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2026 · Q2Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographymoderate

What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

  1. (a)The meditation of the Buddha
  2. (b)The Buddha’s First Sermon
  3. (c)The Buddha’s Mahaparinibbana
  4. (d)The Buddha’s Mahabhinishkramana
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Official answer(a) The meditation of the Buddha

2026 · Q4Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographymoderate

Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? 1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley. 2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. 3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia. Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 3 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 1 and 3 only

2014 · Q85Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographymoderate

With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs : Famous work of sculpture 1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below : Ajanta 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu 3. “Arjuna’s Penance”/“Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders : Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2012 · Q72Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographyeasy

Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes

  1. (a)Buddha's calling of the Earth to watch over Māra and to prevent Māra from disturbing his meditation
  2. (b)Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Māra
  3. (c)Buddha's reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
  4. (d)Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
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Official answer(b) Buddha's calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Māra