An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.8

v1.c9.s19.8

The religious structures of this age are much more impressive than the secular buildings. Of them the notable ones (in brick) consist of grand terraced Brāhmaṇical temples, remains of Buddhist shrines with *rathas* and a wheel-shaped (with only four spokes) *stūpas* at AHICCHATRĀ; monastic complexes with cells around a central court at SARNATH, KUŚĪNAGARA and ŚRĀVASTĪ and a Viṣṇu temple built on a square terrace, with perhaps a flat roof, at BHITARI. On one of the terraced temples at AHICCHATRĀ large-sized terracotta figures of Gaṅgā and Yamunā were fixed besides smaller panels depicting Brāhmaṇical deities. The *Rāmāyaṇa* plaques found at the site of Kachchi Kuti at ŚRĀVASTĪ were also probably fixed on some Brāhmaṇical structure. The temple at BHITARI was perhaps decked with stone sculptures as indicated by a number of sculptural fragments found within this complex in the excavations. The famous SARNATH Buddha image and Buddha in *parinirvāṇa* posture at KUŚĪNAGARA, both of the Gupta age, and several other sculptures and structural fragments found at SARNATH and other sites also formed part of religious edifices. Similar also seems to be the case with several Buddhist, Brāhmaṇical and Jaina images from MATHURA. Many of the excavated sculptures of the period serve as fine representatives of the Gupta art styles showing high artistic standard. The temple at KASHIPUR was externally characterized with bold mouldings and *caitya*-window motif.