Sanchi
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Overview
Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is a Buddhist complex best known for its Great Stupa, a hemispherical mound holding relics. Its core is Ashokan; the stupa gateways (toranas) belong to the post-Mauryan period.
Major work was done at Sanchi and Bharhut in the Shunga period, which is why the claim that the Shungas persecuted Buddhists is doubted. Temple 17 at Sanchi is an early Gupta structural temple with a flat roof. It is a World Heritage Site.
Geography and key facts
- Great Stupa: Ashokan core, post-Mauryan toranas
- Major Shunga-period work
- Temple 17: early Gupta flat-roofed temple
- World Heritage Site (Raisen district)
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on relief inscriptions naming Ashoka (2019), historical places (2013), a 2021 statement question and Amaravati stupa reliefs (2026).
Note for UPSC
MP; Great Stupa.
Expect questions linking sites with events in the Buddha's life and later Buddhist history.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2026 · Q4Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? Select the answer using the code given below :…
- UPSC Prelims 2021 · Q49Which one of the following statements is correct?…
- UPSC Prelims 2019 · Q8In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?…
- UPSC Prelims 2013 · Q57Consider the following historical places : Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Sanchi.
Key facts
- Type
- Buddhist site
- State / UT
- Madhya Pradesh
- Coordinates
- 23.479°N, 77.740°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 4 questions · 2026, 2021, 2019, 2013
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles
- Buddhism: Life of the Buddha, Teachings, Councils and Spread
- Ashoka: Kalinga War, Dhamma, Edicts and Mauryan Art
- Post-Mauryan India: Shungas, Satavahanas, Indo-Greeks, Shakas and Kushanas
- The Gupta Age and Harsha: Polity, Society, Science and Culture
- Buddhist, Rock-Cut and Early Sculptural Traditions