Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c17.2

c17.2

TOWARDS the third century A.D., the scarcity of architectural records throughout the greater part of the country is significant of the general conditions that were prevailing at this time It is true that in the north-west and in the Gangetic plain the Hellenic influence on the one hand, combined with the growth of the Mahayana system of Buddhism on the other, kept the northern school alive, and much the same applies to the relatively limited movement in the south, with Amaravati as its centre, but the rest of India was going through a period when the creative faculties of the people were in a state of inactivity. The same century saw the passing of an era, the cultural productions of which, initiated by the Emperor Asoka some five hundred years before, may be referred to as those of the "Primitives". Politically, the end of this phase was emphasized by the almost simultaneous collapse of two powerful dynasties, that of the Andhras (c. 225 A.D.) in the south, and of the Kushanas (c. 236 A D.) in the north. In the sphere of religion there was also a pause, owing to the spiritual fires lit by the Mauryan ruler having evidently burnt themselves out, as testified by the decline of the Hinayana system and the forms of expression that this doctrine had made its own. A somewhat similar condition, it may be noted, arose about the same time in Europe, when the illumination of the Greek genius died out, except for the solitary lamp kindled at Byzantium. And in India, for the time being, the people had reached the limit of their resources so that an interval of stagnation ensued.