Buddhist monastery dating to 2nd century discovered in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Oct 14 (PTI) A Buddhist monastery dating
back to second century has been discovered by the State
Archaeological Department (A.S.D.) in Gujarat's Mehsana
district.

The structure was found during excavation near the
Ghaskol Darwaja in the southern part of Vadnagar town, A.S.D.
officials said.

"The monastery was probably made between second to
fourth century and would have existed for the next 300 odd
years," A.S.D. director, Yadubirsingh Rawat, who is heading
the excavation, told PTI Monday.

"We have been excavating this site since last two
years and have found remains of articles, vessels, Buddhist
footprints, plaques and other things which prove that there
were Buddhist monks living here," he said.

"The present structure is made of baked bricks and
spread across 16 sq metre area. It is on a high plinth, about
six feet high," Rawat added.

It has an open courtyard in centre and cells in the
surroundings which the monks might have used for prayers, he
added.

"What makes this discovery unique is that the
monastery is situated within the walled city. In most of the
cases such monasteries are built away from cities in
isolation," Rawat added.

According to Rawat, there have been documented
evidences that there were Buddhist monks in Gujarat during
this period and the recent discovery is the proof of their
existence.

Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang had visited Gujarat and
documented the presence of Buddhist monks and monasteries in
the state, Rawat said.

When asked how they concluded the period the monastery
belong to, Rawat said, "The size of bricks change according to
period. And analysis of the bricks as well as other items
found during excavation here show that it belongs to an era
between second to fourth century A.D."

"Moreover, there were other things like pottery,
inscriptions, art forms, which clearly suggest presence of
Buddhist religion here," he added.

Rawat said that they had excavated eight meters deep
but were not able to go further as there were huge amount of
soil deposits.

Since its excavation which began two years ago, more
than 2000 pieces of archaeological importance have been found
from Ghaskol Darwaja excavation site in Vadnagar town.

The findings include number of clay utensils, silver
coins, beads, ornaments, sculptures, clay plaque, tablets,
plaque depicting Buddha, and parts of vessel with inscription
related to Buddhism. PTI PB
RKM