One of the most important Tourist Attractions of Sanchi is the Ashoka Pillar. It is located near the southern gateway of the famous Sanchi Stupa.
The Ashoka Pillar was erected in the 3rd century B.C. It is rather unfortunate but the total Ashoka Pillar does not stand here now. The shaft of the pillar can only be seen at the gateway and the crown has been kept in the museum. The crown of the Ashoka Pillar consists of the four lions that stand back to back. The figure of these lions was later adopted as the National Emblem of India.
The Ashoka Pillar in Sanchi is reflective of the Greco Buddhist style of Architecture. The most remarkable quality of the Ashoka Pillar is that it is very well proportioned. One cannot but admire the structural balance of the Ashoka Pillar. It bears a lot of resemblance to the pillar at Sarnath. It is quite intricately carved but the lions of this Ashoka Pillar in Sanchi do not support the wheel of law or Dharmachakra. The polish of the Ashoka Pillar is brilliant and shines to this day.