What was the contribution of Begums of Bhopal in preservation of Sanchi Stupa ?

1. In the nineteenth century, Europeans were very interested in the stupa at Sanchi, which is located in the state of Bhopal in India.

2. Major Alexander Cunningham, a British officer, stayed in the region for several weeks and examined the ruins carefully, taking drawings and deciphering inscriptions and write a book on the monument.

3. The Plaster Cast : The French sought permission from Shahjehan Begum, the ruler of Bhopal at the time, to take away the eastern gateway of the stupa to be displayed in a museum in France. Some Englishmen also expressed interest in doing the same. However, both the French and the English were satisfied with plaster-cast copies, and the original gateway remained at the site in Bhopal.

4. Funding Preservation : The Begums of Bhopal, including Shahjehan Begum and her successor Sultan Jehan Begum, provided funding for the preservation of the site.

5. Museum : Sultan Jahan Begum funded the construction of a museum and a guesthouse for scholars. John Marshall wrote his book while staying there.

6. The preservation efforts of the Begums, along with good luck in avoiding destruction by builders and railway contractors, contributed to the successful restoration and preservation of Sanchi, which is now a key archaeological site that sheds light on early Buddhism. It is also a UNESCO world Heritage Site.