• Commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.