NCERT Class 11 Art & Culture — Chapter 4: Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture

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The sculptures discovered at Sanghol in Punjab serve as significant evidence for the spread of which art tradition?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AAmaravati
BGandhara
CSarnath
DMathura

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is Mathura.

Explanation

The archaeological site of Sanghol, located in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab, yielded a significant hoard of sculptures in 1985. These sculptures date back to the Kushana period (circa 1st to 3rd century CE).

Detailed Analysis:

The sculptures found at Sanghol are crafted from spotted red sandstone. This specific material is the distinctive hallmark of the Mathura School of Art.
Stylistically, the sculptures depict Yakshis (female nature spirits) on railing pillars in various postures, which is a dominant theme in Mathura art under Kushana patronage.
The discovery at Sanghol is historically significant because it demonstrates that the Mathura art tradition was not confined to the Mathura region but had spread northwest into Punjab.
Comparison with other options:
- Gandhara School: Primarily used grey schist or stucco and is characterized by Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) stylistic influence.
- Amaravati School: Flourished in the Krishna-Godavari valley and is distinguished by the use of white limestone (often called white marble).
- Sarnath School: Developed later during the Gupta period and typically utilized cream-colored sandstone with a focus on spiritual serenity and minimal ornamentation.

Key Takeaway: The Sanghol sculptures are a major extension of the Mathura School of Art, identified by their Kushana-era style and the use of spotted red sandstone.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture

Match the following Narratives with the Site where they are depicted: Narrative | Site 1. Queen Mayadevi’s Dream | Bharhut 2. Siege of Kushinara | Sanchi 3. Mara Vijaya | Ajanta 4. Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash | Ellora Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Match the following Rulers/Dynasties with the regions they controlled in the post-Mauryan period: 1. Shungas : North and Central India 2. Satvahanas : Southern and Western India 3. Ikshavakus : Southern and Western India 4. Kushanas : North India Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Which technique was used for the paintings at Bagh Caves? 1. The ground was prepared with reddish-brown gritty mud plaster. 2. Lime-priming was strictly avoided. 3. The paintings are executed in the true fresco technique. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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The term 'Ushanisha' in the context of Buddha images refers to:

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The rock-cut cave at Kondivite in Maharashtra represents which unique architectural form?

hard

Keep practising Chapter 4: Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture

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The correct option is Mathura.

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

The sculptures found at Sanghol are crafted from spotted red sandstone. This specific material is the distinctive hallmark of the Mathura School of Art.
Stylistically, the sculptures depict Yakshis (female nature spirits) on railing pillars in various postures, which is a dominant theme in Mathura art under Kushana patronage.
The discovery at Sanghol is historically significant because it demonstrates that the Mathura art tradition was not confined to the Mathura region but had spread northwest into Punjab.
Comparison with other options:
- Gandhara School: Primarily used grey schist or stucco and is characterized by Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) stylistic influence.
- Amaravati School: Flourished in the Krishna-Godavari valley and is distinguished by the use of white limestone (often called white marble).
- Sarnath School: Developed later during the Gupta period and typically utilized cream-colored sandstone with a focus on spiritual serenity and minimal ornamentation.

Key Takeaway: The Sanghol sculptures are a major extension of the Mathura School of Art, identified by their Kushana-era style and the use of spotted red sandstone.