After killing hundreds of thousands in conquering Kalinga in the 3rd century BC, Emporor Ashoka foresook violence, embraced Buddhism, and built many temples. The grandest complex was at Sanchi. There are a couple of intact stupas, which are just monuments usually containing relics of important Buddhists of the Buddha’s day. There are ruins of some more stupas. The gates fell and were restored about 150 years ago. Here is the biggest, best stupa.
If you look at the columns on the southern gate here, you will see the four-headed lion symbol of Ashoka’s kingdom. The one on the right is printed on every denomination of Indian banknote.
Mostly, the colums are carved with scenes from the Buddha’s life we know for sure he had, and of scenes from the other lives he is said to have had. Though the columns were re-erected, the details of the sculpture remained remarkable intact, considering they are over 2000 years old and the whole place was practically abandoned for many centuries while Buddhism went into decline and practically disappeared from India.
There are many insciptions there, relating to the debate between the pacifists and the practical, warning of scism. Apparently they had to decided whether to fight to protect themselves or not. It’s unknown how the details of that debate went. We do know they fought, but as in the case of all empires, it was eventually defeated. Some debates echo throughout history, eh?
Here is a scene from the walkway around the western gate of that stupa, about halfway up, out over the countryside. It is a very pretty place indeed.
