Like most
site museums in India, this one also owes its genesis to an English
general accidentally stumbling upon some ancient ruins around 1818.
Eventual archaeological explorations revealed one of the richest
sculptural finds of Buddhist heritage.
The original stupa was
started here by Emperor Ashoka. Successive generations continued to
renovate and embellish the original brick stupa with exquisitely sculpted
stone. This period of superb creativity stretched between 3rd century Bt
and 13th century AD, blending Hindu and Buddhist styles and building a
complex of stupas, temples, monasteries,etc. that remains unparalleled in
excellence of form and beauty of details.
There is a lion
capital of an Ashoka pillar here very similar to the one found at Sarnath,
the latter now the emblem of India. Other notable sculpture found here
include statues of the Buddha, several boaisattvas and early Hindu period
statues of Ganesh, Mahishasuramardini among others. The engraved panels
are a celebration of life frozen in stone. They tell the story of the
Buddha's life, his earlier incarnations, of life and times of the royalty,
the Hindu and Buddhist pantheon and commoners in splendid harmony and of
all things born in nature.
The eastern gateway to stupa No 1
created in 2nd century BC by the Satavahanas still stand in almost its
original splendour.
Archaeological Museum, Sanchi
Timing:
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Open on all days.
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