SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 1

Solution: Correct answer is (C) Prevalence of aniconic tradition in early Buddhism.
Explanation:
☛ In early Buddhist art, the Buddha was not shown in human form; he was represented through symbols such as the Dharmachakra (wheel), Bodhi tree, empty throne, footprints, and the stupa itself.
☛ This practice is known as the aniconic tradition, a deliberate visual convention of early Buddhism rather than a ban on images.
☛ At sites like Sanchi and Bharhut, sculptors depicted the Buddha’s presence through these symbols to show his absence from the earthly world after Mahaparinirvana.
☛ The shift to anthropomorphic images of the Buddha began around the 1st century CE, especially at Gandhara and Mathura.
☛ Hence, option (C) correctly explains the absence of anthropomorphic depictions in early stupas.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ The aniconic phase was not a prohibition recorded in Buddhist scriptures; it was a devotional and artistic convention.
☛ The empty throne represented the Buddha’s enlightenment; the wheel represented his first sermon at Sarnath.
☛ The Buddha’s footprints (Buddhapada) symbolised his presence and the path of dharma.
☛ Human images of the Buddha were popularised during the Kushana period in Gandhara and Mathura.
☛ Amaravati also contains early Buddhist art showing symbolic as well as some early figural representations.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which symbols represent the Buddha in early aniconic art? → Dharmachakra, Bodhi tree, empty throne and footprints.
☛ At which two centres did anthropomorphic images of Buddha first develop? → Gandhara and Mathura.
☛ The first sermon of Buddha is symbolised by which symbol? → The Dharmachakra (wheel).
☛ Where is the famous Sanchi Stupa located? → Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.
☛ The aniconic representation of Buddha’s presence is marked by which symbol? → Footprints (Buddhapada).