THE SUMMARY OF THE KPJRI LECTURE DATED MARCH 11, 2017: - "GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF BUDDHIST MONASTERIES IN MAGADH HEARTLAND" DELIVERED BY PRABUDDHA BISWAS

The ancient environment of the region, where later emerged the great City of Patliputra; was between two rivers; (i) River Ganges along the north and (ii) the River Sone flowed along the south. Now River Punpun flows through the southern edge of the ‘Old bed of the River Sone’. As a result, the area south of Patliputra had been termed as river terrain or marshy land or ‘Jalla’ during subsequent historical times, because the area remain water-logged during rainy season and slowly recedes through Punpun in the east.

The ‘Magadh Heartland’ is surrounded by (i) Mokama Tal (which has its extent from Fatuha to Lakhisarai region) in the ‘north and east’; (ii) Hilly and Jungle Terrain in the south; and (iii) River Sone in the west; which formed its outer security cover during ancient times. In the Magadh Heartland, twin centres; (i) Rajagriha (ancient Magadh Capital and abode of Sakya Muni) (ii) followed by Bodh Gaya (centre of Enlightment of Gautam Buddha) emerged as the nucleus and rallying point of the Buddhist World.

There were two entry-points of Magadh Heartland, and they include: -

(i)     Northern Entry Point: - In the ancient period, the road from Patliputra to ‘Gaya – Bodhgaya’ via Fatuha – Hilsa – ‘Telhara-Ekengarsarai’ - Islampur was the common and popular route for pilgrims and merchants.

(ii)   Eastern Entry Point: - From post Gupta period, Lakhisarai – Sheikhpura – Barbigha - Odantapuri (Biharsharif) – Gaya – Bodhgaya route became popular as Buddhist population were abound in the East.

After crossing Ganga near Pataligram , Buddha must have proceeded east upto Fatuha (after crossing River Punpun) and then took the southern route of the present day alignment of Fatuha – Daniawan – Hilsa – ‘Ekengarsarai – Telhara’ – Islampur and from there one can move in all directions: - i.e.

(i)  Eastward movement towards Rajgir,

(ii)  Southward movement towards Gaya, Bodh Gaya;

(iii) Westward movement towards Dharawat (Gunamati), Rock-cut cave shelters of Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills (Gorathgiri), Silabhadra Monastery (Kaua Dol).

This ‘North-South Corridor’ continued to be the most important communication route till Gupta period. Initially, major monasteries emerged out along this ‘North-South Corridor’ of ‘Patliputra – Bodh Gaya – Rajagriha’ alignment. These monasteries were located at Patliputra, Teladika (Telhara), Gunamati, Shilabhadra Monastery, Bodh Gaya, Jivakarama (Rajagriha) among others.

In the Gupta period, Nalanda Mahavihara started functioning and it emerged as an important junction point for visiting both Rajagriha and Bodhgaya.

After the slow demise of the city of Patliputra, 700 AD onwards; the eastern doorway of the Magadh heartland gradually opened up through Lakhisarai – Barbigha – Sheikhpura - Odantapuri corridor. Hence, Odantapuri (later Biharsharif) emerged as the important junction point in Magadh region as it was connected with Gaya-Bodhgaya & Rajgir valley region with three alternate routes. In this phase, monasteries of Nalanda and Odantapuri came into great prominence.

To shorten the entry-point to the Magadh Heartland; another route opened up further east; bypassing Odantapuri-Barbigha portion also and i.e. Lakhisarai – Sheikhpura – Warsaliganj – Giriyak – Rajgir – Bodhgaya route. In this route, newer monasteries came to origin and they included Pigeon Monastery (Daryapur Parvati). 

Among all monasteries; the Nalanda and Odantapuri Mahaviharas emerged as two of the  five great Universities in the world during 8-12 Century AD. Interestingly, all monasteries (universities) lay in the important highways of the time, so that aspiring students, from far-off places, could reach easily for higher studies.

Photographs, Courtesy - Heritage Society

(My website: - www.forgottenpast.in)