STUDENT NAME:

MOHD IMRAN KHAN

ENROOLMENT NO.: 17147C03067

BRANCH: CIVIL

GUIDENCE CO-ORDINATOR

PROF. PRAVEEN KATIYA PROF. AMIT SONI

INTRODUCTION
The foundation of the Buddhist vihara at Sanchi that includes the
great Sanchi Stupa was laid by one of the greatest Indian
Emperors, Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty who reigned over
almost the entire Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE. He
commissioned construction of the Stupa here after redistributing
the mortal remains of Lord Buddha so as to build several Stupas
in different locations across India to spread Buddhism. The
present hemispherical edifice is double in diameter of the original
brick structure built by Ashoka, consisting of the relics of Lord
Buddha. A chatra that is an umbrella like structure made of stone
crowned the hemispherical brick structure that was surrounded by
a wooden railing. Queen Devi, wife of Ashoka and daughter of a
merchant of Vidisha, who was born in Sanchi, supervised the
construction of this monument. A sandstone pillar, inscribed with
Schism Edict by Ashoka as also with ornate spiral Brahmi
characters from the Gupta period resembling conch shells
referred as ‘Shankhalipi’ or ‘shell-script’ by scholars, was erected
in the site. While the lower portion of it is still grounded, the upper
portions are kept under a canopy.

Probable Destruction and Expansion of the

Stupa during Shunga Period
The Senapati or General of the Maurya Empire, Pushyamitra
Shunga killed Brihadratha Maurya, the last Mauryan Emperor
in the middle of an army review in 185 BCE and laid the
foundation of the Shunga Empire in North India. Going by the
Indian Sanskrit-language text titled ‘Ashokavadana’ that
describes the birth and reign of Ashoka, assumptions crop up
that the Stupa was probably destroyed during the second
century BCE, an incident which many believe to be
associated with the rise of the power of Pushyamitra. Later it
was re-constructed by his son, Agnimitra.

During the Shunga dynasty, expansion of the Stupa, nearly

double its original size with a more flattened dome was
undertaken using stone slabs that entirely covered the actual
brick Stupa. Three superimposed umbrella-like structures
were built to crown the dome. It symbolised the Wheel of Law
or ‘dharma’. A high rounded drum that can be reached
through a double staircase became the seat of the dome
enabling one to circumambulate the sacred dome.

Construction & Decoration of the Gateways

As perceived from inscriptions, presumably the four intricately
decorated torans or gateways facing all four directions and an
ornamented balustrade surrounding the stupa were added
later in the first century BCE during the Satavahana rule.
Various designs and motifs are carved on the railing and the
gates of the Stupa. The sculptures on the torans consist of
decorative illustrations of events encompassing the life of
Lord Buddha as elucidated in the tales of Jataka. Inanimate
figures like that of a tree are used here to symbolise Lord
 Buddha. One of the most striking features regarding the
Stupa is that instead of images, Lord Buddha has been
depicted symbolically by figures like thrones, wheels and
footprints among others.

Located in the heart of India, 46-km from Bhopal in Madhya

Pradesh, Sanchi Stupa is a place of acquired interest and
exploration. Besides admiring the fine display of Buddhist Art and
Architecture here, the visitors to this ancient site must know how
and when it was built, explore the place in detail and give it
undivided attention that it truly deserves. We help you admire the
place beyond the obvious.

To begin with, it is important to know- what a

Stupa is.
The stupa is an architectural structure which symbolises the
remains, containing relics or religious objects of Buddha. It is the
structural emblem or the most important Buddhist Monument
which is used as a place of meditation.

Stup
as have a distinct shape, constructed in semi-spherical design,
enclosed in a fence. To describe its appearance simply, a stupa is
made of stone, with its basic shape (like a dome representing the
Buddha’s posture as he meditated (to attain alignment) on the
earth. It has a square base which represents Buddha seated in a
cross-legged position. Its middle section is known as the
hemisphere or mound and represents the structure of the
Buddha’s body. The top conical spire is symbolic of the Buddha’s
spine or central channel (avadhuti).

The religious significance and value of a stupa

According to the MahaparinirvanaSutra(an ancient Buddhist text
describing the last days of the Buddha), when Buddha passed
away, his cremated remains were divided into eight parts by his
followers (his disciples). Each of the eight kings then built a stupa
to commemorate Buddha’s remains, containing one portion of the
relics too, buried inside the stupa.

When visiting a stupa, practitioners move around it in a clockwise

direction to practice meditation. During the meditation time,
practitioners focus deeply on the endless cycle of rebirth
(samsara). They walk the path of enlightenment seeking ultimate
freedom from suffering. The meditation practice has been
followed in the early Buddhist tradition by clergy and laity, who
worshipped stupas including the relics buried in them, to attain
spiritual merit. It was the same reason, of Buddhist relic-cult and
its popularity, which gives stupas much of its symbolic merit.

It grew manifold in popularity during the reign of Emperor Ashoka.

Today, stupas are not a just enormous symbol of Buddhist
philosophy and concepts of life but also, a standout for its
architectural brilliance, expansion and strength.

Why Sanchi stupa was built

The Great Stupa in Sanchi, India, is said to be the earliest known
stupa, commissioned in the third century BCE. A qualified
Buddhist teacher is required to build a stupa, and Sanchi Stupa
was built by none other than Emperor Ashoka, who entrusted
himself with the task of spreading the philosophy of Buddhist
teachings after the horrific war of Kalinga.
King Ashoka has been instrumental in building Stupas to expand
the Buddhist world. Quoting Buddhist scriptures, a posting
on www.nangchen.org said: “With the wish of spreading the
teachings of the Buddha, King Ashoka of India divided the relics
of Lord Buddha and constructed 84,000 stupas to enshrine these
precious objects of devotion.”

Origin and development of Sanchi stupa

including major details on its architectural finery
and design aesthetic
Its original dimension was a hemispherical some, about a height
of 54 feet. Like any other stupa built, it also contains a central
chamber consisting of the relics of Lord Buddha. Surrounding the
stupa are four ornamental gateways in four different directions.
Sanchi Stupa has undergone many transformations under
different dynasty rules. Built under the supervision of the Mauryan
Empire (under the patronage of King Ashoka from about 250
BCE), the stupa went changes during the Shunga dynasty. During
the Shunga dynasty (around 187 to 78 BCE after the fall of
Mauryan Empire), the stupa went through an expansion, almost
double its original size. The dome was more flattened. Stone
slabs were used to flatter the dome otherwise made of brick. Also,
the umbrella-like structure was built to crown the dome. It
symbolised the Wheel of Dharma. This rounded drum was used
to cover the sacred dome.
Today, this hemispherical edifice is double in diameter size of the
original construction initiated by King Ashoka. There are four
intricately decorated torans or the four gateways as we call it,
facing in all four directions. Stunning designs and motifs adorn the
railing and the gates of the stupa. The torans sculptures share
beautifully carvings from the life of Lord Buddha as described in
the Jataka tales. There are depictions of trees, figurative
illustrations of Thrones, wheels, all-encompassing the life of
Buddha, starting from the time he left his Kingdom to follow the
path of meditation, setting Buddhism as a practice in Bodh Gaya,
to his life’s illustration from here on.
What to expect during a visit
It is a world-famous site recognised as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site since 1989. Sanchi Stupa is regarded as the best-
conserved site among the ancient stupas of India.
During a visit here, a visitor can expect the following spectacles:

The Four Gate Ways- these were built in 35 BC which

showcase the Buddhist expression in enormity, unlike anywhere
else. The four gateways or torans bring to life the Gautam Buddha
life snippets. It is a complete walkthrough through the life of Lord
Buddha and his earlier births.

The Ashoka Pillar- scattered in the area are some broken

Ashoka Pillars which hold a lot of symbolic value. The Ashoka
Pillars were used by the King as edicts to impart knowledge about
Buddhist scriptures and teachings. The Sanchi Pillar of Ashoka is
at the epitome of Greco-Buddhist style, identified for its aesthetic
value and perfect structural balance built. While the lower portion
of the pillar is firmly grounded, its upper portion is under a canopy.
It still has ornate spiral Brahmi characters embedded on it. They
were inscribed during the Gupta period and the script resembled
conch shells shape or described as ‘shell-script’ by scholars. The
crown of these pillars has four lion’s depictions, adopted as the
National Emblem of India.

Stupas – Sanchi Stupas were built on a hill-top for worship and

religious purposes. It contained the relics of disciples of Buddha.
These stupas have beautifully adorned wall designs and
carvings. 
Museum- is maintained by the archaeological survey of India.
It has preserved excavations of Sanchi area. There are utensils
used by the monks who spent time in Sanchi. Its most prized
possession is the lion crown (from Ashoka Pillar).

Sanchi, also spelled Sanci, historic site, west-central Madhya

Pradesh state, central India. It lies in an upland plateau region, just west
of the Betwa River and about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Vidisha. On a
flat-topped sandstone hill that rises some 300 feet (90 metres) above the
surrounding country stands India’s best-preserved group
of Buddhist monuments, collectively designated a UNESCO World
Heritage site in 1989.
 

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh state, India, designated a World Heritage site in

1989.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
The most noteworthy of the structures is the Great Stupa (stupa no. 1),
discovered in 1818. It was probably begun by the Mauryan
emperor Ashoka in the mid-3rd century BCE and later enlarged. Solid
throughout, it is enclosed by a massive stone railing pierced by four
gateways, which are adorned with elaborate carvings (known as Sanchi
sculpture) depicting the life of the Buddha, legends of his previous
births, and other scenes important to early Buddhism (notably Ashoka’s
visit to the Bo tree in Bodh Gaya). The stupa itself consists of a base
bearing a hemispherical dome (anda), symbolizing the dome of heaven
enclosing the earth. It is surmounted by a squared rail unit (harmika)
representing the world mountain, from which rises a mast (yashti),
symbolizing the cosmic axis. The mast bears umbrellas (chatras) that
represent the various heavens (devaloka).
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India: Great StupaDetail from the
eastern gateway to the Great Stupa (stupa no. 1), Sanchi, Madhya
Pradesh, India.Frederick M. Asher
Other remains at the site include several smaller stupas, an assembly hall
(chaitya), an Ashokan pillar with inscriptions, and several monasteries
(4th–11th century CE). A number of relic caskets (containers holding
various remains of the Buddha) and more than 400 epigraphical records
have also been discovered. Pop. (2001) 6,784; (2011) 8,401.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi
This is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, located on a hill in the
countryside of central India just north of presentday Bhopal. It is
the largest of several stupas at the site, which also includes the
remains of several monastic buildings, including dining halls and
pilgrim rooms.
What is a stupa?
Stupas are dome-like structures, originally mounds honoring the
relics of great leaders or princes, which later became associated
with the relics of the Buddha. When the historical Buddha died,
his physical remains were said to have been distributed among
ten burial mounds. Several centuries later, during the reign of the
emperor Ashoka (272–231 BCE), these remains were subdivided
into even more sites, one of which was Sanchi.
Early Buddhist stupas were mounds surrounded by a fence—not
unlike the sacred trees and other village shrines found throughout
India—that became objects of worship. Devotees walked around
the stupa in a clockwise fashion. As stupas became more
elaborate, they were crowned with a platform and a series of
disks derived from umbrellas (originally used to shade royalty).
The dome itself was garlanded with flowers, and gateways were
added at the cardinal points. Stupas were venerated as a symbol
of the Buddha’s final release.

The presence of relics or texts rendered the site sacred, similar to

the bishop’s throne or reliquaries at the heart of European
cathedrals. As Buddhism developed across Asia, the stupa
evolved into a pagoda form, and as the image of the Buddha
developed, it began to appear inside the stupa or in separate
image halls.

When and how was it made?

The original stupa at Sanchi was probably a modest burial mound
of mud and clay. This stupa was repaired and doubled in size
around 150 BCE. The dome was encased in masonry, and a
walking terrace was constructed 16 feet off the ground. The
elaborate stone fence was added on ground level. The Great
Stupa  achieved its present state around 75–50 BCE, most
notably with the addition of the four elaborately carved gateways,
carved in a finer sandstone, perhaps by ivory carvers as indicated
in an inscription on one of the panels. Between around 1100 and
1900, Sanchi lay deserted. Today, it remains the best-preserved
example of an Indian stupa.
The Function of Art Images in a Stupa
As stupas became more elaborate, their complexes developed
narrative spaces in which to carve stories of the life of the
Buddha, as well as to create images of the patrons who
commissioned the work. The image of the Buddha in human form
does not appear at Sanchi, but the Buddha’s presence is honored
symbolically with images of footprints, riderless horses, umbrellas,
an empty seat, and so on, thus providing evidence for an an
iconic phase in Buddhist art according to some scholars. His
previous lives (jatakas) are told in rich narrative detail, and there
are numerous scenes of people and animals worshiping the bodhi
tree, the wheel, and other sacred sites associated with the
Buddha. One explanation for the missing figure of the Buddha is
that, having attained nirvana after so many previous lives, it would
be inappropriate to show him in the physical form that he has left
behind.

Almost all the carving on the Great Stupa appears on the four
gateways, each facing one of the four cardinal directions. This
photograph has been taken near the southern gateway (right)
where the original entrance path would have been.

The two pillars on each gateway support three crossbeams. The

images on these pillars and crossbeams give us great insight into
ancient beliefs and customs. They also indicate Buddhism’s
readiness to incorporate indigenous, local beliefs into the
Buddhist practice. Several gateways, for example, are adorned
with female fertility spirits (yakshis) who bring auspiciousness to
the site. A similar figure of a yakshi from a railing pillar can be
found in the Indian galleries at the Asian Art Museum.
Museums in Sanchi
Housing various Buddhist memorials and historic sites, Sanchi is a
beautiful village situated in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. A
tour to Sanchi will remain incomplete without exploring its stunning
Archaeological Museum. Find out what make this one and only museum
in Sanchi a major tourist destination.

Address : NH-86, Near Sanchi Stupa, District Raisen, Sanchi - 464661

Timing : 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Closed : Friday and National Holidays

Archaeological Museum
Established at the hilltop in Sanchi in 1919 by Sir John Marshall, former
Director General of ASI, the Sanchi Archaeological Museum was later
distorted at the foothill of Sanchi Stupa and got the exhibits transferred
to the new building in the year 1966 because of the lack of space as well
as for displaying the objects of the museum aesthetically.
The museum consists of four galleries and a main hall. It exhibits a large
number of astonishing leftovers and art works representing the culture
and background of this famous pilgrimage site. The amazing carvings
and tools made of metal showcased in the museum are around 2000
years old. Most of the museum's objects are from Sanchi itself while the
rest few are from its neighbouring villages including Vidisha, Gulgaon,
Gyaraspur and Murelkhurd.
The museum is a must-visit for history buffs and tourists from across the
world who wants to have a sense of era of the Emperor Ashoka, the
original starter of the stupa. This museum is revealed as one of the
richest sculptural finds of Buddhist heritage with a perfect blend of
Buddhist and Hindu styles.
Sanchi Museum stands witness to Indian's rich religious and
architectural heritage. This is an important tourist attraction in
Sanchi and is certainly worth visiting because it displays several rare
and antique items. The Sanchi Museum has a very verdant setting.

History of Sanchi Museum :

In the year 1919 Sir John Marshall developed an archaeological
museum. Later this was converted to the Sanchi Museum . The
Sanchi Museum is presently owned by the Archaeological Survey of
India. It is kept open for public viewing from 9'o clock in the morning
to 5'o clock in the evening. The entry fee is also very nominal.

Description of Sanchi Museum :

Sanchi Museum in sanchi is the proud owner of a number of earliest
known stone sculptures in India that date back to the 3rd, 2nd and
1st century B.C. All of them have been collected from Sanchi itself.
Caskets and Pottery several centuries old can be seen housed in the
museum. Certain metal objects that were used by the monks have
also been kept in the museum. Parts of the Toranas or ornamental
gateways are preserved in the museum. The famous Ashok Lion
Capital which was later adopted as the National Emblem of India is
also kept in the museum. Statues of a Yakshi and a Buddha carved in
red sandstone are also quite noteworthy.

How to reach Sanchi Museum :

Sanchi is fairly well connected to the major towns and cities of
Madhya Pradesh by road. Buses ply at regular intervals. Those who
are interested in traveling by air, the nearest airport is Bhopal. From
here you can take a bus or hire a taxi. If you are availing the rail
route, it is best to get down at Vidisha. Even though there is a
railway station at Jhansi, Vidisha is far better connected to different
areas of the country. Many trains halt here. The distance between
Jhansi and Vidisha is just 10 km. Moreover plenty of buses and autos
keep the two places well connected.

Formerly known as the Bhopal Museum, Archaeological Museum

was inaugurated in November 2005. The museum is housed in a
majestic building, and features a splendid collection of sculptures
brought from various parts of the state. Displays at this museum
comprise of coins, paintings, tribal handicrafts, musical
instruments, figurines, sculptures and excavated artifacts, which
provide an insight about the rich cultural heritage of Madhya
Pradesh.

The main exhibits at this museum are precious artifacts, which

include the statues of Lakshmi and Buddha and images of
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Parvathi. Other important displays are
the paintings of different schools and copies of paintings from the
Bagh caves. The museum also exhibits a fine carving of two
couples from Khajuraho along with 87 Jain bronzes that were
retrieved from Dhar during the Paramara Dynasty (12th century).

 It's always good to know before visiting sanchi museum whether

it is open or closed on a particular day, and what the opening
timings of sanchi museum are and whether it is open in the
morning, afternoon, evening or night. The most important thing to
know is that sanchi museum is closed on
Sunday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday. On
the other hand, sanchi museum remains open for visits on the
following open days of the week - Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun
and the entrance timings and opening hours on these days are
from 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM and then from . Apart from the closing
days mentioned above, most places are closed on national
holidays and important local holidays, so it is best to check with
locals or at the point of interest to confirm whether it is open on
such days. Also the timings in winter and timings in summer for
sanchi museum may differ, so it is best to keep visiting this page
again to find out the most latest and accurate sanchi museum
visit opening hours. It is a part of mostly all sanchi tour
packages and is a great place to visit in sanchi to witness the
evolution of sanchi museum over the decades.