Who collected several sculpture panels from Amaravati in 1854?

Walter Elliot

In 1854, Walter Elliot, the Guntur commissioner in Andhra Pradesh, embarked on his exploration of Amaravati. His journey resulted in the collection of several sculpture panels, which he transported to Madras. These panels would eventually earn the moniker "Elliot marbles" in his honor. Elliot's expedition further revealed the remnants of the western gateway and prompted him to conclude that Amaravati held the distinction of being among the grandest and most splendid Buddhist stupas ever constructed.

As the 1850s unfolded, a significant turn of events occurred as various slabs from Amaravati started dispersing to different locales. These sculptures found their way to institutions such as the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Calcutta, the India Office in Madras, and even London. Interestingly, British administrators adorned their gardens with these sculptures, transforming the pieces into decorative elements. This trend of removal persisted, as successive officials continued the practice based on the precedent set by their predecessors.