USE OF PYRAMID SHAPES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPLES IN GUPTA PERIOD

 

 

BY

ANAND M. SHARAN

PROFESSOR

 

 

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND,

ST JOHN’S

NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA A1B 3X5

E-MAIL: asharan@engr.mun.ca

 

AUGUST 19, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSTRACT

           

In this work, the intellectual contributions of the three prominent Gupta kings ( Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, and Kumar Gupta )  are at first discussed. This is followed by the cause or possible reason for the establishment of the Nalanda University is dealt with. Then, from different views of the temple remains at Nalanda, the undetermined shape of the temple is found out.

 

1. INTRODUCTION AND DETERMINATION OF SHAPE OF THE TEMPLE REMAINS AT NALANDA UNIVERSITY

 

            Revival of Nalanda University to world fame is much talked about these days. The university has been promised large grants from many countries such as Japan, China, Singapore etc. Eminent intellectuals   such as Nobel Laureate Sen, former President of India – Dr. Kalam and many others have come forward to bring the glory of this university back to the olden days.  The photographs of this university can be seen all over the world. It was one of the most ancient universities of the world.

            The author himself had visited the remains of this university many times, and was very happy to note its revival. One thing that always puzzled the author was the shape of the most prominent building of this university – the temple.  Photographs of this temple are published all over but its shape has remained unclear from these photographs.

            The objective of this work is to bring - out   the shape of the temple.

 

2. CREATION OF ART AND INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS OF GUPTA KINGS

 

            Gupta Era is called the golden era of India. In this era, the monarchs were brave , and at the same time, encouraged art and learning. An example of fine art during the Gupta Era is shown in Fig. 7 which is a bas relief in a cave at Udayagiri, Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, there are many monuments that exist from this era in Madhya Pradesh – for example at Eran (Fig. 8).  It was an age when there were all round developments.

 

A detailed numismatic study of this age has been done by BalasubramaniumPP^1PP.  From the inscriptions and coins of this era  it is known that Samudragupta (335 – 375 AD ) was well versed in Sanskrit, and   played  an instrument called VeenaPP^2PP. He recited poetry also. He is very well known for his valor. Other important events of the Gupta Era as well as creation of art etc can be seen inPP^3-9PP.

 

            Next comes Chandragupta II Vikramaditya ( 375 – 415 AD ) who is known for his knowledge of Sanskrit. He  had eminent people from different fields in his court. These people were known as navratna ( nine gems ) of his court. Famous amongst them was the great dramatist Kalidasa.

 

            His son, Kumar Gupta ( 415 – 455 AD ) carried forward  the intellectual traditions of his forefathers.  He gave large grants and established the famous Nalanda UniversityPP^2PP. His efforts were further supported by his descendents, Harshvardhan, and the kings of Pala Dynasty well into Twelfth century AD. The remains to-day of this Nalanda University are well maintained by the present Central Government of India with well kept monuments and gardens (see Fig. 9).

 

             Why did Kumar Gupta think of establishing an university? There is a possibility that he must have wanted to revive the traditions of the ancient Taxila University.

 

            The Gupta kings followed ancient tradition of India. It was very well known to them that the ancients kings in India  patronized intellectuals in their courts, and they themselves were intellectuals. One can see the examples of king Janaka mentioned in the Upanishads. His debate with Gargi ( a female scholar and an intellectual ), and sage Yajnavalkya are discussed inPP^10PP . Similarly, the intellectual qualities of king Ajatshatru of Kashi ( Varanasi ) are well documentedPP^11PP.

 

3. PYRAMID SHAPES IN THE TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

3.1 Temple at Bodh Gaya

 

            It is well known in the history booksPP^2PP that the king of Sri Lanka, king Meghavanna or Meghavarna  ( 352 to 379 AD )  sent gifts to Samudragupta to build facilities for Buddhist pilgrims to Bodh Gaya. The Sri Lankans were experiencing problems while visiting Bodh Gaya  in their pilgrimage. Fig. 6 shows the temple which is at the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment  under a Peepal tree.  The Buddhists built stupas ( topes )  in memory of departed souls, which can also be seen in this figure.

 

           The temple has fine work ( sculpture ) carved on the walls of the temple. Its main entrance is from the east and it faces the Niranjana river which is called Phalgu river these days. It is very close to the Hindu pilgrimage site of Vishnupada.

 

This Buddhist temple built at the time of Samudragupta -  has shape of a slender pyramid. There are very few standing temples from this era in India these days.

 

3.2 Temple Having Pyramid Shaped Base at Nalanda

 

            As we have discussed above,  Kumar Gupta, a Hindu king,  carried forward the traditions of his forefathers and was tolerant towards other religions. He established the Nalanda University near Rajgriha, once the capital of Magadh Empire, and of Jarasandha of the Mahabharata. At the time of Kumar Gupta, Pataliputra ( modern Patna )  was the capital of India.

 

            Nalanda is also believed to be the birth place of Lord Mahavira of Jain religion ( this belief held by  Digambar Jains). Lord Mahavira attained nirvana at Pawa Puri very close to Nalanda.

            Fig. 1 shows a sketch of the site of the Temple at Nalanda University. There are points marked ‘ A “ , ‘ B ‘ etc on the pathway  from where the photographs ( Figs 2 to 5 ) were taken in  early April of the year 2007  -  to show the details of this temple.

            Fig. 2 shows the temple and such a photograph is  very commonly published in books, magazines, journals etc. The author was always very perplexed about its ( temple’s )  original shape. After all, whenever an architect builds a structure or a building, he or she has some shape in mind. This being so, what was the shape of this temple when it was built ?  It is very difficult to judge the shape from this photograph or those published elsewhere.  Therefore, one needs more details to bring out actual shape of this temple.

 

            In Fig. 3, one can very clearly see  the top slanting surface, and the truncation of this slanting surface by a very steep inclined plane.  The stairs from the north to go up - are also very clear here. But, its actual shape of the building is very difficult to judge.

 

            Only when we come to Fig. 4, a view from the south west point,  the point D, that we see the actual pyramid shape.  There are stupas ( topes ) all around , and there is a terrace to go around ( parikrama ) the temple.  These stupas were there even at Bodh Gaya ( Fig. 6 ) temple.

 

            In Fig. 5, one can clearly see the actual steep slope of the truncated face ( east face ) of the temple. It also shows the corner which has been cut off by two vertical planes at right angles to each other - possibly to save the building from collapsing. Obviously, this irregular feature is not a part of the original construction.

 

           Thus, by combining Figs 1 to 5 , we can synthesize the pyramid shape of the temple remains at Nalanda.

 

4. CONCLUSIONS

            In this paper, two ancient sites in the Gupta Era were discussed after a review of the contributions of the Gupta kings towards intellectual development of India.  The work also presented a fine art (Figs. 7, and 8 ) created during  this period.

            This presentation clearly shows the use of pyramid shape used in the construction of temples in the Gupta Era.

 

5. REFERENCES

1.      Balasubramaniam, R., Delhi Iron Pillar: New Insights, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, 2002, pp. 8-46.

2.      Tripathy, R. S. , 1985, "  History of Ancient India " Motilal Banarsidas , Delhi , pp. 188 -289

3.      Sharan, A. M., 2004, “ Understanding of Periodic Motions  and Utilization of this Knowledge in Ancient India ” Advances in Vibration Engineering , Vol 3 , No 2 , pp 177 - 183 ..

4.      Dass, M.I., and Willis, M., “The Lion Capital from Udayagiri and the Antiquity of Sun Worship in Central India,” South Asian Studies, 2002, 18, 25-45.

5.      Fleet, J.F., Inscriptions of the Early Gupta Kings and Their Successors, Corpus Inscription Indicarum, III (1888). Volume 3, pp. 324-327.

6.      Pandey,  R. B. , 1951 , " Vikramaditya of Ujjayini " ,  Shatadala Prakashana, Banaras 

7.      Sircar , D. C. , 1969 , " Ancient Malwa and Vikramaditya Tradition " , Munshiram Manoharlal , New Delhi , India , pp  21 – 93

8.      Harle, J. C., 1994, “  The Art and Architecture of Indian Subcontinent “,  Yale University Press, London, pp  97- 100.

9.      Jain, K. C., " Madhya Pradesh Through Ages, Part I " , B. R. Publishing Corporation , Delhi , India, 1997 , pp  239-248

10.  TUTUhttp://www.valaya.co.uk/KNOWLEDGEmastersJAN.htmUUTT

11.  TUTUhttp://upgov.nic.in/upinfo/cult_herit.htmlUUTT