Sculpture PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q2Sculpture

   What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

   aThe meditation of the BuddhabThe Buddha’s First SermoncThe Buddha’s MahaparinibbanadThe Buddha’s Mahabhinishkramana
2. Prelims 2026Q4Sculpture

   Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ?

   1.It was located in the lower Krishna valley.

   2.In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.

   3.The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb1 and 3 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
3. Prelims 2015Q54Sculpture

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

   aLingaraja Temple at BhubaneswarbRock-cut Elephant at DhaulicRock-cut Monuments at MahabalipuramdVaraha Image at Udayagiri
4. Prelims 2014Q85Sculpture

   With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs :

   Famous work of sculpture : Site

   1.A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below : Ajanta

   2.A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu

   3.“Arjuna’s Penance”/“Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders : Mamallapuram

   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

   a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
5. Prelims 2012Q72Sculpture

   Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes

   aBuddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Māra and to prevent Māra from disturbing his meditationbBuddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of MāracBuddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitorydBoth the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
6. Prelims 2001Q87Sculpture

   Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

   aHarappan Civilisation … Painted Grey WarebThe Kushans … Gandhara School of ArtcThe Mughals … Ajanta PaintingsdThe Marathas … Pahari School of Painting
7. Prelims 1998Q26Sculpture

   Assertion (A): The Gandhara School of art bears the mark of Hellenistic influence.

   Reason (R): Hinayana form was influenced by that art.

   aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of AbBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of AcA is true, but R is falsedA is false, but R is true
8. Prelims 1996Q53Sculpture

   Which one of the following sculptures invariably used green schist as the medium?

   aMaurya sculpturesbMathura sculpturescBharhut sculpturesdGandhara sculptures
9. Prelims 1995Q52Sculpture

   Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with

   aeight handsbsix handscfour handsdtwo hands