Question map
In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1 (Andhra). Dhanyakataka, also known as Dharanikota, was a major political and religious hub located in the Andhra region, specifically in the Guntur district on the banks of the Krishna River.
It served as an important capital for the Satavahana dynasty and later thrived as a preeminent Buddhist site under the patronage of the Mahasanghikas (and their local schools like the Caityakas). The site is world-renowned for the Great Stupa of Amaravati, which represents the pinnacle of early Indian Buddhist art.
- Gandhara: Located in the northwest (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan), famous for Graeco-Buddhist art.
- Kalinga: Modern-day Odisha, known for sites like Dhauli but not the seat of Dhanyakataka.
- Magadha: Located in present-day Bihar, the heartland of early Buddhism, but geographically distinct from the Krishna valley.
Thus, historical and archaeological evidence confirms Dhanyakataka's location in the Andhra region.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Ancient Name vs Modern Name' question disguised with a sectarian detail (Mahasanghikas). While it looks obscure, Dhanyakataka is simply the ancient name for Amaravati. If you study the Amaravati School of Art, the first fact is usually its location and ancient name.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Identifies Dhanyakataka with Amaravati and gives its modern location.
- Explicitly states Dhanyakataka flourished as a major Buddhist hub under the Mahasanghikas.
- States that Andhradesa (Andhra) became a stronghold of the Mahasanghikas.
- Directly references Dhanyakataka in the context of these Andhra-based Buddhist groups.
- Affirms that Buddhism was popular throughout Andhradesa (Andhra).
- Lists Dhanyakataka alongside Amaravati as a Buddhist establishment in Andhradesa.
States that the Krishna and Godavari delta of Andhra had many important Buddhist centres and lists Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda as archaeological examples.
A student could check a map of the Krishna–Godavari delta (Andhra region) to see whether Dhanyakataka lies within that delta and thus assess the regional claim.
Notes that monasteries were located in the region of Kanchi and the valleys of the Krishna and the Godavari rivers, identifying these valleys as key loci of Buddhist activity in South India.
One could use the rule that major Buddhist centres clustered along Krishna/Godavari valleys to test if Dhanyakataka is geographically in one of those valleys.
Describes Buddhist presence in southern ports like Kaveripattinam and mentions archaeological evidence (fourth century CE Buddhist complex) in the Deccan, indicating southern India/Deccan as an area of Buddhist establishments.
A student might compare known southern Buddhist sites and Deccan trade centres on a map to see whether Dhanyakataka fits this southern/Deccan distribution pattern.
- [THE VERDICT]: Moderate/Sitter. Solvable if you read standard Ancient History (Upinder Singh or TN Board Class XI) covering the Satavahana period or the Amaravati School of Art.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Post-Mauryan Buddhist Architecture and Sectarian Geography (Where did different Buddhist sects settle?).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map these Sects to Regions: Sarvastivadins (Kashmir/Mathura), Mahasanghikas (Andhra - Amaravati/Nagarjunakonda), Theravada (Magadha/Sri Lanka), Sammitiyas (Gujarat/Sindh). Map Ancient Names: Saketa (Ayodhya), Kanyakubja (Kannauj), Mahishmati (Central India).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When preparing Art & Culture sites (like Sanchi, Amaravati, Ajanta), never skip the 'Historical Geography' paragraph. Always tag the site with: 1. Ancient Name, 2. River Bank, 3. Patron Dynasty, 4. Dominant Sect.
Key Buddhist centres were concentrated in the Krishna and Godavari river deltas of Andhra, which is the relevant regional background for locating Dhanyakataka.
High-yield for questions asking the location of southern Buddhist sites or mapping religious geography; links ancient riverine trade regions to cultural diffusion and archaeological finds. Mastery helps answer location-based history and culture questions and to eliminate distractor regions.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Ideology and Religion 5.7 > p. 74
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Monasteries and Mutts > p. 126
Mahasanghikas were one of the principal Buddhist sects whose doctrinal and institutional presence helps explain why certain urban centres became prominent Buddhist hubs.
Useful for questions tying sectarian history to archaeological sites and patronage patterns; connects doctrinal history to regional distribution of monasteries and to comparative religion topics in the syllabus.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhist Sects > p. 42
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Ideology and Religion 5.7 > p. 74
Buddhism spread into Tamizhagam and other parts of south India with notable monasteries and university-like institutions at coastal and deltaic towns relevant for locating major centres.
Important for tackling questions on cultural diffusion, regional archaeology, and empire-period patronage in the Deccan and south; helps relate inscriptions, trade centres and monastic sites in map-based and short-answer questions.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhism in Tamilnadu > p. 43
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Monasteries and Mutts > p. 126
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Ideology and Religion 5.7 > p. 74
Since they asked about Mahasanghikas in Andhra, the next logical question is about the 'Lokottaravada' sect (a sub-sect of Mahasanghikas) associated with the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, or the 'Sarvastivada' dominance in the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir.
Etymological Hack: 'Dhanya' means Grain/Paddy. 'Kataka' means Camp/Fort. Dhanyakataka implies a 'Rice Fort' or a region rich in paddy. Andhra is historically known as the 'Rice Bowl of India' (Godavari-Krishna delta). Gandhara is semi-arid (wheat), Magadha is rice but usually associated with Pataliputra/Rajgir. The 'Rice' connection points strongly to the Andhra delta.
Mains GS1 (Art & Culture): The dominance of Mahasanghikas in Andhra led to the unique 'Amaravati School of Art' which focused on narrative art (Jataka tales) on white limestone (Palnad marble), distinct from the red sandstone of Mathura or grey schist of Gandhara.