Historically, acting as a rare combination of outstanding achievements in institution-building, site-planning, art, and architecture and engaging in the organised transmission of knowledge continuously for more than 800 years, Nalanda stands out as the most ancient university of the Indian subcontinent. Nalanda Mahavira site, which is a world heritage site in Nalanda district, comprises the archaeological remains of an ascetic and scholastic institution. Additionally, The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered two 1200-year-old miniature consecrated stupas depicting Buddha figures during landscaping activities near Sarai Tila mound on the premises of Nalanda Mahavira, Nalanda district.
Nalanda Mahavira Site and Its Importance
Nalanda Mahavira site dates back to the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It was founded by Kumargupta I of the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century CE, and later patronised by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE), the Pala rulers (8th–12th century CE), and various scholars. Although a number of reputed institutions like Vikramshila and Odantpuri emerged, but the status of Nalanda remained unrivalled. The site was discovered and reported by Sir Francis Buchanan about six centuries after Nalanda’s decline. It was systematically excavated and consolidated by the ASI from 1915 to 1937 and again from 1974 to 1982.
Nalanda Mahavira has been an important archaeological excavation site, especially because of its geographical position as it is
- located on an ancient route between Pataliputra and Kashi via the Son river (from Sasaram to Bhabua);
- largest city settlement between ancient Magadha and Kashi Mahajanapadas; and
- the mainstream administrative and trading centre.
The site consists of several stupas, shrines, viharas and important art works in stuccos, stone, and metal. These archaeological remains are physical manifestations of influence of ancient Indian pedagogy where planning, architecture, and artistic traditions of Indian subcontinent and beyond developed into subsequent architectural and artistic prototypes. Nalanda boasts of being the earliest planned university of the Indian subcontinent. Many other countries in Asia have been influenced by the unparalleled art and architecture, site-planning, and institution-building of Nalanda. For instance, its metal art influenced the art of Malayan archipelago, Nepal, Myanmar, and Tibet through travelling scholars. A university and monastery that offered education in various disciplines such as Buddhism, Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic, and mathematics, Nalanda had a reputation for its rigorous and sophisticated methods of debate and logic, and thus earned the title of the ‘Medieval School of Discussion and Logic’. The continuity of its learning systems is also evident in contemporary monasteries of Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Nepal.
About the Two Discovered Stupas
The stone stupas are found from a Tarsinh pond at Sarlichak village near Nalanda Mahavihara. These are expected to be 1200 years old with Buddha figures carved on them. Last year also, a 1,300-year-old idol of Nag Devi of the Pala period was found in the same pond which has been put on display at the ASI museum in Nalanda. As per the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878, any antiquities or artefacts found and exceeding the value of Rs 10 should be deposited at the nearest government treasury by the finder. The collector of the concerned district also has the power to acquire the treasure on behalf of the government.
There have been continuous excavation practices in Nalanda by the ASI over the years. The traditional history of Nalanda goes back to the times of Buddha and Mahavira but excavations have not revealed anything earlier than the Gupta period, especially the time of the Palas (8th–12th centuries). Thus, apart from other applications of excavation such as exploration, environmental restoration, mining, and construction, historical stupas, shrines, viharas and important art works widely contribute in the study of the rich history of Nalanda.
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