The Great Stupa, situated on the south side of the Sanchi hill, and Sanchi is about 45 kms from Bhopal and 23 kms from Raisen. It has a nearly hemispherical dome, cut near the apex and a high roof at its base. In the centre is the circumambulatory, accessible by double staircases on the southeast and southwest sides. On the ground floor there’s another circumambulatory which surrounds the monument and is surrounded by a massive plain railing of stone. This circular railing is divided into four equal parts in the four directions. Each of these is furnished with gateways which are richly carved on the inner and outer sides. These gateways were added from Ist century BC to Ist century AD by the Satvahana rulers. The apex is having three tired parasol representing the Buddha, his teachings and Sangha the Buddhist Community and surmounted by the railings.
The inscribed pillar near the Southern gateway and Great Stupa on the relics of Buddha were built in the reign of Ashoka. Ashoka and his wife Devi suprvised the construction. Sanchi and Vidisha were the towns which were flourishing in all aspects and were the Buddhist centre. Sanchi remain the venue of Ashoka and Devi’s wedding in 3 century BC.
Capt. J. D. Cunningham, Fergusson, Capt. Johnson, Dr. Spilsbury, Capt Maisey, Sir Alexander Cunningham are renowned archaeologists who executed research and restoration work from 1882 to Sir John’s period.
According to Archaeologists found that the first structure was built of baked bricks and the outer casings were contemporary with the stone ones. The stupa is a hemispherical structure in the form of a mound built on the place of cremation, relics or for votive offerings, made of bricks or stones. Ashoka promoted the Stupa and Pillar culture. He found the more impressive way of propagating the Buddha’s teachings by enshrining the relics of the Buddha in 84,000 stupas. Though the relic-worship is an age-old, universal superstition, but among the Buddhists of India it immediately acquired a significance and importance which it had in no other sect or country.
The bricks of the original structure of the Great Stupa had suffered much damage before the outer stone casing was added, which appears to have been deliberate rather than natural.
The Great Stupa was completely rebuilt in the mid of 2nd century BCE by a Shunga king after Pushyamitra, possibly Agnimitra or Vasujyeshtha.
These are the most authentic findings of Sir John Marshall who overlooked the excavation work in Sanchi from 1912 AD to 1919 AD. He remained the Director General of Archaeology. He led the restoration work at Sanchi Buddhist Site with the financial add of last Lady ruler of Bhopal Nawab Sultan Jehan Begum.
Great Stupa is a major and popular attraction among the Buddhist and tourists. Great Stupa is considered a sacred place among the devotees. It’s an oldest monument so I am privilege to provide the actual details which I gathered from the archaeological fellows working at Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage Site.