The Mauryan age was a golden period in Indian history in many senses because this period saw the development which were not occurred in earlier ages. But after flourishing for more than 140 years this great empire was started to disintegrate and ended in c. 187 BC when the last Mauryan king, Brahadratha was killed was Pushyamitra Shunga. After the end of Mauryan empire, various new kingdoms started to emerged, this age came to known as post-Mauryan age (c. 200 BC to c. 300 AD).
During the post-Mauryan period, different dynasties emerged regionally like Kushanas, Kshatrapas, Shakas, Shungas, Satvahanas etc. These regional kingdoms patronised the local art and culture which result in emergence of several new arts while bettering the previous ones. During this period, the religious scene from Shaivites, Vaishnavite and Shakties. They continued the art of rock-cut caves and different schools emerged that lead the art of sculptures to its climax.
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Arts in India – Introduction and Classification
Rock-cut Caves
It was the period of Mauryan which saw the emergence of the rock-cut cave art and this art was further refined during the post-Mauryan period. During this period, two types of caves were constructed; first was for residential purposes, known as Viharas and other was for purposes of prayers, known as Chaityas. In the Viharas, Buddhist and Jain monks used to live and Chaityas which are mainly quadrangular chambers with flat roofs used as prayer halls.
For example, the caves of Udayagiri-Khandagiri of Odisha were made under the Kalinga king Kharavela in 1st -2nd century BC. These caves carved out for the residence purposes of Jain monks. The famous Hathigumpha inscriptions in Brahmi script also founded in these caves. Thus, the art of rock-cut caves was so advanced during this period that doubled-storied caves were carved out.
Stupas
During the post-Mauryan period, stone become the main material used for construction of stupas. During this period, stupas were become more decorative and larger in size. The decorative Torans (gateways to stupas) were idea of Shungas. The torans were decorated with the style influenced by Hellenistic style. For example, the torans of Sanchi stupa are influenced by the Hellenistic art. Bharhut stupa in Madhya Pradesh was also constructed during post-Mauryan age.
Sculptures
The art of sculpture making reached to its climax during this period. During this period several school of art of emerged in India which helped in the growth of local arts as well. The Gandhara school, Mathura school and Amravati school of arts were main schools emerged during this period;
Gandhara School of Art
The Gandhara art was influenced by the traditions of Greek and Roman sculptors and its blending with local art result in emergence art that came to known as Greco-Indian school of art. It came to known as Gandhara school of art because it emerged in the western frontiers including the region of modern-day Peshawar and Afghanistan. This school emerged in two phases.
The first phase started form c. 50 BC to 500 AD and this phase was dominated by the use of bluish-grey sandstone. After c. 500 AD, the school was dominated by use of mud and stucco for making of sculptures. The sculptures of Buddha and others were based on Greco-Roman pantheon and resembles that of Apollo. This school by mainly patronised by Kushanas and other local rulers.
Mathura School of Art
This school was patronised by Kushanas rulers and it flourished in the banks of the Yamuna between 1st and 3rd century AD. This school was influenced by the all three popular religions of that time; Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. This art indigenous in nature as it was not influenced by any foreign culture and art. The main material used in this school of art was spotted red sandstone.
The images of Yaksha and Yakshini are the typical examples of this school. The Buddha is shown in a delighted mood with smiling face, the head and face are shaven and seated in padmasana showing different mudras.
Amravati School of Art
The Amravati school of art was indigenous in nature as it was not influenced by any other culture. The white marble use during this school for making of sculptures. It was patronised by Satvahanas and mainly influenced by Buddhism. It was mainly developed around the region of Amravati and Nagarjunakonda in Krishna-Godavari delta. The sculptures of this school generally depicted the stories of Buddha and Jataka tales (stories of Buddha’s previous lives).
Greek and Roman School of Art
Although the art of Roman and Greek is quite blended with the features of each other but there are some differences as well. The Gods in the idealistic Greek art shows in muscular depiction, also showing beauty and strength of men. The most common material used by Greeks was marble for sculpture making.
But Roman use the art for ornamentation and decoration and is realistic in nature which is opposite of the Greek idealism. Thus, Roman’s arts follow realism for depicting real humans and major historical events. Romans used concrete for sculpture making and they were also famous for their mural paintings.
Thus, the art and architecture of caves and sculptures reached to its zenith during the post-Mauryan period.