Consider the following observations about the largest stupa at Sanchi: 1. Going by information available from the inscriptions on the railings of the stupa, the construction of part of one of its gateways was financed by the Guild of Ivory workers. 2. In its original early form, this stupa was plain except for the stone railings and the gateways, which were richly carved. 3. The panels on the four gateways contain sculptures only in the front and have no sculptures on the rear side. 4. In 1918, when the stupa was discovered, all of its four gates were intact but the mound was in poor condition. 5. Art historians have established clear connections between the sculptures of the stupa with events described in Jataka Tales. 6. War scenes have also been depicted in these sculptures. Which of the observations given above are correct?

The Great Stupa at Sanchi features inscriptions on its railings and pillars recording donations, including one from the Guild of Ivory workers who financed a portion of a gateway [1][3]. In its early form, the stupa was a plain mound, with the stone railings and gateways being the primary carved elements [2]. While the stupa was 'discovered' in 1818 (not 1918), three gateways were standing and the fourth was on the ground, with the mound in good condition [3]. The gateways are richly carved on both the front and rear sides, contradicting the claim of front-only sculpture. Art historians have linked the sculptures to Jataka Tales, which depict the Buddha's previous lives [3][4]. Additionally, the reliefs include various scenes from the Buddha's life and historical events, including war scenes such as the 'War over the Buddha's Relics' [2][5]. Thus, statements 1, 2, 5, and 6 are correct.

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.2 How were stupas built? > p. 96
2. [3] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 8. "Discovering" Stupas > p. 99
3. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7. Stupas > p. 97
4. [4] https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Stupa-Buddhist-monument-Sanchi-India
5. [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi_Stupa