Professor M.K. Dhavalikar's book 'Sanchi' is part of the OUP "Monumental Legacy" series** which serve as detailed guides to Hindu and Buddhist monuments at World Heritage sites.

This book on Sanchi provides a succinct overview of the site's history and architecture for a general audience, while also being useful for scholars and informed tourists.

Key contents of the book include:

- Historical background: The book explores the history of Sanchi, detailing the different periods of construction and expansion from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. It traces the life of the Buddha and the evolution of Buddhism in ancient India, setting the context for the monuments.
- Archaeological and architectural significance: Dhavalikar highlights the architectural and artistic importance of the various features found at Sanchi. The site includes not only the famous Great Stupa, originally built by Emperor Ashoka, but also magnificent carved gateways (toranas), monasteries, temples, and an Ashokan pillar.
- A tour of the site: The author acts as a guide, taking the reader on a tour of the monuments. The detailed descriptions are complemented by illustrations, maps, plans, and photographs, making the site and its features easy to visualize.
- Cultural equipment and daily life: A separate edition of Dhavalikar's work, titled Sanchi: A Cultural Study (1965), focuses on the daily life and cultural equipment depicted in the profuse carvings on the gateways. These detailed reliefs are treated as a documentary on the contemporary life of the Satavahana period, offering a vision of India's past.

It is an ideal primer for those planning to visit India's historic sacred sites.

PLEASE NOTE: this is the paperback edition. A hardcover edition is also available from AlbionUKBooks on this website (ISBN 9780195663136)

** Three more publications in the OUP "Monumental Legacy" series are available from AlbionUKBooks on this website: Khajuraho, Konrak, Qutb Minar