Who was the first recipient of a scholarship offered by the Indian Society of Oriental Arts when it was established in the early twentieth century?

Introduction / Context:
During the early twentieth century, Indian art saw a strong revival under the influence of the Bengal School and institutions such as the Indian Society of Oriental Arts. Scholarships given by these bodies played a crucial role in supporting emerging artists. This question asks about the first recipient of a scholarship offered by the Indian Society of Oriental Arts, which is a favourite detail in culture based general knowledge sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The institution mentioned is the Indian Society of Oriental Arts, founded in the early twentieth century.- The options list several major artists associated with the Bengal School and modern Indian art.- We assume knowledge of which artist received the first scholarship from this society.

Concept / Approach:
Nandalal Bose was one of the leading figures of the Bengal School of Art and a direct disciple of Abanindranath Tagore. Historical accounts state that he was the first recipient of a scholarship offered by the Indian Society of Oriental Arts. This scholarship helped him refine his skills and eventually emerge as a major national artist and teacher. The other artists in the list are also prominent but did not receive this specific distinction as the first scholarship holder of the society, which allows us to identify Nandalal Bose as the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that the Indian Society of Oriental Arts was closely connected with the Bengal School and artists around Abanindranath Tagore.2. Identify Nandalal Bose as a key student of Abanindranath Tagore and an early star of the movement.3. Remember that historical notes mention Nandalal Bose as the first person to receive a scholarship from the society.4. Compare this with the other options: Abanindranath and Gaganendranath were founding figures, not scholarship recipients, and Jamini Roy and Raja Ravi Varma were associated with different trajectories.5. Based on this reasoning, select Nandalal Bose as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Art history references discussing the Indian Society of Oriental Arts and the early years of the Bengal School emphasise that Nandalal Bose received the first scholarship established by the society. They describe how this support enabled him to dedicate himself fully to art and later contribute significantly at institutions like Kala Bhavana at Santiniketan. Cross checking from multiple such references confirms that this detail is accurate.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Abanindranath Tagore: founder and guiding figure of the Bengal School, but he was not the first scholarship recipient of the society he helped inspire.- Gaganendranath Tagore: another important artist, yet no standard record identifies him as the first scholarship holder.- Jamini Roy: an influential modernist, but his training and patronage followed a different route, not this particular scholarship.- Raja Ravi Varma: a pioneering Indian painter of an earlier generation, with no connection to this specific scholarship.

Common Pitfalls:
It is easy to assume that the founder or the most famous artist linked to a movement automatically received the earliest scholarship. However, scholarships are usually aimed at younger or emerging talents. In this case, remembering that Nandalal Bose was a younger protégé of Abanindranath Tagore helps to avoid confusion. Another pitfall is mixing up different art institutions and their scholarships, so it is helpful to note that this scholarship belonged specifically to the Indian Society of Oriental Arts and was awarded first to Nandalal Bose.

Final Answer:
The first recipient of a scholarship offered by the Indian Society of Oriental Arts was Nandalal Bose.