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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.

Archeological Museum, Sanchi