Identify the year of Sanchi’s discovery?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 1818
When Sanchi was “discovered” in 1818, three of its four gateways were still standing, the fourth lay where it had fallen, and the mound was in good condition. There were suggestions that a gateway be taken to Paris or London, but Sanchi was preserved where it stood. The stupa at Amaravati, found earlier, was stripped of its sculptures and is now only a small mound.
NCERT (2025-26): “8. ‘Discovering’ Stupas The Fate of Amaravati and Sanchi … Why did Sanchi survive while Amaravati did not? Perhaps Amaravati was discovered before scholars understood the value of the finds and realised how critical it was to preserve things where they had been found instead of removing them from the site. When Sanchi was ‘discovered’ in 1818, three of its four gateways were still standing, the fourth was lying on the spot where it had fallen and the mound was in good condition. Even so, it was suggested that the gateway be taken to either Paris or London; finally a number of factors helped to keep Sanchi as it was, and so it stands, whereas the mahachaitya at Amaravati is now just an insignificant little mound, totally denuded of its former glory.” |