Question

The lion capital of Sarnath is a specimen of the art of which dynasty?
1. Gupta
2. Maurya
3. Maya
4. Kushan

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Maurya

The correct answer is Maurya.

• Mauryan art flourished in India during the era of the Mauryan Empire.
• In religious places like Sarnath and Kushinagar, Emperor Ashoka himself built them in the form of stupas and viharas.
• The philosophy of the new and great form of Mauryakala is found in the pillars of Ashoka.
• The sculpture and architecture of Sarnath are some of the finest specimens of Mauryan art.
• Mathura was another important centre of art during the Mauryan period.
• The impressive form of the Mauryan period is found in these pillars of stone even today in areas such as Sarnath, Allahabad, Kaushambi, and Varanasi.

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• The Mauryan emperor Ashoka also made the 14th inscriptions, pillars, and cave inscriptions.
• The 'Prasthasti' column of Allahabad composed in the 'Gupta period' is a memorial to the heroic deeds of Emperor 'Sumudragupta'.
• The founder of Prasthasti was 'Harisen'.
• Among the other pillars, the Kirti Stambha of Emperor Skandagupta and the Vishnu Stambha of Aran are wonderful specimens of architecture.