Explanation:

Stupa: Stupas were burial mounds prevalent in India from the vedic period. Architecture: Stupas consist of a cylindrical drum with a circular anda and a harmika and a chhatra on the top. Anda: Hemispherical mound symbolic of the mound of dirt used to cover Buddha’s remains (in many stupas actual relics were used). Harmika: Square railing on top of the mound. Chhatra: Central pillar supporting a triple umbrella form. Material Used: The core of the stupa was made of unburnt brick while the outer surface was made by using burnt bricks, which were then covered with a thick layer of plaster and medhi and the toran were decorated with wooden sculptures. Examples: Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh is the most famous of the Ashokan stupas. Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh is the oldest one. Stupas built after the death of Buddha: Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethapida, Pava, Kushinagar and Pippalivana.