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Questions and Answers
What is a stupa typically used for?
Who commissioned the construction of the Great Stupa of Sanchi?
What is significant about the toranas of the Great Stupa?
What material is the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi constructed from?
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What does the upper architrave of the East Gate represent?
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Who oversaw the construction of the Great Stupa alongside Emperor Ashoka?
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What does the term 'chhatra' refer to in the context of the Great Stupa?
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What aspect of Sanchi does Debala Mitra highlight in her writings?
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What characterized the appearance of the gateways at the Great Stupa?
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When was the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi unveiled?
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Study Notes
Great Stupa of Sanchi
- A stupa serves as a Buddhist commemorative monument, often housing sacred relics of the Buddha.
- The Great Stupa of Sanchi was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, making it the oldest and largest structure in a complex featuring numerous stupas, temples, and monasteries.
- The Sanchi complex showcases both the prosperity and decline of Buddhist art and architecture in India, emphasized by the remarks of Debala Mitra, a past director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India.
- It ranks among the oldest standing stone structures in India, believed to house the Buddha's relics, and was constructed under the supervision of Ashoka's wife, Devi.
Architectural Features
- The original stupa comprises a plain hemispherical body topped by a chhatra (parasol).
- Notable for its ornamental gateways (toranas), the Sanchi stupa features four gateways oriented to the cardinal directions, built in the 1st century BCE during the Satavahana dynasty.
- Each gateway consists of two square pillars supporting three curved architraves, adorned with intricate bas-reliefs and sculptures depicting the Buddha's life and tales from the Jataka.
Art and Symbolism
- The art on the toranas is characterized by rhythm, symmetry, and elaborate floral motifs, blending decorative beauty with spiritual narratives.
- Unlike typical representations of Buddha, these gateways do not depict him in human form but use symbolic imagery.
- Some scenes include unorthodox depictions of amorous interactions, reflecting a blend of cultural expressions during that period.
East Gate and Its Replica
- The East Gate is particularly famous among the Sanchi toranas and was restored following its discovery in ruins by British officer Henry Taylor in 1818.
- Alexander Cunningham performed the first formal survey and excavations of Sanchi, establishing its historical significance.
- The recent replica of the East Gate was unveiled at the Humboldt Forum museum in Berlin, standing 10 meters high, 6 meters wide, and weighing around 150 tonnes, completed in December 2022.
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Description
Explore the historical significance and architectural beauty of the Great Stupa at Sanchi and its recent replica in Berlin. This quiz will cover the journey from ancient India to modern times, highlighting key aspects of cultural heritage. Test your knowledge about this iconic structure and its global influence.
