Question

Identify the Art period of the Copper Buddha found at Sultanganj, presently housed in the Birmingham Museum.

• A. Gupta Period
• B. Kushan Period
• C. Gandhara Period
• D. Satavahanas Period

Hint:

Remember the important facts about the Sultanganj Buddha: \[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} \text{Location Found} &\rightarrow \text{Sultanganj, Bihar}, \text{Present Location} &\rightarrow \text{Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery}, \text{Material} &\rightarrow \text{Copper/Bronze}, \text{Art Period} &\rightarrow \text{Gupta Period}. \end{aligned} } \] Mnemonic: “Sultanganj Buddha = Gupta Bronze in Birmingham.”

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The Sultanganj Buddha is one of the largest surviving ancient bronze (copper) images of the Buddha, discovered at Sultanganj in present-day Bihar. It is a masterpiece of the late Gupta artistic tradition (often dated to the 6\textsuperscript{th}--7\textsuperscript{th} century CE) and is renowned for its graceful modelling, serene expression, and elegant drapery. The sculpture is made using the lost-wax (cire perdue) casting technique and is presently preserved in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, England.

Step 1: Identify the artistic period of the Sultanganj Buddha. The Sultanganj Copper Buddha belongs to the \[ \boxed{\text{Gupta Period}} \] and reflects the classical ideals of Gupta art.

Step 2: Examine the given options.
• Gupta Period -- Correct; the Sultanganj Buddha is a masterpiece of the Gupta artistic tradition.
• Kushan Period -- Earlier period associated mainly with Mathura and Gandhara Buddha images.
• Gandhara Period -- Known for Greco-Buddhist stone sculptures, not the Sultanganj bronze.
• Satavahanas Period -- Primarily associated with Amaravati and early Buddhist art. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{(A) Gupta Period}} \]