Identify, one of the earliest modern art historian, who considered Sanchi to be a centre of tree and serpent worship, as he was not familiar with Buddhist literature.

James Fergusson

The correct answer is Option (3) → James Fergusson

James Fergusso believed that Sanchi was associated with tree and serpent worship.

Consider, too, the serpent, which is found on several pillars in sanchi. This motif seems to be derived from popular traditions, which were not always recorded in texts. Interestingly, one of the earliest modern art historians, James Fergusson, considered Sanchi to be a centre of tree and serpent worship. He was not familiar with Buddhist literature – most of which had not yet been translated – and arrived at this conclusion by studying only the images on their own.