Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology

by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words

This page relates ‘Lower Krishna Valley (19): Yeleshvaram’ of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha’s life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.

[Location: Yeleśvaram (Lat 17023’N Long 82010’E East Godāvarī District)]

Yeleśvaram revealed antiquities from Paleolithic phase. Yeleśvaram, site close to Nāgārjunakoṇḍa has yielded several early historic structures. The bathing ghat with flight of steps displays structural activity in the Early Historic period (PL 10d). It was a flourishing city during the time of the Ikṣvākus. The antiquities include beads, black and buff polished ware, terracotta figures, shell objects and translucent bangles[1]. A hoard of Viṣṇukuṇḍin coins prove that the valley came under the control of the Viṣṇukuṇḍin s after the Ikṣvākus[2].

Among the significant discoveries mention may be made of a brick stūpa measuring 12.3 m in diameter and two oblong projections. There is an apsidal chaitya hall and a pillared hall made of lime stone[3].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Khan Md Abdul Waheed, 1963, A Monograph on Yeleśvaram Excavations, Hyderabad, p 10.

[2]:

Rao K. Ramamohan, 1992, Perspective of Archaeology, art and culture in early Andhradesa, New Delhi, p 3.

[3]:

Prasad B. Rajendra, Op. cit, p 23.

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