By Upali K. Salgado (The Island)
An ancient seat of Buddhist culture and learning, Sanchi survives the best preserved monuments, apart from those of the Indus Valley. Its history goes back as Emperor Asoka’s region in the 3rd Century BC. and continues up to the 12 century AD. It is one of the most revered centers of Buddhist art in the world that has the specimens of almost all kinds of Buddhist architectural forms, stupas. Once known as Vedisagiri, Chetlyagiri, Kakanaya from ancient time Sanchi is a serene hill (91 meter in height) crowned by stupas and pillars that represent the climax of perfection in Buddhist art and architectural modes. Sanchi has won an international fame through its remarkably well-preserved monuments. Here the stupas, monasteries, pillars temples chaityas are archeologically called the Buddhist monuments and listed as a WORLD HERITAGE MONUMENT. The site is located 45 km from Bhopal, connected by rail on Jhansi -Itarsi section of Railway and also by road.
Sir Alexander Cunningham, the first Director -General of the Archeological Survey Of India, has described the Sanchi monuments in his reports. Famous archeologists like General Taylor (1816AD) General Johnson, General Cunningham, Captain Maissey, Major Cole and Sir John Marshal had done archeological works of excavation and conservation at Sanchi from 1822 to 1919. Sir John Marshal had also founded a museum- Archeological Museum, located at the Sanchi foothill near the main entrance.
History of Sanchi
Sanchi on the hill, did not grow up at once. That it did not grow up or arise during the lifetime of any individual is evident from the monuments of the place. Every fathom of land here has its own historical significance. Cities like Lumbini Buddha-Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinara and Sravasti are considered sacred on account of their intimate connection with the person of Gothama Buddha. Sanchi does not lay claim to such an honour. No record is found in any Buddhist work of either Buddha or any of his chief disciples having ever visited Sanchi.
The history of Sanchi begins with Asoka. From the 10th year of King Asoka’s reign, which lasted for 37 years i.e.274-237 B.C his wealth, time and energy were expended in the development and spread of Buddhism. Buddhism, which hitherto had been merely a local faith, grew into a world religion as a consequence of his labours. The Stupas, monasteries and other buildings constructed in the 3rd Century B.C by Asoka and his immediate successors have been modified and renovated up to the 12th century in accord with the rise and fall of Buddhism in India.
After the death of Asoka, his large empire steadily disintegrated. The Sunga dynasty came to power in 185 BC. With their emergence the decline of Buddhism set in. King Pushvamira Sung, was a great enemy of Buddhism. His own son, Agnimitra, was given the title of Yuvaraja and was entrusted with the administration of the Western Kingdom, with Vidisha as capital. He and his court luckily were not imbued with religious fanaticism and far from destroying stupas and monasteries, he made a great contribution to the endurance and further enrichment of Sanchi. He constructed a large Stupa of stone to surround the main Stupa of brick built by Asoka. The Stupa containing the relics of the Venerable Sariputta and Moggallayana was constructed a little after him. The old lime and most of the plaster coating that at present covers the main Stupa also seem to have been done during the time of Agnimitra. A pillar bearing an edict inscribed by Agnimitra is to be found even today. There is a large stone railing (balustrade) running round the Stupa. Every single piece of stone that has gone into its construction has been gift of pious devotees. The names of these devotees have been engraved on stone slabs in Brahmi characters. This too is the work of the Agnimitra period.
The Sunga dynasty did not continue in power for long and was overthrown in 70 BC. ‘Thereafter the Satavahanas came into power. As the founders of such religious centers as Nagarjunakunda and Amravati, the Satavahanas could not but confer benefits upon Sanchi, when their power extended to this region. The rise of the Satavahanas marked the most important period in the history of Sanchi. It was during this epoch that the four gateways enclosing stupas enshrining the relics of venerable Sariputta and Maha Moggallana were constructed.
Sanchi was for several centuries, in unbroken succession a charming and delightful abode of arahants can be seen from the remains that are to be found at the place at the present day. The mount of Sanchi, which is covered with Stupas and viharas, must have acquired a serene atmosphere from quite’ early times.
When the Mahavamsa, the immortal great chronicle of the Sinhalese, came to be written, there is not the slightest doubt that this place was covered with ‘Stupas. The Mahavamsa refers to it as Chetiyagiri which means the hill that is covered with chetiyas and stupas. On that account the Mahavarnsa refers to it as Chetiyagiri which means the hill that is covered with chetiyas and stupas.
STUPAS
Ali over the world in South America and in Egypt in particular as evidenced by Archeological remains, the construction of tombs such as pyramids have existed among the people even before the time of the Buddha, in order to commemorate the death. Nevertheless the institution acquired a definite form under the influence of Buddhism.
In 1936 the Great stupa which was excavated. It is a hemispherical dome, truncated near the top and crowned by a triple umbrella (Chatavali) set at the centre of heavy masonry pedestal with in a square railing. A high circular battered terrace (medhi), approached by a double stairway on the south and meant for circumbulation (perdakshina path) . The plan and form of the Great-stupa has been enlarged in the Sunga period.
The first of the gateways was built in the first century BC. The subject matter of the carvings on the gateways are scenes from the Jathaka referring to the birth of Gothama Buddha. Five Jathaka’s namely the Chandantha, Maha Kappi, Vessanthara, Alambussa and Sama have being identified. The Buddha has being represented by symbols such as a caprisoned horse without a rider, but an umbrella held above, the throne, the dhamma Chakra or wheel, foot prints, Bodhi tree ect.
Selected information collated and Edited. Source : Archeological Survey of India
