ISSN 0970-8669 Review

The advent of Buddhism traces back to 6th century Kushanas and Guptas, down to Gangas and B.C. Siddhartha Gautama, a Sakya Prince left all Gajapatis in 15th –16th century A.D. the worldly pleasure in quest of the truth and reality The strategic geographical location of of life. Though, it took some years to realize the Odisha helped her in rising to great heights in reality of life, but when He was showered with respect of trade and commerce from pre- the divine light of enlightenment, instead of keeping Buddhist period. Odisha was served as a bridge it to himself, Goutam Buddha preferred to between the trans-oceanic and inland trade of enlighten others as well. The teachings preached India, causing migration of cultural traits along with by Gautam Buddha were warmly accepted by a trade and commerce. With the rise of trade and large number of people and came to be known commerce in the historical periods it is but as a new school of thought, Buddhism which later obvious; the growth of urbanization leads building turned into a major religion of the world and the of various monuments which now put together as kings, emperors, traders and commoners built resource for development of Tourism in the State. monuments, kept relics and offered gifts to pay ovation to the Master Teacher. Odisha is fortunate With the archaeological spade in different to have received a good deal of monuments and parts of Odisha, a large amount of new materials Buddhist Monuments of Odisha A Study of Forms and Patronage

Sunil Kumar Patnaik relics throughout history at least up to 15th century have emerged in recent years regarding the trade A.D. and commerce and growth of Buddhist Monuments. Here, an attempt is made to discuss Odisha, the land on the eastern seashore some aspects of the trade and urbanization that of Bay of Bengal was known variously as Kalinga, has its significant contribution to know the forms Utkal and Odra in ancient times. Major portion and patronage of Buddhist Monuments of Odisha of this extensive territory was known in ancient during the historical periods which constitute a time as the land of Kalingas, a class of people major resource material for our historical research who are referred to in Brahmanical literature, in that become our tangible heritage when we look old Pali canons as well as Asokan inscriptions. In to its monumental wealth and reuse it for area its earliest history, Odisha had become a province development through tourism. But, all that need and later even the centre of great empire under is sincere researchers, well trained archaeologists the two of the most important rulers of early India and tourism promoters.1 i.e, under Asoka (3rd century B.C.), and Kharavela (1st century B.C.). Then, the The excavated materials of Sisupalgarh, stratigraphy is very clear with influence of Jaugarh, Lalitgiri, Manikapatna and the existing

8 DECEMBER - 2018 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 monuments such as Asokan Edicts at Dhauli and well connected with roads and communication suggest to some extent the fact that network and other rural pockets existed in and Odisha or Kalinga of 3rdcentury B.C, was a well around these cities and were storehouse of populated geographical entity. The coins, coin different products as described above. Evidences moulds, some precious beads, clay and iron are in hand that during Mauryan period an artifacts, structural remains and pot-shreds found important route that led from Mathura to Vidisa, at these places, indicate the existence of people and Sanchi, joined with the southern route from of various professions, such as artisans, craftsman, the Ganges plain and its eastern branch led to the masons and traders, suggesting urbanization based Sahajati sector on the Narmada. There was a on a complex set of socio-economics.These trade route linking with Vidisa and Ujjain urban centres must have depended on existence which is supposed to be the royal route that was of villages producing an agricultural surplus. extensively used during Mauryan period.3 The Ancient Odisha or Kalinga was good producer recent archaeological explorations in the places of rice, bajra, cotton fabrics, samudra luna (salt), like Kankia (Radhanagar), Manamunda- elephant, silk, dukula (a kind of cloth), gems, Asurgarh, Boud on the Mahanadi belt and pearls, oyster, perfumes, conch sells, ornaments, Sirpur,and Ratnapur substantiate to the fact. There sugar, earthen pottery etc. Diamond was probably are several terracotta inscriptional evidences one of the valuable commodities sold at found from Radhanagar partial excavation which Kalinganagar. The mention of all these were found all focus that there was an early urban centre. in the literary works viz, Jatakas, Arthasastra Further, on the coastal line Tosali had directly come of Kautilya, Mahabhasya of Patanjali, in contact with Tamralipti in Bengal on the north- Charaka Samhita, Samyaktta Nikaya and east and Kaveripattnam on the south-east, thus Indica of Meghasthanese.. An examination of the forming a trade circuit. By the second century B.C wood remains from Sisupalagarh suggests that the entire east-coast seemed to have been linked there has been no major climatic change in this in a single coastal network.5 part of Odisha during the last two thousand years. By this time references in early Sanskrit This evidence further throws much light on the and Pali literature indicate private ownership of present day productions which almost all the 2 land and rise of the very rich households of land goods found in this region described above. owners – the grahapatis – in the middle Ganga During this period we have ample valley. It was from the ranks of the grahapatis evidence of at least two metropolis, i.e, one at that the trading communities of Vanijas and Tosali ? (Sisupalgarh/Radhanagar) and other one Setthis arose and salt, metals textiles, and pottery is Samapa at Jaugada. Both are located in the were the standard items of trade.6 This growing coastal tract. The fortification though little is long distance trade between the Ganga valley and available at Sisupalgarh and suggest status of a the Deccan peninsula had its impact in the east mula-nagara which most of the cities of this coast. The existing coastal trade route, starting period in northern India was fortified which was through the port towns Tamralipti, Palura, also found at the excavations Aahichhatra, Pithunda (?) and down below Kaveripatnam Rajghat, Kausambhi, Harsh-ka-Tilla, made accessible these materials for transportation. (Kurukshetra) etc. Now, these city centres were On the whole ancient Odisha and its port town

DECEMBER - 2018 9 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review had the market for inland commodities as well as little reference is available regarding the prosperity. to export the material to outside. Thus, the Moreover, we have the Sisupalgarh (Tosali or hinterland on the back, Odisha from 2nd c. BC to Kalinganagar ?) – an urban centre of Odisha 2nd c. AD, was formed a very prosperous state marked the decline and by fifth century AD, the of which we had evidence in the Hatigumpha entire settlement vanishes, perhaps due to decline inscriptions of Kharavela. Further, the evidence of maritime trade?.The recent ongoing excavation of Rouletted ware that is one of the indicator of at Kankia (Radhanagar) shows that there was an this trade network in the sub–continent which was early historical settlement with fortifications and first identified by Wheeler at Arikamedu on the was existing from 4th - 3rd century B.C to early st nd east coast. He assigned to it a date of the 1 –2 part of 5th century A.D. The city centre is century A D. Since, then the ware has been found surrounded by number of Buddhist settlements all along the east coast from Chandraketugarh and like Langudi, Kayama, Vajragiri,Tarapur and Deuli Tamluk in the east coast from in the lower Ganga which form cluster like that of Buddhist settlements delta to Sisupalgarh and Manikapatna and of Deccan. Radhanagar on the Odishan coast, several sites in the lower Krishna basin to Korkai of Srilanka. The next phase of Odisha history with 4th Thus, in the 2nd – 1st c. BC to 2nd AD., the east century to 600 AD, when the minor dynasties like coast was linked in a single trade circuit with Matharas, Nalas, Manas etc ruled over different pockets of ruling elites. pockets of Odisha. The rise of several dynasties in different pockets of Odisha during this period, Hoards of Kushana and -Kushana with most of them issuing land grants to coins have been unearthed mostly in the coastal district ranging in time between c. 1st and 4th Brahmanas and religious establishments implies centuries AD. Further, Roman coins from large scale agrarian expansion, a process of which Bamanghaty in Mayurbhanj and Sisupalgarh and most have had important bearing on the social Roman clay bullas from Radhanagar, supplies the process and structure. evidence to surmise the trade relations. To add During this period though major trade more, recently inscriptions from Lalitgiri records declined to some extent still Tamralipti continued donations by merchants and traders that can be to be a famous port – through which copper of linked with a similar donation found from Simhabhum was exported in large quantities. Nagarjunakonda that mentions a guild deals in Contemporary to Matharas of Kalinga, Nalas betel leaves. The importance of the eastern ruled over the Bastr.-Koraput region which was maritime trade to the later Satavahanas is evident part of the ancient Atavika territory and later on, from the issue of their ship type coins found along become well known in history as land of 7 the Andhra coast, depicting double masted ships. Trikalinga. Trade routes from Kalinga to Kosala By 3rd century A.D, Mediterranean trade as well as to central and nothern India passed had declined and many urban centres in the north through their Kingdom and the rivers like Indravati and western Deccan underwent degeneration and and Godabari connected with Vengi and other decay which was also seen in the urban centres territories in the south. The circulation of gold coins like Dantapura, Kalinganagar and Palura of by the kings of dynasty testifies the prosperity of Odisha coast which after 3rd – 4th century A.D, the Nala kingdom.

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Again another contemporary dynasty the ruling kings. Such patronization have seen in known as Manas were ruling over the territory the Buddhist sites discovered at Kuruma, Lalitgiri, laying to the north of the Mathara, kingdom, Ratnagiri, Udyagiri, Langudi, Kayama,Vajragiri, beyond the river Mahanadi. Hoards of 147 coins Tarapur, Deuli, Solampur, Ayodhya, Ganiapalli, of this dynasty have been discovered from the Kurum, Boudh and many other places of Odisha. village Nanduru near Gandibedha in Balasore The Buddhist sites in common portray the array district. Paleographic ally according to S.N of development in art, religion, building Rajguru dated to 5th century A.D8. The Manas is technology and community life which otherwise said to have originally a merchant family. Thus called our Heritage. Heritage resources are now the Manas who were ruling over north – eastern considered to look upon the cultural background part of Odisha during 5th – 6th century AD of country. migrated to Chhotonagpur and south of Bihar in The Lalitgiri site had its continuation from subsequent period. As the ruling dynasty itself is 2nd century B.C to 14th century A.D. It is a site merchant so it can be surmised that there was having an ancient Maha Stupa which yielded bone brisk trade relations and trade was the principal th th Relic Caskets, wrapped in golden foil. It has a activity of the people of the region in 5 – 6 Maha Chaitya like Nagarjunikonda of century AD. Andhrapradesh and series of well built Further, the excavation at the Buddhist monasteries for the monks. The site as such has sites of Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri, Langudi and the continuous history of 1500 years. The Udayagiri shows that during this period enormous development of Buddhism could be known from growth were marked in these sites, although the the existing monuments such as three number of royal patron of Sri Chadraaditya Vihara, well built monasteries, Maha Stupa ,Chaitya and Ratnagiri Vihara, Singhaprasta Mahavihara, plethora of small Stupas. Besides, sculptures, Madhavpur Mahavihara of Odisha is not inscriptions Kushana, Gupta and Post-Gupta known. It is believed from the material evidences periods indicate its continuity and patronage. The available on the site that the establishment received site singularly speaks volumes about the phases large chucnk of donations from the merchant of Buddhism i.e Hinayana, Mahayana, and pilgrims or the merchant monks that was the style Vajrayana. One sealing revealed a name of that century, which are evidenced from the Chandraditya Mahavihara.The heritage western India cave monasteries like Ajanta, conservation has taken up by Archaeological Pitalkhora, Bagh etc9. Since, the above Buddhist Survey of India and now is a major resource for establishments of Odisha had close relations with Odisha Tourism. the Buddhist epicenters of Vaisali, Sravasti, So, also the Langudi Buddhist site which Rajgrihia, Nalanda, Saranath, Tamaralipti to down had brought to limelight number of inscriptions, a Nagarjunakonda, Dhyna Kataka etc, are also Maha Stupa date back to early centuries, Rock known from literature, inscriptions and material –cut Buddhist images and monastic sites that has remains. clue to prove sufficiently that it was a site for The Buddhist sites were always Theravada Buddhist in the remote past and developed in India during historical period with number of activates were developed during the patronage of traders, merchant community and historical period at least from 3rd century A.D to

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13th-14th century. The astonishing discovery of enough evidences to study the forms and inscribed image of emperor Asoka is step forward patronage of Buddhism in ancient Odisha. for the richness of the site. The inscription on the Adjoining Kayama hill on the south there lies an image reads as ami upasaka Asokasa important early historical fort site called Kankia samchiamana agra eka thupe, meaning the lay (Radhanagar).This is the only settlement in the worshipper Asoka had built a principal Stupa. midst of cluster of Buddhist monuments. After two Another inscribed image (bust portion) also sessions (2010-11 to 2011-12) of excavation discovered from this site which reads chhikarena the site revealed its stratigraphy dated back to rajna Asokena (B.N.Mukherjee) 4th -3rd B.C. It has its Mayurian level with brick paleographically dated to Ist century B.C/A.D. structures, terracotta figurines, coins and black Besides the terracotta Buddha images, rock-cut and red ware along with inscriptions read as Stupa and images simply speak volumes about Sadabhu Tissa. The next level is marked with the rise of civilization in Eastern India. It was some building activates and findings of triratna, excavated by Odishan Institute of Maritime and terracotta ornaments, pots, herds, coins and South-East Asian Studies (OIMSEAS) during the terracotta moulds of Sunga-Kusan period. The last decade. Now the site is under control of ASI. whole site is 1200 mtrs x 1200 mtrs having deposit However, Odisha tourism has taken up the site of 6 mtrs with solid fortification wall like that of as one of the major resource for promotion of Sisupalgarh. It could be certainly a walled Buddhist tourism in the South-East Asian settlement of Buddhist period. There are enough countries. OIMSEAS is taking research work, materials of trade relationship with other countries ASI is looking after conservation work and Odisha of South East Asia. The research is underway to Tourism has taken steps by establishing an reach the final stage. However it is an important accommodation centre in the part of infrastructural early historical site of ancient India. development. Now, it is the responsibility of archaeologists and heritage conservators to take Vajragiri a nearby hillock contains up research, preservation and beautification wonderful rock-cut monastery and caves. This is work, of course, with the help of Government the place where Vajrayana form might have and other funding agencies. developed. Although major portion of the area are inhabited by the people and little remained to The nearby hillocks like Kayama, be excavated.However the partial excavations Vajragiri, Deuli, Tarapur etc have also Buddhist revealed the stratigraphy of the site date back to remains which are storehouse for culture and 6th-7th to 13th-14th century A.D. This type of civilization of the Buddhist world. Kayama is a monuments are seen in Aurangabad cave sites near hillock known as Gugulapahada as that of Ajanta. Gandhakuti of Rajgriha. The symbolical elephant sculpture bears the symphony of early Buddhist Tarapur Buddhist Remains on N H-05 art and the building materials discovered on the near Jaraka also revealed many inscriptional top of the hill speak enough about Buddhism. The evidences of early and late period. These are inscription (Sankhalipi) of 5th-6th century A.D, Bhikhu Tapusudanm Kesathupa, Kalinga raj found on a rock in this hill says the name of the of 2nd century B.C and Kilinga gadhanayakas, hill. This inscription reads as Betal Chaitya, Klingadeusagadnayakasa of 13th -15th century. Gugularaba and SriSri Buddha. This site has The site had a Maha Stupa like that of Sanchi.

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The archaeological remains found at the site with only house such kind of Buddhist images rarely railing pillars and double storied cave points to its found in other places of India. Further, the patronage during early period.Now, only the base sculptural art provides close interaction with portion and railing pillars are available. But this South-East Asian features13. Archaeologists of heritage site is the mute witness of rise of Buddhism Archaeological Survey of India have done in Kalinga. substantial research on these sites and have also Deuli hill near Jaraka is again another undertaken conservation work. Odisha Tourism marvelous site which contains remnants of a Stupa/ has also done some infrastructural facilities together Monastery at the top. There is enough materials with promotional efforts internationally. Some of available to know about the early spread of the Buddha images at Lalitgiri are very similar to Buddhism. The scenic beauty often reminds us to the images found at Borbodur. The historical and the Gidhrakuta Hilltop of Rajgriha. Similarly the archaeological researchers should be encouraged nearby Deulipal hills have the series of Buddhist to focus their research so that more and more Caves again a characteristics seen in the Deccan new vistas will be opened and tourism could be hills near Pitalkhora the hub of Mayurian Art. worked upon by involving rural folks like that of Along with the sites the early urban centre as said wild life conservation projects so that local area before Kankia ( Radhanagar) substantiate enough development could be visible. materials for a trade centre which is seen in almost The Buddhist site Solampur in Bhadrak every large Buddhist sites in India. However, at District is another major centre of Buddhist art. the present state of research we are not sure to There are about 50 Buddhist icons found in the draw any conclusion (?). It is still in the scholars arena to disclose and conclude. But the Raghunath temple and nearby area. It was known conglomeration of such huge settlements in a as Solampur Mahavihara in the historical records. radious of 25 kilometers qualifies to be a World The Buddhist images like Buddha having a panel Heritage Site like that of Nalanda or Ajanta/ Ellora of his life story carved unique in Indian Art. The or Borbodur. Odisha is fortunate to have such standing Tara image, Avalokiteswara, Jambhala, huge and varied Buddhist sites which reveals Hariti and other images tell the story of flourishing systematically leafs of Indian Culture phase by state of Buddhism during 7th-8th centuries.14 It is phase. a living museum now. We should take utmost care immediately to preserve such precious site. We The sites like Ratnagiri and Udayagiri also should be thankful to village people that they have laid bare ancient Stupas and well-built monastic kept very carefully all the images. We should take sites. The Stupa at Udayagiri serves as benchmark a rural tourism project and link the site with major for study of Vajrayana form of Buddhism so also destination like Jajpur so that economic viability the main Stupa at Ratnagri has closely built in from archaeology could be seen. spoke and wheel method which has resemblance with the Stupas of Mahasanghika sect found at So also the Kupari of this district has Amaravati and Nagarjunikonda. The sculptural monumental remains. This site again has the wealth at these places are overwhelmed ranging remnants of Monastery on a rock bed and from Buddha and Boddhisattva images to variety number of Buddhist pantheon found in the present of Vajrayana icons. Perhaps these two places Parvati temple. There are evidences of number

DECEMBER - 2018 13 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review of monastic establishments .The remains presently 3. S K Patnaik, “Trade Routes and Communication available are pillars and base of monastery area.15 Pattern in Ancient Orissa” INDICA,1993. In the field of art and Buddhist religion 4. H P Roy. ‘Early Trade in the Bay of Bengal”, the above sites were in close contact with Indian Historical Review, Vol.XIV:1990, 79-89 Buddhist epi-centers of Sanchi, Saranath, Bodh 5. V.S. Aggarawla, India as known to Panini, Gaya, Amravati and cave sites of Deccan Lucknow, 1953, pp- 240ff. Sartvahapatha (Maharastra).It needs urgently 6. H P Ray, “Monastery and Guild : Commerce to study and document the monumental remains under the Satavhanas” Delhi, OUP. 1986. and use it for the Tourism Promotion which is 7. S N Rajguru, OHRJ, Vol.V.No.3-4.pp.157-159. undertaken by Odishan Institute of Maritime and South-East Asian Studies. So that the basic charter 8. Devala Mitra, Buddhist Monuments, of the Buddhist remains will be exposed and could Culcutta,1971/1980, P.225 be used for greater cause. The Buddhist Heritage 9. G C Chauley, “Excavated Remains at Lalitgiri” as known from the above sites and the living in K K Basa ed..Archaeology of Orissa, Delhi, Buddhist villages like Maniabandha, Nuapatna, 2000. Sarsara, Jirang etc. are unique in the whole of 10. D R Pradhan, “Asokan Stupa Discovered at eastern India. Forms and patronage could be Langudi Hill” Circle of Inner Asian Art, SOS known from the associated materials like New Letter, London, December 2000. pp. 13-17. architecture, sculpture, inscriptions, terracotta as The inscriptions are deciphered by Prof. B N well as pottery study. The Heritage could be Mukharjee and available with OIMSEAS. known from the living tradition as well as from 11. OIMSEAS has undertaken Excavation of the standing conserved monuments and Tourism Radhanagar early Historical Site for the year could be bank upon as a whole from cultural link 2010-11 and 2011-12. See S K Patnaik, with other sites of India and South East Asia. Excavations at Kankia (Radhanagar) an Early Historical Site, Journal of Odishan Now, some of the Buddhist monuments like History,Vol.XXI, 2011. Ajanta, Nalanda, Sanchi, Bodh Gaya, Tawang near Bomdilla and the living monastic life style of 12. K.S. Behera ed. Kalinga –Indonesian Cultural Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Dharmasala of Relations, OIMSEAS, 2007. Himachal, and of Odisha like Jirang, Nuapatna, 13. OIMSEAS has undertaken a project to document Sarsara, Maniabandha are the attractions that the Buddhist remains of Solampur and all the draw tourists from worldwide. Here, we could photographs are available with Buddhist see heritage tourism as a form of specialty travel, Heritage Project Cell. based on nostalgia of the past and the desire to 14. The site is documented by the scholars of experience diverse cultural landscapes with the OIMSEAS in September, 2010. different forms of monuments. 15. S K Patnaik, Buddhist Heritage of Orissa, References: , 2000. 1. S K Patnaik, “Archaeological Heritage and Tourism”, Orissa Review, April.2010, Sunil Kumar Patnaik, Archaeologist, Secretary, 2. B P Sahu. “Some Aspects of Early Orissan Odishan Institute of Maritime & South East Asian Economy and Society”, PHIC. Also Ancient Studies, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, E-mail : India, vol-XVIII,1952 . [email protected]/[email protected].

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