Early Indian sculpture that adorned the 1st-century BC entrances of the Buddhist relic mound known as the Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, which is considered one of the most spectacular monuments of its time. From the 3rd century BC to the 11th century AD, the territory of Sanchi, like the great centers of Sarnath and Mathura, had a continuous artistic history. This article will explain to you the concepts related to the Sanchi Stupa which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Sanchi Stupa

• The Sanchi Stupa is one of India's most important Buddhist landmarks, and it houses some of the country's earliest stone buildings.
• Also, It is an important monument of Indian architecture and one of India's oldest stone constructions.
• It was commissioned in the third century BCE by Mauryan ruler Ashoka the Great. It began with a basic hemispheric brick edifice erected over the Buddha's relics.
• Sanchi, a historical city nestled in the Vindhya Range 46 kilometers from Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal, also has 50 additional sites, including temples and monasteries.
• The beautiful carvings and inscriptions show Indian architecture from the Mauryan era (3rd century BCE) through its downfall in the later medieval age (around 11th century CE).
• The Mahastupa (Great Stupa), the Ashokan pillar (with its inscriptions), and the beautiful torans are all noteworthy features of the Sanchi complex (gateways).
• Since 1989, Sanchi Stupa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Madhya Pradesh is home to Sanchi.
• It is possibly India's best-preserved Buddhist monument complex.

Historical background

• Sanchi's monuments currently consist of a collection of Buddhist monuments that date from the Mauryan Empire (3rd century BCE), continue through the Gupta Empire (5th century CE), and conclude around the 12th century CE.
• The Great Stupa, also known as Stupa No. 1, is the oldest and greatest monument.
• It was created under the Mauryans and is ornamented with one of Ashoka's Pillars.
• The Great Stupa was enlarged and ornamented with gates and railings in the succeeding centuries, particularly during the Shungas and Satavahanas, and minor stupas, including Stupa No.2 and Stupa No.3, were also built in the vicinity.
• According to Ashokavadana, the stupa was vandalized sometime during the 2nd century BCE, an incident that some have linked to the ascension of the Shunga monarch Pushyamitra Shunga, who overthrew the Mauryan Empire as an army officer.
• The first stupa may have been demolished by Pushyamitra, and his son Agnimitra rebuilt it, according to legend.
• During the Shunga period, the original brick stupa was covered with stone.
• In 1819, British captain Edward Fell wrote one of the first accounts of the Sanchi Stupa.
• It took another 93 years for John Marshall to 'rediscover' the site, and another seven years for it to be restored to its current state.

Sanchi Stupa - Features

Sanchi stupa - Features

• The Mahastupa (Great Stupa), the Ashokan pillar (with its inscriptions), and the beautiful torans are all noteworthy features of the Sanchi complex (gateways).
• The torans and fencing are reported to be modeled after the bamboo crafts of the surrounding areas.
• The design of the stupa's fencing, as well as the torans' design, are reminiscent of bamboo craft and knotted bamboo.
• Bricks were used to construct the original construction. It was afterward covered with stone, vedica, and torana (gateway).
• The stupa has four entrances, with the southern one being the first to be completed. Others were added subsequently.
• The gateways are ornately carved and ornamented with statues. Two vertical pillars and three horizontal bars make up each torana. On the front and back of the bars are magnificent sculptures.
• They feature depictions of shalabhanjika, or women grasping a tree branch.
• Here are carved stories from the Jataka tales.
• A lower and upper pradakshina patha, or circumambulatory walk, runs around the structure. This stupa's upper pradakshina patha is unusual.
• The Ashokan Lion Capital pillar, which has inscriptions on it, may be seen on the southern side of the stupa.
• The Anda refers to the stupa's hemispheric dome. It is where the Buddha's relics are kept.

• On top of the dome/mound lies the harmika, which is a square railing.
• On top of the harmika, the chhatra is an umbrella. The location contains a sandstone pillar inscribed with Ashoka's Schism Edict.
• During the rule of the Shunga dynasty, the original brick dome was doubled in size, with stone slabs covering the previous dome.

Sanchi stupa

Connection with Buddhism

• Surprisingly, Buddha never came to Sanchi.
• Foreign travelers like Hiuen Tsang, who documented the famous Buddhist circuit in India but didn't mention Sanchi in his books, didn't know either.
• Sanchi was not as revered as other Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, according to Marshall's The Monuments of Sanchi (1938).
• The iconic images of Buddha (like the Bodhi tree, a riderless horse, an empty throne, etc.) at Sanchi, according to scholars like Alfred A Foucher, are the result of Graeco-Buddhist architectural interaction.

Conclusion

The Sanchi Stupa's significance on our national psyche, however, extends beyond the lion capital; it influenced the design of various modern structures, the most notable of which being the current-day Rashtrapati Bhavan. Lord Charles Hardinge wanted architect Edwin Lutyens to incorporate emblems of India's architectural past into the building, and the colonnade was designed to carry a Sanchi-style dome and balustrade railing. The dome of Kolkata's Birla Planetarium was built in 1963 to match the one in Sanchi.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who commissioned the construction of the Sanchi Stupa?

A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Ashoka the Great
C) Samudragupta
D) Harshavardhana

2. Which period saw the first major expansion of the Sanchi Stupa?

A) Satavahana Period
B) Shunga Period
C) Gupta Period
D) Vakataka Period

3. What is depicted on the toranas (gateways) of the Sanchi Stupa?

A) Scenes from Buddha's life
B) Hindu deities
C) Jataka tales
D) Mauryan rulers

4. What is the shape of the Sanchi Stupa’s dome?

A) Square
B) Triangular
C) Hemispherical
D) Cylindrical

5. Which emperor's pillar is located at Sanchi Stupa?

A) Samudragupta
B) Ashoka
C) Chandragupta
D) Bindusara

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the architectural and religious significance of the Sanchi Stupa in the context of early Indian history.

Model Answer: The Sanchi Stupa, commissioned by Ashoka, represents the spread of Buddhism through its architectural grandeur. It is one of the earliest surviving stone structures in India, showcasing a hemispherical dome symbolizing the universe and stupas as Buddhist relic mounds. The Jataka tales on the gateways depict early Buddhist philosophy and are valuable for understanding early Buddhist art. The Ashokan pillar and Buddhist symbols like the wheel of dharma and Bodhi tree emphasize the site's religious importance. Its expansion during the Shunga and Satavahana periods reflects evolving Buddhist art.

Q2: Examine the contributions of the Shunga dynasty to the expansion of the Sanchi Stupa.

Model Answer: The Shunga dynasty played a pivotal role in expanding the Sanchi Stupa by covering the original brick structure with stone and adding elaborate toranas (gateways) and railings. These structures are notable for their detailed carvings depicting Jataka tales, which illustrate Buddha’s previous lives. The construction methods and architectural motifs highlight a fusion of local and Buddhist artistic traditions. The Shunga contributions represent a significant evolution in Buddhist architecture, reflecting the growing importance of Sanchi as a religious and pilgrimage site.

Q3: How does the art and architecture of the Sanchi Stupa reflect the spread of Buddhism in ancient India?

Model Answer: The art and architecture of the Sanchi Stupa embody the spread of Buddhism during the Mauryan and Shunga periods. The toranas, adorned with scenes from the Jataka tales, demonstrate the importance of Buddha’s teachings in daily life and promote Buddhist values. The stupa’s hemispherical structure symbolizes the dharma, and its intricate carvings reflect Buddhist cosmology. The site’s development over centuries highlights the role of royal patronage in spreading Buddhist art and culture across India, turning Sanchi into a hub of Buddhist learning.

Previous Year Questions on Sanchi Stupa

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which of the following is true regarding the Sanchi Stupa?
A) It is a Hindu pilgrimage site
B) It has murals depicting the life of Ashoka
C) It features Jataka tales carved on its gateways
D) It was built during the Gupta period

Answer: C

Explanation: The Sanchi Stupa features carvings of Jataka tales on its toranas, showcasing Buddha’s past lives.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019

Question: Analyze the significance of the Sanchi Stupa as a center of Buddhist learning and culture.

Model Answer: The Sanchi Stupa is not only a significant Buddhist monument but also a center of learning and cultural exchange. Its intricate carvings depict stories from the Jataka tales, helping to spread Buddhist philosophy. The Ashokan pillar stands as a testament to Ashoka's efforts in promoting Buddhism. The expansion of the stupa during the Shunga and Satavahana periods highlights the continuity of Buddhist patronage, making Sanchi a vital location for the dissemination of Buddhist teachings across India.