Journey of Sanchi Stupa to Europe | 13 Sep 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister visited the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi Stupa standing in front of Humboldt Forum museum in Berlin, Germany.

• It is a 1:1 reproduction of the original structure standing at almost 10 metres high and 6 metres wide, and weighing roughly 150 tonnes.

What are Key Facts about the Sanchi Stupa?

• Construction of Sanchi Stupa: It was built by Ashoka in the third century BC.
  • Its construction was overseen by Ashoka’s wife Devi, who hailed from the nearby trading town of Vidisha. 
  • The development of the Sanchi complex was supported by patronage from Vidisha’s mercantile community.
• Expansion: During the 2nd century BC (Shunga period), the stupa was enlarged with sandstone slabs, a circumambulatory walkway, and a harmika with a chattra (umbrella).
  • From the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD, four stone gateways or toranas were added, adorned with detailed carvings depicting Buddhist iconography and stories.
• Rediscovery of Sanchi Stupa: It was in abject ruins when it was discovered by British officer Henry Taylor in 1818. 
  • Alexander Cunningham led the first formal survey and excavations at Sanchi in 1851. 
• Preservation Efforts: In 1853, Sikander Begum of Bhopal offered to send Sanchi gateways to Queen Victoria, but the removal plans were delayed due to the 1857 revolt and transportation issues.
  • In 1868, the Begum renewed the offer, but the colonial authorities declined it, opting for in-situ preservation. A plaster cast of the eastern gateway was created instead.
  • The site was restored to its present condition by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) director-general John Marshall in the 1910s with funding from the begums of nearby Bhopal.
    • Marshall’s efforts led to the creation of a museum in 1919 at the site to preserve artefacts and manage conservation.
• Architecture of Sanchi Stupa: 
  • Anda: It is a hemispherical mound built on earth.
  • Harmika: Square railing on top of the mound. It is believed to be the living place of god.
  • Chattra: It is the umbrella built on the top of the dome. 
  • Yashti: It is the central pillar supports a triple umbrella structure called chattra.
  • Railing: It surrounds the stupa, demarcating the sacred area and providing a physical boundary between the holy space and the external environment.
  • Pradakshinapatha (Circumambulatory Path): It is a walkway around the stupa that allows devotees to walk in a clockwise direction as a form of worship.
  • Torana: Torana is a monumental gateway or entrance structure in Buddhist stupa architecture.
  • Medhi: It refers to the base which forms a platform on which the main structure of the stupa stands.

• UNESCO Recognition: Sanchi Stupa was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.

What are the Key Features of the Gateways of Sanchi Stupa?

• Construction: The four gateways (toranas), oriented to the four cardinal directions, were constructed in the first century BCE.
  • Gateways were built over a period of a few decades during the Satavahana dynasty's rule.
• Structure: These gateways are made of two square pillars which support a superstructure comprising three curved architraves (or beams) with spirally-rolled ends.
• Engravings: The pillars and the architraves are adorned with beautiful relief and sculptures depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life, stories from the Jataka tales, and other Buddhist iconography.
  • It includes the shalabhanjika (a fertility emblem represented by a yakshi grasping the branch of a tree), elephants, winged lions, and peacocks.
  • However, the gates do not represent the Buddha in his human form.
• Philosophical Significance: The three curved architraves (or beams) have the following philosophical significance.
  • Upper Architrave: It represents the seven Manushi Buddhas (previous Buddhas incarnation).
  • Middle  Architrave: It depicts the scene of the Great Departure, when prince Siddhartha leaves Kapilavastu to live as an ascetic in search of enlightenment. 
  • Lower Architrave: It depicts Emperor Ashoka visiting the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Conclusion

• The Sanchi Stupa stands as a monumental testament to ancient Buddhist architecture and devotion. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the stupa continues to inspire reverence and scholarly interest, bridging the past with contemporary global appreciation. Recent examples, such as Germany's construction of a replica of the East Gate of Sanchi Stupa, underscore the universal value of preserving such monuments.