Mahabodhi: Or the Great Buddhist Temple Under the Bodhi Tree at Buddha-Gaya

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Mahabodhi or The Great Buddhist Temple Under the Bodhi Tree at Buddha-Gaya by Alexander Cunningham is a comprehensive report on the archaeological and historical significance of the Mahabodhi Temple. Published in 1892, the book details Cunningham's visit to the temple in 1881 and the significant discoveries he made there. The Mahabodhi Temple, a paramount monument of ancient India, marks the site of Buddha's enlightenment and is the sole survivor of monumental brick traditions in eastern India. Cunningham's work sheds light on the extensive history of Bodhgaya, from the Maurya and Shunga eras to the Gupta and Pala periods. He meticulously describes the architecture, the towering temple, the stone railings, and the numerous votive stupas and shrines surrounding the temple. The book is a crucial resource for understanding the cultural and religious history of Bodhgaya, reflecting the revival of interest in the site during the 19th century.

Sir Alexander Cunningham was a British army engineer who developed a profound interest in the history and archaeology of India. Appointed as the first Archaeological Surveyor to the Government of India in 1861, Cunningham played a pivotal role in founding and organizing what later became the Archaeological Survey of India. His contributions include numerous official reports, and significant works on Indian history and archaeology, cementing his legacy as a pioneering figure in the field.

In 1878, when Dr. Rajendra Lala Mitra published his work on the Temple of Buddha Gaya, the only excavations which had then been made were the trenches dug by Major Meade in 1863 at my suggestion, and the subsequent surface clearances by the Burmese. The former had exposed the foundation lines of the original Buddhist Railing, which once surrounded the Temple, while the latter had brought to light several small Temples, besides many votive Stupas and Buddhist Statues.

I visited Buddha Gaya in 1879 for the express purpose of seeing what had been done by the Burmese. Their clearances had not been carried deep enough to expose the more ancient monuments which still existed on or near the original level of the ground on which the Temple was built. The clearances also had not been made with any discrimination. Everything was removed as it became exposed; and thus many of the hemispherical domes of the rows of early votive Stupas were thrown down. Fortunately they were not carried away, and when the great clearance of the ruins was subsequently made by Mr. Beglar, many of these stone hemispheres were restored to their original Stupas, the remains of which had not been disturbed.