas, or inscribed slabs by the poor.

·        At ‘Mahabodhi’ Hwen Thsang says, “ within the surrounding wall the sacred traces touch one another in all directions. Here there are Stupas, in another place Viharas. The kings, princes & great personages have erected these monuments as memorials.

·        Plate XVIII & XIX.

·        All these Strcutural Stupas were built up of separate stones & bricks. The greatest number of the monuments consisted of 1000s of monolith Stupas of all sizes, from 2 ft. diameter down to 2 inches. Plate XXIII

·        These smaller Stupas would appear to have been the common form of memorial for the poorer pilgrims.

·        Great variety in shapes – from low & almost bare hemisphere of the time of Asoka to the tall ornamented spire surmounting the medieval dome, with its elaborately carved basement. Plate XIX, Plate XXIII

·        Beginning of Stupas with rude rough monoliths of the early periods, of granite & without ornament of any kind. Richly ornamented specimens of the same forms are found amongst the bas relief’s of Bharhut & Sanchi, but those sculpted on the still earlier Railing of Mahabodhi are without decoration.

·        The earliest Stupas - simple barrows or mounds of earth. After a time the earthen mounds were faced with brick or stone, as at Sravasti; & later were built throughout of stones in a hilly country as a t Sanchi & Bharhut, and of bricks in the plain country, as at Ahichatra & Sravasti.

·        Earliest Stupas are simple hemispheres raised on a single low basement, about half the diameter in height, as at Manikyala, Sanchi, and other places near Bhilsa. Gradually the Plinth was increased in height from one to two dia. In height. Existing example – Great Stupa of Dhamek at Sarnath Benaras, which was built about 6^th century AD.

·        All old Stupas – crowned by umbrellas – either of stone or gilt copper. Example – Mahabodhi, Bharhut & Sanchi, as well as rock cut Stupas in the caves of Dhamnar & Kholvi in Central India. Same style still exists in Burma, succession of umbrellas in diminishing size.

·        During Pala kings in Magadha – the style of these votive Stupas was much altered. Basement still further heightened & number of umbrellas increased to 9 & 11 & even to 13, with a vase full of fruits forming a finial on the top. The whole height of the Stupa thus became equal to 3 or 4 diameters of the hemisphere. At the same time figures of Buddha were placed in niches on each side of the square base, while the different tiers of mouldings were separated by rows of sculpted figures. These generally consisted of line of small niches filled with figures of Buddha or rows of small Stupas.

·        In the later examples of the votive Stupa the lines of moulding are more numerous & much more elaborate. The dome (principal feature) becomes a mere finish or top to a series of elaborate lines of decorated mouldings forming a lofty base. Plate XXIII

Chapter XV – Sculptures

·        The early Buddhist had no statues of Buddha. He is not once represented in the sculptured bas-relief of Bharhut, which date from 150 to 100 BC. There is no image of him amongst the numerous scenes of the great Sanchi Stupa.

·        The oldest representations of Buddha are found in coins of the Indo Scythian king, Kanishka, about AD 100.

·        The art of sculpture was certainly known and practiced by the Hindus as early as the time of Asoka, as the oldest Buddhist Railing of the Mahabodhi Temple, with its inscriptions in Asoka characters, is not only ornamented with numerous sculpted medallions, but also with a full length figure of a Yakhshini climbing a tree, with her right foot supported by a seated Yaksha below.

·        The bases of lot of pillar were marked with the Asoka letter A or with Asoka characters, so they belonged to 3^rd century BC.

·        The Vajrasana slab, found outside the Great Temple, must belong to the same age, as the geese & parrots, with other conventional ornaments, are exactly similar in style & treatment with those which are found on the capitals of the undoubted Asoka pillars.

·        Earliest figure of Buddha, at Mahabodhi, of about 2^nd century AD. The statue has the full lips & round face of the Gupta style, which are seen in all the Gupta sculptures from Sarnath.

·        Amongst the Mathura Sculptures, representations of Buddha belong to the 2^nd century AD, during the reign of Indo-Scythian princes Kanishka, Huvishka & Vasu Deva, whose inscriptions are found on the pedestals of the sculptures.

·        At Mahabodhi, the figures of Buddha represent him seated under the Bodhi Tree during the six years asceticism.

·        Pala Kings from 800 AD to 1200 AD.

·        Asokan time – sandstone was the favourite material both for architecture & sculpture. Thus the Asokan railing round the temple, the pillars, the Vajrasana throne inside the Temple. Afterwards granite was commonly used for all purposes, for architecture as well as for sculptures, and for most of the votive Stupas. Basalt also use, because of its hardness & durability. The last facing of the Vajrasana throne inside the Temple, which was certainly seen by Hwen Thsang in AD 637, was also made of blue basalt. 

·        The sculptures which exist in Buddha Gaya now are in thousands of number.

·        The Buddhist railing round the Temple presents some of the oldest sculptures in India, as there’s no doubt that they must have belonged to Asokan period.

·        For the following 3 centuries, from 500-800 AD, the only sculpture that I can assign with any certainty is a seated figure of Buddha canopied by the Naga King Muchilinda. Around AD 600.

·        Great mass of the sculpture belong to the Pala kings, who reigned from AD 813 down to the Muhammadan conquest in AD 1201. Huge no of Buddha Sakyamuni sitting under Boddhi Tree. Generally called as Vajrasan Buddha.

Chapter XVI – Inscriptions, General Review

·        The short records on the pillars & coping of the railing point most distinctly to the erection of the first temple by Asoka.

·        The inscriptions on the Vajrasan Throne at the back of the Temple & on the inner side of the copiing show that the next temple was built during Indo-Scynthian princes in N-w India, when colossal figure of Buddha belongs to.

·        Period of Mhanama – 5^th to 6^th century AD

·        Period of Pala kings – 9^th to 10^th century AD.

·        Then follows the Chinese pilgrims & repairs done by Burmese missions in India 11^th century.

·        The latest Buddhist records are roughly carved on the granite pavement slabs of the Temple, & belong to the 14^th century.

·        By 13^th century, the Muhammadan invasion sacked and killed monks at the great Monastry of Bihar & Uddandapur.

·        The holy Pipal Tree & the Temple were appropriated by the Brahmans.

Chapter IV – Railing of Asoka’s Temple

·        The only remain of Asokan period – Pillars, Rail Bars, & copings of the Colonnade or Railing. As by Asokan characters.

·        According to Hwen Thsang, Asoka surrounded the holy Pipal tree with a stone wall 10ft high. Plinth of Brick on which the Stone Railing stood.

·        The shafts average about 14” X 12” in section, the corner pillars being perfect squares of 14.5” each side.

The c/c avg. dist. of pillars – 3’11”.

            The existing pieces of plinth foundation show a circuit of from 253 to 255 ft., an arrangement of 64 Pillars would cover 63 spaces plus 2 half pillars, or just 246’9”, leaving an opening of 6’ to 8’ for an entrance on the east side.

            The gateway openings of the Great Temple are 8’8” in clear width.

            Toran Gateway on East side of 8’3” at GL, but have  rapid slope at 5’ is exactly 8’6”.

·        No. 64 is favourite & fortunate one amongst Hindus, which proves accuracy of the Plan of Asoka’s Temple.

·        Hwen Thsang describes the

Railing as 10 ft high

Coping – 1 ft 2 inch

Pillars – 6 ft 8 inch

Plinth – 2 ft 2 inch

Altogether – 9’ 10” in height

·        All these railing, coping were re-arranged to suit greater dimensions of new temple, which is 530ft in circuit

·        The inner faces of the architraves or coping stones are ornamented with long strings of animals, some natural, but others quite fabulous. There are elephants & Lions, Bulls & Deer, Goats & Sheep, mingled with winged Horses & Fishtailed Elepahnts, Lions & Rams. Accompanied by Weather-worn inscriptions of Indo-Scythian or early Gupta date.

·        The outer faces of the coping are ornamented with continuous bands of flowers, & no 2 pieces there are rather long inscriptions of the Asokan period.

·        Pillars – decorated after the usual fashion of early Buddhist Railings. Semicircular medallions, containing half flowers, or smaller scenes of various kinds. In the middle of each face there is a full circular medallion, which is ornamented in the same manner as the semicircular medallions. On the outer faces of several of these pillars there is a short inscription in Asokan characters, giving the name of the pious donor. The edges of the middle pillars are beveled. The corner pillars at the Gateways are perfectly square in section, with rectangular panels containing various scenes.

·        Rail Bars – Usual double curved section to hit the almond-shaped holes in the side of the Pillars. Ornamented on both faces with full circular bosses or medallions, containing flowers or kings’ busts, or animals, or capitals of Pillars. A few bear short inscriptions in Asoka characters.

A.      MAHABODHI –

          The Greatest Buddhist Temple – Under the Bodhi Tree

          at Buddha Gaya

The tree that is shown here a couple of times is the tree at Bodh Gaya where Buddha reached enlightenment: the Bodhi Tree

General –

1. Dates back to 450 AD circa – proved by its straight sides, which form a square truncated pyramid.

            AD 600 – B Tree cut by Raja Sasangka, the great opponent of Buddhism.

            AD 620 – Restored by Raja Purna varma, who surrounded it with a stone wall, about 24’ high, to                          avoid it being cut again.

            AD 1035-1079 – Extensive repairs by Burmese.

2. The site was near the small village of Uruvilwa or Uruwela.

3. The Site name Mahabodhi is found in all the inscriptions of the granite pavement slabs, which range in date from AD 1302 – 1331.

4. One of the inscriptions

            “ Bhagvato Saka – Minino Bodhi”

            The Bodhi (Pipal Tree) of the divine Sakya Muni.

5. Full name for the holy Pipal Tree – Bodhi Druma – Tree

6. The Throne or seat of Buddha – Bodhi - Manda

History –

1. Upa Gupta to Asoka, who gave 100,000 pieces of gold for the building.

2. First description of famous Pipal Tree under which Sakya Sinha sat for 6 years until he obtained emancipation is given by Huen Thsang.

3. Buddha sitting under this tree reached perfect wisdom, & therefore it is called the ‘ Tree of Knowledge’ (Bodhi Druma)

4. No doubt that the Bodhi Tree was often cut down. As Pipal is a quick growing & short-lived Tree, there must have a long succession of frsh trees raised from seed, maybe 12 or 15 or 20 to meet frequent destruction.

5. In the Burmese Chronicals – King Prasenajit surrounded the Bodhi Tree with a double wall, & a 3^rd wall was added by Dharm-Ashoka

Architectural Features –

Ashoka Temple

1. The actual circuit of enclosure  - 258 feet measured outside (73’ long by 56’ broad) or 248’ measured inside (68’ long by 56’ broad).

2. the dimension of the temple – 48 ft square base, and 160 – 170ft in height.

2. The 2 pillar bases are 9’10.5” from c/c.

3. The architrave which covered them was 12’ in length. So this centre room must have benn 12’ broad & twice  as long.

4. The size of the temple – 42 ft. x 30 ft. and the roof being supported on 12 pillars.

5. Asoka surrounded the holy Pipal tree with 10’ high stone wall.

6. The Pillars of the present railing belong to Asokan time period – inscriptions in Asoka character, which was also found in the Rails, Bars & Copings.

The shafts average about 14” x 12” in section, the corner pillars are exact squares of 14.5”. The average distance c/c of the pillars – 3’11”. The Plinth foundation show a circuit of 253 – 255 ft, an arrangement of 64 Pillars.

The gateway openings of 6 ft to 8ft  for an entrance on the east side.

The Torana gateway – 8’3” at the Grd. Lvl.

Rapid slope at 5’ from Groiund is 8’6”.

7. No. 64 is both favourite & fortunate one amongst the Hindus, and its occurance here proves the accuracy of the Plan of Asoka’s temple.

8. Hwen Thsang describes the

Railing as 10 ft high

Coping – 1 ft 2 inch

Pillars – 6 ft 8 inch

Plinth – 2 ft 2 inch

Altogether – 9’ 10” in height

9. All these railing, coping were re-arranged to suit greater dimensions of new temple, which is 530ft in circuit.

10. The inner faces of the architraves or coping stones are ornamented with long strings of animals, some natural, but others quite fabulous. There are elephants & Lions, Bulls & Deer, Goats & Sheep, mingled with winged Horses & Fishtailed Elepahnts, Lions & Rams. Accompanied by Weather-worn inscriptions of Indo-Scythian or early Gupta date.

11. Asokan time – sandstone was the favourite material both for architecture & sculpture. Thus the Asokan railing round the temple, the pillars, the Vajrasana throne inside the Temple. Afterwards granite was commonly used for all purposes, for architecture as well as for sculptures, and for most of the votive Stupas. Basalt also use, because of its hardness & durability. The last facing of the Vajrasana throne inside the Temple, which was certainly seen by Hwen Thsang in AD 637, was also made of blue basalt. 

Torana Gateway –

1. At 78 ft. to east of the Great Temple, & 54 ft. from the Bluestone Railing, there was formerly a massive Toran Gateway.

2. Toran Gateway was leading up to the Temple.

3. Foundation of 15ft. long by 6ft. broad with a large square stone let in near each end, on each face of which there were two socket holes for the reception of iron cramps.

4. The shafts of the pillars are 14.5 ft. high, 2’1” at base & 1’3.5” square at top. The bracket capitals had a square centre of 15.5 inches, with 2 oblong branches, & 2 short branches of 11.5 inches. They were 16” in height, thus making the clear height of the Toran nearly 17ft. See plate XVII.

5. The capitals were ornamented both on their faces & on their sides. The decoration of the shafts consisted of several bands of simple ornament, gradually changing from the plain square dado to octagonal, then to 16 sided & to circular. The whole of the ornamentation is similar to that of the pillars of the portico of the Great Nalanda Temple (Gupta period).

6. Plate XVII. The c/c dist. between the pillars is10’4”, & clear roadway between them is 8’3”, which differs by only 5” from the width of the northern & southern Gateways of the surrounding railing. But as the Toran pillars have a great slope, the clear width between them at 5’ above the ground, is 8’6”.

7. East & West side of the Pillar had shallow hollows, maybe for receiving kneeling figures with hands joined in adoration.

Sculpture –

1. The early Buddhist had no statues of Buddha. He is not once represented in the sculptured bas-relief of Bharhut, which date from 150 to 100 BC. There is no image of him amongst the numerous scenes of the great Sanchi Stupa.

2. The oldest representations of Buddha are found in coins of the Indo Scythian king, Kanishka, about AD 100.

3. The art of sculpture was certainly known and practiced by the Hindus as early as the time of Asoka, as the oldest Buddhist Railing of the Mahabodhi Temple, with its inscriptions in Asoka characters, is not only ornamented with numerous sculpted medallions, but also with a full length figure of a Yakhshini climbing a tree, with her right foot supported by a seated Yaksha below.

4. The bases of lot of pillar were marked with the Asoka letter A or with Asoka characters, so they belonged to 3^rd century BC.

5. Earliest figure of Buddha, at Mahabodhi, of about 2^nd century AD. The statue has the full lips & round face of the Gupta style, which are seen in all the Gupta sculptures from Sarnath.

6. At Mahabodhi, the figures of Buddha represent him seated under the Bodhi Tree during the six years asceticism.

7. Great mass of the sculpture belong to the Pala kings, who reigned from AD 813 down to the Muhammadan conquest in AD 1201. Huge no of Buddha Sakyamuni sitting under Boddhi Tree. Generally called as Vajrasan Buddha.

8. The outer faces of the coping are ornamented with continuous bands of flowers, & no 2 pieces there are rather long inscriptions of the Asokan period.

9. Pillars – decorated after the usual fashion of early Buddhist Railings. Semicircular medallions, containing half flowers, or smaller scenes of various kinds. In the middle of each face there is a full circular medallion, which is ornamented in the same manner as the semicircular medallions. On the outer faces of several of these pillars there is a short inscription in Asokan characters, giving the name of the pious donor. The edges of the middle pillars are beveled. The corner pillars at the Gateways are perfectly square in section, with rectangular panels containing various scenes.