QUESTION 1
GS1
10 marks
Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Point out the Greek, Bactrian and Central Asian features in Gandhara sculpture.
HighlightBring the key points to the front, briefly.
Demand-wise check
- 1Greco-Bactrian/Hellenistic: realistic human anatomy, wavy hair, Apollo-like Buddha face, drapery folds (toga-style), Corinthian capitals, acanthus leaves≈30 words
- 2Central Asian (Kushana/Scythian): heavy boots and tunics on donors, moustaches, Kushana royal portraits, use of blue-grey schist and stucco≈30 words
- 3Indian content: Buddhist themes, Jataka stories, mudras≈30 words
- 4Contrast with Mathura school≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Context (Kushana patronage, crossroads)Greek featuresCentral Asian featuresIndian contentConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Comparing Gandhara and Mathura instead of highlighting the asked elements
- No specific feature like drapery or schist
Draw this
- Labelled sketch of a Gandhara Buddha head and robe
Value addition
- FactGandhara sculptures use grey-blue schist and stucco; Mathura used red sandstone.ASI / National Museum
- ExampleThe Bimaran casket (1st century CE) shows the Buddha flanked by Brahma and Indra under Greek-style arches.British Museum
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 15 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Monika Srivastava · AIR 16 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.