The correct answer is: b) Kushana Period.
Gandharan art is a style of Buddhist art that developed in the Gandhara region, which is now part of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. It flourished between the 1st and 7th centuries CE, during the Kushan Empire. Gandharan art is a blend of Indian and Greco-Roman styles, and it is characterized by its use of Greco-Roman techniques and motifs to depict Indian subjects.
The Kushan Empire was a major power in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE. The Kushans were a nomadic people from Central Asia who conquered much of the Indian subcontinent. They were patrons of the arts, and they supported the development of Gandharan art.
Gandharan art is important because it is one of the earliest examples of Buddhist art. It also provides a valuable glimpse into the cultural exchange between India and the Greco-Roman world.
The other options are incorrect because:
- The Mauryan Period was a period of Indian history from the 4th to the 2nd centuries BCE. It was a time of great political and economic prosperity, but there is no evidence that Gandharan art flourished during this period.
- The Gupta Period was a period of Indian history from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE. It was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement, but Gandharan art declined during this period.
- The Pala Period was a period of Indian history from the 8th to the 12th centuries CE. It was a time of great religious and cultural activity, but Gandharan art had ceased to exist by this time.