Correct Option
The Kushans, who ruled parts of India from the 1st to 3rd century CE, were significant patrons of the Gandhara School of Art. This school developed in the Gandhara region (present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan) and is characterized by a unique blend of Greco-Roman and Indian artistic elements. Its primary focus was Buddhist iconography, particularly the realistic depiction of the Buddha in human form, often with Hellenistic features. Key centers included Taxila and Peshawar.
Incorrect Options
- Option (A) The Harappan civilization-Painted Greyware: The Harappan civilization (c. 2500-1900 BCE) is known for its distinctive red and black pottery, often wheel-made and decorated with geometric or naturalistic motifs. Painted Greyware (PGW) is an archaeological culture associated with the Late Vedic period (c. 1200-600 BCE) and the early Iron Age in the Gangetic plains, significantly later than the Harappan period.
- Option (C) The Mughals-Ajanta Paintings: The Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, feature Buddhist rock-cut cave monuments with exquisite murals and frescoes. These paintings primarily date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE, long before the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India (16th to 19th centuries CE). Mughal art developed its own distinct style, characterized by Persian and Indian influences, focusing on miniature paintings, portraits, and court scenes.
- Option (D) The Marathas-Pahari School of Painting: The Pahari School of Painting flourished in the princely states of the Himalayan foothills (Pahari region) from the 17th to 19th centuries. It includes various sub-schools like Basohli, Guler, Kangra, and Chamba, known for their lyrical and devotional themes, often depicting Hindu mythology. The Marathas, whose empire was centered in present-day Maharashtra, developed their own distinct architectural and artistic styles, which are not associated with the Pahari School.