BHU researchers find N India’s first stone stupa built during Ashoka’s reign

Varanasi: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) researchers claimed to have found north India’s first stone stupa, built during the reign of great Maurya emperor Ashoka, in Kothi hill of Firozpur village of Chandauli district. Ashoka ruled from c. 268 to c. 232 BCE.
Researchers of BHU’s department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology also claimed that a huge mound of archaeological importance, with statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva, has been found in Bhikhampur village, and Palaeolithic tools and painted rock shelters have been found in Daudpur village of the district.
These archaeological sites have come to light in the survey being conducted by the research scholars under the supervision of Prof. Mahesh Prasad Ahirwar of the department. “The discovery of a new stone stupa in north India is very important from the historical and archaeological point of view because all the stupas that have come to light in north India so far are made of bricks or clay. This discovery will open new doors for historical and archaeological research,” said Prof. Ahirwar.
According to him, the history of Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh has been very glorious. “This district has been the centre of many cultural activities — from prehistoric times to the present time,” he added.
Many new archaeological sites are coming to light in the survey being conducted by a research scholar, Paramdeep Patel. Under the supervision of Prof. Ahirwar, he is working on his research on ‘Cultural and archaeological study of Chandauli district with special reference to Chandraprabha river valley’. He surveyed Ferozepur, Bhikhampur and Daudpur villages of Chakia Tehsil of Chandauli district. Many archaeological sites have come to light from the point of view of archaeological importance.
“Among these, the stone stupa located in the Kothi hill of Firozpur village is the most important. Along with this, a large number of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic tools, megalithic tombs and painted rock shelters have been found from the area, whose estimated chronology is believed to be from 5,000 years to 50,000 years ago,” claimed Prof. Ahirwar, adding, “The stupa found on the Kothi hill of Ferozepur is the first stone stupa in north India. It is a unique stupa built during the time of the great Maurya Emperor Ashoka. Such stone stupas are found in abundance in Sanchi and its surrounding areas, which are world famous for their construction style and artistic beauty".
He said, “During the survey, prehistoric rock shelters have also been found in the hill located in Bhikhampur village. Different types of pictures made by the primitive man in red colour and Magadha type engraved special signs have been found in different parts of the whole hill. These types of marks are often seen in the struck coins of Magadha style. The Buddha statue from a natural cave in the hill and the Bodhisattva statue in the modern temple on top of the hill reflect the long history of the region. These idols seem to be of Kushan period as per the idol characteristics.”
“The findings show the continuous flow of civilization and culture in Chandauli district — from prehistoric to historical era,” said Prof. Ahirwar.
Other research scholars Ravi Shankar Singh Patel and Ketan Patel were also involved in the survey. Besides, Prof. Ahirwar, an assistant professor, Vinay Kumar also visited the ancient sites for the purpose of certification of archaeological evidence obtained from the sites and confirmed their historical and archaeological importance.