Civilsdaily

Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

The Great Stupa of Sanchi

Prelims Only | History and Art & Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Great Stupa of Sanchi

Why in the News?

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi’s Great Stupa in Berlin.

About the Great Stupa of Sanchi

Details
Establishment
  • Commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Purpose Built to enshrine the relics of Buddha and symbolise the Buddhist faith.
Construction
  • Overseen by Ashoka’s wife, Devi, from Vidisha.
  • Stupa is a simple hemispherical structure crowned by a chhatra (parasol), symbolizing high rank.
  • Development of the Sanchi complex was supported by the mercantile community of Vidisha.
Design
  • Follows a simple hemispherical dome structure.
  • Later, in the 1st century BCE, under the Satavahana dynasty, 4 ornamental gateways (toranas) were added in four cardinal directions.
Toranas (Gateways) Each torana consists of 2 pillars supporting 3 architraves, adorned with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Buddha’s life, Jataka tales, and Buddhist symbols.
Artistic Features The toranas are famous for their intricate carvings, depicting elephants, winged lions, peacocks, and shalabhanjikas (fertility symbols).
Symbolism Upper architrave shows seven Manushi Buddhas (previous Buddhas), the middle depicts the Great Departure of Prince Siddhartha, and the lower shows Ashoka’s visit to the Bodhi tree.
Restoration Rediscovered in 1818 by British officer Henry Taylor and restored by John Marshall (ASI director) in the early 1900s with financial aid from the Begums of Bhopal.
Replica of East Gate
  • A plaster cast of the East Gate was made in the 1860s by Henry Hardy Cole for the Victoria and Albert Museum.
  • A replica now stands in front of the Humboldt Forum Museum in Berlin.

 

PYQ:

[2013] Consider the following historical places:

1. Ajanta Caves

2. Lepakshi Temple

3. Sanchi Stupa

Which of the above places is / are also known for mural paintings?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None

[2016] Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Join the Community

Join us across Social Media platforms.