Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2001 • Ancient History
Correct Answer: Option (B) — The Kushans: Gandhara School of Art
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference Verified- Option (a) is incorrect: Painted Grey Ware (PGW) is associated with the later Vedic period, whereas the Harappan civilization is known for Black-and-Red and Red-and-Black pottery.
- Option (b) is correct: The Kushans (specifically Kanishka and his successors) were major patrons of the Gandhara School of Art, which synthesized Greco-Roman techniques with Buddhist themes.
- Option (c) is incorrect: Ajanta cave paintings primarily date to the Satavahana and Vakataka/Gupta periods (2nd century BCE to 6th century CE), long before the Mughals.
- Option (d) is incorrect: The Pahari School of Painting flourished under the Rajput rulers of the Himalayan foothills (Himachal Pradesh and Jammu).
Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach
Match known art schools with their respective dynasties: Gandhara is universally linked with Kushans, while Ajanta is associated with Vakatakas/Guptas.
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