Amaravati School of Art, Features, UPSC Notes

Amaravati school of art is an ancient Indian art style that originated in and around Amaravati (then known as Dhānyakaṭaka) in Andhra Pradesh from the second century BC to the end of the third century CE. It is also known as the Andhra or Vengi School.

Amaravati School of Art is famous for its exquisite reliefs, which are among the world’s finest examples of narrative sculpture. Amaravati school is one of the three major schools of ancient Indian art, the other two being the Mathura School, and the Gandharan School.

About Amravati School of Art

Amravati School of Art developed on purely indigenous lines with no foreign influences, unlike the Gandhara School of Art. It also shows more artistic freedom and boldness than other schools of art prevalent in ancient India.

• Origin: The Amaravati style of art developed in India for approximately six centuries, from 200 to 100 BC. In the second century BC, especially in the second half it was flourishing.
• Major centers: In addition to the ruins at Amaravati, the style is also seen in the stupa remains at Bhattiprolu, Jaggayyapeta, Nagarjunakonda, Ghantasala, and Goli, in Andhra Pradesh, and as far west as Ter, Maharashtra.
• Patronage: Amaravati School of Art flourished during the rule of the Satavahana dynasty. Later the Ikshvakus and other groups (feudatories, administrators, and merchants) patronized the art.
• Major remains: The major remains are the ruins of the great stupa at Amaravati, stupa remains at Jaggayyapeta, Nagarjunikonda, and Goli, in Andhra Pradesh state, and as far west as Ter, Maharashtra state. With time the art style also spread to much of Southeast Asia and Ceylon or Sri Lanka (as seen at Anuradhapura).
  • The Amaravati stupa: It is one of the largest stupas built in India. Many of the narrative reliefs and plaques are preserved in the Government Museum, Madras, and the British Museum (known as the Elliot Marbles).
    • The reliefs carved in the greenish-white limestone found in the region, mainly depict events of the Buddha’s life.
    • Relief Slab with Stupa carving: The great stupa of Amaravati is depicted in relief with all the details of a real stupa. One can imagine the artistic merit of Amaravati Stupa by observing this slab.

Amravati School of Art Features

The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated than the other two major art schools (Gandhara and Mathura schools). The relief panels of Amaravati school are unique in their delicate forms, and linear grace.

• Themes: Buddhism (Both Hinayanism and Mahayanism) remains a major theme. In the early phase, the themes were based on Hinayanism whereas in later centuries Mahayanism became the prominent theme.
• Secular images: Despite the major focus on Buddhism, secular images were also produced. Plenty of panels depicting scenes of dance and music display the joy of life.
• Freedom of expression: As Buddhism had chosen the new path of freedom (Mahayanism) the artists of the Amaravati School have chosen their own style and freely expressed their artistic abilities.
• Material used: In the Amaravati style the relief sculptures are more artistic and beautiful because of the white or cream limestone used. That is why the sculptural remains of Amaravati are also known as the 'marbles'. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
• Type of images: The 'narrative art' is a prominent feature of the Amaravati school. The medallions and panels were carved in such a way that they depict the whole story with multiple images in sequence with a natural occurrence.
  • For example, One medallion displays an entire story about the Buddha taming an elephant.
• Major features of images:
  • Reliefs mainly depict major events of the Buddha’s life and his previous births (based on Jataka stories). 
  • They show crowded yet unified compositions, especially in the later period.
  • Reliefs are filled with dynamic movement and delight in the sensuous world. 
  • Numerous overlapping figures and the use of diagonals suggest depth.
  • Rounded forms are abundant.
  • The richness is so overwhelming that the frame is barely able to contain the sculpture.
  • sculptures have a sense of movement and vitality, as well as profound naturalism.
  • Evolution of Amravati school of art: The six centuries when the style developed was also a period of change from an aniconic to an iconic representation of the Buddha. At Amaravati both methods of depiction appear together on one slab.
    • For example, the iconic form is represented by images of the seated and standing Buddha, and the aniconic by an empty throne symbolizing his presence.

Amravati School of Art UPSC PYQs

Question 1: Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (UPSC Mains 2016)

Question 2: Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (UPSC Mains 2020)

Question 3: Consider the following:

1. The deification of the Buddha
2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3. Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism? (UPSC Prelims 2019)

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Question 4: Which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC Prelims 2021)

(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora River.

(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal River.

(c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada River.

(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari River.

Answer: (a)

Amravati School of Art FAQs

Q1. Where is Amravati School of Art located?

Ans. The Amravati school of art located mainly at the ancient Buddhist site of Amravati in Andhra Pradesh. Also found at other sites in Godavari Valley such as Nagarjunkonda, etc.

Q2. Which religion did Amravati School of Art relate to?

Ans. Amravati school of art is mainly associated with the Buddhist religion. The stories connected with the Buddha came to be portrayed in numerous panels.

Q3. Who patronized Amravati School of Art?

Ans. The Amaravati School of Art comes under the patronage of 'Satavahanas' of the Andhra region. The 'Satavahanas' patronized Buddhism and Brahmanism and helped in building chaityas and viharas.

Q4. What is the difference between Gandhara Mathura and Amravati schools?

Ans. The Gandhara school of art showed strong Greco-Roman influences. Both Mathura and Ammravati School of Art showcased indigenous Indian themes collectively reflecting India's rich artistic diversity and historical context. However, Amaravati school was unique in intricate relief sculptures.

Q5. What are the three schools of art?

Ans. The three major schools of art of ancient India—Gandhara, Mathura, and Amravati Schools of Art—emerged with the support of foreign and Indian monarchs.