Page 4 - apr-Jun 2020

ROCK-CUT MARVELS

Ancient architecture in India is as old as its earliest civilizations. Rock-cut architecture can be traced back to
the 3rd century BCE. Until the 5th century, it was associated with Buddhism in the form of rock-cut
edicts and caves. From then onwards till the 12th century, it came to be associated with Hinduism
and Jainism as well.
ROCK-CUT EDICTS

There are some rock structures like rock-cliff s and monolithic pillars that are carved with narratives and
announcements made by the Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka. These inscriptions were made in public places
and along trade routes so that the maximum people could read them.

MAJOR ROCK EDICTS MINOR ROCK EDICTS

Ashoka wished to be a benevolent ruler and called himself There are a total of only six minor rock edicts. Ashoka’s
Devanampriya (beloved of gods). The edicts contained name has been clearly mentioned in four of these
discussions on moral duties of people. There are a total of edicts.
fourteen major rock edicts. These are in the Brahmi script. Arnav Garg, V C, Amity International School, Saket, New Delhi
Girnar Rock-Inscription
PILLAR EDICTS
The edict talks about Ashoka’s love
for animals, charity, co-existence These are columns inscribed with edicts by the
of diff erent religions, construction Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka.
of irrigation system etc.
ACTIVITY: THE LION CAPITAL
ACTIVITY: IMAGINING AT SARNATH
INSCRIPTIONS A graphic representation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka

If you were the emperor of a powerful was adopted as the National Emblem of India in 1950.
dynasty, where would you inscribe Nandini Sharma, IX C, Jaswant Modern Sr. Sec. School, Dehradun;
Subhrato Nandi,VI, M.P. Memorial School and Hostel, Varanasi
your messages? What would your
messages to the people be? Complete the labels on the illustration of the pillar
C R
— — — — — —

CAVE CREATIONS C — — — — — A — — — — — —

Made of Four Asiatic Lions in four
directions
BUDDHIST CAVE three parts A — — — — —

ARCHITECTURE Four chakras between a
bull (devotion), an elephant
(strength), a lion (power), and
Period: 3rd century BCE to 2nd a horse (speed).
— — — —
century CE and 5th to 6th century CE S B
Long column made — — —
Example: Barabar hill of a single rock Inverted lotus
Features: These caves had polished walls with a semi-
circular entrance. There were long halls for monks for
learning and small niches for living.
MONOLITHIC TEMPLES
HINDU CAVE JAIN CAVE ARCHITECTURE
These are
ARCHITECTURE Period: 6th to 12th century CE structures
Example: Badami that are
Period: 4th to 8th century CE
Features: These caves had pillared carved out of
Example: Udayagiri
halls with paintings and carvings on a single piece
Features: These caves had the ceilings. The walls were carved of rock. The
walls carved with scenes from with images of Tirthankaras, and other Pallavas were
Hindu epics. Jain motifs. the fi rst to create monolithic temples.
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