Q. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located? (UPSC Prelims 2023)
Answer: Andhra
Notes: The correct answer is [A] Andhra. Dhanyakataka (modern-day Dharanikota/Amaravati) was a significant religious and political hub in the Deccan.

• Geographic Location (Andhra): Dhanyakataka was situated on the banks of the Krishna River in the Guntur district of present-day Andhra Pradesh. It served as the capital of the later Satavahana dynasty and was a major center for maritime trade.
• Buddhist Significance (Mahasanghikas): It was a primary seat for the Mahasanghika sect, specifically the school known as the Chaityakas. These groups were instrumental in the development of early Mahayana Buddhism.
• The Amaravati Stupa: The region is home to the Great Stupa of Amaravati, one of the most magnificent Buddhist monuments in India, featuring the distinct "Amaravati School of Art" characterized by white marble-like limestone and dynamic narrative panels.
• Historical Timeline: The site flourished from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. It was mentioned by the Chinese traveler Xuanzang in the 7th century, who noted its many monasteries and its association with advanced Buddhist logic.

The other regions—Gandhara (Northwest), Kalinga (Odisha), and Magadha (Bihar)—hosted their own distinct Buddhist traditions (such as the Gandhara School of Art or the major monasteries of Nalanda and Vikramshila) but were not the site of Dhanyakataka.