Official UPSC Format

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 :

⚡ Quick Recall Snippet

The Amaravati Stupa (Maha Chaitya), located in the lower Krishna River valley, was structurally larger than the Great Stupa at Sanchi. The Amaravati school of sculpture heavily influenced Pallava and Chola art, and its masterpieces were traded via maritime routes to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

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Detailed Solution & Authority Citations

Correct Answer is Option B
Let us evaluate the history and architecture of the Amaravati Stupa (Maha Chaitya):
  • Statement 1 is Correct: Built under the patronage of the Satavahanas, this monumental stupa was strategically located in the fertile lower Krishna River valley (in present-day Andhra Pradesh).

  • Statement 2 is Incorrect: The examiner uses Sanchi's fame as a trap. While Sanchi is better preserved today, archaeological evidence proves that at its zenith, the Amaravati Stupa had a diameter of nearly 50 meters, making it larger than the Great Stupa at Sanchi (approx. 36.5 meters). It was the largest stupa built in ancient India.

  • Statement 3 is Correct: The indigenous 'Vengi' or Amaravati school of art heavily influenced later Pallava and Chola bronzes. Furthermore, because of its proximity to eastern seaports, Amaravati artifacts and stylistic blueprints were widely exported via maritime trade, profoundly shaping the Buddhist iconography of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
    • Conclusion: Statements 1 and 3 are factually sound, making Option B the correct choice.

    🚨 The Examiner's Trap

    Because Sanchi is the most perfectly preserved and universally famous stupa (featured on Indian currency), the examiner assumes candidates will suffer from 'availability bias' and falsely believe Sanchi must have been the absolute largest stupa ever built in India.

    Active Recall Flashcard

    Tap to Flip

    At its architectural peak, which was physically larger in diameter: the Great Stupa at Sanchi or the Amaravati Stupa?

    The Amaravati Stupa.

    Concept Flow Mapping

    Amaravati Stupa
    Located In
    Krishna River Valley
    Amaravati Stupa
    Was Larger Than
    Sanchi Stupa
    Amaravati School of Art
    Influenced
    Southeast Asian Sculpture

    Logic Quest

    "How did Amaravati art reach Southeast Asia?"

    Not analyzing core concepts like Scale and Influence of Early Buddhist Art through the lens of Previous Year Questions is a serious miss-out. This PYQ engine is specifically designed to help you decode the examiner's mindset and master highly probable Art & Culture questions for your upcoming Prelims.