AN EXPENSIVE AFFAIR

AN EXPENSIVE AFFAIR

There were several stages in building a stupa or a temple. Usually, kings or queens decided to build these as it was an expensive affair. First, the good quality stone had to be found, quarried, and transported to the place that was often carefully chosen for the new building. Here, these rough blocks of stone had to be shaped and carved into pillars, and panels for walls, floors, and ceilings. And then these had to be placed in precisely the right position.

Kings and queens probably spent money from their treasury to pay the crafts persons who worked to build these splendid structures. Besides, when devotees came to visit the temple or the stupa, they often brought gifts, which were used to decorate the buildings. For example, an association of ivory workers paid for one of the beautiful gateways at Sanchi.

Among the others who paid for decorations were merchants, farmers, garland makers, perfumers, smiths, and hundreds of men and women who are known only by their names which were inscribed on pillars, railings, and walls. So when you get a chance to visit any of these buildings, remember how several hundreds of people probably worked to construct and decorate them.

Activity:

1. Make a diagram to show the stages in the building of a temple or stupa.

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK

PAINTING

PAINTING

Ajanta is a place where several caves were hollowed out of the hills over centuries. Most of these were monasteries for Buddhist monks, and some of them were decorated with paintings. Here are some examples. As the caves are dark inside, most of these paintings were done in the light of torches. The colours, which are vivid even after 1500 years, were made of plants and minerals. The artists who created these splendid works of art remain unknown.

Activity:

1. Find Ajanta on Map.

2. Describe what you see in each of these paintings.

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK