--- title: Gupta Architecture author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Architecture/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Gupta Architecture _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) Dynasty (4th-6th century) in North Central [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) saw the first purpose-built [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) (and also [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/)) temples which evolved from the earlier tradition of rock-cut shrines. Adorned with towers and elaborate carvings, these temples were often dedicated to all the Hindu gods. Gupta [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) is very diverse in style, design and features. The diversity of Gupta buildings illustrates that Hindu [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) architecture was in its formative stage and was yet to arrive at the standardised situation of later centuries. Nevertheless, the influence of Gupta-era buildings on later Indian temple architecture is indisputable and continued right through to the Medieval period. Unfortunately, relatively few of the large number of Gupta temples built have survived. ### Gupta Cave Shrines The earliest examples of religious architecture were cave-temples which typically had exteriors decorated with relief [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) and a single carved doorway. Inside the shrine, ritual sculptures were placed such as a [Shiva](https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/) *linga* (phallus) and the walls were richly decorated with more carvings showing scenes from [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/). Notable examples are found at Udayagiri in Madhya Pradesh where one cave bears a date [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/) of 401 CE. Here in one shrine is one of the finest examples of Gupta art, the celebrated relief showing [Vishnu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vishnu/) in his incarnation as the boar-headed Varaha. The panel measures 7 x 4 metres and the central figure, carved almost in the round, is emerging from the cosmic waters, having defeated a snake-like monster and rescued the goddess Bhudevi (Earth). The scene, a famous Hindu myth, may also be an allegorical reference to the peace and protection offered by the Gupta kings. [ ![Vishnu as Varaha, Udayagiri Caves](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3877.jpg?v=1775880319) Vishnu as Varaha, Udayagiri Caves Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3877/vishnu-as-varaha-udayagiri-caves/ "Vishnu as Varaha, Udayagiri Caves")Finally, mention should be made of the [Ajanta caves](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/849/the-ajanta-caves/), a row of 29 rock-cut caves following the Waghora river bed ravine in north-west Deccan. Dating from the 2nd century BCE to 7th century CE, they contain some of the earliest and finest examples of Indian [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/)-painting. The subject matter is largely scenes from the life of [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/). Cave 1 contains a columned shrine in typical Gupta style with flat cushion-topped [column](https://www.worldhistory.org/column/) capitals. Cave 19 was built in the 5th century CE and has a Gupta-style *chaitya* (shrine) facade with columned porch and large, almost semi-circular aperture above. The whole facade is covered in rich carvings and relief panels showing scenes from Buddhist lore. [ ![Cave 19, Ajanta, Deccan](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/3879.jpg?v=1774436722) Cave 19, Ajanta, Deccan Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3879/cave-19-ajanta-deccan/ "Cave 19, Ajanta, Deccan")### Gupta Temples: Materials & Features Not satisfied with caves the Guptas were the first dynasty to build permanent free-standing Hindu temples and so they began a long tradition of Indian temple architecture. It is perhaps important to note here that Hindu temples were not designed for congregations but rather as the dwelling place (*devalaya*) of a deity. This decorated [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) (*prasada*) allowed priests to give offerings to the gods and individuals could also offer prayers, flowers, and food (*puja*), usually to a sacred relic or statue representing a particular [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) which was housed in a relatively small and windowless architectural space (the *garbhagriha*). Believers would also walk around the temple in a ritual act of worship. The Gupta style was influenced by Kusana, Mathura, and [Gandhara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gandhara_Civilization/) and borrowed the common features of T-shaped doorways, decorated door jambs, sculpted panels with high-relief figures, and laurel-wreath and acanthus motifs. Constructed using sandstone, granite, and brick, Gupta-era temples added to this architectural heritage with horseshoe *gavakshas* arches and distinctive curved *shikhara* towers which are frequently topped with a ribbed disk ornamentation known as an *amalaka*. These elaborate buildings are further decorated with a mass of ornate mouldings and sculptures set in niches. In Gupta architecture, the square was considered the most perfect form and temples were designed to be appreciated from all sides so that each carries decorative architectural features. Most temples also adopt a square plan with the single cubicle *garbhagriha* in the centre. This is normally entered by a short columned porch set over a single, highly decorated doorway with a projecting lintel. Columns can support a pot-and-foliage capital, and roofs were generally flat, as in surviving examples at Tigawa and Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh. Other typical Gupta decorative features include triangle motifs inside doorways and lion's heads at the ends of stone beams. [ ![Vishnu Anantasayana Panel, Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/3876.jpg?v=1776624025) Vishnu Anantasayana Panel, Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh Bob King (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3876/vishnu-anantasayana-panel-dashavatara-temple-deoga/ "Vishnu Anantasayana Panel, Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh")Whether all temples had a second floor is difficult to determine, due to their often ruinous condition. The late 5th century CE Parvati temple at Nachna Kuthara is notable for its surviving second-story shrine room. From the 6th century CE, Gupta temples were built on a platform (*jagati*) and a good example is the Dashavatara temple at Deogarh in Madhya Pradesh. At Deogarh the platform had reliefs running around it depicting scenes from the *[Ramayana](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Ramayana/)* epic poem. In the centre of the *jagati* stood the principal shrine, which was without windows and accessed by a flight of steps on all four sides. Four lesser shrines stand at each corner of the complex. Typical of the period in general, Gupta temples were dedicated to a large number of Hindu gods rather than a single deity. Accordingly, architectural sculpture represents a wide range of gods in scenes from Hindu mythology. The doorway to the square sanctuary tower of the Dashavatara temple is a fine example and carries sculpture of Vishnu, [Brahma](https://www.worldhistory.org/Brahma/), [Indra](https://www.worldhistory.org/Indra/), [Ganga](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/), and Yamuna, as well as attendants and mithuna couples. The temple also carries one of the most famous sculptural panels from ancient India, the Vishnu Anantasayana panel. The scene contains many gods but is dominated by a sleeping Vishnu who rests on the multi-headed serpent Ananta and floats on the waters of oblivion whilst from his navel sprouts a lotus leaf on which sits Brahma, the god of creation. [ ![Bhitargaon](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3873.jpg?v=1626538502) Bhitargaon Sabyk2001 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3873/bhitargaon/ "Bhitargaon")### Bhitargaon The temple at Bhitargaon in Uttar Pradesh is one of the most complete surviving Gupta temples. It is a rare early example of a Hindu temple constructed entirely of brick, dating to the late 5th century CE. Although damaged in its upper portion, the four-sided and curved *shikhara* tower of the temple maintains its *gavaksha* niches and shallow pilasters which diminish in size as the tower rises to a pinnacle. These and the decorated capitals create frames in which were once set terracotta panels. Few panels survive intact but examples from other sites demonstrate that they would have once shown lively scenes from mythology, in particular figures of river goddesses. Panels still in their original position in the upper tiers of the tower display grotesque faces which remind of the gargoyles of European Gothic cathedrals (Harle, 115). #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Craven, R.C. *Indian Art.* Thames & Hudson, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203024/) - [Harle, J.C. *The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, Second Edition.* Yale University Press, 1994.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300062176/) - [Michell, G. *Hindu Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203377/) - [Mitter, P. *Indian Art.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192842218/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **c. 200 BCE - c. 600 CE**: Construction of the 30 [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) cave-shrines at [Ajanta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ajanta/), many of which display features of [Gupta architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Architecture/). - **320 CE**: [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) I founds the [Gupta Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Empire/) in northern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) - **c. 320 CE - c. 550 CE**: [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) period, considered a golden age of ancient [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) in art and [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/). - **401 CE**: The earliest inscribed date in the [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/)-era cave-shrines at Udayagiri. - **c. 480 CE - c. 500 CE**: The [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/)-era [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) at Bhitargaon is built. ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2015, May 22). Gupta Architecture. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta\_Architecture/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Architecture/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Gupta Architecture." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 22, 2015. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta\_Architecture/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Architecture/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Gupta Architecture." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 May 2015, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta\_Architecture/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Architecture/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 22 May 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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