Q43 (CDS-I/2013) History & Culture › Art & Architecture › Buddhist art and architecture Answer Verified

Statement I : Sculptures of the Gandhara School stylistically are typically linked to the Greeco-Roman and the Parthian art of Iran. Statement II : The earliest stone Buddha images in the Swat Valley pre-dated the Kushana period which suggests that certain iconographic conventions were already well-established in the pre-Kushana period,

Both the statements are individually true and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I

Both the statements are individually true but statement II is not the correct explanation of statement I

Statement I is true but statement II is false

Statement I is false but statement II is true

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: B

Explanation

Statement I is true as the Gandhara School of art is characterized by a unique fusion of Indian Buddhist iconography with Greco-Roman and Parthian stylistic elements [4]. It emerged in the northwestern regions, blending Hellenistic techniques with local traditions [2]. Statement II is also true; archaeological evidence from the Swat Valley, particularly from sites like Butkara I, indicates that stone Buddha images were produced during the Saka-Parthian period, which predates the Kushana era. This suggests that certain iconographic conventions were already established before the Kushana peak [5]. However, Statement II does not explain why the style is linked to Greco-Roman or Parthian art; rather, it addresses the chronological origins of the imagery. The stylistic links in Statement I are due to the region's history as a confluence of Persian, Greek, and Roman influences [1].

Sources

[2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 11.1 Grappling with the unfamiliar > p. 108
[4] https://www.carc.ox.ac.uk/PublicFiles/media/TheGlobalConnectionsOfGandharanArt/On%20the%20crossroads%20of%20disciplines%20-%20Stoye.pdf
[5] https://ia801807.us.archive.org/29/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.531118/2015.531118.buddhist-art_text.pdf
[1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > LET'S EXPLORE > p. 137

How others answered

Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.

Community Performance

Out of everyone who attempted this question.

50%

got it right

Question map

Explanation

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Which one among the following statements is not correct ?

Statement I The Greek influence on the Indian art manifested itself in the form of Gandhara School of Art and moved from Taxila to Mathura and Saranath. Statement I : During Gupta period art became entirely and truly Indian.

Consider the following statements 1. The Gandhara art of the Peshawar Valley is known for some of the finest sculptures made in dark grey schist. 2. The Kushanas were the first Indian kings to have portraits of themselves made in their shrines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Consider the following statements 1. The Gandhara art of the Peshawar Valley is known for some of the finest sculptures made in dark grey schist. 2. The Kushanas were the first Indian kings to have portraits of themselves made in their shrines. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct ?

Assertion (A) : The Gandhara School of art bears the mark of Hellenistic influence. Reason (R) : Hinayana form was influenced by that art.