The correct option is (d).
Explanation
Mathura was a significant political, commercial, and cultural capital in ancient India, particularly flourishing during the post-Mauryan and Kushana periods. It was characterized by a syncretic religious environment where Buddhism, Jainism, and Brahmanism coexisted and developed distinct artistic and devotional traditions.
Statement 1 is Correct:
Mathura was a major centre of Buddhism for several centuries. Archaeological evidence, including inscriptions and remnants of religious structures, confirms the presence of numerous Buddhist monasteries (viharas). It was a stronghold of the Sarvastivada school and played a pivotal role in the rise of Mahayana Buddhism and the creation of the first Buddha images.
Statement 2 is Correct:
Mathura was an early and vibrant centre for Jainism. Excavations at the Kankali Tila site in Mathura have yielded a vast number of Jaina sculptures, stupa remains, and Ayagapatas (votive tablets). These findings establish that Jaina shrines and monastic communities were well-established in the region.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Mathura is historically and traditionally identified as the hub of the Bhagavata cult and the worship of Vasudeva-Krishna. It is associated with the Vrishni clan, to which Krishna belonged. Epigraphic evidence, such as the Mora Well Inscription found near Mathura, records the installation of images of the Vrishni heroes, confirming the region's status as an important centre for Krishna worship.
Key Takeaway:
Ancient Mathura was a cosmopolitan religious centre that simultaneously supported the growth of Buddhism, Jainism, and the Brahmanical worship of Vasudeva-Krishna, reflected extensively in the Mathura School of Art.