Bengal includes the regions of modern-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. It is home to a rich Buddhist archaeological heritage that spans centuries. This heritage was marked by the establishment of several ancient monastic universities that played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism throughout the region. The Buddhist sites in Bengal not only served as a centre for monastic learning, but also acted as hubs for scholars and practitioners from various parts of Asia. Today, these sites lie in ruins, containing remnants of ancient settlements and numerous artifacts, including stupas, votive tablets, and bronze statues. These findings provide valuable insights into the religious practices and daily lives of the Buddhist community during the flourishing of Buddhism in Bengal.
Travel records from Chinese pilgrim-monks like Faxian (337–c. 422 CE) in the fourth and fifth centuries and Xuanzang (602–64 CE) in the seventh century have been crucial in uncovering lost Buddhist heritage sites in Bengal. Their detailed observations of monasteries and practices provided valuable insights that helped archaeologists identify and excavate significant sites in Bengal.
The early exploration of Buddhist archaeological sites in Bengal began in earnest with Sir Alexander Cunningham (1814–93), who conducted explorations between 1879 and 1880. His work laid the groundwork for further archaeological investigations in the region. Based on Cunningham’s original expedition, numerous archaeologists have made significant scholarly contributions, which have been documented and published over the years.
Between 1893 and 1894, the literary society of the Vangiya Sahitya Parishad in Calcutta (now Kolkata) initiated the first archaeological study scheme in Bengal. This effort focused on collecting sculptures and artifacts from various regions. In 1905, the Parishad flourished in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Comilla in present-day Bangladesh, with each location boasting its own collection of sculptures.
In 1914, Nalini Kanta Bhattasali, the director of the Dhaka Museum, travelled extensively to sites like Mainamati and Vikrampur. His findings were significant and contributed to the establishment of the Varendra Research Museum in 1919, which is now part of the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh.
One of the most important sites is the Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur, which is the largest monastery in the Indian subcontinent. Excavations at Somapura took place from 1922–34, and a report detailing these findings was published in 1938 as, “Memories No. 55 of the Archaeological Survey of India.” This site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 thanks to its cultural and historical significance.
The origin of this monastery dates to the Pala dynasty in the eighth century. Additionally, the Halud Vihara, located approximately 15 kilometers from Somapura Mahavihara, was excavated in 1984 and 1993. This excavation uncovered various artifacts, including stone items, metal images, terracotta plaques, and ornamental bricks. The excavated findings from both sites have been preserved at the Varendra Research Museum.
The Mainamati Lalmai area in the Comilla District of modern-day Bangladesh is another significant site, featuring 55 ancient settlements dating to the period between the 8th–12th centuries. The Salban Vihara is the central monument in this region. Excavations that began in 1955 have revealed a wealth of artifacts, such as copper plates, gold coins, and more than 150 bronze statues. These treasures are housed in the Mainamati Museum, making it the museum in Bangladesh with the largest collection of such items. The excavations at the Mainamati sites are significant for uncovering previously unknown information about Bengal’s political, religious, and cultural context. In 1995, local Buddhists established the New Salban Vihara adjacent to the ancient site, which functions as a Buddhist monastery and provides various facilities for the community.
Mahasthangarh is another revered site that features both Buddhist and Hindu elements. Excavations conducted in 1907 and again in 1928–29 unearthed gold ornaments, coins, and terracotta objects, which are now displayed in the Mahasthangarh Museum. The remains of temples from the Gupta and Pala periods are significant to both Buddhists and Hindus. The Bhasu Vihara, located six kilometers northwest of Mahasthangarh, features two large Buddhist monasteries and a shrine. Further excavations in the 1970s and 1980s revealed a small monastery with 37 rooms, along with bronze statues and terracotta artifacts.
In March 2013, a team from Jahangirnagar University and the Agrasar Vikrampur Foundation uncovered a Buddhist monastery in Vikrampur. There, they found more than a hundred statues and sculptures. This site is connected to the birthplace of Master Atisha (980–1054 CE), a prominent figure in the spread of Buddhism, especially during the Second Diffusion of Buddhism in Tibet. A mausoleum was built at Atisha’s birthplace with assistance from both Bangladesh and China. Atisha’s ash relics, gifted to Bangladesh by China in 1978, are preserved at the Dharmarajika Buddhist Temple in Dhaka. Several institutions and landmarks in Bangladesh honour Atisha, including the Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, the Atish Dipankar Research Centre, and Atish Dipankar Road in Dhaka.
In October 2023, archaeologists from the Archaeology Department of Bangladesh discovered the ruins of Pandit Vihara in the Deyang Pahar area of Chittagong. This site was a major centre for the study of tantric Buddhism. Historians believe it declined during the Bengal Sultanate period due to conflicts between the Mughal and Arakanese kingdoms. The lost university was rediscovered in 1927 when a landslide occurred during construction. Sixty Buddha statues found at the site are now displayed in the British Museum, the Kolkata Museum, and the Chittagong Nandankanan Vihar. Dr. Jinabodhi Bhikkhu, professor of Pali at the Department of Pali at Chittagong University, has urged the Bangladesh government to conduct further archaeological excavations and establish a new International Pandit Vihar University. However, plans for the university have faced numerous challenges and delays.
In West Bengal, the Moghalmari Buddhist site, also known as Dantapur Monastery, was first discovered in 1873 and is the largest and oldest excavation in the area on the west bank of the Subarnarekha River, in the district of West Medinipur. Another significant excavation took place in Tilpi and Dhosa in the Kodalia District, which began in February 2006 and includes 22 stupas and an ancient settlement.
Today, Bengal’s Buddhist archaeological sites attract scholars, tourists, and pilgrims, contributing to cultural tourism and the preservation of Buddhist traditions. There are ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive Buddhist circuit in both Bangladesh and West Bengal. This initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity and promote international collaboration in heritage preservation. The Association for Conservation and Tourism is working to highlight these regions on tourist maps. In 2015, an international conference held in Dhaka focused on developing sustainable Buddhist heritage circuits in South Asia.
The material heritage of Bengal is a treasure trove of history and culture that continues to inspire and educate people today. From ancient monastic universities to modern efforts in heritage preservation, the legacy of Buddhism in this region remains vibrant and significant. As we explore these sites, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of history that shapes our understanding of Buddhism and its impact on society.
References
Bhattasali, Nalini Kanta. 1929. Iconography of Buddhist and Brahmanical Sculptures in the Dacca Museum. Dacca: Dacca Museum Committee.
Dikshit, Rao Bahadur K.N. 1938. Memories of the Archaeological Survey of India. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India.
Morrison, Barrie M. 1974. Lalmai, a Cultural Center of Early Bengal: An Archaeological Report and Historical Analysis. Seattle and London: University of Washington Press.
Mukherjee, Sreecheta and Tarun Tapas Mukherjee. 2014. “Discovery of a Buddhist Monastery at Moghalmari, Paschim Medinipur,” in Chitrolekha International <agazine on Art and Design 4, No.1 (2014): 1–16.
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