Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct? 1. It was located in the lower…

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.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 1 and 3 only (Correct answer)
3. C. 2 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer

Option B — B

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option B.

Key Points

• Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the Amaravati Stupa stood in the lower Krishna valley, in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
• Statement 3 is correct: the Amaravati school of sculpture had a lasting influence on later South Indian sculpture, and its style travelled to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.
• Why Statement 2 is wrong: Amaravati was not "next only to the Sanchi Stupa" in size.
• It was among the largest stupas in India and was in fact larger than the stupa at Sanchi.

Additional Information

• The Amaravati stupa was built under the Satavahanas and is known for its white marble railing and drum slabs carved with dense narrative reliefs.
• Many of its sculptures are now held in the Government Museum, Chennai, and the British Museum.