Since the 14th century sanchi remained deserted and undiscovered till 1818 when General Taylor rediscovered the site. Sir John Marshall established an archaeological museum in 1919, which was later converted into the present site museum at Sanchi. It was Emperor Asoka who put the foundations of a religious centre at Sanchi, probably chosen because of his Queen Devi, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vidisha belongs to there.