Question Discussion & Solution

The Sculpture of Mathura school were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Key Points

Mathura School of Art:

• Mathura was a great centre of art and culture during the period of the Kushans.
• In Gandhara art the Greco- Roman influence is strongly present.
• In Mathura art, the important religions of India, such as Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are represented. It is believed that the first Buddha images were carved at Mathura at the same time as in the Gandhara School.
• Mathura has produced Buddha images of various dimensions. The Mathura style evolved with native spirit and elements.
• There are quite a number of female figures on the railings of the stupas, and these are beautifully attired according to Indian taste.
• The spirit of Mathura sculpture displays the peaceful atmosphere. The features are naturalistic rather than realistic.
• The Indian elements derived from the ideal yogi type, namely the lotus feet and the meditative gaze.
• Mathura artists rejected the Greco- Roman realistic features and chose naturalistic features to create the sculptures. The entire figure clothed with refinement. 

 Additional InformationAmaravati School of Sculpture: 

• During the Satavahana period, an aesthetic movement of greater magnitude developed in Andhra Pradesh.
• Several stupas with refined sculptures of exceptional beauty are the contributions of this period.
• The sculptures belonging to Amaravati school are found in the valley of Krishna on the sites and museums of Jaggayyapetta, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. 
• The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated. The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms, and linear grace.
• Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying joy of life. The sculptural remains of Amaravati, known as the 'marbles' are created by using white limestone. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
• It reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form
• Both religious and secular images were present in this style.

Gandhara School 

• It was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit.
• The foreign influence is evident from the sculptures of Buddha in which they bear resemblance to the Greek sculptures.
• Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art.
• The Gandharan Buddha image was inspired by Hellenistic realism, influenced by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models. 
• In this art, Buddha’s curls were altered into wavy hair.
• The head of the Buddha matched very much with Greek God Apollo.
• Gandharan sculptures show strong Greek influences in the depiction of a ‘man-god’ and of wavy hair, sandals and extensive drapery.
• The depiction of Buddha as a ‘man-god’ in Gandharan sculpture is believed to be inspired from Greek mythology.
• Some examples of Gandharan art depict both Buddha and the Greek god, Hercules.

The correct answer is Raja Ravi Verma - Introduced oil painting in India.

Key Points

• Raja Ravi Varma is considered one of the greatest painters in the history of Modern Indian Art.
• He was the one who provides the vital link between traditional Indian art and contemporary art.
• He introduced oil painting in India. Hence, pair 3 is correct.
• He is particularly noted for his paintings depicting episodes from the story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, and Nala and Damayanti, from the Mahabharata.

Additional Information

• Rabindranath Tagore started painting from 1893 onwards and emerged as a creative exponent of graphic art in 1928. Hence, pair 1 is incorrect.
  • Paintings and drawings of Rabindranath Tagore are generally of small sizes.
  • He used dominant black ink lines.
  • Bharat Mata depicted a young woman, portrayed with four arms in the manner of Hindu, deities, holding objects symbolic of India’s national aspirations is one of his best-known creations.
• Abanindranath Tagore was a gifted landscape and portrait painter.
  • Swadeshi values were reflected in the paintings of Abanindranath Tagore. Hence, pair 2 is incorrect.
  • His first expression of paintings was the Radhakrishna series.
  • Arabian Nights series of 1930 is among one of most renowned works Abanindranath Tagore. 
  • Indian Society of Oriental Art was founded in Calcutta in 1907 by Abanindranath Tagore and Gaganendranath Tagore.
• Jatin Das is an Indian painter, sculptor, and muralist from Orissa.
  • He is counted amongst the most contemporary artists of India.
  • His paintings are mainly involved in the expression of the man - women relationship and to some extent birds and animals. Hence, pair 4 is incorrect.

The correct answer is Onam.

Key Points

• Onam:
  • It is a harvest festival of Kerala.
  • It was celebrated to commemorate the arrival of King Mahabali.
  • The festival lasts for ten days.
  • It is celebrated every year in August-September.
  • Boat Race is conducted during this festival in Kerala.
• Pongal:
  • Pongal is a four-day-long harvest festival celebrated mostly in the states of South India, especially in Tamil Nadu.
  • The harvest festival is named after the Tamil word, Ponga, which means to boil.
  • The first day of Pongal is called Bogi and is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra.
  • The second day of Pongal is known as Surya Pongal and is dedicated to the Sun God.
  • The third day of Pongal is called Mattu Pongal and is celebrated in the name of cows.
  • The fourth and final day of Pongal is called Kaanum Pongal, which marks the end of the harvest festival for the year.
  • It is celebrated in the month of January every year.
• Bihu:
  • It is a harvest festival that is celebrated to mark the shift in the Sun's solstice.
  • It is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in the state of Assam.
  • It is celebrated three times a year. 
  • Rongali or Bohag Bihu is observed in April, Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January.
• Navratri:
  • It is celebrated as Durga Puja in various parts of Northeast India.
  • It is celebrated among the Hindus as a symbol of victory of goddess Durga for defeating Mahishasura.
  • The nine-day Durga festival, or Navratri is celebrated in September or October. 

The correct answer is Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.

Key Points

• The Originator of the Chishti Order in South Asia was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
• Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti came to India with the army of Shihabuddin Ghori in 1192 AD.
• Muinuddin Chishti made his residence in Ajmer.
• He was born in 1141 in Iran.
• The Chishti Order is a Sufi order which arose from Chisht, a small town near Herat, in western Afghanistan.
• It was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in about 930 CE (Christian Era).

Additional Information

• Sufism is one of the mystical orders that grew out of Islam.
• Classical Sufi scholars define it as a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but god.
• Sufism became prominent during the period of early Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE).
• The Sufi movement has spread to several continents over a miillennium. 
• It has considerable following in India and Kashmir is a prominent base.

The correct answer is A-(iii), B-(ii), C-(i), D-(iv).

Key Points

• Allahabad Pillar Inscriptions
  • ​This inscription is also known as Prayagaprasasti.​
  • Samudragupta (AD 335–80) was Chandragupta’s son and successor.
  • This inscription also suggests that the decimal system was known in India at the beginning of the fifth century
  • The inscription is engraved at Allahabad on the same pillar that carries the inscriptions of Ashoka.
• Junagarh Inscription​
  • Rudra Daman I was Saka ruller.
  • His achievements are highlighted in the Junagarh inscription.
  • This was the first inscription in Sanskrit.
• Hatigumbha Inscription
  • ​Hatigumpa inscription of Kharavela, of Kalinga ruler, gives details about Chetis of Kalinga.
  • Kharavela followed Jainism.
  • The Cheti Dynasty was founded by Maha Meghavahana.
• Ashokan Inscription
  • ​These inscriptions are written in Kharoshti and Brahmi scripts.
  • These were deciphered by James Princep.
  • Ashoka left his record engraved on stones.