Amaravati's Ancient Roots: A 2,300-Year Journey Through Time




Amaravati is one of India's most historically important cities with a history that goes back more than 2,300 years to the 2nd-3rd century BCE. This city was capital of the powerful Satavahana empire, which covered enormous lands in parts of the modern-day states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka for almost 450 years until 220 CE.


The Satavahanas, the Andhras of the Puranas, played a crucial role in defining the cultural and religious heritage of the land. They were identified closely with Buddhism and were behind some of the most glorious Buddhist monuments in India. The Buddhist patronage by the dynasty built a thriving center of scholarship and spirituality which drew scholars and believers from all over the subcontinent.


The Great Amaravati Stupa: A Monument to Buddhist Art and Architecture


The jewel of ancient Amaravati was the Great Stupa or Mahachaitya, one of India's greatest Buddhist monuments. Initially constructed during the rule of Emperor Ashoka around the 3rd century BCE, this colossal structure stood 95 feet high with a diameter of about 50 meters. The stupa was finished around 200 CE and was the apogee of Buddhist architectural excellence.


The stupa was decorated with more than 500 pieces of sculpture and 300 inscriptions and was a storehouse of ancient Indian art. The detailed limestone reliefs featured scenes from Buddha's life and Jataka stories, reflecting the advanced artistic conventions of Amaravati school. Scholars such as Robert E. Fisher have described Amaravati style as being more "sensual and abundant" than other forms of Buddhist art traditions.


British Discovery and Archaeological Significance


The ancient glory of Amaravati remained buried for centuries until its rediscovery in 1816-17 by Colonel Colin Mackenzie, the first Surveyor General of India during British rule. This discovery marked the beginning of systematic archaeological exploration of the site. Subsequently, European scholars including Sir Walter Smith, Robert Sewell, James Burgess, and Alexander Rea excavated the site and unearthed numerous sculptures that once adorned the stupa.


Most of the valuable artifacts were dispersed around museums all over the globe. Now, Amaravati sculptures, or Amaravati Marbles, are housed at the British Museum and in museums in Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata. The latest excavations have even exposed the remains of an Ashokan pillar, the first instance of Mauryan art discovered in South India.


The Transition Through Medieval Times


Following the fall of the Satavahanas, Amaravati saw the emergence of various dynasties. The Satavahanas were followed by the Andhra Ikshvakus, the Pallava kings, Eastern Chalukyas, and Telugu Cholas. During the medieval period, Amaravati was under the control of the Kota Kings before falling to the Kakatiyas in the 11th century CE. Subsequently, Amaravati was incorporated into the united Telugu empire under the Vijayanagara empire.


The 18th century witnessed a resurgence under Vasireddy Venkatdri Naidu, a Zamindar-landlord who constructed his fort at Amaravati in the 1790s in an endeavor to revive some of the lost glory of the ancient town. This period is a link between the ancient heritage and the city's modern ambitions.


Modern Renaissance: Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh's New Capital


The most sensational change in Amaravati's past arrived in 2014 after the Andhra Pradesh bifurcation. After Hyderabad was made the capital of the new Telangana state, Andhra Pradesh required a new capital. N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister, selected Amaravati, in part due to his admiration for the city's former role as the capital of the ancient Satavahana dynasty.


On October 22, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for new Amaravati at Uddandarayunipalem village, which marked the launch of a grand project for building a world-class capital city. The selection was symbolically rich as it symbolized a return to its ancient role as a seat of power and a center of governance.


Cultural and Religious Synthesis


Since the beginning of its history, Amaravati has represented the confluence of various religious faiths. Though it was a predominantly Buddhist city, the area also witnessed Hindu temples, of which the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one. This religion-based heterogeneity reflects the city's status as a melting pot of religion and culture.


The city itself has a name that is spiritually rich, "Amaravati" literally meaning "the abode of immortals". There are those who think it is named after the Amaravati Stupa, and others who believe it is named after the Amaralingeswara Temple, illustrating the city's convoluted religious inheritance.


Legacy and Contemporary Relevance


The current Amaravati development project takes a cue from its ancient heritage and incorporates contemporary urban planning principles. The master plan integrates heritage conservation as a central feature to ensure that the archaeological and cultural heritage is part of the development of the new capital. The project is not only urban development but also a continuation of Amaravati's 2,300-year history as a seat of power, culture, and spiritual prestige.


The historical evolution of Amaravati as an ancient Buddhist capital and now as a new metropolitan center illustrates the ongoing relevance of this great city. Its ancient sites, its artistic creations, and its cultural traditions inspire the ideals for its future as the capital of Andhra Pradesh, and it stands as a singular combination of historical majesty and modern aspirations.