Class XI Painting, Chapter-4: “Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture”
2 Marks Questions & Answers
Q1. Name the two important schools of post-Mauryan art.
Ans. The two important schools were the Gandhara School and the Mathura School of Art.
Q2. Which foreign influence is visible in Gandhara School of Art?
Ans. The Greco-Roman (Hellenistic) influence is visible in Gandhara School of Art.
Q3. Which material was commonly used in Gandhara sculptures?
Ans. Blue-grey schist stone was commonly used in Gandhara sculptures.
Q4. Name one main centre of Gandhara art.
Ans. Taxila (in present-day Pakistan) was an important centre of Gandhara art.
Q5. Which school of art is considered more Indian in character?
Ans. The Mathura School of Art is considered more Indian in character.
Q6. What was the favourite stone used in Mathura School?
Ans. Red sandstone (spotted sandstone) was the favourite stone in Mathura School.
Q7. Name two important features of Mathura sculptures.
Ans. (i) Bold, powerful, and indigenous style.
(ii) Use of symbolic motifs like wheel, lion, and lotus.
Q8. What type of Buddha image was produced in Gandhara School?
Ans. Buddha images in Gandhara School were depicted in realistic human form with
Greco-Roman features like curly hair and drapery.
Q9. Name any two stupas built in the post-Mauryan period.
Ans. Amravati Stupa and Sanchi Stupa (enlarged in Shunga-Satavahana period).
Q10. Which dynasty patronized the Amravati School of Art?
Ans. The Satavahana dynasty patronized the Amravati School of Art.
Q11. Write a short note on the Gandhara School of Art.
Ans. The Gandhara School flourished in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan under
Kushana rulers. It shows strong Greco-Roman influence, especially in Buddha images, with
curly hair, drapery, and realistic human features. The favourite material was blue-grey schist
stone.
Q12. Write a short note on the Mathura School of Art.
Ans. The Mathura School developed in Uttar Pradesh around Mathura. It is purely Indian in
character, using red sandstone. Sculptures are bold, powerful, and symbolic. Buddha
images here are more spiritual, with broad shoulders, smiling face, and transparent drapery.
Q13. Mention three features of Gandhara sculptures.
Ans. 1. Realistic human forms with Greco-Roman style.
2. Detailed drapery covering the body.
3. Use of blue-grey schist stone.
Q14. Write about the characteristics of Mathura School sculptures.
Ans. 1. Use of red spotted sandstone.
2. Indigenous and powerful style.
3. Buddha shown with spiritual expression, broad shoulders, and simple posture.
Q15. Distinguish between Gandhara and Mathura Schools of Art.
Ans. Gandhara: Greek influence, schist stone, realistic style.
Mathura: Indigenous Indian style, red sandstone, symbolic and spiritual.
Q16. Write a short note on the Amravati School of Art.
Ans. The Amravati School flourished under the Satavahanas in Andhra Pradesh. It is famous
for stupas with beautiful narrative reliefs carved on white marble. Scenes from Jataka tales
were depicted with lively movement and delicate carving.
Q17. What is the importance of the Sanchi Stupa in post-Mauryan art?
Ans. The Sanchi Stupa was enlarged and decorated during the Shunga and Satavahana
period. Its toranas and railings show fine carvings of Buddha’s life and Jataka stories,
making it an outstanding example of Buddhist art.
Q18. How did foreign influence shape Gandhara art?
Ans. Foreign rulers like the Indo-Greeks and Kushanas brought Hellenistic artistic traditions.
As a result, Buddha was shown with features like curly hair, realistic muscles, and robes like
Roman togas, blending Indian spirituality with Greek naturalism.
6 MARK QUESTIONS
Q1. Describe the main features of the Sanchi Stupa Toranas.
Answer:
The Toranas (gateways) of the Sanchi Stupa are remarkable examples of post-Mauryan
sculpture. They are decorated with intricate carvings narrating Jataka tales and events from
the life of Buddha in symbolic form, without depicting Buddha in human figure (aniconic
phase). Animals, yakshas, lotus, and dharmachakra motifs are used to represent Buddhist
ideals. The sculptors displayed great skill in narrative reliefs, rhythmic composition, and lively
movement, making them masterpieces of early Buddhist art.
Q2. Write a note on the Didarganj Yakshi.
Answer:
The Didarganj Yakshi (Patna) is one of the finest examples of early stone sculpture in India.
Carved in polished sandstone, it represents a sensuous female figure holding a fly-whisk
(chamara). The sculpture shows remarkable Mauryan polish, graceful curves, and elaborate
ornaments. Though originally associated with the Mauryan style, scholars place it in the
early post-Mauryan period. It reflects fertility, prosperity, and auspiciousness, and influenced
later depictions of goddesses in Indian art.
Q3. Explain the development of anthropomorphic images of Buddha in sculpture.
Answer:
Initially, Buddha was represented symbolically—through footprints, Bodhi tree, or
dharmachakra. During the Kushana period, anthropomorphic images appeared for the first
time in Gandhara and Mathura schools. In Gandhara, Buddha was shown with
Greco-Roman features: wavy hair, sharp facial features, and heavy drapery. In Mathura,
Buddha was portrayed with Indian characteristics: broad shoulders, round face, and
transparent robes. This shift reflected growing devotional practices and a need for a
personal image of worship.
Q4. Describe the role of patronage in the development of post-Mauryan sculptures.
Answer:
The development of post-Mauryan art was supported by royal dynasties like the Shungas,
Satavahanas, and Kushanas, as well as by traders and guilds. Stupas at Bharhut, Sanchi,
and Amaravati were enlarged and adorned with sculptural railings and gateways. Rock-cut
caves at Karle and Nasik were funded by merchants and caravan leaders, reflecting trade
prosperity. Kushana rulers promoted Gandhara and Mathura schools. Thus, patronage
played a vital role in expanding Buddhist and secular sculptural traditions.
Q5. Discuss the contribution of Amaravati art to Buddhist sculpture.
Answer:
Amaravati art, developed under the Satavahanas, enriched Buddhist sculpture with
elegance, dynamism, and narrative richness. The reliefs, carved in white marble, are
crowded with figures full of movement. Buddha is depicted both symbolically and in human
form. The figures are slender, ornamented, and aesthetically refined. The Amaravati style
traveled to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, making it one of the most influential schools of
Buddhist
