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

1. A

   Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar

   The Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar is a developed Kalinga-style Hindu temple of about the eleventh century CE. It is many centuries later than the Mauryan rock-cut elephant. This option is not the key.

2. B

   Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

   The rock-cut elephant at Dhauli (near Bhubaneswar) is a Mauryan, third-century BCE, work associated with the Ashokan edict site. Among the four monuments it is the earliest. This option is the official key.

3. C

   Rock-cut Monuments Mahabalipuram

   The rock-cut monuments at Mahabalipuram are Pallava works of about the seventh century CE. They post-date both Dhauli and the Udayagiri Varaha. This option is therefore wrong.

4. D

   Varaha Image at Udayagiri

   The Varaha image at Udayagiri (Vidisha region) belongs to the Gupta period, early fifth century CE. It is later than the Dhauli elephant though earlier than Lingaraja and Mahabalipuram. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli. Dhauli is Mauryan (c. 3rd century BCE) and therefore the oldest of the four. Udayagiri’s Varaha is Gupta (c. early 5th century CE). Mahabalipuram’s rathas and reliefs are Pallava (c. 7th century CE). Lingaraja is a medieval Kalinga temple (c. 11th century CE). Chronology therefore runs Dhauli, then Udayagiri, then Mahabalipuram, then Lingaraja.