a village in India, in Madhya Pradesh State. A group of Buddhist monuments have been preserved, including stupas, monasteries, and temples. The most famous of the monuments is the Great Stupa (third century B.C.; expanded to double its original size in the second century B.C.). It has four gateways (first century B.C.) and a balustrade with remarkable sculpture. The Asokan Pillar, weighing approximately 40 tons, was brought from Chunar. A group of later monuments, dating from the fifth through 12th centuries, include Temple No. 17 (fifth century). In 1919 a museum was founded in Sanchi.