Kamal Guha at 14:40, 24 November 2023

2023-11-24T14:40:50Z

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{{short description|Archaeological site in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Deur Kothar
| image = Deorkothar stupa1.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| alt =
| caption = Stupas at Deur Kothar
| map_type = India
|relief=yes
| map_size = 250
| location = {{flag|India}}
| coordinates = {{coord|24.932388|81.663045|display=inline,title}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Buddhism]]
| rite =
| region =
| state = [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| province =
| territory =
| prefecture =
| sector =
| district = Rewa
| cercle =
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| status =
| functional_status = Preserved
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[[File:Deorkothar stupa.jpg|thumb|Stupa at Deorkothar]]
[[File:Deorkothar painting.jpg|thumb|Rock paintings in caves at Deorkothar]]
'''Deorkothar''' ([[Devanāgarī]]: also '''Deur Kothar''') is a location of [[archaeological]] importance in [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Central India]]. It is known for its [[Buddhist]] [[stupa]]s and was discovered in 1982.These stupas are credited to the [[Mauryan]] emperor, [[Ashoka]].

==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 painting]]s. Some rocks have [[inscription]]s in [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] language.

==Deorkothar inscription==
The six line [[Brāhmī script|Brahmi]] [[inscription]] on the Deorkothar pillar <ref>[http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=165331 Deur Kothar, the earliest evidence of Buddhism, The Island, May 19, 2017 ]</ref> is considered to be the earliest evidence of the historic Buddha. It is given in the table - transliterated into [[Devanagari]] script.
{{quote box
| title = Text
| quote =
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
| source = Deur Kothar Inscription<ref>P.K. Mishra: Deorkothar (Barhat), Rewa, A Unique, Recently - Excavated Buddhist Site in Central India; Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal.</ref>
}}
The [[inscription]] mentions [[Gautama Buddha|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.

==See also==
* [[Decline of Buddhism in India]]
* [[Buddhism in India]]
* [[Buddhist architecture]]
* [[Bharhut]]
* [[Sanchi]]
* [[Bharhut#Recently_found_Buddhist_remains_in_region_near_Bharhut_and_Sanchi|Recently found Buddhist remains in region near Bharhut and Sanchi]]

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}

==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.

==External links==
*[http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2003/ffeb2003/f040220031.html DEORKOTHAR : A MILESTONE OF HISTORY, Dr. P.K. Mishra]
*[https://www.discover.com/issues/jul-01/rd/breakbuddha/ The Buddha Bounces Back By Eric Powell: DISCOVER Vol. 22 No. 07 | July 2001]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{Buddhist sites in Madhya Pradesh}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buddhist temples in India]]
[[Category:History of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Mauryan art]]
[[Category:Stupas in India]]
[[Category:Rewa, Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buddhist sites in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rock shelters]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Rewa district]]

Deur Kothar - Revision history

Kamal Guha at 14:40, 24 November 2023