Concrete evidence of a monastic complex at Kesaria in East Champaran, which finds mention in the report of British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham who visited the site in 1861, has recently been unearthed by a team of archaeologists from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The team of excavators has been working over a trench at Raniwas, a mound in Kesaria, since December 2018 and has been able to find out the remains of wall, cells, rooms and corridors of a monastic structure at Raniwas, located 800 metres north of the world-famous Buddhist stupa at the heritage site.

Kesaria has been known mainly for the tallest terrace stupa, believed to have been constructed by the Licchavis to house the sacred bowl given to them by Lord Buddha before he left for Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh for his Mahaparinirvan.

Cunningham, who had visited the site in 1861, had claimed to have explored this mound, locally known as Raniwas, and had conducted excavations also. In his report, the archaeologist had also mentioned existence of an old Buddhist establishment with a temple enshrining huge image of Lord Buddha at Raniwas.

“He (Cunningham) also stated in his report this ‘Vihar’ must have some connections with the stupa at Kesaria. Our team wanted to find out this ‘Vihar’ and has finally been able to find out its remains,” Gautami Bhattacharya, head of the excavation branch of ASI in Patna circle, said.

“It seems the site of Raniwas must have had a huge monastic complex having scores of small and big stupas, cells and temples, the way monastic complex have been found at Nalanda, Vaishali and Vikramshila,” she said.

“What we have unearthed now is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s the first season of excavation at the site. But the site needs excavations for not less than three-four seasons,” she said.

This season’s work is almost over and digging works will be stopped in a couple of weeks. “Our main concern now is the protection of the site and its findings. Once the elections are over, I will write to East Champaran district administration to take whatever measures it can take to protect the site from vandalism and destruction,” Bhattacharya said.

Another problem is that Raniwas, which is hardly 800 metres north of the Kesaria stupa,is not a protected site while the Buddhist stupa is a nationally protected monument.

“The ASI head office in Delhi needs to be made aware of its potential and of the need of its protection. I will soon be writing it to the top authorities at the ASI,” the excavator said.

H S Naik, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Patna circle, said the recent findings would add yet another feather to the list of feats achieved by the ASI.

First Published: May 09, 2019 16:34 IST