History Explore – Journal of Research for UG and PG Students ISSN 2278 – 0297 (Print) ISSN 2278 – 6414 (Online) © Patna Women's College, Patna, India http://www.patnawomenscollege.in/journal Monuments of Bihar : A Syncretic Culture Kajal Kiran • Anuradha • Swati Kiran • Sister Matilda Pereira A.C. Received : December 2010 Accepted : February 2011 Corresponding Author : Sister Matilda Pereira A.C. Abstract : Bihar is a land affluent in natural beauty, Lord Buddha- founder of the Buddhism. The ruins of Nalanda whispering forests, sparkling lakes, majestic forts and and Vikramshila bear the testimony of our being on the palaces, holy shrines and natural hot springs emerging from zenith of culture and civilization some 2500 years ago. This a backdrop of eternal snow.It is a magnetic destination is the land on which Lord Buddha and Mahavira started their attracting tourists who throng every year. With tremendous religious orders.Monuments in Bihar can be further potential for growth in numbers and quality, Bihar is one of classified on the basis of religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, the eastern states in the Indian union endowed with Jainism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity representing the immense tourism potential. The presence of numerous syncretic culture of Bihar. ancient monuments represents the rich culture and heritage Key words:- Heritage, Magnetic destination, Archeology, of the state.Bihar, as of today after bifurcation, is still studded Tourist etc. with monuments of its past glory- monuments that bear the memory of Jain Mahavira- 24th Trithankar of Jainism and Introduction: Kajal Kiran B.A. III year, History (Hons.), Session: 2008-2011, Bihar is a land affluent in natural beauty, Patna Women’s College, Patna University, Patna, whispering forests, sparkling lakes, majestic forts Bihar, India and palaces, holy shrines and natural hot springs Anuradha emerging from a backdrop of eternal snow.It is a B.A. III year, History (Hons.), Session: 2008-2011, magnetic destination attracting tourists who throng Patna Women’s College, Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India every year. With tremendous potential for growth in numbers and quality, Bihar is one of the eastern Swati Kiran states in the Indian Union endowed with immense B.A. III year, History (Hons.), Session: 2008-2011, Patna Women’s College, Patna University, Patna, tourism potential. The presence of numerous Bihar, India ancient monuments represents the rich culture and heritage of the state.Bihar, as of today after Sister Matilda Pereira A.C. Associate Professor, Department of History, bifurcation, is still studded with monuments of its Patna Women’s College, Bailey Road, past glory- monuments that bear the memory of Patna – 800 001, Bihar, India Jain Mahavira- 24th Trithankar of Jainism and Lord E-mail : [email protected] Vol. III, 2011 63 Kajal Kiran et al. / Explore - Journal of Research for UG and PG Students , Vol. III, 2011, pp. 63-71 Buddha- founder of the Buddhism. The ruins of pillars constructed during the Mauryan Nalanda and Vikramshila bear the testimony of our Period. being on the zenith of culture and civilization some 2. Pathar Ki Masjid : The Pathar ki Masjid lies 2500 years ago. This is the land on which Bhagwan adjacent to Har-Mandir Sahib, on the bank of Buddha and Mahavira started their religious orders. the river Ganga. This mosque is so named Monuments in Bihar can be further classified on because it was built of stone and wood brought the basis of religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, from a place named Majhowli in Gorakhpur Jainism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. district of Uttar Pradesh. This beautiful mosque Objectives: was built by Parwez Shah, son of Jehangir, The purpose of this research is to reawaken when he was the governor of Bihar from 1621- interest in monuments of Bihar and bring 24AD. The inscription on the monument gives awareness among the future generation about the the date of its construction as rich heritage of our state. A.H.1036(1626AD), which was perhaps Methodology: completed a year after the death of Parwez • Study of various books concerning the history Shah in 1625 AD. It is also called Saif Khan’s of Bihar. Mosque, Chimmi Ghat Mosque and Sangi • Information collected from the reports of the Masjid. Tourism Department of the state government. 3. Har-Mandir Takht : Guru Gobind Singh, the • Study of the monuments and records 10th guru of maintained and preserved by Patna Museum. the sikhs, was • Study from different journals and magazines, born in 1660 in audio and visual documents(television) and Patna. The internet etc. Har-Mandir Monuments of Patna Takht is one Patna known in ancient times as “PATLIPUTRA”, among the is the capital of Bihar. The city is among the world’s four sacred shrines of the sikhs. Since Guru oldest capital cities with unbroken history of many Gobind Singh spent the early years of his centuries as imperial metropolis. childhood here, the Takht has a number of Monuments in Patna : things that were once used by him and also by his father Guru Teg Bahadur. The temple 1. Kumhrar was renovated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and 2. Pathar ki Masjid this temple contains belongings of Guru 3. Har-Mandir Takht Gobind Singh and the holy text of the Sikh's 4. Golghar Guru Granth Sahib. 5. Martyr’s memorial 4. Golghar : One of its attractive surviving 6. Patna Museum landmarks, Golghar, also famous earlier as 1. Kumhrar : Kumhrar, 5km from the Patna “Bankipore Gola” , is to Patna, what Qutub Railway station, is the site of the ancient city Minar is to Delhi and Char Minar is to of Patliputra. Archaeological excavation have Hyderabad. Golghar was built by Captain revealed relics of four continuous periods from John Garstin, an army engineer , as a huge 600BC-60AD. An important find is the remains granary for British army in 1786, after famine of a huge hall supported by 80 sandstone of 1770. It is a massive beehive shaped 64 Monuments of Bihar : A Syncretic Culture structure, 96 feet high with walls 12 feet thick 1. Shanti Stupa : The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is at the bottom, on the outside, two sets of stairs located on a 400m high Ratnagiri hill. The of 144 steps spiral up to the top. The winding actual construction of this 160 feet high stairway around this monument offers a brilliant Pagoda was panoramic view of the city and river Ganga started in flowing by. 1965. The Stupa is built in 5. Martyr's Memorial : The Martyr’s memorial marble and on is a memorial to 7 freedom fighters who the 4 corners sacrificed their lives during the Quit India of the Stupa Movement of 1942. The Martyrs were shot are 4 glimmering statues of Buddha. This place dead at this very spot when they tried to hoist is also called the “Griddhkoota”. To reach the national flag. The modern structure in black the top of the hill one has to come through the conveys their sacrifice beautifully. ropeways. 6. Patna Museum : Located in the heart of 2. Ajatashatru Fort : Ajatshatru fort was built by Patna, Patna Museum is housed in a Ajatshatru in 6th century BC. He was the king magnificent red and white building with domes of Magadh during the Buddha’s time. The 65sq and arches. The Patna Museum contains all m Ajatshatru’s stupa is also beleived to have the remarkable treasures like the 1st World been built by him. War cannon, metal and stone sculptures 3. The Cyclopean Wall : The Cyclopean wall of the Mauryan and Gupta periods, 40km long encircled ancient Rajgir built of Buddhist sculptures and quaint terracota massive undressed stone carefully fitted figures which are several centuries old. A together, the wall is one of the few important special attraction is a 16m long fossilized Pre-Mauryan stone structures ever to have tree. been found. Traces of the wall still persist, particularly at the exit point of Rajgir for Gaya. Monuments of Rajgir : 4. Bimbisar Jail : King Bimbisar was imprisoned Rajgir was known in ancient times as here by his impatient son and heir, Ajatshatru. “RAJGRIHA” meaning “Home of Royalty”. The captive king chose this site for his Rajgir is a hill fort town in the midst of lush green incarceration. For, from the spot, he could see forests. This was the first recorded capital as per Lord Buddha climbing up his mountain retreat Indian history. The place is also associated with atop the Griddhkoota hill. It now provides a clear Buddhism and Jainism as Lord Buddha and Lord view of the Japanese peace Pagoda. Mahavira spent some of their time here meditating and preaching. 5. Swarn Bhandar : Swarn Bhandar is said to be a store house where king Jarashandh used Monuments in Rajgir : to store his gold. An unread story about the 1. Shanti Stupa cave is that there is a lot of gold in this cave 2. Ajatashatru Fort and a script written on a stone is the code to 3. The Cyclopean Wall unlock the door of this Swarn Bhandar. 4. Bimbisar Jail Monuments of Nalanda : 5. Swarn Bhandar Nalanda, is one of the famous ancient places of learning and was founded in the 5th century AD. 65 Kajal Kiran et al. / Explore - Journal of Research for UG and PG Students , Vol. III, 2011, pp. 63-71 The ruins of the world’s most ancient university 3. Hieun-Tsang Memorial Hall : This is a new lies here. The ruins of its temple and monastries construction in memory of the great Chinese convey a stunning impression of the peaceful and traveller, Hieun-Tsang. The memorial hall has ordered life of meditation and learning that prevailed been built in the here. memory of the Monuments in Nalanda : Chinese traveller Hieun- 1.