Question

The ___ school laid the foundation of the Indian iconography.
A) Gandhara
B) Mathura
C) Nagara
D) Dravida

Answer 1

Hint: Iconography is a discipline of art history that investigates the identification, description, and interpretation of image content: the subjects shown, the specific compositions and features employed to do so, and other factors that are not related to aesthetic style.

Complete answer:
Iconography is the representation of images in many creative styles. Images are symbolic representations of deity in Indian sculptural art, whose origin and end are portrayed through religious and spiritual beliefs.

Now let us look at the given options:
A) Gandhara: This option is incorrect because the Gandhara school did not lay down the foundation of Indian iconography. The Gandhara school of art was one of the most important schools of art in ancient India's history. Despite being an important element of Indian history, it is most closely identified with the Greco-Roman art style.
B) Mathura: This option is correct. The Kushana period, which spans the first to third centuries C.E., saw the emergence of the Mathura school of art. The Mathura school is credited for laying the groundwork for Indian iconography.
C) Nagara: This option is incorrect because Nagara is a form of architecture used to build temples. In India, there are two major temple orders: Nagara in the north and Dravida in the south.
D) Dravida: This option is incorrect because dravida school was established much later after the introduction of Indian iconography.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B) Mathura.

Note: Hinduism has incorporated various iconic symbols, which are part of Hindu iconography, that are imbued with spiritual meaning based on either the scriptures or cultural traditions, during the millennia of its history. The actual meaning ascribed to each image varies depending on the place, time, era, and denomination of the followers.