Archaeological Museum, Amaravati

{{Short description|Archaeological museum in Andhra Pradesh, India}}

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| name = Amaravati Archaeological Museum

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| coordinates = {{coord|16.5745|80.3581|type:landmark_region:IN|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

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| location = Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, India

| type = Archaeological Museum

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The Amaravathi Archaeological Museum is a museum located in Amaravati, a village in Andhra Pradesh, India. It features an impressive collection of relics that span thousands of years, primarily reflecting the region's history from the 3rd century B.C. It houses sculptures from the Mahachaitya (the Giant Stupa), providing insights into ancient Buddhist art and culture. It includes a model of the reconstructed Mahachaitya in its courtyard. Visitors can explore various galleries that showcase significant artifacts, including life-size Buddha statues and intricate carvings, representing the rich artistic traditions of Amaravathi.

History of the Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Amaravati houses a wealth of relics dating back thousands of years, unearthed through extensive excavations. Its collections reflect the rich history of Amaravati, particularly from the 3rd century B.C., including sculptures that were part of the Mahachaitya (the Giant Stupa).{{Cite web |date=2016-11-21 |title=Renewed pitch to get back 300 BC Buddhist relics from TN |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/Nov/21/renewed-pitch-to-get-back-300-bc-buddhist-relics-from-tn-1540873.html |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} The site was first discovered by Colonel Mackenzie in the late 18th and early 19th centuries,{{cite journal|journal=South Asian Studies|volume=18| issue=1| year=2002| title=Colin Mackenzie and the Stupa at Amaravati| doi=10.1080/02666030.2002.9628607| first=Jennifer |last=Howes |pages =53–65|s2cid=194108928}} leading to significant archaeological efforts by Smith and Elliot (1985),{{Cite news |date=2016-04-07 |title=Amaravati sculptures - a colonial voyage |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/known-as-eliot-marbles-the-amaravati-sculptures-occupy-a-pride-of-place-in-british-museum-writes-kss-seshan/article8446587.ece |access-date=2024-10-11 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} Sewell (1877),{{cite book |title=Early Buddhist Architecture in Context: The Great Stupa at Amaravati (ca. 300 BCE-300 CE) |first=Akira |last=Shimada |publisher=BRILL |year=2012 |isbn=9789004233263 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pfUyAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA90 |page=90}} James Burgess (1881),{{Cite book |last=Burgess |first=James |title=Notes On The Amaravati Stupa |publisher=Kessinger Publishing |year=1882 |isbn=978-1167039881 |location=USA}} and Alexander Rea (1888-89, 1905-06, 08-09) to uncover sculptural remains.{{Cite web |last=Jane |first=Sinduja |date=2020-03-01 |title=Bringing the Amaravati Marbles out of shadows |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/Mar/01/bringing-the-amaravati-marbles-out-of-shadows-2110456.html |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} In the post-independence period, further excavations were carried out by Subramaniyam and Krishnamurthy (1958-59), Karthikeya Sharma (1974-75) in Amaravati, and Venkataramayya and Raghavachary (1962-65) in Dharanikota,{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Lipika |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z94QAQAAIAAJ&q=Raghavachary++amaravathi |title=The World of Buddhism |page=10 |date=2006 |publisher=Shubhi Publications |isbn=978-81-8290-048-6 |language=en}} enhancing the understanding of the architectural and historical significance of the Mahachaitya and the Dharanikota citadel.{{cite web|title=Amaravathi Archaeological Museum|url=http://guntur.nic.in/amaravati_museum.html|website=Official website Guntur District|publisher=National Informatics Centre|accessdate=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310035602/http://guntur.nic.in/amaravati_museum.html|archive-date=10 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

Galleries in the Museum

The Key Gallery presents important examples of Amaravati's artistic traditions. The lotus and Puranakumbha motifs symbolize auspiciousness and abundance. Two drum slabs in bas relief illustrate the structure of stupas, while the early representation of Buddha is depicted symbolically, including a "Svastika" on a cushioned seat beneath the Bodhi tree. Notably, the life-size standing Buddha, dated to the 8th century A.D., is a significant piece in this gallery.{{Cite book |last=Museum |first=Archeology |title=Archeology Museum Amaravathi (Information Booklet) |publisher=Archeology Survey of India |location=Amaravathi}}

Gallery II features a life-size standing image of Buddha characterized by the Maha Purusha Lakshanas (Marks of a Great Man). Among the remarkable pieces, a beautifully carved round panel depicts the episode of Rahula's presentation to Buddha by his father, King Suddhodana. This gallery also includes drum and dome slabs related to stupa worship, alongside various antiquities like gold coins and beads from that period.

Gallery III showcases sculptures from the 2nd century B.C., including a Yakshi of Bharhut tradition, a stele with labeled panels, and a fragment of Asoka's pillar edict. Other notable exhibits include images of Buddha from Alluru, the Dharma Chakra from Lingarajapalli, Bodhisattvas, and a dome slab representing the Three Jewels of Buddhism (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) through a Bodhi tree and stupas. The centerpiece is a couple in round, exemplifying the vitality of Amaravati art during the Satavahana period. Additionally, the life-size Nandishwara (bull) from the same period is a highlight of this gallery.{{Cite book| last1=Chandra Rao| first1=Dr. P. Purna| title=Chronicle of Guntur District Tourism| year=2023| publisher=Acharya Nagarjuna University| edition= 1| location=Guntur| page=21}}

The museum's courtyard features a model of the stupa and reconstructed railing, illustrating key moments such as Gautama Siddhartha's departure, the return of the horse Kanthaka, and the story of Nalagiri, the royal elephant of Ajata Satru. The courtyard displays panels depicting female devotees worshipping Buddha's feet, alongside Jataka tales like Mandhata Chaddanta, Vessantara, and Losaka. Notable pieces include earlier representations of Ganesa and Ganesani and a panel illustrating the division of Buddha's relics among disputing princes.