UPSC Prelims 2023 Q41: Art & Culture – Architecture & World Heritage

UPSC Prelims 2023, General Studies Paper I · Art & Culture

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

Answer: (a) Andhra

Explanation

Dhanyakataka (Dharanikota/Amaravati) — Buddhist centre in Andhra

Detail	Fact
Location	Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, on the Krishna river
Sect	Mahasanghikas — forerunners of Mahayana
Monument	Amaravati Stupa, among the largest in India
Dynasty	Flourished under the Satavahanas (and later Ikshvakus)
Art	Amaravati school of sculpture in white-green limestone
Also	A Satavahana capital; linked to Acharya Nagarjuna

Regions in the options:

Region	Buddhist link
Andhra	Dhanyakataka, Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda
Gandhara	Greco-Buddhist art (Taxila, Peshawar)
Kalinga	Ashoka's war; Dhauli and Jaugada edicts
Magadha	Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda

Answer: (a) Andhra.

(a) CORRECT. Dhanyakataka (Amaravati) on the Krishna in Andhra was a Mahasanghika centre under the Satavahanas.
(b) Incorrect. Gandhara in the north-west is known for Greco-Buddhist sculpture, not Dhanyakataka.
(c) Incorrect. Kalinga (Odisha) is linked to Ashoka's war, not Dhanyakataka.
(d) Incorrect. Magadha (Bihar) had Bodh Gaya and Nalanda, but Dhanyakataka was in the Deccan.

Dhanyakataka = Amaravati (Andhra), Satavahana-era Mahasanghika centre and home of the Amaravati school of art.

Dhanyakataka (Amaravati) was a Buddhist centre in Andhra.

Choosing Magadha because most early Buddhist sites were there.
Not linking Dhanyakataka with the Amaravati stupa and art school.
Confusing the Amaravati school with the Gandhara and Mathura schools.

Three schools of early Buddhist art: Gandhara (north-west), Mathura (north), Amaravati (Andhra).