"Yaksha from Patna" and "Yakshi from Didarganj" are made in :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
The "Yaksha from Patna" and the celebrated "Didarganj Yakshi" are exemplary masterpieces of early Indian stone sculpture, typically dated to the Mauryan period (3rd Century BCE). The specific geological material used for these monumental figures is **Chunar Sandstone**. This fine-grained, durable stone was quarried from the Chunar hills near present-day Varanasi. The Mauryan imperial sculptors favored this material, as it allowed them to achieve the distinctive, glass-like luster known as the "Mauryan polish," which is a hallmark of this artistic tradition and a defining feature of the Didarganj Yakshi. Identifying the exact stone connects the sculptures directly to the Mauryan capital and their imperial source.

The incorrect option is 2:
**Red Sandstone** is a common term for various types of sandstone, but in the context of ancient Indian art history, it is most specifically associated with the art of the Kushana period's Mathura School. While Chunar sandstone does often have a buff or reddish hue, the distinct Mauryan technique and polish on the Patna and Didarganj figures clearly differentiate their material from the widely-used, overtly red sandstone characteristic of Mathura sculptures from a later era.

The incorrect option is 3:
**Sandstone** is technically correct, as Chunar Sandstone is a type of sandstone. However, this option is too general. The key to the artistic and historical significance of these Mauryan works lies in the *specific* use of Chunar sandstone, which was the imperial choice and enabled the signature polish. Choosing the general category of "Sandstone" misses the critical detail that links these masterpieces to the Mauryan dynasty's workshops and its unique artistic conventions.

The incorrect option is 4:
**Marble** is factually incorrect as a material for these sculptures. Marble is a metamorphic rock that was not the primary medium for monumental Mauryan sculpture, nor was it used for the famous Ashokan pillars. The Mauryan artists preferred the strong, fine-grained Chunar Sandstone, which was transported over long distances to the capital at Pataliputra (Patna), to ensure the high-quality finish and material consistency desired for their imperial works.