History and palaeography of the Sanchi Stupa Epigraphs

Of all the monuments that early Buddhism has bequeathed to India the monuments at Sanchi are the most imposing and the best preserved ones. The importance of these monuments lies as much as in their rich and varied carvings as in the fact that they have served singularly to preserve the Hinayana art in all its facets.

The Four gateways of this great stupa, one small gate way of the stupa No.3 and the ground pillars of the stupa No. 2 preserve in their bas-reliefs an encyclopedia of sights and scenes depicting the culture and civilization of the period.

Early Work Done on Sanchi

For more than 150 years, since now, the monuments of Sanchi because of their architectural grandeur and sculptural profusion have been a centre of attraction for visitors as well as serious scholars, both Indian and foregin.