The Pala Kings, who ruled Bengal in the 5th century were Buddhists Many Buddhists Vihara well as other subjects. Since the Buddhists wanted to live in peace and had respect for other religions convinced the Pala emperor Dharmapala to convert himself to Buddhism from Jaina fath. Intermingling of the Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist faiths are evident in the arts and sculptures recovered from the site of this Vihara.
At Paharpur some terra-cotta seals bearing the name of the vice chancellor, Sri Somepure, a member of the second ruler of the Pala dynasty, of the oldest university in Asia named as "Somapura Buddha Vihara Viswabidyalaya" (Khatun, 1997). The University used to teach theology, grammar, logic, philosophy, fine arts and visited by famous scholars. The residential university enrolled students free of costs and their clothing and food were also free. About one hundred adjacent villages supplied food and clothing for about 2,000 students living in 177 rooms in a 21 acre fortified complex area. Students from south-east Asian countries like Korea, Mongolia, China and Tibet came here to receive the superior quality of education provided by this University. The books preserved in the library were made of parchment paper and palm leaves. But the library was looted and ravaged after the fall of the Pala dynasty (M. Khatun, 1997).
Paharpur Buddhist Monastery (Sompur Bihar) facing ruination
The ancient Paharpur Buddhist Monastery (Sompur Bihar) in Naogaon is in a sorry state. A huge number of terracotta plaques have been stolen from the walls of its temple before and after the declaration of the monastery and its adjacent areas as a World Heritage Site in 1984. A high official of the archeology department said, the famous monastery was facing ruination for lack of proper maintenance and supervision. He lamented that a good number of antiquities were earlier destroyed during excavation work at the site between 1923 and 1934.
Though the department collected some antiquities, it is high time to resist their theft and destruction, he said. Another senior official of the department said that a significant number of antiquities and terracotta went 'missing' between 1990 and 1995. A gang of 'antique lifters' is active in the area, he said. Citing poor security, he said, just a few months ago some miscreants broke open a portion of the iron grills of the temple's boundary wall. "We could not even maintain the sanctity of the World Heritage Site," he said, pointing to the setting up of a cell phone tower in front of the monastery which blocked the natural beauty of the spot. "We reported the matter to the authorities, but to no effect."
The excavated remains at Paharpur represent the largest known Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas. The gradual deposition of wind-borne dust over the ruins for ages took the shape of a high mound or a hill. Hence the name of the place has probably became Paharpur. Excavations conducted there from 1923 to 1934 yielded a huge number of antiquities including one inscribed copper-plate of Gupta (479 AD), stone inscriptions, stone and bronze sculptures, terracotta plaques, inscribed clay sealings, ornamental bricks, metal objects, different earthen objects and silver coins.
From the reading of a number of inscribed clay sealings, it is learnt that original name of this monastery was Somapura Mahavihara (great monastery) and it was built by Dharmapala (770-810 AD), the 2nd Pala emperor. In 1982 and later, deep digging was conducted in some cells of Paharpur monastery. During digging, one terracotta image head, one copper coin and some other antiquities were found at lower occupation levels. These antiquities, particularly the terracotta image head resembles the features of Gupta sculptures.
Besides these antiquities, the ruins of a vast building having larger rooms (each 16'x13'-6? ) were brought to light. This building was known as the Jaina Vihara as mentioned in Paharpur copper plate. However, to ascertain the feature, further deep digging, investigation and study are necessary. Paharpur monastery measures 922 feet north-south by 919 feet east-west having its elaborate gateway in the middle of the northern wing. It has 177 cells in its four wings around an inner courtyard. The lofty temple in the middle of the courtyard; numerous votive stupas, miniature models of the central temple; chapels; small temples, kitchen and ancillary buildings are very beautiful.
The imposing central temple is cruciform in shape and built high in terraces. The outer faces of the walls of the temple are decorated by terracotta plaques. From the last quarter of 9th century onward the Pala Empire was repeatedly attacked by some foreign kings and one native Kaivarta chief named Divya. Because of repeated attacks Somapura Mahavihara suffered greatly. About the same time Paharpur monastery and temples were burnt by Bangla Army. In 12th century, Bengal was ruled by the Sena kings, who were blind supporters of Brahamanism. From that time on the Paharpur monastery and its temples were gradually abandoned for lack of Royal patronage. The monks and worshippers deserted Paharpur and went to other places (Hasibur Rahman Bilu, 2005) .
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