# data[].attributes.body
When?
This monument was built in the 3rd Century BCE. Becoming damaged in the 2nd Century BCE, before getting rebuilt and extended to 120ft wide and 54 ft tall by the 1st Century BCE.

Who?
The Mauryan emperor Ashoka

Why?
It was, and still is, believed to hold the ashes of Buddha.

Where?
Sanchi, Madhya Prodesh state, India.

How?
It was used as a cremation/burial site. Buddhas' ashes would be spread over you so he would be with you. The dome shape symbolises a person in a sitting mediation.

Today?
There aren't any paid tours, you can walk around it yourself. The local pilgrims walk around clockwise since it is believed that doing so, it will rid all negative karma.

# data[].attributes.body
When? It was built in 746 CE.

Who?  Vanraj Chavda

Why?  It was first conquered in the 13th century by the Khichi Chauhan Rajputs, who built the first settlement on top of Pavagadh Hill and later in 1484 Sultan Mehmud decide to make it his capital.

Where? Gujarat in the Panchmahal district

Today? Its a world heritage site that is a popular tourist destination 7 hours from Mumbai

# data[].attributes.body
The Undavalli Caves were created between the 4th-5th century and were carved from  big sandstone rocks. The caves were used as a religious place for Buddhist monks then later after the decline of Buddhism in the region the cave was converted to a Hindu temple roughly during the 7th century C.E. There's even a 5 metre long statue of Vishnu as Padmanabha in a reclined position which is carved out of granite.

Undavalli Caves - Where Faiths Converge (livehistoryindia.com)

# data[].attributes.body
The Buddhist monuments were built at several intervals throughout history, with the numerous stupas and temples built over numerous centuries. Approximately starting from the 3rd century BCE, all the way up to about the 5th century CE. The Great Stupa (the centerpiece of the monument collection) was built by Mauryan Emporor Ashoka the Great after he converted to Buddhism, in an effort to spread Buddhism across the Mauryan empire. The monuments are located in Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is built of stone and the torana gateways were carved and constructed in the manner of wood and the gateways were covered with narrative sculpture. It has also been suggested that the stone reliefs were made by ivory carvers from nearby Vidisha The number of workers is unknown as it happened many centuries ago. Today, the monuments have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and they are very well preserved, it primarily functions as a tourist attraction.

https://visitworldheritage.com/en/buddha/buddhist-monuments-at-sanchi/a6e7eec5-fcc4-4a7a-823a-28c89416008f

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Great Stupa's dome is more than 16 metres high and 36 metres in diameter (having been expanded over the centuries). Aside from its size, one of the first things that strikes you when you arrive is the detailed rock carvings that adorn the gateways at the four cardinal points. These were added after the death of Emperor Ashoka and show intricate scenes, including from the life of Buddha and the history of Buddhism.

Around the Great Stupa are smaller stupas, as well as the remains of later temples and monasteries. After Emperor Ashoka built his monument here in the 3rd century BC, this became an important place of worship for many centuries to come. You can see here the evidence of Buddhist activity here until at least the 12th century AD.

Further afield, there are other important Buddhist monuments that are easily reachable from Sanchi, including the impressive stupas at Satdhara and Sonari. The area continued to be an important centre for trade and faith, even as the dominance of different religions rose and fell.

As you travel in the region around Sanchi and the city of Bhopal, you will find other significant sites with stunning works of art. There are also the artworks left on rock faces from people who lived here thousands of years before Buddha was born or Ashoka embraced his message and spread it to the world.
The artwork of Sanchi
The four gateways to the Great Stupa are famed for the beauty of their intricate carvings - and knowing what they represent offers a deeper understanding of the Sanchi site. The gateways, or 'toranas', were built in the 1st century BC and were sponsored by different lay worshippers. Each was carved by various craftspeople at different times, giving them slightly varied styles.

Each of the gateways has two square pillars with a set of four lions, elephants, or pot-bellied dwarves supporting a large grid with three architraves. Between the architraves are figures of horsemen and elephants. But it's the architraves themselves that offer us the most, with incredibly-detailed scenes carved into the rock.

The southern gateway shows an image of the Stupa of Ramagrama near Lumbini, the only one of the stupas with original relics of Buddha that Emperor Ashoka did not open. It also shows scenes from the Siege of Kushinagar and the story of Chhaddanta Jataka, a previous incarnation of Buddha.

The western gateway also shows a scene from the Siege of Kushinagar and another part of the story of Chhaddanta Jataka. It also has carvings depicting Buddha's first sermon and his enlightenment.

Moving around to the northern gateway, there are scenes showing different incarnations of Buddha, including a continuation of the story of Chhaddanta Jataka. There is also a depiction of an event leading up to his enlightenment, when Sujata offered him food.

At the eastern gateway, you can see images of Buddha leaving his home at Kapilavastu to begin his journey to enlightenment. Importantly, there is also a scene of Emperor Ashoka visiting the Bodhi tree where the enlightenment occurred. This carving, coming at least a hundred years after the Great Stupa was built, is an important tribute to both Buddha and the man who so passionately embraced his teachings.
Buddhism around Sanchi
The stupas and monasteries at Sanchi created a thriving Buddhist community of monks and supporters. As more people came over the centuries, other settlements were founded nearby, and the region became a hub of spiritual activity.

One of the most important settlements was at Satdhara, about 17 kilometres from Sanchi. There would once have been about 30 stupas and three monasteries here and, at its peak, Satdhara would have been home to about 100 monks. While the main stupa was probably originally constructed during Ashoka's rule, the rest of the site would have been built later.

You can see evidence of other stupas and settlements at nearby sites like Sonari, Andher and Murelkhurd. They show that the immediate effects of Emperor Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism were more than just ceremonial. He inspired many of his people to begin living their lives according to the teachings of the Buddha.
The flow of faith
Although Emperor Ashoka achieved his aim of making Buddhism the dominant religion in the region, it did not last forever. By the 13th century AD, the community at Sanchi had been virtually abandoned and many of the monuments were falling into disrepair. It was not until the 19th century that the site would be rediscovered by those with an interest in restoring it.

Meanwhile, the growing Hindu community was founding its own centres of faith in the region, many of which are still covered with beautiful artwork. Jain worship sites were also set up at around the same time. Later, the Mughal Empire brought Islam to the region and mosques were built afresh or created by modifying existing temples.

Some of the most important sites of all these religions have been preserved and offer visitors a chance to see the development of faith in the region around Sanchi in the millennia following its foundation. The places of worship are not just visually beautiful, they are also entwined with deep historical and cultural stories.

Emperor Ashoka's legacy is not measured purely by the spread of Buddhism around the world and its strength today. He also nurtured an artistic and spiritual environment around Sanchi that has evolved over many centuries and left us with a rich collection of historical treasures.
Virtual Tour of Sanchi
How to Get There
The nearest airport is in Bhopal city, the Raja Bhoj airport. Sanchi is 55 km north-east of Bhopal airport, which is well-connected with other airports like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Raipur and Delhi.

The nearest railhead is Bhopal, which is also an important junction of the West Central Railways. It is also the terminus of the Shatabdi Express, which shuttles daily between Delhi and Bhopal. Various express trains ply between Bhopal and cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Gwalior, Jhansi and Ujjain. One can reach Bhopal by train and avail a bus / car from there for Sanchi.

Sanchi is just one hour by car from Bhopal (46 km) and 20 minutes drive from Vidisha (10 km). Various tour operators provide private taxis and cabs.

When to Visit
Sanchi can be visited throughout the year, but it's best to visit in the months of July to April.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | World Heritage Journeys Buddha

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It was the Indian emperor Ashoka's embrace of Buddhism in the 3rd century BC that turned it into one of the world's major religions. Here at Sanchi, you can see the greatest tribute he built to his new faith - an enormous stupa containing relics of Buddha himself.

# data[].attributes.body
When?  Dates from 3rd century BCE to 13th century CE
Who?  Established during the Gupta empire
Why?  It was built as a university and Buddhist monastic centre
Where?  In the state of Bihar in north eastern India
How?  Temples made of brick and stone. Excavation sites also show that there have been multiple periods of construction with new buildings being built on top of fallen down ones.
Today?  Is an archaeological site that is being protected and managed. Is also a popular tourist site.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1502/

# data[].attributes.body
When? 939-967 A.D.
Who? King Krishna III.
Why? It was constructed for security reasons.
Where? Nanded district of Maharashtra.
How? (cannot allocate resources)
Today? It is being used as a tourist attraction. And it is a UNESCO world heritage site.
https://www.fortsmaharashtra.com/kandhar-fort/
https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/monuments/kandhar-fort-so-many-masters

# data[].attributes.body
When? 1623 CE
Who? the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
Why? it was built as a tomb to his favourite wife Mumaz Mahal
Where? in Agra on the river Yamuna
How? it is built of white marble and probably 20,000 workers
were employed from India, Persia, Ottoman Empire and Europe
Today? a huge tourist attraction but threatened by pollution
(i did not finish )
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal