Context:
External Affairs Minister recently stopped by the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi’s Great Stupa standing in front of Humboldt Forum museum in Berlin.
Great Stupa of Sanchi:
- A Buddhist monument and one of the oldest stone structures in India.
- Located in – Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh.
- Construction –
- Built by Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- Originally constructed from large bricks and mud mortar, about half its current size.
- Believed to have had raised terraces at the base, enclosed by a wooden railing, and crowned by a stone umbrella.
- Enlarged using local sandstone during the Sunga period
- Walkway and Harmika –
- A circumambulatory walkway (Vedika) was constructed around the stupa, bounded by a stone railing.
- Stupa is topped by a ‘harmika’ to hold the triple umbrella (chhatraveli)
- It represent the 3 jewels of Buddhism – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
- Gateways (Toranas) – Elaborately carved with Buddhist symbols and historical scenes.
- Gupta Period Additions –
- Sculpture of Buddha in dhyana-mudra at the eastern side
- A Buddhist temple and a lion pillar were built.
- An inscription celebrating Chandragupta II’s victory is found on the railing, dating back to the 4th century AD.
- Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.
Structure of Stupa:
Read more about Stupas
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. The concept of Stupa is Vedic in origin.
