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CHAPTER IX
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
It is somehow difficult to give a detailed account of art and architecture during the age of Lord Mahāvīra, primarily because no sufficient specimen are surviving. It is not unlikely that being made of perishable materials like wood, they have vanished. It is also likely that some of them might still be lying buried under the soil. The noteworthy feature of this period is the revival of urban life and coming into existence of a number of towns, the remains of some of which ave ben excavated. Along with the urban life, several new arts and crafts started. This period is noteworthy also for the introduction of a new fabric in pottery known as the North Black Polished Ware. Many a literary work throws abundant light on the art and architecture of this period.
ARCHITECTURE 1. Secular Architecture
(a) Town architecture
Even before Lord Mahāvira, there were towns and citics during the period of the Indus Valley civilization. The traces of such towns liave been discovered at Mohenjodāro, Harappā, Rūpar, Alamgirpur, Sarasvati Valley in Rajasthan, Lothal, and Raigpur. Vedic literature offers cvidence of the cxistcncc of such towns as Āsandivant," Kāmpila, Ayodhyā,' and Kaūśāmbi." The word Pura dcnoting ramparı, fort, or stronghold
1. Vedic Index, Vol. I, p. 72. 2. Taitt. Sa, VII. 4.; Maitia Sci. III. 12. 20. 3. il. Br, VII. 3. 1. 4. Sal. Br, XII. 2. 2. 13; Gip: Br. 1.2.2:; 6a!. Br. VIII. 14.
