NCERT CLASS 12th HISTORY CHAPTER 4 THINKERS, BELIEFS AND BUILDINGS NOTES
1. A GLIMPSE OF SANCHI
In the 19th century, Europeans were very interested in the stupa at Sanchi
French and Englishmen were provided prepared plaster-case copies and the original remained in Bhopal State
Shahjehan Begum and her Successor Sultan Jehan Begum provided money for the preservation of the ancient site
Stupa Complex has survived then due to the Wise decisions of the rulers of Bhopal
2. THE BACKGROUND: SACRIFICES AND DEBATES
The first millennium BCE regarded as a turning point.
(i) Emergence of thinkers such as Zarathustra in Iran, Kong zi in China, Socrates, Plate and Aristotle in Greece and Mahavira and Gautam Buddha from India
(ii) This was the time when Kingdoms and and new cities were developing social and economic life.
2.1 The Sacrificial tradition
Early Vedic traditions known from the Rigveda compiled between c1500 and. 1000 BCE Rigveda consists of hymns in praise of variety deities especially Agni,Indra and Soma.
Sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha and rajasuya were performed by chief who depended on Brahman priests to conduct the ritual.
2.2 New Questions
About the meaning of life
Possibility of life after death and rebirth. Was rebirth due to past actions ?
People also began speculating on significance of the sacrificial tradition.
2.3 Debates and Discussions
Debates took place in the kutagarashala (a hut with a pointed roof or in groves where travelling mendicants halted)
"Teachers, including Mahavira emphasised individual agency suggesting that men and women could strive to attain liberation from the trials and tribulations of worldy existence
This was in marked constrast to the Brahmanical position.
How Buddhist texts were prepared
The Buddha taught Orally None of the speeches were written down during his lifetime After his death (C5-4th century BCE) his teachings were complied by his disciples at a council at Vesali known as Tipitaka
Dipavamsa, the chronicle of Sri Lanka. and Mahavamsa,the great chronicle Were written containing regional histories of Buddhism.
Fatalists and materialists
Those who believe that everything is predetermined described as fatalists and persons who Considers material And person possessions and physical comfort as more important than Spiritual values
3. BEYOND WORDLY PLEASURES
The message of Mahavira
Vardhamana, who came to be known as Mahavira in the 6th century BCE.
Mahavira was preceded by23other tirthankaras. (those who guide across the river of existence)
Idea in Jainism:
i)Entire world is animated: even Stones, rocks and water have life
ii) Non- injury to living being is central to Jaina philosophy
ii) Principle of ahimsa, emphasised within Jainism
iv) Cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma
Jaina Monks and Nuns took five vows
To abstain from killing
To abstain from Stealing
To abstain from lying
To observe Celibracy
To abstain from possessing property
3.1 The Spread of Jainism
Jaina scholars produced a wealth of literature in a variety of languages Prakrit, Sanskrit and Tamil.
4.THE BUDDHA AND THE QUEST FOR ENLIGHTENMENT
Message spread and beyond across the Subcontinent China to Central Asia, Korea and Japan and through Sri Lanka, across the seas to Myanmar Thailand and Indonesia
Siddhartha as the Buddha were named at birth was the son of the chief of the Sakya clan
His first journey into the world outside was traumatic
soon, he left out the palace and let out in search of his own truth.
Siddhartha mediated for Several days and finally attainted enlightment, and he Came to be known as Buddha or the Enlightened.
For the rest of his life, he taught dhamma Or the path of righteous living.
5. THE TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA
Buddha tried to convince people through reason and persuasion rather than through displays of Supernatural power.
According to Buddhist philosophy, the world It transient (anicca) constantly changing,also Souless (anatta) as there is is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world (dukkha) Sorrow is intrinsic to human existence
The path of moderation between Severe penance beings troubles. and Self-indulgence that humans can rise above the worldy troubles
Buddha last words to his followers were "Be lamps unto yourselves as you must Work out your own liberation"
6. Followers Of The Buddha.
Body of disciples of the Buddha and he founded Sangha, an organisation of monks who too became teachers of dhamma
Monks lived simply possessing only the essential requisites for survival Such a bowl to receive food once a day from the laity. As lived on alms known as bhikkhus.
Initially, only men were allowed into the but later Women also came to be admitted.
The Buddha's foster mother, Mahapajapati Grotami was the first women to be Ordained as bhikkhuni
many women who entered the sangha went on to became teachers of dhamma and went on to become theirs
The Buddha's followers came from many social groups.
within the Sangha, all were regarded as equal
Buddhism importance attached to conduct and values rather than claims of Superiority based on birth
7. "STUPAS"
From earliest time, people tended to regard Certain places as sacred
These included sites with special trees or unique rocks or sites of awe inspiring natural beauty
These Sites with were small Shrines attached to them were Sometimes described as chaitya
Buddha's life
i) Born in Lumbini
ii) Attained enlightment in Bodh Gaya
iii) gave his first sermon in Sarnath
iv) Attained nibbana in Kushinagara
7.1 "Why were stupas built"
Relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains Or objects used by him buried under mounds known as stupas
The tradition of erecting Stupas Came to be associated with buddhists
According to a Buddhist text known the Ashokavadana, Ashoka distributed portions of buddhas relics to every important town and Ordered construction of Stupas Over"
7.2 How Were Stupas Built
Donations made for building and decorating Stupas by Kings (Satavahanas) guilds(financed part of one gateways at sanchi)
Men and Women, Bhikkhus and Bhikkhuni also contributed towards building these monument.
7.3 "The Structure of the Stupa"
The stupa originated as a simple semi circular mound of earth, later called anda.
Above the anda was the harmika
Arising from the harmika was the mast the yashti often surmounted by a Chhatri or umbrella
Around the mound was the railing ,seperating the Sacred space from the secular worlds
the only stupas at sanchi at bharut were plain except for the stone railings
Worshippers entered through the eastern gateway and walked around the mound in a clockwise direction keeping the mound on the right imitating the Sun's course through the skу
The design of Stupas underwent many developments. Amaravati and Shah-ji- ki Dheri the mound Came to be elaborately carved with niches and Sculptures
8."Discovering Stupas" - The fate of Amravati and Sanchi
Raja mistook the mound of the stupa at Amravati to be a sight of buried treasure in 1796
Walter Elliot concluded, after the discovery. the remains of the western gateways that it was the largest and important Buddhist stula at Amravati
New officials plundered the sculpture on the plea that other officials had done the same.
Archaelogist H.H. Cole mentioned that it was Suicidal to allow the country to be looted of its ancient artwork but he was failed to Convince the authorities
9.Sculpture
Sculpture were removed from Stupas and transported all the way to Europe.
9.1 Stories in Stone
Historians Studied the sculpture of Sanchi Stupa and recognised the scene from Vessantara Jataka. It was a story about a kind prince Who donated everything to Brahmana and went to forest with his wife and children
9.2 Symbols of Worship
Buddha got his enlightenment under a tree In ancient sculpture Buddha was not shown in human form they showed his presence in Symbols
1. Empty seal - meditation of buddha
2. Stupa- Mahapanibbana
3. Wheel- the first sermon of buddha delivered at sarnath
9.3" Popular Traditions"
Many sculptures of Sanchi were not influenced or inspired by the Buddhist text or The ideas.
The image of beautiful women that Swinging from the edge of the gateway described as Shalabhanjika.
There are many images which have fine depicted Work of animals-elephants horses, monkeys and Cattle
The Jatakas contained many animal
stories which were depicted in Sanchi Stupe seemed lively scenes.
Elephants power and wisdom, motif of woman surrounded by lotuses or elephants abhishekha or conscration.
James Fergusson considered Sanchi to be centre of tree and Serpent worship.
Those who adopted these beliefs described the older tradition as Hinaya or the "lesser vehicle"
10 "New Religious Traditions
10.1 ,
The development of Mahayana Buddhism
By the first century CE there was evidence of changes in their Buddhist ideas and uses and
There was great important to self efforts
to achieve the Nibbana
The worship of images of buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of the Same tradition
New Style of thinking was known as Mahayana (the great vehicle)
10.2 "The Growth of Puranic Hinduism“
Vaishavism was developed around the diffrent avatars or incarnations of the diety.
Recognised each of these local dieties as form of vishnu as way of Creating a more unified religious tradition.
Shiva was Symbolised by the linga. he Was Occasionally recognised in human form Through Symbols such as head dresses Ornaments and ayudhas are depicted in the diety
10.3 Building Temples
The early temple was a small square room known as garbhagriha 100 a very single small for way was there for the worshipper A tall Structure Came in existence gradually they were known as chikara
They were build Over the Central Shrine walls of temple were decorated with Sculpture.
Temples became more elaborate with assembly halls huge walls,gateways etc.
Can we see everything?
Grappling with the unfamiliar
European Scholars noticed some Sculptures of gods and Goddesses.
They could not understand their importance. They were under fear with the figure.
Ancient Greek scholars were familiar with Indian Sculpture They became more excited as they found The idols of Bodhisattas and Buddha
Taxila and Peshwar were the main cities
Indo Greek rulers established kingdoms in the 2nd century BCE
“If text and image do not match”
The use of Indian images with greek status were not easy task ever
It Was an effective strategy than a comparison