“Historians often try to understand the meaning of sculpture by comparing it with textual evidence.” Evaluate the statement in the context of Sanchi Stupa.

OR

”Amaravati was discovered before Sanchi yet it had lost its glory and was an insignificant little mound.” In the light of the above statement justify why Sanchi survived but Amaravati did not?

Historians often try to understand the meaning of sculpture by comparing it with textual evidence:

I. To understand sculpture that may seem like a rural scene, one needs to know the story-for example Vessantra Jataka.

II. Art historians read hagiographies of Buddha to understand sculpture-symbols of worship-Buddha’s presence shown through symbols.

III. The empty seat meant meditation.

IV. Wheel-first sermon of the Buddha.

V. These symbols stand for certain events in his life. They help historians to understand literary traditions.

VI. Others such as Shalabhanjika-a woman whose touch caused trees to flower.

VII. Animal depictions-jataka depicted animals, also to create lively scenes.

VIII. Woman surrounded by elephants-identified as Maya, Buddha’s mother.

IX. Serpents lead some art historians to believe Sanchi as center of serpent worship. This was before they were familiar with Buddhist literature-only looking at images.

X. Another motif of a women is shown surrounded by lotuses and elephants. Elephants are sprinkling water on her as if they are performing consecration. Few historians consider it as Maya, the mother of the Buddha and others identify her as a popular goddess, Gajalakshmi.

XI. Gajalakshmi is the goddess of good fortune and is associated with elephants. It is quite possible that devotees who saw these sculptures identified the figure with both Maya and Gajalakshmi.

OR

Amaravati stupa and Sanchi stupa were both constructed by emperor Ashoka. Both were glorious and great cultures existed around the stupa. They were famous Buddhist centers. In spite of that Sanchi stupa was well preserved and maintained by rules around that region whereas Amaravati stupa was not preserved and maintained by rules around that region because of the following reasons:-

I. Europeans showed interest in Sanchi more than in Amaravati. So, they took care about Sanchi stupa and its preservation and maintenance.

II. When Buddhism declined in India and other religions got more publicity and practice, the Stupa at Amaravati had been neglected. It was buried under rubles.

III. During 19th century a famous archaeologist Cole requested British authorities to preserve on site Amaravati, he was not heeded to. But for on-site preservation of stupa of Sanchi the British agreed.

IV. A lot of plates and other items were taken away from Amaravati stupa to other parts of India and also to foreign countries including England. Thus, it could not be preserved.

V. Principles of preservation and importance of preservation of stupas was not well understood when Amaravati stupa was discovered. Sanchi stupa was discovered later and the importance of preserving was known and put in practice.

VI. Due to the efforts of the rulers of Bhopal the mound could be preserved while Local Raja who stumbled on the finds used the stones to build a temple so, Amaravati was not survived.

VII. When Sanchi stupa was discovered three of its gateways were still standing and the fourth was lying on the spot where it had fallen and the mound was in good condition while Walter Elliot collected several structured panels and took them away to Madras (Elliot’s Marbles) which caused destruction of Amaravati.