Magadha Sculpture was the age where the earliest remnants of
architecture and
sculpture are found after the
Indus Valley Civilisation. This was one of the
sixteen mahajanapadas of
ancient Indian and a number of empires have ruled over it. Two
dynasties emerged that changed the
art, culture and life of
Magadha. The
Mauryas and the
Guptas were instrumental in creating an architectural heritage of which Indian is proud of even today. The Magadha sculpture, hence, embodies the artistic brilliance and splendour. The culture of Magadha was in some ways different than the Vedic kingdoms of the Indo-Aryans.
History of Magadha Sculpture
It was the
Mauryan sculpture that attracted the attention of the world with its lofty pillars, lion thrones, the railings of the stupas and other colossal sculptures. In fact emperor
Ashoka is often hailed as the first ruler to ‘think in stone’. Besides the artistic wizardry, the Mauryan architecture and sculpture are of great religious and historical value. These works of art include the finest specimens of
Buddhist Indian sculpture.
The Gupta Empire preceded the Mauryan dynasty. Their rule is considered the golden Age in India. Art and architecture flourished like never before. The contribution of the royal patronage in this development could not be denied. The
Gupta sculpture led to the formation of two schools of thought: the
Mathura School (North India) and
Gandhara School (South India). The sculptures created in these schools were primarily
Buddha images. The similarity between the Mauryan and Gupta sculptures lies in the fact that both concentrated on religious sculptures and architectures.
Features of Magadha Sculpture
The features of the Mauryan sculpture were reflected mostly in the spiritual
monuments which were stiffed throughout the reign. Later, the golden age of Guptas accompanied in India. The features of Gupta sculpture are found in the
cave temples of India. These cave temples comprise
Ajanta and
Ellora. From concerning 545 BC to 550 AD Magadha was the hub of cultural movement.
The characteristics of Magadha sculpture and architecture fetch a lot of diversity to light on the forms of caves, pillars, and chaityas.
Rock cut architecture also developed in India during the high point of the Magadha dynasty. Larger
stone sculptures and architectural monuments such as the
stupa at Bharhut and the famous Great
Stupa at Sanchi were the features of
Pushyamitra Shunga rule which was an early Indian dynasty from Magadha.
