Deur Kothar

Deorkothar (Devanāgarī: also Deur Kothar) is a location of archaeological importance in Madhya Pradesh, Central India. It is known for its Buddhist stupas and was discovered in 1982.These stupas are credited to the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka.

Deur Kothar
Stupas at Deur Kothar
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DistrictRewa
StatusPreserved
Location
Location India
StateMadhya Pradesh
Shown within India
Geographic coordinates24.932388°N 81.663045°E / 24.932388; 81.663045
Stupa at Deorkothar
Rock paintings in caves at Deorkothar

The discovery and excavations

P.K. Mishra (Archaeological Survey of India) discovered Deorkothar in 1982 along with Ajit Singh, sarpanch of village Barhat. It was declared a monument of national importance in 1988 by the Govt of India and is being preserved and conserved by Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal.

Realising the importance of the site, and its likely international bearing on Buddhism, the Archaeological Survey of India decided to carry out extensive, but controlled, excavations at the site. The excavations were started at the site in 1999 and continued up to 2000. The site is marked by four stupa mounds out of which two stupas No. 1 and 2 were subjected to archaeological excavations. There are remnants of 40 stupas made of stones or bricks. In the area around there are rocks with old rock paintings. Some rocks have inscriptions in Brahmi language.

Deorkothar inscription

The six line Brahmi inscription on the Deorkothar pillar [1] is considered to be the earliest evidence of the historic Buddha. It is given in the table - transliterated into Devanagari script.

Text
भ ग व तो बु ध

उ त र मि त्रो उ त र मि त्र स अ

भ ड्‍ भ ड्‍ स आ ते वा सि ना दि नु

उ पा स क स आ ते वा सि स व ज य स व

ध म द वे न के क डी के न ब स ति ये

उ स पि तो भं भो आ आ च रि ये न क सि

Deur Kothar Inscription[2]

The inscription mentions Lord Buddha on the first line. The gist of the inscription, pertains to the erection and dedication of stone pillar by an unnamed Upasaka and his disciples in memory of the Buddha, the enlightened one.

The inscription speaks about an Acharya, named Dharamdev, and his three disciples - Uttarmitra, Bhadra and Upasaka, who used to reside in the monastery. They installed this pillar, dedicating it to the Buddha.

Active trade centre

The discovery of pieces of terracotta toys, beads, ear stud and coins hints that the site was an active centre of trade.

Curiously, the ancient tradition of lime technology noticed from some Harappan and post-Harappan sites besides Kausambi has now been observed at Deorkothar. The excavations have thrown significant light on the art and technological excellence of Deorkothar.

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See also

Footnotes
  1. Deur Kothar, the earliest evidence of Buddhism, The Island, May 19, 2017
  2. P.K. Mishra: Deorkothar (Barhat), Rewa, A Unique, Recently - Excavated Buddhist Site in Central India; Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal.

References
  • Dainik Bhaskar, Satna, 13 September 2006
  • P.K. Mishra: Deorkothar (Barhat), Rewa, A Unique, Recently - Excavated Buddhist Site in Central India; Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal.
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