Question

The famous panel of sculpture called 'Descent of the Bodhisattva in the form of a white elephant' is displayed in-

• A. State archaeological museum
• B. National museum
• C. Nagarjunakonda archaeological museum
• D. Indian Museum

Hint:

When a question refers to major artifacts from the Bharhut Stupa, the Indian Museum in Kolkata is almost always the correct answer, as it holds the principal collection.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Identify the artwork and its origin. The panel depicting the 'Descent of the Bodhisattva' (Queen Maya's dream) is a masterpiece of the Bharhut stupa railings. The art of Bharhut is one of the earliest and most important examples of Buddhist narrative sculpture in India.
Step 2: Determine the current location of the Bharhut remains. The remains of the Bharhut stupa, including its railings and gateway, were excavated in the 19th century. The vast majority of these significant findings were moved for preservation and are now housed and prominently displayed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata, which holds the largest collection of Bharhut artifacts.