Bharhut

Bharhut is a village in Madhya Pradesh, India, famous for its ancient Buddhist stupa, the Bharhut Stupa. The stupa, built in the 2nd century BCE during the Shunga period, was originally a large brick structure adorned with elaborate railings and sculptures. While the main stupa has largely disintegrated, significant portions of its decorative railings and gateway are now housed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata.

The relief sculptures from Bharhut provide invaluable insights into early Buddhist art and iconography. They depict scenes from the Jatakas, which are tales of the Buddha's previous lives, as well as significant events from the life of the Buddha. The style is characterized by its narrative clarity and symbolic representation, often featuring votive inscriptions that identify the depicted figures and events.

The Bharhut Stupa was a major pilgrimage site and a significant center of Buddhist activity. Its artistic legacy influenced subsequent Buddhist art in India and beyond. The discovery and excavation of Bharhut by Alexander Cunningham in the 19th century were crucial for understanding the development of early Indian art and the spread of Buddhism. The site continues to be an important archaeological location, offering a window into India's rich cultural and religious past.