Page 100 - SST Class 06

‘Tolkappiyam’ and ‘Ettutogai Pattuppattu’ are ular piece of ancient Indian art specimen. Most of
important works of these times. Thiruvalluvar is the rock-cut structures were related to various
the most famous author of these times who wrote religious communities. In the beginning, remark-
‘Kural’ which deals with many aspects of life and able Buddhist and Jain monuments were pro-
religion. duced in areas such as Bihar in the east and

ART AND ARCHITECTURE Maharashtra in the west.
Indian architecture is as old as the history of the Temple Architecture
civilization. The earliest remains of recognisable In ancient India, temple architecture of high
building activity in the India dates back to the standard developed in almost all regions. The
Indus Valley cities. Among India’s ancient archi- distinct architectural style of temple construction
tectural remains, the most characteristic are the in different parts was a result of geographical,
temples, Chaityas, Viharas, Stupas and other climatic, ethnic, racial, historical and linguistic
religious structures. In ancient India, temple diversities. Ancient Indian temples are classified
architecture of high standard developed in almost in three broad types. This classification is based
all regions. The distinct architectural style of on different architectural styles, employed in the
temple construction in different parts was a result construction of the temples.
of geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial, historical Painting
and linguistic diversities. The people of ancient India made little distinc-
The Rock-cut structures present the most spectac- tion between artists who made images in paint
ular piece of ancient Indian art specimen. Most of and those who carved in stone. Each brought
the rock-cut structures were related to various reality into being through his art.
religious communities. In the beginning, remark- Wall Painting
able Buddhist and Jain monuments were pro- In the first century AD, large Buddhist temples
duced in areas such as Bihar in the east and
and monasteries were cut into cliffs near
Maharashtra in the west. Chaityas and Viharas
Bombay. The walls of these cave-halls are
are those rock-cut structures that were hewn out
decorated with both carved and painted images.
for Buddhist and Jain monks. Chaityas were
Some of the paintings date from the first century
places of worship whereas Viharas were resi-
and earlier. But, most were made in the 400’s,
dence of monks. The Rathas at Mahabalipuram
when support for the arts came mainly from the
are yet another great specimen of rock-cut
architecture in ancient India.
Cave Architecture
The cave architecture in India is believed to have
begun in the third century BC. These caves were
used by Buddhist and Jain monks as places of
worship and residence. Initially, the caves were
excavated in the western India. Some examples
of this type of cave structure are Chaityas and
Viharas of Buddhists.

Rock-Cut
The Rock-cut structures present the most spectac- Wall Painting

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