UPSC Prelims 2015 Q54: Art & Culture – Sculpture & Iconography
With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the
following was made earliest?
- (a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
- (b) Rock - cut Elephant at Dhauli
- (c) Rock - cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
- (d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
Answer: (b) Rock - cut Elephant at Dhauli
Explanation
Which was made earliest?
| Monument | Period | Ruler or dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli | 3rd century BCE | Ashoka (Maurya) |
| (d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri | Early 5th century CE | Chandragupta II (Gupta) |
| (c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram | 7th century CE | Pallavas |
| (a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar | 11th century CE | Somavamshi kings |
About the Dhauli elephant:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Place | Dhauli, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| Beside it | Ashoka's rock edicts, including the special Kalinga edicts |
| Meaning | The elephant stands for the Buddha |
| Importance | One of the earliest rock-cut sculptures in India |
Answer: (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Lingaraja Temple is the latest of the four, from the 11th century.
- (b) CORRECT. The Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli dates from Ashoka's time, the 3rd century BCE.
- (c) Incorrect. The Mahabalipuram monuments are Pallava works of the 7th century.
- (d) Incorrect. The Varaha image at Udayagiri is a Gupta work of about the 5th century.
Key point
Order: Dhauli elephant (Maurya, 3rd century BCE), Udayagiri Varaha (Gupta, 5th century), Mahabalipuram (Pallava, 7th century), Lingaraja (11th century).
Remember
Dhauli elephant = Ashoka = earliest.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Udayagiri in Madhya Pradesh (Gupta) with Udayagiri in Odisha (Kharavela).
- Assuming rock-cut works at Mahabalipuram are the oldest.
- Forgetting that Dhauli is the site of the Kalinga edicts.
Exam tip
Order the dynasties: Maurya, Gupta, Pallava, then the Odisha temple builders.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — An Introduction to Indian Art, Ch 3 (Arts of the Mauryan Period)
- Archaeological Survey of India — Dhauli rock edicts and elephant