Introduction:- The Amravati School of Art gained fame for its Amravati stupa. Among the three renowned schools that emerged with the spread of Buddhism, this school held a significant place. As Buddhism flourished in the first and second centuries. It led to the establishment of three distinctive art schools in India. These schools, namely the Gandhara School of Art, Mathura School of Art, and Amaravati School of Arts. They were named after the locations where they prominently developed.
These art schools reflected the diversity and richness of artistic expressions during the flourishing period of Buddhism in India.
| More from UPSC Study Material | |
| Nagara Style Or North India Temple Style | Buddhist Architecture |
| Dravida Style Of Temple Architecture | Growth of Indian Nationalism |
| Coming Of Europeans | Revolt of 1857 |
Historical Background of the Amaravati School of Art
| Historical Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration | Flourished in India for approximately six centuries, from 200 to 100 BC. |
| Patron | The Satavahanas were the first patrons of this school. |
| Development | Developed and flourished in the lower valleys of the Krishna and Godavari rivers in Andhra Pradesh. |
| Sculpture Forms | Included both religious and secular images. |
| Notable Locations | Amravati, Nagarjunikonda, Goli, Ghantasala, and Vengi. |
| Influence | Indigenous, with no outside influences. |
| Later Developments | Pallava and Chola buildings evolved from this style later. |
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Major Features of the Amaravati School of Art
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Narrative Art | A prominent feature of the Amaravati school. |
| Medallions | Carved in a way that depicts natural occurrences. |
| White Marble | The Amravati stupas are made of striking white marble. |
| Sculpture Forms | Amaravati sculptures have a sense of movement, vitality, and profound naturalism. |
| Symbolism | Includes a symbolic picture of Buddha’s life, yet he is also personified in two or three places. |
| Pradakshina Patha | The Amaravati Stupa also has a pradakshina patha contained by a vedika on which various narrative stories from the life of Buddha and bodhisattva predominate, but its structural anatomy is more intricate. |
Comparison of Amaravati, Mathura, and Gandharan styles of ancient Indian art
| Aspect | Amaravati style | Mathura style | Gandharan style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographical location | Southern India | Northern India | Present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan |
| Time period | 3rd century BCE to 250 CE | 2nd century BCE to 12th century CE | 1st century CE to 7th century CE |
| Material | White limestone | Red sandstone, schist | Grey-blue schist |
| Sculptural form | Slim, intense emotions, tribhanga pose | Full-bodied, sensuous | Naturalistic, Greco-Roman influence |
| Influence | South India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia | Northern India | Central Asia, western regions of the Indian subcontinent |
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More Detailed Comparison of Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati Schools of Art
| School | Gandhara School | Mathura School | Amaravati School |
|---|---|---|---|
| External Influence | Influenced by Greek or Hellenistic sculpture, hence called Indo-Greek art | Developed indigenously | Developed indigenously |
| Material used | Early period used bluish-grey sandstone, later period used mud and stucco | Sculptures made of spotted red sandstone | Sculptures made of white marble |
| Religious Influence | Mainly influenced by Buddhist imagery, influenced by Greco-Roman pantheon | Influenced by all three major religions of the time i.e. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism | Mainly influenced by Buddhist imagery |
| Patronage | Kushana rulers | Kushana rulers | Satavahana rulers |
| Area of development | Developed in North-West Frontier, in the modern-day area of Kandahar | Developed in and around Mathura, Sonkh, and Kankalitila, famous for Jain sculptures | Developed in the Krishna-Godavari lower valley, in and around Amravati, Nagarjunakonda, Goli, Ghantasala, and Vengi |
| Features of Buddha sculpture | Spiritual Buddha, Sad Buddha, Bearded Buddha, less ornamentation, great detailing, Buddha in Yogi postures, Greek influence | Delighted Buddha, less spiritual, shaven head and face, muscularity, energetic, graceful posture of Buddha, seated in Padmasana | Symbolic representation of Buddha’s life, lives of Buddha in both human and animal forms |
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Amaravati School of Art Overview
The Amaravati School of Art thrived for six centuries, from 200-100 BCE, predominantly in the Vengi region between the Krishna and Godavari Rivers in Andhra Pradesh. Key sites include Jagayyapetta, Amaravati, Bhattiprolu, Nagarjunkonda, and Goli, receiving patronage from the Satavahanas and Ikshvakus.
Features of Amaravati School
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Development location | Banks of the Krishna River, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Patronage | Satavahana rulers |
| Sculptural form | Intense emotions, slim figures with movement, complex anatomy |
| Material used | White limestone |
| Prominent places | Amravati, Nagarjunikonda, Goli, Ghantasala, Vengi |
| Symbolic representation of Buddha’s life | Symbolic representation, narrative stories from Buddha’s life |
| Religious and secular images | Presence of both religious and secular images |
| Transformation | Later transformed into Pallava and Chola architecture |
| Carving preservation | Sculptural remains in the British Museum and the Madras Museum, Carvings of Nagarjunakonda preserved in entirety at the site |
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Main Features of Amaravati School
- Distinctive white marble also used in the “Stupa.”
- Narrative art as a distinguishing characteristic.
- Presence of both religious and secular images.
- Buddha’s life events represented symbolically.
- Intense emotional expressions in sculptural figures.
- Slender figures with dynamic movements and tribhanga posture.
- Complex sculptural compositions showing a sense of 3D space.
- Important sites include Amravati Mahachaitya, Amaravati Stupa, Guntapalle, Rock-cut stupas at Anakapalle, and Sannati.
Amaravati Stupa Details
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Amaravathi, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Period of construction | 3rd century BCE to 250 CE, with enlargement and replacement of sculptures starting around 50 CE |
| Protection | Under the Archaeological Survey of India |
| Sculptures | Mostly in relief, lacking large iconic Buddha figures |
| Influence | One of the three major styles of ancient Indian art; had a significant impact on art in South India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia |
The Amaravati School of Art and its iconic stupa also marked by intricate narratives and symbolic representations, played a pivotal role in shaping the artistic landscape of ancient India.
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