Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? 1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley. 2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. 3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia. Select the answer using the code given below :
Contents16
- A1 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
Key Points
- Statement 1 is correct. The Amaravati Stupa, known in history as the Mahachaitya, stands in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. It sits on the right bank of the Krishna River, in the lower Krishna valley — a thriving centre of Buddhism.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Sanchi Stupa is among the best-preserved monuments, but Amaravati was the largest stupa in India at its peak. It measured about 50 metres in diameter and nearly 27 metres in height, bigger than the Great Stupa at Sanchi.
- Statement 3 is correct. The Amaravati school of art had its own style, marked by narrative sculptures and the use of white marble (limestone). It deeply shaped South Indian art, especially the Pallava and Chola styles. Through sea trade and religious missions, its style spread to Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia.
Additional Information
- Amaravati School of Sculpture:
- Patronage: Flourished under the Satavahana dynasty and later the Ikshvaku rulers, between the 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE.
- Material: Used white limestone, often called Palnad marble — unlike the red sandstone of Mathura or the grey schist of Gandhara.
- Themes: Showed the life of the Buddha and the Jataka tales, stressing human emotion and graceful, slender figures.
- Sanchi Stupa:
- Origin: First built under Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, then enlarged in the Shunga and Satavahana periods.
- Architecture: Famous for its richly carved Toranas (gateways), though its dome is smaller than the original Amaravati structure.
The Amaravati Stupa was actually the largest stupa in India at its peak, measuring about 50 metres in diameter, making it bigger than the famous Sanchi Stupa.
The Amaravati school's white limestone sculptures deeply influenced later South Indian temple art under the Pallavas and Cholas, and spread to Southeast Asia through maritime trade routes.
Amaravati Stupa
Art And Culture Amaravati Stupa lower Krishna valley Mahachaitya
Amaravati Stupa: Location, Size & Historical Significance
Located in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh on right bank of Krishna River
Known as Mahachaitya - was the largest stupa in India at its peak
Measured 50 metres diameter and 27 metres height - bigger than Sanchi
Flourished under Satavahana and Ikshvaku dynasties (2nd century BCE - 3rd century CE)
Geographic Context
The Amaravati Stupa stands in the lower Krishna valley, a region that became a major Buddhist centre under the Satavahanas. Its location on the Krishna River made it accessible to pilgrims and traders, contributing to its growth as the largest stupa in ancient India.
Size Comparison
Stupa | Diameter | Height | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Amaravati | 50 metres | 27 metres | Largest in India (original) |
Sanchi | Smaller | Lower | Best preserved today |
Bharhut | Much smaller | Lower | Earlier period |
Location Map
Source: INSIGHTS IAS — Amaravati: History, Capital Status & Cultural Significance of Andhra Pradesh's New Capital · www.insightsonindia.com
Trap: Statement 2 claims Amaravati was second largest - actually it was the largest stupa in India
Size confusion: Sanchi is best preserved today, but Amaravati was originally bigger
Location precision: Must specify lower Krishna valley, not just Krishna valley
Amaravati School of Sculpture
Art And Culture Amaravati school relief sculpture South Indian sculpture
Amaravati School: Style, Materials & Lasting Impact
Used white limestone (Palnad marble) - distinctive material
Showed narrative sculptures of Buddha's life and Jataka tales
Influenced Pallava and Chola art styles in South India
Spread to Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia through trade and missions
Buddhist Sculptural Schools
School | Material | Period | Key Features | Influence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Amaravati | White limestone | 2nd BCE - 3rd CE | Narrative panels, graceful figures | South India, Southeast Asia |
Mathura | Red sandstone | 1st - 3rd CE | Buddha images, standing figures | North India |
Gandhara | Grey schist | 1st - 5th CE | Greco-Roman influence | Northwest India |
Artistic Characteristics
Human emotion emphasis: Figures show deep emotional expressions and graceful, slender forms
Narrative storytelling: Relief panels depict complete stories from Buddha's life in sequence
Technical excellence: Fine carving detail in white limestone created luminous, ethereal effect
Cultural Transmission
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Amaravati School Develops**
Under Satavahana patronage in Krishna valley`"]
s2["`**Influences South Indian Art**
Shapes Pallava and Chola sculptural styles`"]
s3["`**Maritime Spread**
Carried by Buddhist monks and traders`"]
s4["`**Southeast Asian Impact**
Influences temple art in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Material confusion: Amaravati used white limestone, not red sandstone (Mathura) or grey schist (Gandhara)
Influence scope: Statement 3 is correct - impact on South India AND Southeast Asia is well-documented
Period overlap: Amaravati school continued under Ikshvaku rulers after Satavahanas
Sanchi Stupa
Art And Culture Sanchi Stupa size
Sanchi Stupa: Architecture & Historical Development
Built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE, enlarged later
Best preserved Buddhist monument in India today
Famous for richly carved Toranas (gateways) with Jataka tales
Located in Madhya Pradesh - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Construction Phases
Originally built under Emperor Ashoka as a simple brick structure, Sanchi was enlarged and beautified during the Shunga and Satavahana periods. The famous toranas were added in the 1st century BCE, making it architecturally complete.
Sanchi vs Amaravati
Aspect | Sanchi Stupa | Amaravati Stupa |
|---|---|---|
Size | Smaller diameter | 50m diameter (larger) |
Preservation | Best preserved | Largely destroyed |
Famous for | Toranas (gateways) | Relief sculptures |
Material | Stone | White limestone |
Current status | UNESCO site | Archaeological remains |
Sanchi Architecture
Source: Incredible India — Explore the Ancient Sanchi Stupa in Bhopal | Incredible India · www.incredibleindia.gov.in
Size misconception: Sanchi is better preserved, not necessarily larger than Amaravati
Period confusion: Ashoka built the original, but toranas added in Shunga period
Comparison trap: Questions often test Sanchi vs Amaravati size - Amaravati was originally larger
Satavahana Dynasty
Ancient And Medieval History
Satavahanas: Buddhist Patrons & Deccan Rulers
Ruled Deccan region from 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE
Major patrons of Buddhism - built Amaravati and other stupas
Controlled Krishna-Godavari river valleys and western Deccan
Promoted maritime trade with Roman Empire and Southeast Asia
Buddhist Patronage
The Satavahanas were major patrons of Buddhism in the Deccan. They funded the construction and expansion of Amaravati Stupa and promoted Buddhist art and sculpture, creating the distinctive Amaravati school that influenced later South Indian temple art.
Cultural Contributions
Art patronage: Funded Amaravati school sculptures and Buddhist monuments across Deccan
Trade networks: Connected Deccan with Roman Empire through western ports like Bharuch
Cultural synthesis: Blended local Dravidian traditions with Buddhist and Indo-Greek influences
Satavahana Legacy
# Satavahana Dynasty
## Political
- Deccan control
- Post-Mauryan power
- Trade route security
## Religious
- Buddhist patronage
- Stupa construction
- Monastic support
## Cultural
- Amaravati school
- Narrative sculpture
- South Indian influence
## Economic
- Maritime trade
- Roman connections
- Agricultural surplus