From：Chinese Archaeology Writer： Date：2008-01-24

The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IA CASS)

DATTA, Asok  (Department of Archaeology University of Calcutta India)
 

Discovery of a Pre-Pala Monastic complex at Moghalmari, Dantan, West- Midnapur, West-Bengal by the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta.

Panel: No

 

The Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta under the direction of Dr. Asok Datta and assisted by other faculty members, Ph.D students and technical staffs resumed the excavation at Moghalmari since 15^th Feb. 2007. The excavation has so far revealed the existence of the Pre-Pala (possibly seventh/eighth century A.D. ) Buddhist monastic complex (es) with extensive stucco and / or lime decoration on the eastern part of the mound. These exquisite decorative elements in stucco / lime are unique in eastern India. Embellishments on the frontal wall the temple in particular and the monastic establishment(s) in general will definitely throw new light not only on the early medieval history of western Midnapur, but also on that of entire West- Bengal. The Buddhistic character of the monastery is further supported by the discovery of a stone sculpture from stratified context representing the Buddha in the well known bhumisparshamudra. The discovery of the Mogalmari monastic complex (es) is unquestionably comparable to those discovered at Nalanda (South Bihar), Raktamrittika (Chhiruti, Murshidabad) and Nandadirgghika (Jagajibanpur, Malda)

 

The earlier of excavation in 2003- 04 at the same site had revealed the existence of terracotta stupa bases and clear indication of the alignments of a huge monastic complex. The monastic complex is dated on the basis of a terracotta inscription in Post – Gupta Brahmi character of c. early 6^th- 7^th century A.D. (found earlier), stucco / lime decoration which is definitely Pre – Pala character and the Buddhist stone image. Special mention may be made of an inscribed terracotta seal matrix having multiple impressions recording some personal names, the characters of which can fairly be dated to the seventh century A.D.

    

The excavation further reveals series of cells attached to the outer wall of the monastery in the western part of the mound and the temple complex to the eastern part of the mound. Besides, the excavation has also yielded terracotta lamps, iron nails as well as a commendable variety of ceramics including red, buff and different shades of grey wares. The structure possibly represents the largest monastic complex in West – Bengal.

    

The Dantan monastic complex at Moghalmari was not grown in isolation; it is established from both literary and archaeological evidences that in the past a trade route probably located in the close vicinity of the site connecting Tamralipta with other Buddhist monuments in Orissa beyond Suvarnarekha viz. Jayrampur, Khiching, Baleswar (Lalitgiri) of Orissa or Oddra and Nalanda, Bodhgaya of ancient Magadha. Hence the prosperity of the site (Moghalmari monastic complex) was no doubt due to its location on the above noted trade routes dating back to the fifth/sixth century AD onwards. The present paper attempts to present a comprehensive picture of the pre-pala monastic complex (es) as revealed through recent excavation.