The Chhattisgarh Government has decided to come out with an updated information on history of the existing Buddhist Art in the State particularly from the ancient archaeological site of Sirpur in Mahasamund district with the support of researchers from across the country.
Relating this fact, a three-day ‘National Seminar titled ‘Recent Research in Indian Archaeology’ with reference to Buddhist Art and Architecture’ is scheduled in Raipur from February 20-22 which officials denote could be the first of its kind organised in the State.
“In 639 AD a traveller stated that 100 monasteries used to function in Sirpur wherein around 10,000 students were enrolled every year. Observing this information, I found 10 Buddha Vihars here during excavations. All were double storied. Interestingly, one building could accommodate 300 students. The sapling of the Bodh Gaya tree under which lord Buddha used to meditate is planted in a market area of Sirpur. There is more to explore,” said Chhattisgarh Archeological Adviser Arun Kumar Sharma.
“Many such inscriptions and bronze sculptures were discovered from Malhar, Bongapal and Udaygiri caves. There is a need to work on this specific field properly. The upcoming seminar will certainly help in strengthening the hidden history,” he said.
Asked about the speakers and participants expected to attend the programme, Directorate of Culture and Archeology’s Supervisor Prabhat Kumar Singh said as many as 50 Research Scholars hailing from Buddhist Studies are arriving from Odisha, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, lucknow, Kolkata and Maharashtra. Their abstracts of the research papers have been accepted.
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University’s Department of Ancient History Culture and Archaeology Head Alok Shrotriya along with Senior Professors from Jabalpur University, lucknow University and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) have given their consent to deliver speech on the recent scenario of the Buddhist Studies and research areas.
“On the first day the seminar will focus on the Buddhist studies and the research methodologies which can be adopted to carry on the excavations concerning this field. The second day would cover an open discussion followed with a day-long trip to Sirpur on February 22,” informed Rahul Singh, the Archaeology Deputy Director.
Chhattisgarh’s ancient archaeological site of Sirpur has been now included in the three Buddhist Circuits identified by the Union Ministry of Tourism in the country.
The circuits would be developed by the Central Government in partnership with the respective State Governments and private stake holders.
The ancient archaeological site of Sirpur in Chhattisgarh had been included in Circuit 3
titled ‘ Buddhist Heritage Trails (State Circuits)’, officials stated.
The list of the identified circuits were announced by Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture ( Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma in an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha.
In December last year, Dr Sharma had infirmed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh that Sirpur would be part of ‘Buddha Circuit’ under the ambitious project of Union Ministry of Tourism.
The Union Minister had provided the assurance to Singh during a courtesy meeting with him in New Delhi.