The Great Stupa of Sanchi

GS Paper I Art and Culture

Recently, India’s External Affairs visited the replica of the East Gate of the Great Stupa of Sanchi at the Humboldt Forum museum in Berlin.

About The Great Stupa of Sanchi

Great Stupa of Sanchi

Historical Importance:
- The Great Stupa of Sanchi is one of the oldest stone monuments in India.
- It was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- It contains sacred relics of the Buddha and is part of a group of Buddhist temples and stupas.
Design:
- The Stupa is shaped like a dome and has a parasol on top, which is called a chhatra.
- It is a key symbol of ancient Buddhist art and architecture.

Construction: The Stupa has four beautifully carved gateways, called toranas.
- These were built in the 1st century BCE during the Satavahana dynasty.

It is also called Andhras in Puranas.
This kingdom mainly covered modern-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
Founder: Simuka
It was the satavahana kings that produced coins for the first time with their names on it in the south.
Famous stupas: Amaravati Stupa and Nagarjunakonda Stupa ( Andhra Pradesh).

- Each torana consists of two square pillars that support three curved beams, with carvings all over.
Carvings:
- The gateways are decorated with carvings that show scenes from the Buddha’s life, Jataka Tales, and other Buddhist symbols.
- They also have floral and plant designs, and some carvings depict love scenes.
- Buddha is not shown in human form.

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