Buddhist Vihara, Udaygiri, Orissa
IMAGE INDIA: Buddhist Archeological Sites
(Visiting for the first time? Please read the introduction to Image India)
In a recently published opinion, Indian historian K.M. Shrimali has criticized the periodization of Indian history into Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic. For one thing, it creates the false impression that religion is the dominant theme in India's cultural development. (In fact, as emphasized in this essay on Indian Philosophy and this essay on Indian Art - Indian art has a very rich secular tradition). It should also be noted that India's "religions" are not really religions in the normally understood sense - they are as much about philosophy and culture. For instance, early Buddhism had an attitude of skepticism or indifference towards the existence of god. (See Buddhist Ethics and Social Criticism).
Secondly, as K.M. Shrimali correctly notes, most of India's ancient kingdoms were eclectic in their patronage of monumental projects and funded the construction of both Buddhist Stupas and Hindu or Jain temples alike. To that extent, the purpose of this specialized index is not to endorse any "periodized view" of Indian history or to over-emphasize the differences in the various Indian traditions. In fact, it is often quite difficult to differentiate Hindu and Jain temples, or tell apart some Buddhist sculpture from Hindu sculpture, since all three major traditions shared common philosophical roots, borrowed freely from each other, and used similiar decorative motifs in their monuments. In addition, there were many regional and sectoral variants amongst India's Buddhist communities, so that it isn't really possible to speak of a homogenous Indian Buddhist tradition. It might also be noted that many Indians considered themselves eclectics - following different aspects of more than one tradition.
Nevertheless, each tradition developed certain unique characteristics and this index may help in identifying certain common themes and stylistic patterns. On the other hand, this index may just as vividly illustrate how varied the Buddhist tradition was and how in some regions, some Buddhist monuments shared certain motifs and ornamental features with Hindu temples (such as in Orissa and Chhatisgarh).
It is also useful to note how India's Adivasi traditions and practices have seeped into both Buddhism and Hinduism, and the influence of Tantric belief systems serves as an important link that connects all of India's major traditions.
Amravati
The main Stupa dates from the 2nd C. BC; many of the remains are on view in the Chennai Museum
Bharhut
The Bharhut Stupa also dates from the 2nd C. BC; many of the remains are on view in the Kolkata Museum
Sanchi
Main Toranas added by the Andhras (Satavahanas) in the 1st C. BC (or possibly later)
Nagarjunakonda
Stylistically reminiscent of Amravati, Nagarjunakonda was once a flourishing Buddhist centre. Remains of this extensive Buddhist site dating from the 3rd C AD are housed in the site museum.
Kushan Sites: Taxila, Harwan
The 3rd C Kushan site of Harwan (from Jammu & Kashmir) was once a thriving Buddhist centre. Surviving tiles from the Stupa display a variety of sculptural and decorative motifs - both naturalistic and abstract. These include representations of human figures including dancers and musicians, warriors on horses, conversing couples etc. Birds and animals are also depicted, as are flower pots, vines and creepers and abstract patterns.
(Ram Chandra Kak has provided B&W prints and illustrations on the web for some of Harwan's sculpted panels: Floral Motifs; Figurative Panels ; Two Youths w. Floral Festoon;)
(Taxila is of course far more well-known. A few B&W pictures are available on this site on the Jaulian Stupa of Taxila)
Ajanta
The original Buddhist caves date from the 2nd and 1st C. BC, however the caves were enhanced with paintings and sculptural additions by the Guptas during the 5th and 6th C. AD
Images from the Ajanta Caves - Set 1
Sarnath
The oldest stupa at the site dates from the 3rd C. BC - however the main monument at the site is the Dhameka Stupa dating from 500 AD built during the Gupta period.
Rock-cut carvings, Bhagalpur region
These fine Gupta period (5th-7th C AD) carvings from the Bhagalpur and Sultanganj region of Bihar depict a variety of Hindu deities, besides Buddha and Mahavira.
Nalanda
Nalanda gained prominence as an important centre of Buddhist learning from the 4th to the 12th C. AD. Many of the extant monuments at the site date from the 6th C onwards.
Pithalkhora
Another Buddhist site contemporaneous with Ajanta
Udaygiri, Ratnagiri
These Buddhist site are not too far from Cuttack (Orissa) and date from the 6th C. AD, and after the 8th C. became important centres of Tantric Buddhism or the Vajrayana school of art and philosophy.
Sirpur
Ruins from an 8th C. Buddhist monastery
Bodh Gaya
The Mahabodhi Temple was originally built in the 2nd C. AD during the Kushan period but extensively refurbished by the Pala and Sena rulers between the 8th C and 12th C. Additional restoration work was carried out by Myanmar Buddhists in 1882.
Also check the Index of Indian Sculpture for a somewhat more detailed list of other archeological sites.
To read about scientific and philosophical developments relating to the development of Buddhist philosophy in India, see Buddhist Ethics and Social Criticism, Adivasi Contributions to Indian Culture and this essay on Philosophical Developments in India
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Photographs and text: Shishir Thadani
