Archaeological Survey of India - Patna Circle

Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites – Patna Circle

1. Tomb of Shamsher Khan, Shamsher Nagar, Aurangabad

This tomb was built by Shamsher Khan, originally named Ibrahim Khan. It consists of a very extensive quadrangle with the main mausoleum at the center, containing the graves of Shamsher Khan and his wife.

2. Ancient Site of Vikramshila Monastery, Antichak, Bhagalpur

A coveted centre of ancient learning, established by Pala ruler Dharmapala and noted for its Tantrayana tradition of Buddhism. Contains a square monastery with 208 cells and a cruciform stupa.

3. Rock temple , Dist- Bhagalpur

the monolithic rock-cut temple is carved out on the boulder of granite high rock surrounded by the river gages. It consists of a single shrine chamber. The temple may not be late than 800 to 900 ce.

4. Patalpuri cave and land adjoining batesvara cave on the patharghatta hill (patharghatta), Madhorampur Dist- Bhagalpur

There are seven caves on the hill and the largest one named patalpuri cave is a natural fissure of considerable dimension but of no sculptural interest. The carvings there in were probably made by local rulers. This cave may be placed in about the sixth century ce.

5. Rock sculpture (pattharghatta), Dist- Bhagalpur

The rock sculpture such as nrisimha, boar and dwarf incarnations of vishnu and other hindu deities like ganesa, hara-gauri, parvati and krishna with gopies etc. Have been carved over a granite rock on the bank of ganges. All these sculptures may be placed in the sixth-seventh century CE.

6. Ruined fortress of Chankigarh (chanki), Dist- W. Champaran

The massive high ridge of brick work represents a fort mound assignable to the mauryan times on the basis of antiquities recovered in excavation.

7. Asokan column, lauriya nandangarh, Dist- W. Champaran

This is the best preserved asokan column with a lion bearing pillar edicts and the usual mauryan polish on chunar sandstone. The tapering circular pillar measures about 15.24 m in height including the buried portion.

8. Vedic burial mound, (lauriya nandangarh), Dist- W Champaran

This is supposed to believe as vedic burials as per the hypothesis of t. Bloch based upon the excavation in 1905.

9. Ruined fortress at Nanadangarh, Dist- W. Champaran-

The mound was first noticed by gen. Cunningham in 1861 and in 1880. The brick edifice of the early centuries is the example of a stupendous stupa with a polygonal base. A large number of terracotta animals and human figurine of sunga and kushana periods, a few punch marked coins and cast copper coin, terracotta sealing of the 2nd and 1st centuries b.c. have been found in excavation.

10. Vedic burial mound, Marhia, Dist- W. Champaran-

This is supposed to believe as vedic burials as per the hypothesis of t. Bloch based upon the excavation in 1905.

11. Vedic burial mound, Pakri, Dist- W. Champaran-

This is supposed to believe as vedic burials as per the hypothesis of t. Bloch based upon the excavation in 1905.

12. Ashoka column, Rampurva, Dist- W. Champaran-

Two asokan columns, one inscribed and other without inscription, discovered at rampurva are now kept on a mound close by. Both the pillars were located by a.c.l. carlleyle in 1877-78 ce. One pillar was originally crowned with the lion capital while the other was with the bull capital. But the lion capital was located by daya ram sahni in the year 1907 by excavating near it.

13. Asokan column known as laur, Lauriya areraj, Dist- E. Champaran-

This monolithic asokan column bears the first six pillar edicts of asoka in early brahmi characters. The pillar locally known as ‘laur’. Its capital is not traceable. In addition to the asokan edicts a few letters of shell character are also incised on the pillar.

14. Fort ruins, tank & stupa, Sagardih, Dist- E. Champaran-

The mound situated on the eastern bank of an old tank named gaya pokhar. Clearance at the mound by a. Cunningham exposed remains of two stupa built one over the other. The later stupa is assignable to the 9th -10th century. Cunningham was first to notice the ancient remains at sagardih in 1880-81.

15. Buddhist stupa, Tajpur deur, kesariya, Dist- E. Champaran-

The stupa has five large terraces each of which varies in shape and enshrines a life like statue of lord buddha. Interestingly, kesariya stupa is believed to have been built to honor the place where lord buddha had spent the last days of his journey, before attaining nirvana. The chronology of the site ranges from sunga-kushana period to late gupta period.

16. Remains of ancient fort or garh locally known as Raja Bali ka garh, Balirajgarh, Dist- Madhubani-

The site contains remains of an ancient fort called the garh of bali having defense wall with three phases of construction or repairs. On the basis of the archaeological remains it is proof that the fort was constructed in the second century b.c. and remained in use till the pala period.

17. Karna chaupar cave, Barabar hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave karan chaupar at barabar hill excavated for the purpose of shelter for ajivika sects during the rainy season. The cave facing north consists of a single chamber with a vaulted roof. The entrance has slopping jamb and an inscription belonging to 19th regnal year of asoka. Consists of single rectangular room with polished surfaces, contains inscription which could be dated to 245 bce.

18. Lomash Rishi Cave, Barabar hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave consist of two chambers and an ornamental arched entrance showing in low relief a beautiful frieze of elephant. Two inscriptions belonging to 7th-8th century ce.

19. Sudama cave, Barabar hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave consists of two chambers. The inner chamber is roughly circular on plan having a hemispherical vaulted roof. An inscription on the cave mentions that it was excavated during 12th regnal year of asoka in 261 bce.

20. Visva jhopri cave, Barabar hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave consists of an outer apartment bearing high polish on its walls with a flat roof and inner circular chamber which is unfinished. It consists of two rectangular rooms. An inscription records its excavation in 12th regnal year of asoka.

21. Gopi cave, Nagarjuni hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave consists of one elliptical chamber with the walls at the sides highly polished. The entrance of the cave has sloping jamb. Two inscriptions are recorded in the cave, one mauryan and other of 7th – 8th century ce.

22. Vadathika cave, Nagarjuni hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave is highly polished and having donatory inscription of dasarath of mauryan dynasty. It has another inscription of anantaverman of 7th -8th century ce.

23. Vapiyaka cave, Nagarjuni hill, Dist- Jehanabad-

The cave comprises of a chamber and a porch. As usual the doorway has slopping jamb and the ceiling is vaulted bearing high polished.

24. Ancient buddhistic image and sculptures collected underneath a shed, Ghejan, Dist- Jehanabad-

Broken images of buddha and other brahmanical sculptures including two pedestals kept under a modern sculpture shed. The sculptures are datable to medieval period.

25. Ancient monolithic pillar known as lat in plot no.1047, lat, Dist- Jehanabad-

The ancient monolithic pillar made of granite; its pedestal and capital are of one piece, 16.23 m. Long. The pillar is horizontally placed on a cultivated plain.

26. Ancient images and sculptures collected underneath a shed, Guneri, Dist- Gaya-

Collection of more than fifty sculptures consists mainly of budhist divinities. Only two broken figures of saiva sect and one of a vishnu are clearly identifiable. Some of the images bear inscription and the entire collection is assignable to the medieval period dating 9th – 12th century ce.

27. Ancient mound in the valley known as “hasra kol”, Hasra, Jagdishpur & Bishnupur tarwan, Dist- Gaya-

The valley strewn over with stone and brick ruins representing the site of a township and a buddhist religious establishment which may be ascribed to medieval period.

28. Ancient mounds in the hill known as “sobhnath” Hasra, Jagdishpur & Bishnupur tarwan, Dist- Gaya-

The mound represents the ruins of a stupa datable to medieval period. Local tradition says it was a garh built by a rajput king named sobh nath after whom it is known as sobhnath.

29. Shiva temple, Konch, Dist- Gaya-

The siva temple enshrining sivalinga and dedicated to koncheshwarnath is made of bricks of different sizes. It has a heavy nagara (curvilinear) sikhara. In the premises of the temple are found a number of images of vishnu, siva, hara-gauri, ganesha, surya etc. The temple is datable to circa 14th century ce.

30. The Area generally known as ‘garh’ , Kurkihar, Dist- Gaya-

The mounds represent the ruins of buddhist images viharas and chaityas, a siva temple and tank datable 8th -12th century ce. Hindu images comprises mahisasuramardini, ganesha, durga, mukhalinga and the navagrahas whereas buddhist comprising buddha, avalokitesvara, manjusri, tara, jambhala etc. Kurkihar is well known for its bronzes hoard found in 1930 majority of which is preserved in patna museum.

31. Ancient stupa and other remains locally known as sujata garh, Bakraur, Dist- Gaya-

A brick stupa constructed to commemorate the residence of sujata, the maiden who offered sweetened milk - rice to lord buddha. This has been established by excavation which yielded an inscription datable to 8th-9th century ce. Which reads as “devapalarajasya sujatagriha”.

32. The whole of the ancient ruins on which there are a colossal statue of buddha, a few loose sculptures and thirteen sandstone pillars, Kurisarai, Dist- Gaya-

On the eastern foot of kauvadol hill the remains of a temple with thirteen pillar of mandapa are lying. Inside the shrine is a seated colossal image of the buddha in the bhumisparsa mudra with two smaller images datable to pala period.

33. Sculptures of various hindu deities carved on the southern & eastern faces of some rocks and boulder of kauadol hill, Kurisarai, Dist- Gaya-

A number of rock sculptures of mahisasurmardini & other hindu deities have been carved on the south-eastern face of kauvadol hill. These crudely carved images are datable to 8th -12th century ce.

34. Sculptures of various hindu deities carved on the face of an isolated round boulder separated by a distance of 12 feet from the south-eastern corner of kauadol hill, Kurisarai, Dist- Gaya-

Sculpture various hindu deities have been carved on an isolated round boulder separated from kauvadol hill lying at a distance of about four meters near south-east corner which are crude in look and datable to 8th - 12th century a. D. The pala period.

35. Sculptures of various hindu deities carved on the northern and eastern faces of some rocks of kauadol hill, Kurisarai, Dist- Gaya-

On the rocks at the northern and eastern face of the hill numerous figures have been sculptured like hasa-gauri, mahisasuramardini, durga, ganesha, etc. Some buddhist deities like buddha, vajrasattva, prajnaparmita are also carved on the rock surface. The sculptures are assignable to a pala period i.e. 8th – 12th century.

36. Sculpture of four hindu deities one on each side of an oblong isolated boulder to the east of kauadol hill, Kurisarai, Dist- Gaya-

Image of four hindu deities have been carved on each face of an oblong boulder lying a little to the east of the hill which are datable to 8th-12th century ce.

37. Tomb of Malik Ibrahim Bayu, Biharsharif, Dist- Nalanda-

The tomb of malik ibrahim bayu, a great saint of 14th century ce. Consists of a large enclosure of low brick-wall with a mausoleum in the middle standing on low platform. The square tomb has an elongated dome and two doorways on south and east.

38. Ancient remains known as garh, Ghora katora, Dist- Nalanda-

The site is reported as five culture fold sequence i.e; chalcolithic culture , nbpw period , sunga – kushana period ,gupta & post gupta period , pala period .

39. All mounds, structures and buildings enclosed in the acquired area, Nalanda, Dist- Nalanda-

Nalanda mahavihar is one the remains of the greatest universities of ancient times and a celebrated centre of oriental art and learning. It was established by the gupta emperor, kumar gupta –i (circa ce. 413-55) and flourished upto 12th century c.e. the excavation of this site has exposed eleven major monasteries and six temples in addition to a number of minor shrines, votive stupas and other structure.

40. Walls of the two ancient cities known as old and new rajgriha, Rajgir, Dist- Nalanda-

The old and new cyclopean walls datable to 6-5 century bce. Represent earleist fortifications of the city before and during the rule of ajatshatru respectively. They are unique for being constructed of stone boulders without mortar.

41. All ancient structures and other monuments or remains within the areas enclosed by the said walls, Rajgir, Dist- Nalanda-

The structures identified or exposed within fortification wall like sonbhandar cave bimbisar’s jail , maniyar math, gridhkut, jivika amravana vihara, and many images secular structures sand shrine etc. Of rajgir represent the monuments of the first capital city of India.

42. All ancient structures and all artificial caves and mounds containing ancient remains, which are situated within a distance of half a mile of the said ancient cities known as old & new rajgriha, Rajgir, Dist- Nalanda-

The structures identified or exposed within distance of half mail of fortification wall like ajatsatru stupa, piplia stone, saptpani caves, venu van etc. Of rajgir represent the monuments of the first capital city of India.

42. All ancient structures and all artificial caves and mounds containing ancient remains, which are situated within a distance of half a mile of the said ancient cities known as old & new rajgriha, Rajgir, Dist- Nalanda-

The structures identified or exposed within distance of half mail of fortification wall like ajatsatru stupa, piplia stone, saptpani caves, venu van etc. Of rajgir represent the monuments of the first capital city of India.

43. Ancient mound, Bargaon, Dist- Nalanda-

The mound situated in the south of exposed ancient monastery complex. The mound makes part and parcel of the extensive ruins of Nalanda .

44. Ancient mound, Muddaffarpur, Dist- Nalanda-

The mound makes part and parcel of the extensive ruins of Nalanda .

45. Statue of Buddha, Jagdishpur, Dist- Nalanda-

The black basalt image of buddha under bodhi tree is shown surrounded by the agents of mara. On the pedestal and black slab there are reliefs representing scenes from buddha’s life.

46. Ashoka column, kolhua, Dist- Muzaffarpur-

The excavations conducted by archaeological survey of India have revealed remains of kutagarsala, swastika-shpaed monastery, a tank known as markat hrad, cluster of votive stupas and miniature shrines in addition to main stupa and asokan-pillar which were partly exposed earlier.

47. Supposed site of the palace of ashoka, Kumrahar, Dist- Patna

The site probably represents the ancient mauryan palace described by megasthenes. Excavation of the site has revealed the remains of an eighty pillared mauryan hall.

48. The grove known as “bulandibagh”, Bulandipur, Dist- Patna

Remains of wooden palisade being the fortification wall enclosing the city of pataliputra as described by megasthenese during the reign of chandra gupta maurya have been exposed here.

49. The mound or stupa known as “chhoti pahari”, Dist- Patna

A little to the north of panch pahari mounds it represents stupa mound which is about 30 m. In diameter and 9 m. In height.

50. Mounds known as the five stupas or ‘panch pahari’, Paharidih, Dist- Patna

Panch pahari is a group of five mounds probably stupas constructed by emperor asoka of mauryan dynasty covers an area 915 x 180 m. Approximately. Only two of these are prominent whereas others have almost disappeared. The longest one known as badi pahari is about 16 m. High and 50 m. Square at top.

51. Remains of wooden foundations and ancient mauryan walls, Sandalpur, Dist- Patna

Excavations have revealed the remains of wooden fortification wall of mauryan period running north-south to length of about 30 m. Which was some 1.60 m. Wide and 2 m. In height.

52. Mir Ashraf’s jama Mosque, Pucca well, Ablution tank, Patna city, Dist- Patna

The three domed mosque is constructed within a compound wall having a beautiful ablution tank in front. According to an inscribed slab it was built by mir ashraf during a.h. 1187 (i.e. Ce. 1773) who was a gomasta in the east india company and son of a trader mir afzal.

53. Tomb of Makhdum shah Daulat and Ibrahim khan, Maner, Dist- Patna

Tomb of makhdum shah daulat locally called chhoti dargah situated close to the north of the tank within the large brick enclosure on a raised platform was constructed by ibrahim khan during early seventeenth century ce.

54. The Tank, Maner, Dist- Patna

Large pucca tank with steps and bathing ghats adjacent to the tomb of makhdum shah daulat, constructed by ibrahim khan, the then mughal governor of bihar in early seventeenth century measures about 180 x 132m in dimension.

55. Ancient mounds and ruined brick walls together with adjacent land comprising part of sl. Pl. No.608 & 611, Maner, Dist- Patna

In the survey plot nos. 608 and 611 of maner revenue no.7 is lying low mound with remnants of brick wall running east-west located about one km. To the north-west of the tomb of makhdum shah at maner.

56. Ancient mounds and ruined brick walls together with adjacent land comprising part of survey plot no.399, Maner, Dist- Patna

An extensive area full of mounds and traces of brick walls representing an earlier settlement is located about a kilometer to the north-west of the tomb of makhdum shah at maner.

57. Sculptures and images, Datiana, Dist- Patna

Images of shiva-parvati, simhavahini, vishnu, mother and child (probably birth of krishna) and others related to brahminical religion kept under a sculpture shed.

58. Ashoka inscription on the chandan shahid hill, Ashiqpur, Dist- Rohtas

The eight line inscription on a rocky boulder on the hill represents minor rock edict i of emperor asoka, datable to his 13th regional year i.e. 257 b.c..

59. Tomb of Hasan Shah Suri, Sasaram, Dist- Rohtas

The tomb of hasan shah (father of sher shah suri) was constructed by sher shah (ce. 1539-1545) which consists of a large courtyard enclosed by a high compound wall of ashlars stone masonry with the main tomb in the middle, four gateways on four side and domed turrets at four corners.

60. Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, tank & its wall, ghats, flanking kiosks, northern gateway and causeway. The gateway (delhi darwaza) to the west of the tomb of sher shah , Sasaram, Dist- Rohtas

The magnificent mausoleum of sher shah (ce. 1539-45) is one of the noblest specimens of pathan architecture in india. The construction of the tomb, commenced by sher shah himself, was completed after his death by his son sultan salim or islam shah suri in ce. 1545. It consists of a large water tank with the main tomb placed in its center. The monument is a fine example of indo- afghan architecture.

61. Rohtas garh fort, Dist- Rohtas

The fort was occupied by hindu kings for a long time before it was taken by sher shah in ce.1538. Later on it passed into the hands of the emperor Akbar.

62. Ancient mound, Buxar

The place has been associated with the epic age but the excavation of the site has not yielded antiquities prior to mauryan period. Site is rich in mauryan terracotta particularly human & animal figurines.

63. Tomb of Bakhtiyar Khan, Dist- Kaimur

Bahkhtiyar khan, the father of fatesh khan who married the daughter of sher shah is supposedly buried the tomb proper is octagonal in plan. Some graves are also scattered in the open couplet on the mihrab according can be dated to 16th -17th century ce.

64. Temple of Mundeshwari Devi on the top of the hillock of kaimur range, Dist- Kaimur

The stone built mundeshwari temple, comprises of an octagonal sanctum , entered by four ornate doorways at the cardinal directions. The sikhara of the temple is lost together with its mandapa. The temple has yielded richly carved architectural pieces as well as images of a number of a hindu god and goddess datable to circa 7th – 10th century ce.

65. Three rock inscriptions (adjacent to tara chandi temple), Sasaram, Dist- Rohtas

A rock shelter bears six lines of a nagri inscription datable to 1225 ce. It mentions the name of nayaka pratap dhaval deva of japila and another two lines inscription probably earlier in date.

66. Ancestral house of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the First President of India, Jiradei, Dist- Siwan-

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (3rd December 1884 – 28th February 1963) was born at jiradei in his ancestral house. His house at jiradei is a simple building made of bricks, terracotta tiles (khapra) and wooden beams, plastered with lime-surkhi mortar.

67. Remains of the ancient city of Manjhi, Manjhi, Dist- Saran

The site revealed with four cultural fold occupational periods were ranging from pre Buddhist times to the medieval period.

68. Jami mosque (Juma mosque), Hajipur, Dist- Vaishali-

Juma mosque or Jami masjid, a plain building is about 26 x 10 m. On plan crowned by one large central dome and two smaller ones. It was erected by makhsus shah in the year 1587 ce. During the reign of Akbar as evident from an inscription at its stone gateway.

69. Relic Stupa (excavated remains of stupa), Harpur basant (Vaishali)

This is one among the eight relic stupas built over the corporeal remains of buddha. The remains were distributed among eight claimants, one being the lichchavis of vaishali. Inner most stupa of smaller dimension, measuring 8.07 m. In diameter is assignable to circa fifth century b.c. the excavations have unearthed a number of antiquities among which the relic casket containing ashes mixed with earth is most remarkable discover, besides a punch mark coin, beads and gold objects.

70. Mound known as Raja Vishal ka Garh, Dist-Vaishali

Recent excavation across the ramparts has revealed three phases of defence wall assignable to the sunga, kushana and early gupta periods respectively. The other finds of the site is dated to 6th century b.c. to Mughal period.

71. Kanhaiya ji ka mandir, Bandar Jhula, Dist- Kishanganj-

Two ancient mound at bandar jhula are named as ‘kanhaiya ji ka mandir’ probably because of black marble image of god vishnu placed here.