Which of the following Ashokan pillar capitals, notable for its depiction of a powerfully built single bull atop a circular abacus adorned with geese and rosettes, was discovered in Bihar?
Rampurva, Bihar
Identifying the Specific Ashokan Pillar Capital
This question asks us to identify a specific Ashokan pillar capital based on its distinct features: a powerfully built single bull, a circular abacus decorated with geese and rosettes, and its discovery location in Bihar. Let's analyze the options provided.
Detailed Analysis of the Ashokan Capital
The description perfectly matches the Ashokan pillar capital discovered at Rampurva, Bihar. Here's why:
- Location: Rampurva is a site in the Champaran district of Bihar, known for yielding two significant Ashokan pillars.
- Bull Capital: One of the pillars found at Rampurva is crowned by a magnificent, lustrous, single bull capital. This bull is often noted for its powerful physique and realistic representation.
- Abacus Decoration: The circular abacus atop the bull capital is indeed adorned with a frieze of geese (hamsas) and floral motifs, commonly identified as rosettes. This intricate detailing is characteristic of Mauryan art.
These specific features—the single bull, the circular abacus with geese and rosettes, and the location in Bihar—are defining characteristics of the Rampurva bull capital.
Evaluating Other Ashokan Sites
While other locations listed are significant Ashokan sites, they are associated with different capitals or features:
- Dhauli, Odisha: Famous for its rock-cut elephant sculpture, which predates the pillars, and not for a bull capital described here.
- Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: Primarily known for its magnificent stupas, particularly the Great Stupa. While Ashokan pillars exist, the specific bull capital described was not found here.
- Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh: Renowned for the iconic Lion Capital of Ashoka, which served as the basis for India's national emblem. It features four lions seated back-to-back and lacks the single bull description.
Conclusion
Based on the specific details provided in the question—the single bull, the decorated abacus (geese and rosettes), and the discovery site in Bihar—the capital in question is definitively the one found at Rampurva.
Important Questions from Sculpture
The ‘Gandhara School of Art’ was developed under the ________ Dynasty.
Lalit Kala Academy was established by the Government of India to-
Which of the following statements about sculptures at Sanchi is/are correct?
1. In some sculptures there is representation of Shalabhanjika.
2. The figure of Shalabhanjika is represented by a woman surrounded by lotuses and elephants.
3. The Shalabhanjika motif was not directly inspired by Buddhist ideas.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- At the Gandhar School of Art, initially, blueshists and green fightlights were used. When did plaster completely replace stone as the main material used by the sculptors of the Gandhara school?
- With reference to the 'Male Torso' figurine from the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:
1. It was excavated from the site of Mohenjo-Daro.
2. It is made of red sandstone and possesses drilled sockets for the attachment of other body parts.
3. Its dynamic posture and naturalistic representation indicate an advanced understanding of human anatomy for its time.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
