Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c11.5

c11.5

At this period, therefore the stupa was in appearance but little removed from the ordinary be-flagged wayside shrine of which many may be seen in various parts of India at the present day. Towards the middle of the second century B.C. a change becomes observable. By this time the Buddhist religion had fully recovered from the removal of Asoka's guiding hand, and the orders of monks had developed into a numerous and powerful monachism having substantial resources, rich benefices, and whose influence accordingly was a great force. In spite of the fact that the movement had been deprived of its direct imperial patronage it still maintained its hold on a large community and many of the Buddhist shrines had become increasingly popular places of pilgrimage. With this resurgence of the creed came a revival of the arts which accompanied it, and what is generally referred to as the Sungan period of Buddhist art began The initial steps in the movement consisted principally in effecting improvements to the stupa in an endeavour to present this essential symbol of the creed with a more dignified architectural appearance As a whole the refinements took the form of replacing the impermanent materials of which these monuments had hitherto been composed with others of a more stable nature, in a word stone was employed where previously had been brick and wood. The manner in which this transformation was brought about may be understood by tracing the alterations that were made during the ensuing century to the few rare examples of the period that have been preserved Chief among these is the shrine at Sanchi in Bhopal State, Central India, the history of which has been disclosed by excavation, and may be followed step by step from the raising of the first brick stupa by Asoka through all its phases until medieval times Another stupa, at Barhut in Nagod State, Central India, also provides much valuable material, while a railing and its accessories at Budh Gaya in Bihar, throw further light on the progress of Buddhist art at this time. These comprise the principal actual remains, but there were other Buddhist sites where similar structural conversions were taking place, but of which only the barest records have been preserved.