Conclusion – Class 12 History Notes Chapter 4 A Glimpse of Sanchi

A Glimpse of Sanchi

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....

Sanchi in the Nineteenth Century

“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”...

A Glimpse of Sanchi: Short Notes

In the 1800s, folks from Europe were really curious about the Sanchi stupa. 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. The stupa survived because of the smart choices made by the rulers of Bhopal....

Conclusion – Class 12 History Notes Chapter 4 A Glimpse of Sanchi

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....

Chapter 4 A Glimpse of Sanchi- FAQs

What is a glimpse of Sanchi?...