Editing Ashoka (section)

=== Architecture ===
Besides the various stupas attributed to Ashoka, the [[pillars of Ashoka|pillars erected by him]] survive at various places in the Indian subcontinent.

Ashoka is often credited with the beginning of stone architecture in India, dedicated to Buddhism, possibly following the introduction of stone-building techniques by the [[Greco-Bactrian|Greeks after Alexander the Great]].<ref name="Stone">[https://books.google.com/books?id=fpfTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT21 Introduction to Indian Architecture Bindia Thapar, Tuttle Publishing, 2012, p.21] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229200601/https://books.google.com/books?id=fpfTAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT21 |date=29 December 2019 }} "Ashoka used the knowledge of stone craft to begin the tradition of stone architecture in India, dedicated to Buddhism."</ref> Before Ashoka's time, buildings were probably built in non-permanent material, such as wood, [[bamboo]] or [[thatch]].<!-- We ignore the IVC here? JJ, 12 jan 2025 --><ref name="Stone"/><ref>{{cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TlVeuxIgjwQC&pg=PA14| title = Gardner's Art through the Ages: Non-Western Perspectives, Fred S. Kleiner, Cengage Learning, 2009, p14| isbn = 9780495573678| last1 = Kleiner| first1 = Fred S.| date = 5 January 2009| publisher = Cengage Learning| access-date = 17 June 2017| archive-date = 26 December 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191226115443/https://books.google.com/books?id=TlVeuxIgjwQC&pg=PA14| url-status = live}}</ref> Ashoka may have rebuilt his palace in [[Pataliputra]] by replacing wooden material by stone,{{sfn|Mookerji|1995|p=96}} and may also have used the help of foreign craftmen.<ref>"Ashoka was known to be a great builder who may have even imported craftsmen from abroad to build royal monuments." Monuments, Power and Poverty in India: From Ashoka to the Raj, A. S. Bhalla, I.B.Tauris, 2015 p.18 [https://books.google.com/books?id=emATBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA18] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226160624/https://books.google.com/books?id=emATBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA18|date=26 December 2019}}</ref> Ashoka also innovated by using the permanent qualities of stone for his written [[Edicts of Ashoka|edicts]], as well as his pillars with Buddhist symbolism.

<gallery>
Ashok Sthamba.jpg | The Ashokan pillar at [[Lumbini]], [[Nepal]], Buddha's birthplace
Diamond throne discovery.jpg | The [[Diamond throne]] at the [[Mahabodhi Temple]], attributed to Ashoka
Vajrasana front frieze design.jpg | Front frieze of the Diamond throne
MauryanRingstone.JPG |  Mauryan [[ringstone]], with standing goddess. Northwest Pakistan. 3rd century BCE. [[British Museum]]
Rampurva bull capital detail.jpg |[[Rampurva|Rampurva bull capital]], detail of the [[abacus (architecture)|abacus]], with two [[palmette|"flame palmettes"]] framing a lotus surrounded by small rosette flowers.
</gallery>