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 :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Amaravati Mahachaitya stood at Dharanikota on the lower Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, capital region of the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus — statement 1 is correct.
• With a drum about 50 m across and a height of roughly 30 m, Amaravati was the largest stupa in India, exceeding even Sanchi; so statement 2, which places it second to Sanchi, is wrong.
• The Amaravati school (2nd century BCE–3rd century CE) produced dynamic, crowded marble reliefs that shaped later Andhra, Pallava and Chola sculpture, and its style travelled to Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura) and South-east Asia — statement 3 is correct.
• Hence 1 and 3 only.
• Note the distinguishing marks: use of white Palnad limestone (marble) and narrative panels of the Buddha's life carved on the drum slabs and railings.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 3 on Amaravati's lasting influence is also correct.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: Amaravati was larger than Sanchi, not second to it.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 2 is wrong, so all three cannot be correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.