CAPF AC 2021 Q43: Art & Culture – Painting & Visual Arts
In the Mathura School of Art, Buddha's images are largely carved in
- (a) Dhyana Mudra
- (b) Abhaya Mudra
- (c) Dharmachakra Mudra
- (d) Varada Mudra
Answer: (b) Abhaya Mudra
Explanation
Buddha images of the Mathura school
How to think: a mudra is a hand gesture.
Early Mathura images show the Buddha seated or standing with the right hand raised to shoulder level.
A raised open palm means do not fear.
That gesture is the Abhaya mudra.
| Mudra | Hand position | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Abhaya | Right hand raised, palm outward | Protection, fearlessness |
| Dhyana | Both hands in the lap | Meditation |
| Dharmachakra | Both hands near the chest | First sermon (Sarnath) |
| Varada | Hand lowered, palm outward | Granting a boon |
| Bhumisparsha | Right hand touching the earth | Enlightenment |
The two early schools compared:
| School | Material | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Mathura | Red spotted sandstone | Indigenous; fleshy body, Abhaya mudra common |
| Gandhara | Grey schist, stucco | Greco-Roman influence; wavy hair, heavy drapery |
Answer: (b) Abhaya Mudra.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Dhyana mudra (meditation) is more typical of Gandhara and later images.
- (b) CORRECT. Mathura Buddhas mostly have the right hand raised in Abhaya mudra.
- (c) Incorrect. Dharmachakra mudra is the mark of the Sarnath school of the Gupta age.
- (d) Incorrect. Varada mudra (boon-giving) is not the usual Mathura gesture.
Key point
Mathura school: red sandstone, indigenous style, Buddha with right hand in Abhaya mudra (e.g. the Katra seated Buddha). Gandhara: grey schist, Greco-Roman influence. Sarnath: Dharmachakra mudra.
Remember
Mathura Buddha = red sandstone + Abhaya mudra.
Common mistakes
- Marking Dharmachakra mudra, which belongs to the famous Sarnath Buddha.
- Mixing up Abhaya (raised hand) with Varada (lowered hand).
- Treating Mathura and Gandhara images as the same in style and gesture.
Exam tip
Educated guess: abhaya means no fear. The oldest and simplest way to show a protector is a raised open palm, and Mathura is the earliest Indian school.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Fine Arts — An Introduction to Indian Art, Chapter 4: Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings