Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments | Class 12 History Notes

A Glimpse of Sanchi

This section introduces the ancient Buddhist site of Sanchi, located near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Sanchi is renowned for its stupas, particularly the Great Stupa, which is one of the best-preserved monuments from early Buddhist architecture. The text recounts a nineteenth-century description by Shahjehan Begum, the Nawab of Bhopal, who highlighted the significance of the stone sculptures and statues of the Buddha found there. European interest in Sanchi was intense during the colonial period, with figures like Major Alexander Cunningham conducting detailed studies, including drawings and inscriptions. There was even a proposal by the French to remove the eastern gateway to France, but it was preserved in situ due to the efforts of local rulers. The Begums of Bhopal, Shahjehan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum, played a crucial role in conserving the site by funding restoration and museum construction. The stupa complex stands majestically on a hilltop and includes a large mound and other monuments, such as a fifth-century temple. The site offers a tangible link to early Buddhist traditions and is a testimony to successful archaeological preservation in India.

📊 Diagram: Fig. 4.1 A sculpture from Sanchi; Fig. 4.2 Shahjehan Begum; Fig. 4.3 The Great Stupa at Sanchi

🧪 Activity: Discuss similarities and differences between Shahjehan Begum's description and the current image of the Great Stupa at Sanchi.

🔗 Connection: Leads into the historical and religious background of early Indian religious traditions and the context in which Buddhist ideas developed.