Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t2.55

v2.c11.s4.t2.55

It is said that Asoka, the Mauryan emperor, laid the foundation of a large Buddhist religious complex in Sanchi, probably because of its fascinating location in hills and connection with his Queen Devi, who was a daughter of the merchant of nearby Vidisha town. He built a maha-stupa (great stupa) here over the Buddha’s relics which were redistributed by him after their original division into eight portions. This maha-stupa was originally a low structure of brick with half the diameter of the present edifice, which was hemispherical in shape with raised terraces at the base. It was surrounded by a wooden railing and had a stone umbrella at the top.