Buildings: Stupas and Temples
The Stupa
A stupa is a domed building that holds a relic (often of the Buddha or a holy person).
Part What it is Relic casket A box (often in the centre) holding the sacred relic Dome (anda) The round mound of the stupa Path (pradakshina patha) A walkway around it for circling Torana Decorated gateways Chatra The umbrella-like top
Famous stupas: Sanchi and Amaravati . The Temple
Early temples had a flat roof ; later ones grew tall shikharas (towers).
Part Use Garbhagriha The innermost room holding the idol Shikhara The tower above the garbhagriha Mandapa The hall for worshippers
Temples were built of brick at first, then of stone ; kings and queens built them to earn merit.
Paintings: The Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta caves (Maharashtra) have beautiful wall paintings made about **1500 years ago. They show Buddhist stories and scenes of daily life — kings, dancers, animals and plants. Famous for their fine detail and bright colours . Books and Epics
Sanskrit Works
Work About Ramayana By Valmiki — the story of Rama Mahabharata By Vyasa — the story of the Kauravas and Pandavas Puranas Old stories about gods and creation, now written down Aryabhatiya By Aryabhata — mathematics and astronomy
Tamil Epics
Epic Author Silappadikaram Ilango Manimekalai Sattanar
Science: Ayurveda and Aryabhata
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of medicine.Charaka Samhita — by Charaka , on medicine.Sushruta Samhita — by Sushruta , famous for surgery .Aryabhata was a great mathematician and astronomer :He wrote the Aryabhatiya . He said day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation . He understood eclipses and gave a value close to pi . Key Vocabulary
Term Meaning Stupa A domed shrine holding a relic Garbhagriha The innermost room of a temple holding the idol Shikhara The tower over the garbhagriha Torana The gateway of a stupa Pradakshina Walking around a sacred object Purana An old story about gods and the world Ayurveda Ancient Indian system of medicine Aryabhata Great mathematician and astronomer
Exam Tips
A stupa has a relic in a casket , a dome , a pradakshina path , toranas and a chatra — learn the parts. A temple's garbhagriha holds the idol; the shikhara is the tower; the mandapa is the hall. Ajanta = cave paintings (Buddhist stories, ~1500 years ago) — a 1-mark identification.Epics: Ramayana (Valmiki), Mahabharata (Vyasa); Tamil epics Silappadikaram (Ilango) & Manimekalai (Sattanar). Aryabhata wrote the Aryabhatiya ; said the Earth's rotation causes day and night — a very common 1-mark fact.Ayurveda : Charaka (medicine) and Sushruta (surgery).Frequently Asked Questions What are the main features of a stupa? A stupa has a central box holding a relic (often of the Buddha), a rounded dome, a path around it for pradakshina, gateways called toranas, and a chatra (umbrella) on top.
What is special about the Ajanta paintings? Who was Aryabhata and what did he do? Name the two famous Tamil epics. 