Monuments in Ancient India

The monuments of ancient India are categorized into two main types: religious and secular. 

• These structures offer a glimpse into the cultural, political, and religious landscapes of their time. Many monuments were heavily influenced by religious beliefs, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism.

Religious Monuments in Ancient India

• Buddhist Monuments:

• The emergence of Buddhism and Jainism led to the development of early architectural styles in India.
• Buddhist stupas were constructed at sites associated with Buddha’s life and significant events. Examples include:
  • Lumbini: Buddha’s birthplace.
  • Bodh Gaya: Where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
  • Sarnath: The site of his first sermon.
  • Kushinagar: Where Buddha achieved Mahaparinirvana at the age of 80.
• Stupas were made of large mounds of mud, encased in carefully baked bricks.
• The stupas built during Emperor Ashoka’s reign popularized Buddhism and reflect the socio-religious conditions of the Mauryan period.
• The most renowned stupa is located at Sanchi, near Bhopal.
• The Jataka Tales, a collection of narratives about Buddha’s previous lives in human and animal forms, are often depicted in these monuments, aiding scholars in validating literary evidence.
• Pushyamitra Sunga, who overthrew the last Mauryan king Brihadratha in 180 BCE, is depicted in Buddhist texts as a persecutor of Buddhism, allegedly destroying many Buddhist monasteries and monuments built by Ashoka.

• Hindu Temples:

• Temple architecture began to evolve during the Gupta period, particularly in North India. Early temples were constructed in locations like Kanpur, Ghazipur, and Deogarh.
• Gupta temples were made from bricks, which were not durable, leaving only remnants that provide limited historical insight.
• In South India, temple construction flourished south of the Vindhyas, where stone was the primary building material. These structures have survived and offer a wealth of information about the socio-political conditions of the era.
• The Chola Dynasty made significant contributions to temple architecture. Notable examples include:
  • Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur): Built by Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014 AD), this temple is a prime example of Dravidian architecture.
  • The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples,” alongside Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara Temple.
  • Gangaikonda Cholapuram: Established by Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 AD) after his expedition to the Gangetic plains.
• These temples have been instrumental in understanding the Chola Dynasty’s political history and territorial expansion.

Secular Monuments  in Ancient India

• Harappan Civilization:

• The earliest examples of secular architecture in India come from the Harappan civilization, marking the first phase of urbanization.
• Harappan cities featured impressive civic structures such as:
  • Long and wide roads.
  • Public baths, tanks, and granaries.
  • Dockyards, man-made ports, and warehouses.
  • Sanitation systems, including bathrooms and gutters.
  • Fortifications, bastions, stadiums, and pavilions.

• Second Urbanization:

• During the period of Second Urbanization, cities became centers of Mahajanapadas, with Magadha emerging as a prominent region.
• Rajgir and Pataliputra served as capitals of Magadha and contained significant monuments aiding historical reconstruction.
• The Saptaparni Cave near Rajgir indicates Buddhist practices during this time.
• Pataliputra (originally Pataligramma) was strategically located at the confluence of rivers such as the Ganga, Gandak, Son, and Punpun.
  • This location made it an impregnable water fort (jaladurga) and facilitated control over the Uttarapatha, a major trade route along the Ganges and Himalayan foothills.
  • Rivers enabled heavy transport and trade, connecting Magadha with various regions.

• Contributions of Foreign Rulers: 

• Rudradaman, a foreign ruler, made significant contributions to secular architecture. He repaired the Sudarshan Lake dam in Kathiawar, which is mentioned in the Takht-I-Bahi Inscription.
• This monument is a crucial historical source, highlighting his achievements and administrative capabilities.