Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
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Overview
The Buddhist monuments at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh include the best-known stupa in India, a hemispherical mound holding relics, whose core goes back to Ashoka. They became a World Heritage Site in 1989.
The Great Stupa was begun by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and enlarged under the Shungas.
Its four gateways (toranas) are carved with Jataka stories.
Sanchi is in Raisen district and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1989.
The stupa contains relics.
Sanchi was a major Buddhist centre for over 1,000 years.
The site was rediscovered by a British officer in 1818.
There is also an Ashokan pillar with a lion capital.
Geography and key facts
- Madhya Pradesh
- Ashokan core
- WHS 1989
- Ashoka
- Toranas
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on stupa architecture.
Note for UPSC
Cultural World Heritage Site, inscribed 1989 · Madhya Pradesh.
UPSC asks about the state, the dynasty or period, and whether a site is cultural or natural.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi yet.
Key facts
- Type
- World Heritage Site
- State / UT
- Madhya Pradesh
- Heritage type
- Cultural
- Inscribed (UNESCO)
- 1989
- Coordinates
- 23.479°N, 77.740°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles (map lesson)
- Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage (map lesson)
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara (map lesson)
- Indo-Islamic, Mughal and Colonial Architecture (map lesson)
- Mughal Culture: Architecture, Painting, Literature and Music (map lesson)
More world heritage sites nearby
Other places in Madhya Pradesh
All world heritage sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs