Q. Sculptures of the Mathura School of Art, which flourished in the early centuries of the Christian Era, are made out of
(a) Marble
(b) Slate stone
(c) Granite
(d) Red sandstone
Ans: (d) Red sandstone
Explanation: Sculptures of the Mathura School of Art, which flourished in the early centuries of the Christian Era, are predominantly made out of (d) Red sandstone.
The Mathura School of Art was a major artistic tradition that emerged in the ancient city of Mathura, located in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. The school produced a vast number of sculptures, mainly depicting various forms of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other deities, as well as secular subjects.
Red sandstone was the preferred medium for creating these sculptures due to its availability in the region and its suitability for intricate carving. The red sandstone of Mathura provided a distinctive reddish hue to the sculptures, and it allowed artists to carve intricate details and achieve a high level of craftsmanship.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Red sandstone.
