The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Pala School of Art flourished in Eastern India (Bihar and Bengal) during the medieval period (8th to 12th centuries CE). It is renowned for its mastery of bronze casting using the cire-perdue (lost-wax) technique. The art style is often seen as a successor to the classical Gupta style, incorporating both Buddhist and Hindu themes.
Statement 1: Correct
The Pala school bronzes were created primarily during the rule of the Pala Dynasty, which governed the regions of Bihar and Bengal. Major centers of this artistic production included Nalanda and Kurkihar. The art form flourished under the patronage of Pala rulers like Dharmapala and Devapala.
Statement 2: Incorrect
The male figures in Pala bronzes are not rigidly upright. On the contrary, the Pala style is celebrated for its elegance, fluidity, and naturalism. Figures are frequently depicted in the tribhanga (three-bend) posture, which adds a sense of movement and grace. The rigid uprightness is not a characteristic feature of this school.
Statement 3: Correct
The Pala school is well-noted for its extensive iconography of female deities. In the Buddhist context, images of the goddess Tara are extremely popular and numerous. In the Brahmanical context, images of goddesses like Maheshwari and Lakshmi were also crafted with great skill.
Key Takeaway:
Pala bronzes (Eastern India) are characterized by the lost-wax technique, high technical finish, and fluid body postures like tribhanga. They represent the final phase of classical Buddhist art in India, with a strong focus on deities like Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Tara.