Satdhara: A Buddhist Archaeological Settlement in Madhya Pradesh
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.5
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- India
- Primary era
- Unclassified
- Eras represented
- Unclassified
- Civilizations
- Unclassified
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Sanctuary
History
Satdhara is a Buddhist archaeological settlement in Madhya Pradesh, India, located 9 km west of Sanchi. Its remains include stupas, Buddhist monuments associated with relics and devotional practices, as well as viharas, or monastic buildings and residences.
Satdhara forms one of four groups of stupas found within 20 km of Sanchi. Bhojpur and Andher lie to the southeast, while Sonari is to the southwest and Satdhara to the west. Saru Maru, another Buddhist archaeological site, lies about 100 km farther south.
The settlement includes a great stupa, another stupa, and a group of smaller stupas. A reliquary and inscriptions are associated with the great stupa, while vedika pillars, or railing elements used to enclose or define sacred areas, are also present.
In the nineteenth century, the British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham discovered the stupas and excavated them. Relics recovered from the centers of the stupas were taken to England, where they were donated to the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
