Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Pala School of Painting flourished in Eastern India (primarily Bengal and Bihar) during the Pala dynasty (8th to 12th century CE). It is closely associated with Vajrayana Buddhism and represents the earliest examples of miniature painting in India, executed primarily on palm-leaf manuscripts.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Pala School did not develop in the rock-cut caves of Ajanta. Ajanta is located in Western India (Maharashtra) and is famous for mural paintings dating largely to the Gupta and Vakataka periods (2nd century BCE to 5th century CE). The Pala School developed centuries later in the Buddhist Mahaviharas (monasteries) of Eastern India, such as Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Somapura.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The Pala period witnessed a simultaneous flourishing of manuscript painting and metal sculpture. The workshops at the monasteries produced prolific amounts of bronze images (often using the lost-wax technique) alongside illustrated palm-leaf manuscripts. Both art forms served the ritualistic needs of Vajrayana Buddhism.
- Statement 3 is Correct. There is a strong stylistic affinity between the Pala sculptures (bronze and stone) and the manuscript paintings. The paintings often imitate the plastic quality of the sculptures, sharing similar iconographic details, sinuous lines, and color modelling. The painted figures appear to be modelled on the contemporary bronze images, indicating a shared artistic language within the monastic workshops.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The Pala School is the pioneer of Indian miniature painting, characterized by Buddhist palm-leaf manuscripts and a stylistic continuity with the bronze sculptures of the same period in Eastern India.