Consider the following statements about Gandhara art beyond stone sculptures:
- A gold reliquary with figures in an arcade was found at Bimaran.
- Intricately carved ivory plaques were discovered at Begram.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Both 1 and 2 are correct.
- Statement 1 is correct: The Bimaran casket (or Bimaran reliquary) is a famous gold container for Buddhist relics discovered in Stupa No. 2 at Bimaran, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. It is a masterpiece of Gandhara art featuring figures of the Buddha and deities standing within an arcade of eight pointed arches (caitya-arches). This artifact is significant for being one of the earliest anthropomorphic representations of the Buddha.
- Statement 2 is correct: The Begram ivories are a collection of over a thousand intricately carved ivory and bone plaques and figures excavated at the ancient city of Begram (ancient Kapisa) in Afghanistan. These plaques were used as decorative inlays for wooden furniture and demonstrate a sophisticated blend of Indian, Greco-Roman, and Central Asian artistic influences. They highlight the role of the region as a major trade hub on the Silk Road.