In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
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Answer: A. Dhanyakataka (modern Dharanikota near Amaravati) in Andhra Pradesh was a major Buddhist centre of the Mahasanghika school and the site of the great Amaravati stupa.
Watch for: Kalinga is nearby and famous from Ashoka, but Dhanyakataka was in Andhra.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because Gandhara is in the north-west (Pakistan-Afghanistan).
- C. Wrong because Kalinga is ancient Odisha.
- D. Wrong because Magadha is in Bihar.
Source to check: NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part I, Ch 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Amaravati stupa)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.