Q. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

  • Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
  • Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
  • Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
  • Varaha Image at Udayagiri

Answer: (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

Notes:
  • Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli was created during Ashoka’s reign (272-231 BC).
  • Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar was created in 11th AD.
  • Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram are 7th century AD creations.
  • The Varaha Image at Udayagiri was created in the 5th century AD.

Rock-cut Elephant 

  • The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha.
  • The stone elephant shows the animal’s foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement.
  • It is considered as one of the few remains of Mauryan art.
Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

Lingaraja Temple

  • Lingaraj Temple, built in the 11th century AD, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered as the largest temple of the city Bhubaneswar.
  • It is believed to have been built by the Somvanshi King Yayati I.
  • It is a classic example of Kalinga style of architecture.
Lingaraja temple Bhubaneshwar Orissa India
Lingraj temple,

Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram

  • The Rock-cut monuments at Mahabalipuram were built by the Pallava king Narsimha in the 7th and 8th centuries.
  • The beauty of the rock-cut sculpture of the temple is reflective of the artistic tastes of the erstwhile Pallava rulers.
  • The group of monuments there consists of rock-cut cave temples, monolithic temples, bas-relief sculptures, and structural temples as well as the excavated remains of temples.
Rock cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Varaha Image at Udayagiri

  • The Udayagiri Caves, particularly Cave 5, feature a prominent relief sculpture depicting Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) avatar, rescuing the Earth Goddess (Bhudevi) from the cosmic ocean.
    • The relief shows Varaha, a man-boar, lifting Bhudevi on his shoulder, with his foot subduing a naga (serpent) who is guarding the cosmic ocean.
    • The relief is a prominent example of Gupta-period art and is considered one of the icons of Indian art.
Varaha Image at Udayagiri