Question 7. Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?
- It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
- In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
- 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
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 – Correct: The Amaravati Stupa was located in the lower Krishna valley in present-day Andhra Pradesh. This region was an important centre of Buddhist art and architecture.
Statement 2 – Incorrect: The claim that the Amaravati Stupa was second only to the Sanchi Stupa in size is not securely established. The original dimensions of the Amaravati Stupa are not known with sufficient certainty to confirm this comparison.
Statement 3 – Correct: The Amaravati school of sculpture influenced later South Indian artistic traditions. Its artistic styles and motifs also spread to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia through Buddhist cultural and religious connections.
Conclusion: Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) 1 and 3 only.
Subject: Ancient Indian History
Topic: Jainism and Buddhism