Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c11.24

c11.24

The advances made in art and architecture during the three hundred years that passed under the rule of the Sungas and Andhras were considerable. They may be resolved into four phases: (1) stone carving, (2) symbolism, (3) stone construction, and (4) the beginnings of the temple or chaitya hall, and the monastery or vihara. As to the stone carving this, both in design and technique appears to have made appreciable progress, as the plastic treatment of the Barhut railing and the Sanchi toranas is eloquent proof. It may be useful to compare these two examples as a century separates the dates of their execution, but it should be remarked that they may not represent definite stages in development so much as the productions of two different schools. In any case the earlier work, that at Barhut, approaches that of the wood-carvers' technique, and there is an ingenuousness about it that suggests it has only recently emerged from a phase of folk-art. On the other hand the carving on the Sanchi toranas is more sophisticated, there is a feeling of conviction in its manipulation, and it is not by any means experimental although it still displays much naivete both in ideas and workmanship.