What were the great centres of Buddhist learning during the Pala period?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Nalanda and Vikramsila
Option (1) Nalanda and Vikramsila — Correct. These monasteries were great centres of Buddhist learning and art in the Pala period. Many manuscripts were illustrated there.
Option (2) Ellora and Ajanta — Incorrect. Ajanta comes up only as a comparison: Pala sculpture and painting share one language, like at Ajanta. Neither place is named as a Pala centre.
Option (3) Taxila and Sanchi — Incorrect. These are not among the Pala monasteries of eastern India named in the chapter.
Option (4) Bodh Gaya and Amaravati — Incorrect. These are not named as Pala centres of learning. The chapter names the monasteries of Nalanda and Vikramsila.
NCERT (2026-27): “Pala School of Painting Like the Jain texts and paintings, the illustrated manuscripts of the Palas of eastern India also form the earliest examples of paintings from the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Pala period (750 CE to the mid–twelfth century) saw the last great phase of Buddhist art in India. Monasteries, such as Nalanda and Vikramsila were great centres of Buddhist learning, and art and numerous manuscripts were illustrated here with Buddhist themes and images of Vajrayana Buddhist deities on palm leaves.” |