Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c10.5

c10.5

The order in which these manifestations took form, and the manner of their execution may be explained. Possessed of great ideals, as Asoka's policy throughout plainly indicates, one of this ruler's most earnest desires appears to have been to institute a permanent record of the establishment of the Buddhist faith within his now widely-spread dominions. A craving for a symbol of stability occurs in the early evolution of most nations, a need for some "substantial link which holds them to the soil" and is a stage in the development of racial self-consciousness. As a case in point the Pharoahs realised this when in their inscriptions they boasted of having erected "everlasting stone monuments," in honour of the gods. Some such reflection no doubt inspired the Emperor Asoka when as a beginning he carved his famous edicts on the living rocks, proclaiming as they do, in plain terms that his efforts should result in the "long endurance of the Good Law." These inscriptions, although many have survived, were not, however, sufficiently striking to suit his purpose; what was evidently in his progressive mind was the creation of a memorial of such a permanent nature that it would outlast time itself. With this in view he caused to be raised in many parts of his empire circular tumuli of brick, sacred mounds commemorative of the Buddha. These "stupas", as they have been called, from the Prakrit word *thupa*, were not unknown in India before this date, but their shape, like that of the pyramid, implies durability.