The Sanskrit term stupa refers to a heap. It began as a small semi-circular earthen mound known as Anda. With the passage of time and the inclusion of artwork, it gradually evolved into a more sophisticated structure. Stupas were constructed in sacred locations. These places were considered sacred because they were associated with Buddha's life. The art of writing flourished throughout Ashoka's reign. This article will explain to you the concepts related to the Stupas which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

What are Stupas?

• A stupa is a relic-filled mound-like or hemispheric structure used for meditation.
• From the Vedic time onwards, stupas were used as burial mounds in India.
• It's a traditional depiction of a burial cumulus, where the dead's relics and ashes are maintained.
• The art of stupas reached its pinnacle during the era of Ashoka. During his reign, around 84000 stupas were built.
• Before the period of Ashoka, the stupa was common throughout India. The stupas became objects of cult worship from the moment Ashoka broke up the Buddha's existing body relics and created monuments to enshrine them.
• According to Buddhist tradition, the nine stupas were originally built following Buddha's death, eight over the relics and one over the vessel in which the relics were first put.
• At Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilvastu, Allakapa, Ramagrama, Vethadipa, Pava, Kushinagar, and Pippalvina, stupas were built over Buddha relics.
• The stupa is made up of a cylindrical drum and a circular anda with a harmika and chhatra on top, which are mostly the same with minor variations in shape and size.

Historical background

• The Great Stupa was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and is thought to store the Buddha's remains. During the second century BCE, the modest building was ruined.
• It was eventually repaired and enlarged, with new features added, and it was finally completed in the first century BCE. The structure has a width of 120 feet (37 meters) and a height of 54 feet (17 meters).
• Stupas were elaborately created in the early century, with features such as the enclosing of the circumambulatory path with railings and sculptural embellishment.
• Sanchi was abandoned after the 12th century CE, and its monuments fell into decay. The location was discovered in 1818 by British General Henry Taylor, who reported his findings.
• Under the supervision of Sir John Hubert Marshall, director-general of the Indian Archaeological Survey, restoration work began in 1881 and was finished in 1919.

Stupa - Features

• The stupa's core was composed of unburnt brick, with a burnt brick outer face covered in a thick coating of plaster.
• The stupa was capped by a wooden railing that encircled a pradakshina walkway (circumambulatory path).
• It is a magnificent stupa with a circumambulatory route and a circular mound. During the time of Ashoka, the big stupa at Sanchi was erected with bricks, then covered with stone and many further additions were made.
• Gateways were added in addition to the circumambulatory circuit. With the elaborations in stupa design, architects and sculptors had plenty of room to plan elaborations and carve out images.
• Wooden sculptures were used to embellish the medhi and toran. As a form of worship, devotees walk around the pradakshina patha, or open ambulatory pathway.
• Sculptures were largely utilized to decorate stupas, the torana, and the medhi, as well as a form of religious expression.
• The three chhatra on the stupas symbolize the Buddhist triratnas: Buddha (the enlightened), Dhamma (doctrine), and Sangh (community).
• Gateways were added in addition to the circumambulatory circuit. With the elaborations in stupa design, architects and sculptors had plenty of room to plan elaborations and carve out images.

• Bairat in Rajasthan has one of the outstanding examples of a stupa building from the third century BCE.
• Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, for example, is the most well-known Ashokan stupa. The oldest is the Piprahwa stupa in Uttar Pradesh.
• Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethapida, Pava, Kushinagar, and Pippalivana are the nine stupas built following Buddha's death.

Some Important stupas

Conclusion

During the post-Mauryan period, stupas grew larger and more beautiful. Wood and brick were being phased out in favor of stone. The idea of torans as artistically painted gates to stupas was established by the Shunga dynasty. The torans were carved with elaborate designs and patterns, indicating Hellenistic influence.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What does the yasti (central pillar) of a stupa symbolize?

A. The cycle of birth and rebirth
B. The cosmic axis
C. The teachings of the Buddha
D. The realm of the gods

2. Which structure is a key feature of the stupa's architectural design for circumambulation?

A. Harmika
B. Anda
C. Yasti
D. Pradakshina patha

3. Which famous stupa was constructed under the reign of Emperor Ashoka?

A. Amaravati Stupa
B. Nalanda Stupa
C. Sanchi Stupa
D. Dhamek Stupa

4. Which of the following countries developed unique stupa designs influenced by local traditions?

A. Sri Lanka
B. Japan
C. Bhutan
D. All of the above

5. What does the circumambulation of a stupa symbolize in Buddhist tradition?

A. The path to liberation
B. The cycles of rebirth
C. Both A and B
D. Material prosperity

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the architectural evolution of stupas in India and their role in Buddhist religious practices.

Answer: The architecture of stupas in India evolved from simple burial mounds into complex structures imbued with religious symbolism. Early stupas, such as those commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, housed the relics of the Buddha. Over time, stupas like the Sanchi and Amaravati Stupas introduced circumambulatory paths (pradakshina patha) and intricate carvings, serving as centers for meditation and religious rituals. Stupas are integral to Buddhist practice, representing the Buddha’s teachings, the path to enlightenment, and the spiritual connection between life and death.

Q2: How did the construction of stupas by Emperor Ashoka contribute to the spread of Buddhism in India and beyond?

Answer: Emperor Ashoka’s widespread construction of stupas significantly contributed to the spread of Buddhism across India and into Southeast Asia. By building stupas to house relics and commissioning the inscription of Buddhist teachings, Ashoka made Buddhist sites focal points of pilgrimage and spiritual activity. His efforts fostered the growth of Buddhism as a dominant faith and influenced the development of Buddhist art and architecture in regions beyond India, including Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Q3: Explain the symbolic meaning of the key architectural elements of a stupa and their relevance to Buddhist philosophy.

Answer: The architectural elements of a stupa hold deep symbolic meaning in Buddhist philosophy. The anda (dome) represents the universe, while the harmika (square railing) symbolizes the heavenly realm. The central pillar (yasti) acts as the cosmic axis, linking the earthly and divine planes. The pradakshina patha is used for circumambulation, a meditative practice symbolizing the cyclical nature of existence. Together, these elements convey the Buddhist teachings of interconnectedness, the journey to enlightenment, and the impermanence of life.

Previous Year Questions on Stupas

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: The Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built during the reign of which emperor?
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Kanishka
D. Harsha

Answer: A

Explanation: The Sanchi Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and is one of the most important symbols of Buddhist architecture.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Analyze the role of stupas in promoting Buddhist teachings and culture during ancient times.

Explanation: Stupas were not only religious monuments but also cultural hubs that facilitated the spread of Buddhist teachings. Pilgrims from across regions visited stupas, leading to the exchange of religious ideas and artistic traditions. Stupas like Sanchi and Amaravati became centers for the transmission of Buddhist philosophy, art, and architecture, influencing the religious and cultural landscape of ancient India and Southeast Asia.