Bell Ringer What were the main 2 religions that influenced the architecture and sculpture of ancient India?

The Art of India

The Harappans They used bronze and copper technology and built multistoried buildings made from fire brick. Drainage system Written language based on pictograms or picture symbols Made and traded clay pottery, bronze, stone figures, and cotton cloth

Ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, India

Artist Depiction of Mohenjo-Daro, India

Harappan Art Mostly clay works or pottery made for trading purposes Only a few small stone and bronze sculptures survived to present day They worshipped many spirits who they believed were found in water, trees, and humans

Clay Sculpture

Figurines

Copper plate with vertical sides. Copper

Four Theories of Collapse Archaeologists have offered four explanations for the collapse of the Harappan “Civilization”. Three are based on ecological factors: intense flooding, decrease in precipitation, and the dessication of the Sarasvati River. The fourth hypothesis is that of the Aryan Invasion, proposed by Sir R. E. Mortimer Wheeler and Stuart Piggott.

Birth of Buddhism 500 B.C. Founder: Prince Siddhartha Gautama In time he came to be called the Buddha, which means “the Enlightened One” Buddhist believe in reincarnation- after death a soul returns to life in another form Meditation - Act of focusing thoughts on a single subject or area, but not praying to a higher being

Buddhist Architecture Many Buddhist withdraw from society and live in monasteries called viharas. At first these monasteries were simple wooden sturctures or natural caves.

Lomas Rishi cave: The arch-like shape facade of Lomas Rishi Caves, imitate the contemporary timber architecture. On the doorway, a row of elephants proceed towards stupa emblems, along the curved architecture.

Chaitya Hall at Karli 200 B.C. - Finest cave temple Exterior of this cave is carved to look like the wooden construction of the time.

Stupa 1000 A.D. A small round burial shrine erected over a grave site to hold relics of the Buddha

Buddhist Sculpture Sculpture depicted various events in the life of the Buddha King Prasenajit visits the Buddha, from the Bharhut stupa Symbolism in this sculpture is the wheel having several meanings: circle of life, maturity, and death associated with each reincarnation, all leading to nirvana

Gupta Era A.D. The standing and cross-legged Buddha sculpture were perfected during this time

Yakshini One of the gates to the Great Stupa, Sanchi Voluptuous woman, a spirit embodying ideas of fertility and abundance Not part of the Buddhist faith but belongs to older widespread Indian beliefs Was held that women were able to cause trees to blossom and bear fruit

Buddha Preaching the First Sermon, from Sarnath Seated in a pose of meditation Mudras- hand gesture that indicates preaching

Hinduism 3 primary processes in life:.1 creation 2. preservation 3. destruction 3 main Hindu gods: 1. Brahma, the Creator 2. Vishnu, the Preserver 3. Shiva, the Destroyer Ultimate goal is liberation from these cycles into a permanent state of pure conscientiousness, nirvanna.

Brahma Vishnu Shiva

Hinduism Art Vishnu dreaming the god Brahma and the world into existence Carved in stone

Hindu Architecture Hindu temples- similar to Greek temples; neither was intended to accommodate large numbers of worshipers Meant to be viewed from the outside Ex. Vishnu Temple

Kandariya Mahadeva Dedicated to Shiva It rests on a stone platform that serves to mark out a sacred area and separate it from the everyday world

The Khmer Kingdom Temples were erected for the king or “god-king” Finest and largest example is the beautiful temple complex known as Angkor Wat

Jain Art Traces its beginnings to a sage named Mahavira Like the Buddha, Mahavira left the comforts of his home in his youth Did not become a world faith, yet it still has an important presence in India Watercolor paintings Ex. The Birth of Mahavira- The lives of the great saints

Mughal Art and Influence Influenced by Persian culture Most beloved Mughal architecture is the Taj Mahal Illustrated books were a second great Persian artistic tradition

Mughal Paintings Hamzanama- love of detail and jewel-toned palette while retaining the decorative flatness and saturated color

Henna Paintings Ancient art practiced exclusively by women, especially in India for weddings Floral designs