We get information about Mauryan architecture from various sources Megasthenes refered to Chandragupta’s wooden palace in his writings.
Excavations at Pataliputra have revealed wooden walls and columns. We also have references about the construction of Stupas during the Mauryan period from the accounts of Fa-heing, Hiuen-Tsang and in Buddhist literature.
Sanchi, Sarnath, Taxila and Bharhut were some of the religious centres in which Stupas may have been originally built in the Mauryan period, and additions were made to them in the later period.
Image Source: 185.26.182.219/Rqae5eb53b-c103-49e4-a363-9cb05f81161d
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Certain general characteristics of art and architecture of ancient period is given below:
1. Art activities were mostly related to religions.
2. In early period representations of Buddha in the form of Bodhi tree, Stupa, foot prints, etc., were made and worshipped. However, as early as 1st century BCE images of Buddha began to be sculpted. Making of images for worship became common among other religions as well.
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3. The construction of Stupas, Chaityas and Viharas became popular.
4. The art forms used the technique of symbolic representations. They witnessed decoration and extensive carving by artists. It usually depicted scenes that were observed in nature and threw light on religious ideas and society of the period. In fact, secular art forms were inherent part of religious architecture.
5. Because of regular interactions with other cultures in this period we also find elements of non-Indian art in the artistic creations of this period.
This is particularly true of the Gandhara region which produced art typical to the region, in which many different elements came to be assimilated.