With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
The Dhauli elephant is Mauryan (Ashokan, third century BCE). The Udayagiri Varaha is Gupta (fifth century CE), Mahabalipuram is Pallava (seventh century) and Lingaraja is eleventh century.
- ✓ (b) Dhauli elephant is Mauryan, third century BCE.
- ✗ (d) Varaha at Udayagiri is Gupta era.
- ✗ (c) Mahabalipuram monuments are Pallava.
- ✗ (a) Lingaraja is c. eleventh century.
Remember · Order: Dhauli (Mauryan) < Udayagiri Varaha (Gupta) < Mahabalipuram (Pallava) < Lingaraja.
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 3 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 · An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Chapter 3 “Depiction of a monumental rock-cut elephant at Dhauli in Odisha shows modelling in round with linear rhythm. It also has Ashokan rock-edict.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
