UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2026

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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 3 only

Explanation

The Amaravati Stupa was located in the lower Krishna valley in present-day Andhra Pradesh. Its limestone reliefs are an important feature of the Amaravati school of Buddhist sculpture, which had a significant influence on later South Indian art and also spread to Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia. Statement 2 is incorrect because the claim that it was second only to the Sanchi Stupa in size is not correct.

Topics: amaravati school, ancient india, art and culture, buddhist architecture