In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
- (a) Andhra ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Gandhara
- (c) Kalinga
- (d) Magadha
Why the answer is (a)
• Dhanyakataka (modern Dharanikota–Amaravati) on the lower Krishna in Andhra was a Satavahana capital and a great Buddhist centre from the 3rd century BCE.
• It was the seat of the Chaitika/Purvashaila and Aparashaila sects of the Mahasanghikas, the school whose ideas fed into Mahayana Buddhism, and site of the Amaravati Mahachaitya — option (a).
• Gandhara in the north-west was a Sarvastivada stronghold and home of Greco-Buddhist art; Kalinga (Odisha) is linked to Ashoka's war; Magadha (Bihar) held Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda.
• Nagarjuna is traditionally associated with the Andhra region as well.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Gandhara
- Gandhara was a Sarvastivada centre in the north-west, not Dhanyakataka's region.
- (c) Kalinga
- Kalinga lay to the north-east of Andhra; Dhanyakataka was not there.
- (d) Magadha
- Magadha's Buddhist centres were Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.