Statement I : The rich sculptural tradition of Mathura is distinguished by its principal medium, the white spotted red sandstone Statement I : The white spotted red sandstone is locally available in Mathura region

The Mathura school of sculpture, which flourished between the 2nd century BCE and 6th century CE, is renowned for its distinct Indian style and its primary medium: white spotted red sandstone [1]. Unlike the Gandhara school which used grey schist, Mathura artists utilized this specific variety of sandstone, often described as mottled or spotted red sandstone. Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I because this specific geological material was locally available in the Mathura region [1]. The proximity of these sandstone quarries allowed for the prolific production of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu deities, which were subsequently exported to other major religious centers like Sarnath and Shravasti. The use of local material was a defining characteristic that distinguished the Mathura tradition from contemporary styles [1].

Sources

1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > THINK ABOUT IT > p. 140