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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
Guest previewThis 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.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Amaravati, was an ancient city located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, India. ... Dhanyakataka flourished as a major Buddhist hub, particularly under the Mahasanghikas, an influential school of early Buddhism."
Why this source?
- Identifies Dhanyakataka with Amaravati and gives its modern location.
- Explicitly states Dhanyakataka flourished as a major Buddhist hub under the Mahasanghikas.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Andhradesa had become a stronghold of the Mahasanghikas (Rao 1993). ... Dhanyakataka was the stronghold of Caityakas (Das 1993)."
Why this source?
- States that Andhradesa (Andhra) became a stronghold of the Mahasanghikas.
- Directly references Dhanyakataka in the context of these Andhra-based Buddhist groups.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Buddhism was popular throughout Andhradesa ... Among the Buddhist centres, besides the Buddhist establishments like Amaravati, Dhanyakataka, Sailihundam, Peddabankur"
Why this source?
- Affirms that Buddhism was popular throughout Andhradesa (Andhra).
- Lists Dhanyakataka alongside Amaravati as a Buddhist establishment in Andhradesa.
- 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.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Evolution of Society in South India > Ideology and Religion 5.7 > p. 74
Strength: 5/5
“The earliest evidence of the appearance of formal religious activities appears in the time of Ashoka, when Buddhism reached south India and Sri Lanka. Asoka's daughter is considered to have taken a sapling of the Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka. There is a legend associated with the movement of Chandragupta Maurya to the Karnataka region before the time of Ashoka. The Satavahanas, Sangam kings, and Ikshvahus supported Vedic sacrifices. Evidence of Buddhism is widely found in south India. The Krishna and Godavari delta of Andhra had many important Buddhist centres. Archaeological excavations conducted in Amaravathi, Nagarjunakonda, etc. show how deep-rooted was Buddhism.”
Why relevant
States that the Krishna and Godavari delta of Andhra had many important Buddhist centres and lists Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda as archaeological examples.
How to extend
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.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Cultural Development in South India > Monasteries and Mutts > p. 126
Strength: 4/5
“Monasteries continued to be the nucleus of the Buddhist educational system and were located in the region of Kanchi, and the valleys of the Krishna and the Godavari rivers. Buddhist centres were concerned with the study of Buddhism, particularly as this was a period of intense conflict between orthodox and heterodox sects. But Buddhism 126 ¹ Cultural Development in South India was fighting a losing battle. Royal patronage, which the Buddhists lacked, gave an edge to the protagonists of Vedic religions. Apart from the university at Kanchi, which acquired a fame equal to that of Nalanda, there were a number of other Sanskrit colleges.”
Why relevant
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.
How to extend
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.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Buddhism in Tamilnadu > p. 43
Strength: 3/5
“Buddhism spread to Tamizhagam from about the third century BCE. Asokan inscriptions found in the Deccan region vouch for the spread of Buddhism to southern parts of India. Archaeological evidences also reveal the existence of a Buddhist complex of the fourth century CE in Kaveripattinam. Quoting Pattinapalai, Noboru Karashima refers to merchants in Kaveripoompattinam, who were vegetarians and opposed to animal sacrifice. From this one could presume the influence of Buddhism in Tamil country. A Buddhist temple was built in Nagapattinam at the request of a Chinese ruler during the reign of Pallava king Narasimhavarman II (CE 695-722). Chinese monk Wu-hing visited the monastery.”
Why relevant
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.
How to extend
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.
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.
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