Ancient site · Monument
Bharhut
A Buddhist stupa in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh, whose carved stone railing and gateway are among the earliest Indian sculpture. Uniquely, many panels are labelled in Brahmi, naming the Jataka tales, the Buddha's life scenes and spirits such as yakshas.
The stupa may have been begun under Ashoka; most of the carving is usually dated about 125–100 BCE. Alexander Cunningham found the ruin in 1873, and most surviving pieces are in the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
- Dates
- railings c. 125–100 BCE (some argue 1st century CE); later abandoned
- Still standing
- No, or only traces
- Location
- 24.45° N, 80.85° E
How we know
Each relief panel is labelled in Brahmi script, and donor inscriptions name the patrons; the date of the carvings is debated.
Nearby sites
- Sarnath c. 250 BCE–1194 CE
- Sanchi 3rd century BCE–12th century CE
- Bhimbetka rock shelters paintings c. 10,000 BCE (Mesolithic) to medieval times; occupation far older
- Lumbini pillar of Ashoka c. 249–242 BCE (Ashoka's 20th regnal year)
- Pataliputra (Kumhrar) c. 600 BCE–600 CE
- Lauriya Nandangarh pillar c. 243–236 BCE (dating of Ashoka's reign varies)