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U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 1992

Buddhist Iconography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The standing statue of Gautam Buddha was built in which period?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The transition from symbolic representation (Aniconic) to human representation (Iconic) of Buddha occurred under Kushana patronage.

Explanation During the reign of Kanishka (Kushana Period, 1st-3rd Century CE), the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art flourished, producing the first standing and seated images of Buddha.

Logical Breakup
Kushana Period (B): The era of the first great anthropomorphic Buddhist sculptures.
Gupta Period: Refined these forms but was not the 'beginning' or primary period for the initial standing types.

Active Recall

Question

How did Gandhara art differ from Mathura art in depicting Buddha?

Answer

Gandhara art had Greco-Roman influences (wavy hair, drapery), while Mathura art followed indigenous traditions (shaven head, fleshy body).

Core Insight

The creation of Buddha statues during the Kushana era coincided with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasized the Buddha as a deity to be worshipped.

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