With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was mad

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2015 UPSC Prelims History paper.

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Question

With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — Rock-cut Elephant at DhauliStep-by-step Solution:Placing these four art/architectural works in chronological order:Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli: The earliest of the four. Dhauli (near Bhubaneswar, Odisha) is the site of the famous Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE), after which Ashoka embraced Buddhism. The rock-cut elephant at Dhauli, emerging from a natural rock outcrop near the site of Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts, is dated to the 3rd century BCE (Mauryan period). It is one of the earliest examples of rock-cut sculpture in India. ✓ (Earliest)Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram: The magnificent rock-cut temples, rathas (chariot-shaped temples), and cave temples at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) in Tamil Nadu were created during the Pallava period — primarily under Narasimhavarman I (630-668 CE) and Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II, 700-728 CE). They date to approximately the 7th-8th centuries CE.Varaha Image at Udayagiri: The famous Varaha (boar avatar of Vishnu) relief panel at Udayagiri caves near Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh) was carved during the Gupta period — approximately 5th century CE (during the reign of Chandragupta II). The caves were excavated primarily between 382 and 415 CE.Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar: The Lingaraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Harihara (a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu), is a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture in Odisha. It was built around 1000-1100 CE during the Somavamshi/late Somavamshi period.Chronological order: Dhauli elephant (3rd century BCE) → Udayagiri Varaha (5th century CE) → Mahabalipuram (7th-8th century CE) → Lingaraja Temple (11th century CE)Key Concept: Indian art chronology: Mauryan period (322-185 BCE) — Ashokan pillars, rock edicts, Dhauli elephant; Shunga period (185-75 BCE) — Sanchi Stupa; Gupta period (320-550 CE) — Udayagiri, Deogarh, classical sculptures; Pallava period (7th-9th c. CE) — Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram; Rashtrakuta (8th-10th c.) — Ellora Kailasanath; Chola (9th-13th c.) — Brihadeeswarar; Odisha/Kalinga style (8th-13th c.) — Lingaraja, Mukteshvara, Konark Sun Temple. The rock-cut elephant at Dhauli is notable as it appears to emerge from the living rock — symbolising the Buddhist concept of the dharma emerging from nature. Dhauli is now managed as a peace pagoda site.

With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

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With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

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More Questions from Ancient Indian Art & Architecture – Caves, Stupas & Temples

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