The great Stupa in Sanchi looms above its hill-top, a few miles from Bhopal, in all the impressiveness of its mass. It is in good order, and its surroundings are in immaculate condition. Sanchi had many names in the past; initially Kakanayan or Kakanava, then kakanada-bota, later Botha Sri Parvata  and still later Sri Parvata or Santhi Sri Parvata. It obtained its present name from a village near its hill. Though today it stands out among all the ancient Buddhist monuments, it was not connected with Buddha's life or ministry, and none of the Chinese pilgrims says a word about it.

The region near Sanchi is one of the richest in archaeological and historical remains in the entire country. There are Stupas on many of the hills nearby. There is the site of the great ancient city of Vidisa.The "Ramayana" says that Satrughna made his son, Subahu, a king ruling from that city. In Buddha's time, the sixth century B.C.,it was an important city. Then and later it was an emporium connected with the great trade routes connenting Kashi, Pataliputra and Kausambi with Bharukkacha (modern Broach) and Surparaka (now Sopara), both on the west coast, and with Pratisthana (Paithan) in the Deccan. It was the merchants of Vidisa who paid for the making of many of Sanchi's monuments. On the Southern gateway of the great Stupa there is an inscription which states that it was carved by the ivory workers of Vidisa.