Amravati as a Buddhist Site (GS Paper 1, Indian Architecture)
Introduction
- Amravati, a site of immense historical and spiritual significance in Andhra Pradesh, has recently come into the spotlight with the announcement of Rs 15,000 crore in financial support by the Finance Minister to build the state's capital and boost development activities.
- This renewed focus highlights Amravati's rich Buddhist heritage, which remains relatively unrecognised despite its profound impact on Indian culture and architecture.
Historical Evolution
- Amravati's journey into the annals of history began in the late 1700s when Raja Vessareddy Nayudu inadvertently discovered ancient limestone ruins in Dhanyakatakam village.
- These ruins, initially used for construction, led to the renaming of the village to Amravati.
- The systematic destruction of these ruins continued until 1816, when Colonel Colin Mackenzie's survey resulted in the rediscovery of the grand Amravati Stupa.
- In 2015, inspired by this historic Buddhist site, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister announced the development of Amaravati as a modern city akin to Singapore.
Amravati and Andhra Buddhism
- Buddhism, which emerged in the fifth century BCE in Magadh (present-day Bihar), reached Andhra Pradesh through trade routes.
- The religion's spread in Andhra Pradesh was significantly aided by the inscription set up by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- Buddhism thrived in the region for nearly six centuries, with key sites like Amravati, Nagarjunakonda, Jaggayapeta, Salihundam, and Sankaram continuing to practice the religion until the 14th century CE.
- The presence of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh coincided with the region's first urbanisation process, largely driven by oceanic trade.
Difference Between Northern Buddhism and Andhra Buddhism
- In Andhra, the spread of Buddhism was significantly influenced by merchants, craftsmen, and wandering monks, unlike the royal patronage seen in North India.
- Traders' success and their association with Buddhism influenced local political rulers, who issued inscriptions supporting the Buddhist sangha.
- Buddhism in Andhra also integrated local religious practices such as megalithic burials and Goddess and Naga worship, reflecting a unique adaptation of Buddhism to regional traditions.
Significance of Amravati in Buddhism
- Amravati is renowned for being the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism, one of the major branches of Buddhism emphasizing the path of the Bodhisattva.
- Acharya Nagarjuna, a prominent Buddhist philosopher, lived in Amravati and developed the Madhyamika philosophy, focusing on the concept of emptiness and the middle way.
- From Amravati, Mahayana Buddhism spread across South Asia, China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
Factors Leading to the Decline of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh
- The decline of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh can be attributed to several factors.
- The rise of Shaivism, noted by Chinese travellers in the seventh century CE, saw a decline in Buddhist stupas and a rise in Shiva temples.
- The decline of urbanisation and economic degradation in the third century CE led to a reduction in patronage for Buddhist institutions.
- Additionally, the arrival of Islam and the subsequent withdrawal of royal patronage from Buddhist establishments further contributed to its decline.
Key Features of the Amravati School of Art
About:
- The Amravati school of art, emerging from the ancient Buddhist site of Amravati during the post-Mauryan period, is one of the three most significant styles of ancient Indian art, alongside the Mathura and Gandhara schools.
Historical Context and Influences:
- The Amravati Stupa, a grand Buddhist monument, was the centerpiece of the Amravati School of Art.
- This site significantly contributed to the development of Buddhist art in India.
- However, indifference to conserving ancient monuments led to the use of stupa materials for construction, causing further degradation.
- Excavations by officials like Walter Elliot in 1845 and the shipment of sculptures to various locations also contributed to the site's decline.
Key Characteristics of Amravati School of Art:
- Major Centres: Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.
- Patronage: Satvahana rulers.
- Key Feature: The Tribhanga posture, characterized by the body with three bends, was extensively used in sculptures.
- Material: Primarily crafted from palnad marble, a special kind of limestone allowing fine and intricate carvings.
- Artistic Style: The art features narrative panels depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, Jataka tales, and various Buddhist rituals and practices. A particular depiction of the Buddha from Amravati, with the robe on the left shoulder and the other hand in abhaya (gesture of fearlessness), became iconic and was replicated in other parts of South and Southeast Asia.
- Global Influence: Unlike the Mathura and Gandhara schools, which show Graeco-Roman influences, the Amravati school developed a unique style with little external influence, emphasizing indigenous artistic traditions.
Global Dispersion of Amravati Art
- Today, sculptures from the Amravati Stupa are scattered across the world, with significant collections in the British Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, Musee Guimet in Paris, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
- Indian museums such as the Government Museum in Chennai and the National Museum in New Delhi also house pieces of Amravati art.
- Notably, Australia remains the only country to have returned a stolen Amravati-style sculpture.
Conclusion
- Amravati stands as a testament to the rich Buddhist heritage of Andhra Pradesh and its significant contribution to Indian architecture and art.
- The Amravati school of art, with its unique style and intricate detailing, represents a pinnacle of artistic achievement in ancient India.
- As efforts to develop Amravati into a modern city continue, preserving and promoting its historical and cultural legacy remains crucial.
- The renewed focus on Amravati not only highlights its past glory but also paves the way for its future as a center of cultural and historical significance.
