Question

Which among the followings manuscripts belongs to the Pala School of Painting?
(A) Prajnaparamita
(B) Astasahasrika
(C) Ragamala
(D) Kalakacharyakatha
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (B), (C) and (D) only
• B. (A), (B) and (C) only
• C. (C) and (D) only
• D. (A) (B) only

Hint:

Associate schools of painting with their primary religious or thematic focus. Pala School = Buddhism; Western Indian School = Jainism; Rajasthani/Pahari Schools = Hindu themes (Krishna Lila, Ramayana, Ragamala). This helps in quickly eliminating incorrect options.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify which of the listed manuscripts are characteristic products of the Pala School of miniature painting, which flourished in Eastern India from the 8th to the 12th century. The Pala school was primarily Buddhist in theme.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
(A) Prajnaparamita: The "Perfection of Wisdom" sutras are core Mahayana Buddhist texts. Illustrated manuscripts of the Prajnaparamita are the most famous and numerous examples of Pala painting.
(B) Astasahasrika: This, the "Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita," is the title of a specific version of the Prajnaparamita text in 8,000 lines. It is one of the most commonly illustrated manuscripts from the Pala period. Thus, it is also correct.
(C) Ragamala: Ragamala paintings, which visualize musical modes, are a central theme of Rajasthani, Pahari, and Deccani painting, but not the Pala school.
(D) Kalakacharyakatha: This is a famous Jain text, and its illustrated manuscripts are key examples of the Western Indian School of painting, not the Pala School.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Both Prajnaparamita and its specific version, Astasahasrika, are the primary manuscripts associated with the Pala School of Painting. Therefore, (A) and (B) only are correct.