Chapter 4 A Glimpse of Sanchi| Class 12 History Notes

In this article, we will look into the “Sanchi in the Nineteenth Century” topic from Class 12 History. This article is specially curated by the expert team at w3wiki for Class 12 History students.

Let’s get started!

• In the 1800s, people from Europe were interested in the stupa at Sanchi. The French even asked Shahjehan Begum if they could take the best-preserved part, the eastern gateway, to show in a museum in France. Some English folks also thought about doing the same thing. Luckily, they all decided to make exact copies instead, using plaster, so the original stayed in Bhopal, India.
• The rulers of Bhopal, Shahjehan Begum and later Sultan Jehan Begum, gave money to keep the old site safe. That’s why John Marshall, a historian, dedicated his big books about Sanchi to Sultan Jehan. She paid for the museum and guesthouse where Marshall worked. She even paid for the books to be printed. So, if the stupa place is still around, it’s partly because of smart choices and a bit of luck, like not being spotted by railway builders or people looking for cool stuff for European museums.
• Sanchi is super important in Buddhist history. Finding it has helped us learn more about early Buddhism. Today, it’s a symbol of how well the Archaeological Survey of India takes care of old sites.

“The most wonderful ancient buildings in the state of Bhopal are at Sanchi Kanakhera, a small village under the brow of a hill some 20 miles north-east of Bhopal which we visited yesterday. We inspected the stone sculptures and statues of the Buddha and an ancient gateway … The ruins appear to be the object of great interest to European gentlemen. Major Alexander Cunningham … stayed several weeks in this neighbourhood and examined these ruins most carefully. He took drawings of the place, deciphered the inscription, and bored shafts down these domes. The results of his investigations were described by him in an English work”

~ FROM SHAHJEHAN BEGUM, NAWAB OF BHOPAL (ruled 1868-1901), Taj- ul Iqbal Tarikh Bhopal (A History of Bhopal), translated by H.D. Barstow, 1876.

1. In the 1800s, folks from Europe were really curious about the Sanchi stupa.
2. The French and English wanted to take it, but instead, they were given plaster copies and the real one stayed in Bhopal, thanks to Shahjehan Begum and later Sultan Jehan Begum who gave money to keep it safe.
3. The stupa survived because of the smart choices made by the rulers of Bhopal.

The story of Sanchi in the nineteenth century highlights the global interest in its historical significance, particularly from European visitors. Thanks to the wise decisions and financial support from rulers like Shahjehan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum of Bhopal, the preservation of the Sanchi stupa was ensured, preventing its removal to foreign museums. Today, Sanchi stands as a testament to both its rich Buddhist history and the diligent efforts of those who safeguarded its legacy.

People Also View:

• Importance of Buddhism and Its Councils
• Buddhism: Founder, Origin, Beliefs and Practices
• Impact of Buddhism on Indian Culture

What is a glimpse of Sanchi?

One of the most important Buddhist centres, the discovery of Sanchi has vastly transformed our understanding of early Buddhism. Today it stands testimony to the successful restoration and preservation of a key archaeological site by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

What is Sanchi Stupa Class 12 history?

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture. It was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha.

Which sources are used by historians to reconstruct the exciting world of ideas and believes from 600 BCE up to 600 CE?

The sources that historians use to reconstruct this exciting world of ideas and beliefs include Buddhist, Jaina and Brahmanical texts, as well as a large and impressive body of material remains including monuments and inscriptions.