Sāñchī. A Buddhist religious centre in Central India, consisting of a number of stūpas, vihāras, and temples. It is also known as Caityagiri. The most important building in terms of size and artistic merit is the Great Stūpa, the core of which dates from the time of Aśoka. The remains of an unusual free-standing caitya hall dating from Gupta times (320–630 CE) has recently been found at Sāñchī.

Sanchi the site in Madhya Pradesh of several well-preserved ancient Buddhist stupas. The largest of these was probably begun by the Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century bc.