Ancient site · Monument
Amaravati Stupa
A great Buddhist stupa beside the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh, near the ancient city of Dharanikota. Built in phases from the 3rd century BCE to about 250 CE, under Satavahana and later rulers, it was faced with finely carved limestone slabs, some showing the stupa itself.
Its style influenced Buddhist art in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Neglected after Buddhism declined, it was buried under rubble until Colin Mackenzie surveyed it in 1816; many reliefs are now in Chennai, Amaravati and the British Museum.
- Dates
- 3rd century BCE–c. 250 CE; known as a centre until the 14th century
- Still standing
- No, or only traces
- Location
- 16.57° N, 80.36° E
How we know
Inscriptions on its sculptures name donors and kings, and later texts mention it; the stupa itself is reduced to its base.
Nearby sites
- Hire Benakal c. 800–200 BCE
- Arikamedu 2nd century BCE–7th/8th century CE
- Ajanta Caves (early caves) early caves c. 2nd century BCE–1st century CE; second phase c. 460–480 CE
- Kodumanal c. 5th–1st century BCE (dates debated)
- Hathigumpha inscription, Udayagiri c. 1st century BCE (from the style of its letters)
- Bhimbetka rock shelters paintings c. 10,000 BCE (Mesolithic) to medieval times; occupation far older