UPSC Prelims 2001 Q87: Art & Culture – Sculpture & Iconography
Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
- (a) Harappan Civilisation … Painted Grey Ware
- (b) The Kushans … Gandhara School of Art
- (c) The Mughals … Ajanta Paintings
- (d) The Marathas … Pahari School of Painting
Answer: (b) The Kushans … Gandhara School of Art
Explanation
Correctly matched pair of art and period
| Pair | Verdict |
|---|---|
| The Kushans — Gandhara School of Art | Correct — Greco-Roman style Buddha images, flourished under Kanishka |
| Harappan Civilisation — Painted Grey Ware | Wrong — PGW belongs to the later Vedic period (about 1200-600 BCE) |
| The Mughals — Ajanta paintings | Wrong — Ajanta paintings are mostly Gupta–Vakataka (5th century) |
| The Marathas — Pahari School | Wrong — Pahari painting grew in the hill states of the Himalaya |
Only the first pair is right. The Gandhara School, mixing Indian themes with Greco-Roman style, flourished under the Kushans. Painted Grey Ware is later Vedic, Ajanta is Gupta–Vakataka, and Pahari painting belongs to the Himalayan hill states.
Answer: (b) The Kushans … Gandhara School of Art.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Painted Grey Ware belongs to the later Vedic age, not the Harappan.
- (b) CORRECT. The Gandhara School flourished under the Kushans.
- (c) Incorrect. Ajanta paintings are from the Gupta–Vakataka period.
- (d) Incorrect. Pahari painting belongs to the Himalayan hill kingdoms.
Key point
Kushan art schools: Gandhara (grey schist, Greco-Roman), Mathura (red sandstone, Indian style).
Remember
Gandhara = Kushans; PGW = later Vedic; Ajanta = Gupta–Vakataka.
Common mistakes
- Linking Painted Grey Ware to the Harappans.
- Thinking Ajanta is a Mughal painting site.
- Not knowing the Pahari school's hill-state origin.
Exam tip
Match each art form to its age before matching it to a dynasty.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, chapter 'Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture'
- R. S. Sharma — India's Ancient Past, chapter on the Kushans