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Brayden
What was it?
What was it?
Rock-cut architecture is what allowed homes, cities, and places of religion, shrines, monasteries, and temples to be built (“The Rock-Cut Architecture Represents One of the Most Important Sources of Our Knowledge of Early Indian Art and History. Discuss. CSE 2020 - My Adhyapak”). Rock-cut architecture is very complicated and complex, with it being more like a sculpture than architecture, because it is a solid body of rock and works by being carved into a building or temple (Nangia). Rock architecture was unlike any other architectural technique, and was very complex and extremely important.
Why was it needed?
Why was it needed?
Rock-cut architecture was needed for many reasons; the main reasons were housing for citizens and places to practice religion. Many places were built in ancient India using rock-cut architecture Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Mahabalipuram, Gwalior, and many more. These places were mostly either for citizens to live in or to worship/practice their religion.
Known as the "Kailaharashtra Temple" and is located in Ellora Caves, Maharashtra, India, and was built approximately around the 8th centery.
Tools that were used
Tools that were used
(How it was made)
Chisel-typically made of bronze or copper, and allowed detailed carvings into large rocks
Heavy Mallet- were a crucial tool for making rock cut architecture because it allowed removing large blocks, creating groves, and shaping, when paired with other tools.
Wedge-typically made of Khadira wood, but were sometimes made of steel or iron. It also made breaking big rocks much easier to do.
Light Hammer-Typically would be made of antler, bone, or even wood. It allowed carving but was not strong enough to crack and destroy the rock, allowing detailed carving.
Impacts on Civilizations
Impacts on Civilizations
Impact on civilization
Impact on civilization
Rock-cut architecture made civilization stronger in many ways. One way rock-cut architecture made civilization stronger is by showing architectural achievements and another way is providing a place to practice religion. This ultimately boosts the morale of citizens in civilization by allowing an area for them to practice and worship their religion.
Impact on later civilizations
Impact on later civilizations
Rock-cut architecture influenced later civilizations by providing models for monumental structures today, preserving artistic styles which were later adapted into other materials, and showcasing advanced engineering, and It established architectural typologies.
Why it was historically importaint
Why it was historically importaint
Rock-cut Architecture was historically important because it served as a marker/remembrance about ancient India and also served as a very important stage in architectural development. It also provides us on how Ancient India was in general, especially when it came to religion, all the different temples for multiple religions, but most were built for Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu. Overall rock-cut architecture was not just important for civilization, but important historically
Additional Information
Additional Information
This website talks about importance and the impacts rock-cut architecture had on India.
This link specifically talks about Mauryan art and architecture, and goes into great detail and provides many examples.
This link goes into further detail about the history of cave architecture, and talks about three different types of caves.
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