Write short notes on the Mauryan art and architecture.

Mauryan contributions to art and architecture are summarised below:

1. Ashoka is said to have built over 8400 stupas. Of the Ashokan stupas, the most famous are the Sanchi Stupa and Barhut Stupa in Madhya pradesh.
2. The Mauryans built prayer halls and monasteries(viharas).
3. The best specimens of the Mauryan art are a number of monolithic (carved out of a single piece of rock) stone pillars. These pillars have decorative tops, called Capitals, with beautifully carved animal figures.
4. The most famous of these pillars is the Sarnath Pillar having the Lion Capital.
5. The Lion Capital has been adopted as the national emblem of India.