Question 27 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Culture

Question

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

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

Strategy: Link each monument to its historical timeline. Dhauli's rock-cut elephant is associated with Ashoka's era and Mauryan rock art—in the 3rd century BCE—making it the earliest. Mahabalipuram monuments and Udayagiri's Varaha come from the early medieval period, while Lingaraja Temple is later than all of them. Thus, identifying the Mauryan connection helps lock in the answer quickly.

Key Info: - **Dhauli Rock-cut Elephant**: A prominent Mauryan sculpture from the 3rd century BCE, carved during Emperor Ashoka's reign. It marks the site of his edicts and symbolizes his embrace of Buddhism.
- **Mahabalipuram Monuments**: Attributed to the Pallava dynasty (7th–8th century CE), these monuments are known for monolithic rathas, bas-reliefs like the 'Descent of the Ganges', and Dravidian-style cave temples.
- **Udayagiri Varaha**: A Gupta-era relief from the early 5th century CE depicting Vishnu's Varaha avatar, celebrated for its artistry and scale.
- **Lingaraja Temple**: A quintessential example of Odisha temple architecture from the 11th century CE, constructed under the Somavanshi dynasty.
- Chronologically, the Dhauli rock-cut elephant is the earliest of these monuments.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Varaha Image at Udayagiri