Context:
Prime Minister Inaugurated Projects Worth ₹58,000 Crore in the Capital City Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh (AP)
Amaravati:
- Amaravati – Capital of Andhra Pradesh
- Banks of river Krishna
- Served as Satavahana Dynasty’s capital.
- Prehistoric name – Dhanyakatakam
- Also called – ‘Abode Of God’
- Significance –
- A major center for Mahayana Buddhism under Nagarjuna
- Amaravati School of Art
- Amaravati Stupa
- Chinese Pilgrims – Xuanzang, visited Amaravati in the first millennium to collect sacred texts.
- Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple: A medieval temple dedicated to Shiva.
Amaravati School of Art:
- Influence – Indigenous, with no foreign influence
- Patrons – Satavahanas and Ikshvakus
- Theme – Both religious and secular images, but mainly Buddhist images.
- Notable feature – ‘Narrative art’ depicting Buddha’s life stories.
- Type of sandstone – White marble.
Amaravati Stupa:
- Built by – Satavahana dynasty in the 2nd century BCE.
- Known for its intricate carvings and sculptures, which depict scenes from the Buddha’s life and teachings.
- Excavated in – 1797 by Colin Mackenzie
Source: PTI
Previous Year Question
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. The concept of Stupa is Vedic in origin.