Sanchi and its archaeological landscape: Buddhist monasteries, settlements & irrigation works in Central India.(Brief Article)

The Buddhist monastic complex at Sanchi in Central India, a recently designated `UNESCO World-Heritage' site, was established during the 3rd century BC as part of the westerly expansion of Buddhism from its base In the middle Gangetic plains. The distribution of other stupas, monasteries and `Asokan' edicts throughout the Mauryan empire illustrates the degree to which early programmes of Buddhist propagation conflated with the expanding boundaries of the state.

Although the link between Buddhism and ancient trade has been studied (Ray 1986), understanding of the socio-religious ...

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