Sanchi is located about 50 kilometres from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in India. The Stupas at Sanchi are considered some of the most important Buddhist monuments, dating back to the Ashokan period. These are located within a complex, on a hilltop.
Plan of the Complex
Source: Archaeological Survey of India, Management Plan
Although the ancient ruins suggest that Sanchi was an important centre of Buddhism, it was not associated with Buddha's life. When Ashoka was the Viceroy at Ujjain, he commissioned the construction of the Stupa.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi. This is was restored during the reign of Sunga Dynasty
The architectural elements within the complex are said to have been constructed by different rulers during different reigns.
About the 2nd century BC, the original Ashoka Stupa was destroyed possibly for acquiring building materials. This was restored during the reign of the Sunga dynasty. Two more stupas were constructed in the vicinity around the same time period.
The impacted portion of the dome of the main Stupa
There are 4 richly carved gateways in the complex, one for each direction - North, East, West and South. Each of these illustrates events in Buddha's life through rich and elaborate carvings.
The Sanchi Gateway sculpture 'is marked by its rhythm, symmetry, decorative beauty and perfect handling of the floral & plant motifs' (Mitra, 2003). The gateway and the railings around the Great Stupa were integrated during the reign of the early Andhras / Satyavahanas.
The Gateway or 'Torana'
It is said that the uppermost architrave contained the physical form of the 'The Wheel of Law'. Only the one on the Northern Gate is partially intact (above)
Some of the events highlighted on these gateways include - Gautama Siddhartha's birth as described in the Jataka Tales (South Gate), miracles and other scenes from his earlier life (North Gate) and a young Gautama relinquishing his worldly life (East Gate). The West Gate depicts Buddha in 7 different incarnations. As Gautama transformed into Buddha, his depiction translated into symbols.
Temple 17
L: The Temple, R: Temple Plan
This is one of the earliest temples dating back to the 4th century AD. It has simple architectural features such as a flat roof and porch with 4 pillars in the front. Its aesthetics represent that of a Hindu Temple.
Temple 18
A Chaitya Hall/ Temple
The structure depicts an architectural style likened to those of Athenian architecture of Acropolis. Built during the Gupta period, it represents characteristic features specific to the period -balanced proportions and ornamentation of the exterior.
Despite these similarities, it is unlikely that the Gupta artists copied the temple from western prototypes. According to Sir John Marshall, the governor-general of ASI (1912) - 'this shrine, in fact, reflects in its every stone the temperament of the people and of the epoch which produced it, an epoch which was primarily creative and not imitative’
Temple 40
Ruins of the Temple
This was an apsidal chaitya hall and is said to have resembled that of Bhaja (in Maharashtra). It was buried underground up till the early 2000s. The charred remains of timber found near it suggest that the structure might have been destroyed by the fire. The stumps of the hall remain.
Temple 45
The temple is built on a high platform. It consists of pillared chambers with a flat roof. It was the last temple to have been built between the mid to late 9th Century AD. The sikhara of the temple was once decorated with chaitya-windows
The Temple Complex
Buddha's Statue with an Oval Halo
Intricately Carved, Ornamental Doorways
Hence, the Buddhist Art represented in Sanchi spans 4 dynasties: Maurya, Sunga, Andhra and Gupta periods. The Site is now managed & maintained by The Archaeological Survey of India.
Buddhist Monastery 51
The Monastery
The structure was excavated in the 19th century is preserved very well. It is constructed of stone walls veneered with bricks and staircases. Overall there are 22 cells in the monastery.
Monastery Courtyard
The courtyard is enclosed with a verandah. Behind this, are a range of cells. The brick-paved courtyard is lower than the verandah.
A staircase pathway leads from the Monastery towards the Stupa.
Influences of Shared Cultures through the Representations of Buddha:
Sanchi & the Greco Buddhist Art of Gandhara:
As mentioned earlier, after the ascension of Gautama as Buddha, he was symbolized. However, with the onslaught of Gandharan craftsmen and architecture, Buddha was now represented in human form wearing Greek clothing, with a halo or decoration aligned centrally around him. This characterized his immortal significance.
The personification of Buddha - a Gandharan sculpture culture
The Lotus Flower:
Although the statue has been disfigured, it represents the Buddha. The statue carries influences from Hindu as well as Jain art. The figure is seated on a Lotus Flower is a representation of this. The Lotus Throne art originated from Indian Art, and then was carried as an influence through the Hindu, Jain & Buddhist religions, particularly to East Asia.
Buddha Seated on a Lotus Flower
The Brahmi Script:
The Brahmi text inscribed along the stoned floor periphery of the Great Stupa. This was a writing system that was fully developed and most commonly used in ancient South Asia. It was a forerunner for all the scripts during the time, save the Indus Script. The text was considered universal in the South Asian region
Other Elements :
Intricately carved floral motifs at the stone threshold of the Torana
A small temple shrine with Greco Indian architectural features & elements
The high railing enclosing the Great Stupa
Ornamental floral carvings and figurines draped in robes. They are enclosed within pillars that represent the architecture of chaitya pillars.
The Sanchi Stupa on the reverse side of Indian Currency
The Sanchi Stupa has been depicted on the Rs 200 currency note to signify its importance as a part of the Indian Cultural Heritage.
The Site was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.
Bibliography & References:
Bhalla, A. S. (2014). Buddhist Art in Asia. Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd, London.
Sanchi, Wikipedia