UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

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:

Explanation:

A small town on the banks of River Krishna, around 30 km from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi was the site of an ancient Buddhist settlement, known as Chintapalli.

● The Amaravati Stupa is located in present-day Andhra Pradesh. It flourished in the lower Krishna valley under the patronage of the Satavahanas and later the Ikshvakus. The     region around Amaravati and Dharanikota was an important centre of Buddhism and associated with the Satavahana period. So, statement 1 is correct.

● The Amaravati Stupa was described as being bigger than the Sanchi Stupa, measuring about 27 metres in height and 49 metres in width. So, statement 2 is not correct.

● The Amaravati School of Art became famous for its refined limestone sculptures and narrative relief panels depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and Jataka tales. Its artistic influence spread widely to South India, Sri Lanka, and South-east Asia through maritime trade and Buddhist cultural contacts. So, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.