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PERSPECTIVES
A General Perspective !
Even as we notice the growth of Vikramshila in the early medieval period and witness its importance from Tibetan literature, the site is seen to have been much more ancient and important at least from the Gupta times. Survey of the neighbouring area within a radius of about 10 km of the main stupa mound in 1965-66, by the University of Patna, revealed ancient remains at (i) Chandipur, about 3km to the southern side, tools of the Middle Stone Age (ii) at Lalapur, about 1.5 km to the north-eastern side, beads and microliths of chalcolithic assemblage; at (iii) Malakpur, about 1.5 km to the south-east, yielding Late stone-age tools; at (iv) Namsukh-Kothi, about 2.5 km to the north-east, Late stone-age tools; and at (v) Oriup, about 2.5 km to the west, the NBP Ware and other associated ceramics, all pointing to the activities of humans at the site since the most ancient times.
The remains at Patharghata confirm the popularity of the site in Gupta times, as also attested by the accounts of Hieun-Tsang. Upon analysis and a perusal of several Buddhist sites of the age, one finds that these were usually found near ancient cities which had already been established as religious centres. Thus after Gaya and Varanasi which served as important starting points of Buddhism, cities like Mathura, Ayodhya and several others which were already important sites of Hindu pilgrimage were chosen by the sangha for building of monasteries and stupas etc. for the propagation of the new ‘dhamma’. Monasteries close to such established centres were sure to influence visitors along with the resident population as well with their activities. Such background may have inspired the foundation of the university of Vikramshila by the Pala ruler Dharampal.
To be continued....