UPSC CSE Pre 2023

Ancient Buddhist Geography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Dhanyakataka was a vital religious and political hub in ancient India, serving as a major seat for the Mahasanghikas, a school of early Buddhism.

Explanation According to historical records, Dharanikota (near modern Amaravati) in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh is the site of ancient Dhanyakataka. It served as the capital of the Satavahana kingdom (Andhras) during the 1st to 3rd centuries A.D.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: Dhanyakataka is synonymous with Dharanikota in Andhra Pradesh. The region was a stronghold for the Mahasanghikas, who influenced the development of the Amaravati school of art.

Logic 2: Gandhara (Northwest), Kalinga (Odisha), and Magadha (Bihar) were important Buddhist regions but did not house the specific center of Dhanyakataka.

Active Recall

Question

What was the political significance of Dhanyakataka?

Answer

It served as a prominent capital city for the Satavahana dynasty, facilitating trade and the spread of Buddhism in the Deccan.

Core Insight

The location of Dhanyakataka in the Andhra region highlights the shift of Buddhist intellectual centers from the Gangetic plains to the Krishna-Godaveri delta.

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

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