UPSC CSE Prelims
Post-Mauryan Sculpture Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Post-Mauryan Sculpture with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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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 :
Detailed Explanation:
The Amaravati Stupa (Maha Chaitya) was an important Buddhist monument of ancient India.
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Statement 1 is Correct: It was located in the lower Krishna River valley in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
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Statement 2 is Incorrect: Amaravati Stupa was larger than the Great Stupa at Sanchi and is considered one of the largest stupas in India.
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Statement 3 is Correct: The Amaravati School of Sculpture greatly influenced later South Indian art and spread to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia through trade and cultural contacts.
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Therefore, Statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.
Statement-wise Analysis
| Statement | Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| It was located in the lower Krishna valley. | ✅ Correct | Situated in present-day Andhra Pradesh along the Krishna River. |
| It was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. | ❌ Incorrect | Amaravati Stupa was actually larger than Sanchi Stupa. |
| Its sculpture influenced South India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. | ✅ Correct | Amaravati art spread through maritime trade and cultural exchanges. |
Amaravati Stupa & Amaravati School of Art
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh |
| River Valley | Lower Krishna Valley |
| Period | Mainly Satavahana Period |
| Also Known As | Maha Chaitya |
| Material Used | White Limestone |
| Art Style | Amaravati School (Andhra School) |
Important Features
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Famous for its intricate narrative relief sculptures depicting Jataka tales and events from Buddha's life.
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Early Buddhist art at Amaravati largely followed the aniconic tradition, later incorporating Buddha images.
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Influenced later Pallava, Chola, Sri Lankan, and Southeast Asian sculpture traditions.
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Related Topics in Indian Art & Culture
Architecture in Ancient India
Temple Architecture
Buddhism
Mural Paintings
Hindustani Music Tradition
Classical Dance Forms
Jainism
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
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