Question
GSHardPrelims 2015Art & Culture

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

Explanation

  • Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli: This sculpture is believed to have been created by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE (around 272-231 BCE).

  • Varaha Image at Udayagiri: The Varaha image at Udayagiri Caves is estimated to be from the Gupta period, dating back to around the 5th century CE (c. 410 CE).

  • Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar: While the exact date of construction is debated, most scholars believe the Lingaraja Temple originated sometime in the 11th century CE.

  • Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram: The monuments at Mahabalipuram were built over a period by the Pallava dynasty. The earliest structures likely date back to the 7th century CE, with some additions continuing into the 9th century CE.

Therefore, based on their estimated creation dates, the Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli is the earliest among the listed options.

Trusted by 2L aspirants

Practice UPSC Prelims PYQs Smarter

Practice Now
  • Track accuracy & weak areas
  • See past trends & repeated themes
Start Practicing Now

PYQs by Papers

Most repeated Topics from Art & Culture in Last 5 years

Repeated Topics
Questions in Last 5 Years
Art and Architecture6 (20%)
Religions in India6 (20%)
Indian Literature5 (17%)
Other Aspects of Indian Culture5 (17%)
Introduction3 (10%)

Crack UPSC with your
Personal AI Mentor

An AI-powered ecosystem to learn, practice, and evaluate with discipline

SuperKalam
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.

Download the App

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
Follow us

ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited