A Note on Brick Architecture
By T. N. Mishra
Summary
The article "A Note on Brick Architecture" by T.N. Mishra examines the historical precedence and significance of brick as a primary building material in ancient Indian architecture, arguing that it predated and surpassed stone in both antiquity and the sheer scale of construction. The author posits that brick was utilized by both the rich and the poor, whereas stone was comparatively reserved for the wealthy. The argument is supported by the observation that ancient Indian civilization developed primarily in riverine alluvial regions where stone was scarce, necessitating the use of brick for expressing societal affluence. The article cites the survey reports of Sir Alexander Cunningham as evidence that the entirety of Northern India was covered with brick structures, with every ancient site exhibiting remains of brick edifices. Mishra notes that brick architecture dominated the construction of religious structures, including stupas, chaitya halls, monasteries, and temples, even as royal patronage later introduced a new tradition of stone architecture. However, brick continued to be used alongside stone, likely due to its economic viability, manageability, and easy availability. The author laments the systematic and thorough ravaging of brick monuments, as the handiness and reusability of bricks made them targets for destruction. He suggests that the material preserved at recorded sites is crucial for reconstructing a scientific history of ancient Indian brick architecture. Furthermore, the article discusses how the art of architecture influenced brick construction, citing the temples of Bhitargaon and Seerpur as examples. It highlights the use of carved brick, brick bands, and brick terracottas as mediums for artistic expression, asserting that sculptors and architects utilized bricks efficiently from a standpoint of construction, sculpture, and decoration. The author concludes that a survey of archaeological sites and existing brick edifices demonstrates that brick was equally preferred and used abundantly by architects across the Indian subcontinent. The article references numerous sources, including works by Benjamin Rowland, V.S. Agrawala, and various Archaeological Survey of India reports, to substantiate these claims.
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Conclusion
The study establishes brick as the foundational and predominant material in ancient Indian architecture, predating and surpassing stone in both antiquity and the scale of construction across the subcontinent. Its extensive use, driven by the agricultural prosperity of riverine alluvial zones where stone was scarce, highlights its critical role in expressing societal affluence. Despite the later royal patronage of stone, brick architecture retained its significance due to its economic viability, manageability, and availability, influencing even the design of subsequent lithic monuments. The author argues that sculptors and architects effectively utilized brick for both structural and decorative purposes, as evidenced by surviving temples, stupas, and terracottas. However, the perishable nature and reusability of bricks led to their systematic plunder and destruction, leaving very few complete structures. Consequently, the remaining archaeological materials at recorded sites are deemed invaluable for reconstructing a scientific history of ancient Indian brick architecture, underscoring the urgent need for further study and preservation.