The presentation is based on the monolithic free standing pillar architecture of India with special focus on the Mauryan pillars. This is not for personal academic benefits... this is for the students of UG and PG..

1. Mauryan Pillars
Before, During and after Ashoka
Sachin Tiwary

3. Scholars Work:
1. Altekar, A.S. (1940, 1942, 1956),
2. B. Ch. Chhabra (1947),
3. D. D. Kosambi (1960),
4. John Irwin (1973, 1974, 1976 and 1983),
5. D. Stadtner (1975),
6. Nihar Ranjan Ray (1979),
7. C .B. Pandey (1982),
8. David T.M.F. (1990),
9. S. L. Nagar (1992),
10. A.Welch (1993),
11. Vidula Jayaswal (1998, 2001, 2004),
12. Harry Falk (2006),
13. Le Huu Phuoc (2012),
14. R. Sengupta (2013),
15. Romila Thapar (2009),
16. Tiwary and Krishnamurthy, 2014, 2016
17. D. B. Pandey (2014),

4. Purpose of Pillar Erection
1) As sacrificial posts
2) Memorials for the dead
3) Used to engrave administrative orders
4) As pillars of morality (dhamma-
thambam) - Propagation of dharma
5) To assert political authority over the
territories
6) In honor of gods and saintly personages,
to gain religious merit
7) For giving sectarian instructions
8) In celebration of political victory
9) Propagating social message
10) A signage- indicative of sacred spots
11) A signage - indicative of crossroads and
trade routes
12) Commemorating the lady who
committed sati
13) For Astronomical purpose

5. Pillars of different periods
Shunga Pd. Gupta Pd.
Kushan Pd.

6. Context of Pillars

7. Types of Pillars- (Stone, Iron)
Insitu carved monolithic pillars
Free standing pillars

8. Transportation of the pillars

9. Transportation of the pillars

10. Transportation
of the pillars

11. Transportation of the pillars

16. Mauryan Pillars
Before Ashoka
Kolhua, Bodhagaya, Kausambi, Rampurva, Gotihawa
During Ashoka
1. Pillar Edict is set of 07 edicts.
2. Location of each pillars:
A. Near to all Monasteries,
B. life of Buddha,
C. Place of pilgrimage
3. Context: 19 with inscription, 06 with animal capitals
4. Height- Forty to Fifty Feet.
5. Weight- Fifty Tons
6. Stone type- Mathura Red Sand Stone and
Chunar Black Spotted Sand Stone
Sources:
1. Aryamanjusrikalpa,
2. Hwen-tsang- 06 Pillars
3. Fahi-an- Fifteen Pillars
4. Sirat-e-Firoz-Shahi (1371 CE)

17. Capital
Lion
Single
Four faces
Elephant
Sankisa
Bull
Rampurwa
Horse
Lumbini

19. Kankali Tila elephant capital with
inscription of Huvishka in the year 39Elephant Capital Sankasya

23. Rampurva
Abacus

24. Influence- (?)

26. Any
Question ?