Sanchi
Sanchi is a renowned Buddhist complex in Madhya Pradesh, India, celebrated for its Great Stupa, one of the oldest stone structures in the country. Originally commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, it evolved over centuries with additions and smaller stupas, representing the development of ancient Indian and Buddhist architecture. The site is a crucial monument to India's cultural heritage.
Key Facts
- ›The Great Stupa at Sanchi was commissioned by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- ›Its nucleus was a brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha, later enlarged and encased in stone.
- ›Elaborately carved toranas (gateways) and a balustrade were added in the 1st century BCE.
- ›Sanchi is considered the best-preserved group of Buddhist monuments in India.
- ›The complex showcases the evolution of ancient Indian and Buddhist architecture from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE.
- ›Sanchi Stupa is depicted on the ₹200 Indian currency note.
Important Relationships
- Emperor Ashoka
- Devi (Ashoka's wife)
- Vidisha (nearby town, Devi's birthplace and wedding venue)
- Heliodorus (ambassador who erected a pillar nearby)
- Satakarni II (Satavahana king)
Great Stupa, Toranas, Balustrade, Ashoka Pillar, Stupa No. 2, Stupa No. 3, Temple 40
- Original Commission By Emperor Ashoka
- Enlargement and Stone Casing During the Shunga Period
- Addition of Decorated Gateways and Balustrades During the Satavahana Period
- Flourished Until the 11th Century Ce
Mauryan Architecture, Shunga Architecture, Satavahana Architecture, Gupta Architecture
About Sanchi
The Buddhist complex at Sanchi, located in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh, India, is a site of immense historical and architectural significance, most famously for its Great Stupa. This ancient monument stands as a testament to the evolution of Buddhist art and architecture in India, with its origins tracing back to the Mauryan Empire.
Early History and Construction
The Great Stupa, also known as Stupa No. 1, was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its initial construction featured a nucleus of a hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. This early stupa was crowned with a chatra, a parasol-like symbol of high rank intended to honor and shelter the relics. Ashoka's wife, Devi, who was from the nearby town of Vidisha, played a role in the site's early development, as Sanchi was her birthplace and the location of her wedding to Ashoka.
Subsequent Developments and Artistic Flourishing
The site continued to develop over centuries. During the Shunga period (2nd century BCE), the Great Stupa was enlarged with stone slabs, nearly doubling its original size, and was adorned with a high circular drum for circumambulation, accessible by a double staircase. A second stone pathway at ground level was enclosed by a stone balustrade. The Satavahana period (1st century BCE – 1st century CE) saw the addition of highly decorated toranas (ornamental gateways) and further embellishments to the balustrades. These gateways, carved in stone but constructed in the manner of wood, feature narrative sculptures depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha and Jataka tales. The reliefs at Sanchi, particularly on Stupa No. 2, are considered among the earliest examples of extensive Buddhist sculptural decoration, showcasing the symbolic representation of the Buddha through attributes rather than human figures due to aniconism.
Architectural Evolution and Broader Significance
Beyond the Great Stupa, the Sanchi complex includes other stupas, such as Stupa No. 2 and Stupa No. 3, which were also built during the Shunga and Satavahana periods. Temple structures were also erected, down to the Gupta Empire period. Altogether, Sanchi encapsulates the major stages of ancient Indian and Buddhist architecture, from its early forms to its later developments. The complex flourished until around the 11th century CE and is now considered one of the best-preserved groups of Buddhist monuments in India. Its importance to Indian cultural heritage is recognized by its depiction on the reverse side of the ₹200 Indian currency note.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Great Stupa at Sanchi built?
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure. Over subsequent centuries, it was enlarged and embellished.
What is the significance of Sanchi Stupa?
Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India and an important monument to the historical architecture of the country. It represents the evolution of ancient Indian and Buddhist architecture and is a significant site for understanding early Buddhist art and practices.
Who commissioned the construction of the Great Stupa?
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. His wife, Devi, who was the daughter of a merchant from nearby Vidisha, also had connections to the site.
What architectural additions were made to Sanchi Stupa?
In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The Great Stupa itself was enlarged during the Shunga and Satavahana periods.
What does Sanchi Stupa represent in terms of Buddhist art?
Sanchi Stupa is significant for its early Buddhist reliefs, particularly those found on Stupa No. 2, which are considered some of the earliest extensive stupa decorations. These reliefs depict key events in the Buddha's life and Jataka tales, though the Buddha is represented symbolically rather than anthropomorphically.
Related Buddhist Temples
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Pha That Luang
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Thuparamaya
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