The correct answer is: A. Maurya
The Ekanamsa trio is a group of three sculptures discovered from the village of Ekanamsa in the Nawada district of Bihar, India. The sculptures are made of sandstone and date back to the 3rd century BCE, during the reign of the Mauryan Empire. The trio consists of a standing Buddha, a seated Buddha, and a bodhisattva. The sculptures are all in excellent condition and are considered to be some of the finest examples of Mauryan art.
The Mauryan Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Indian history. It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE and reached its peak under the reign of Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. The Mauryan Empire was a major center of Buddhist culture and art.
The Ekanamsa trio is an important example of Mauryan art. The sculptures are well-proportioned and have a serene expression. The Buddha is depicted in a standing posture, with his hands in the abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness). The seated Buddha is depicted in a relaxed posture, with his hands in the dharmachakra mudra (gesture of teaching the wheel of dharma). The bodhisattva is depicted in a standing posture, with his hands in the varada mudra (gesture of giving).
The Ekanamsa trio is a valuable piece of Indian art and history. It is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Mauryan Empire.
The other options are incorrect because they do not correspond to the time period of the Ekanamsa trio. The Pala Empire ruled from the 8th to the 12th centuries CE, the Gupta Empire ruled from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE, and the Kushan Empire ruled from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE.