Kumhrar

Kumhrar or Kumrahar is the remains of an ancient city of Pataliputra, located 5 km from Patna Railway Station, on Kankarbagh Road, Patna, Bihar.

The archaeological remains of the Mauryan period (322–185 BCE), has been discovered here, this include the ruins of a hypostyle 80-pillared hall [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/441620683.cms Devise plan to save Kumhrar site:HC] The Times of India, Feb 1, 2002.] [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Cities/Patna/Experts_meet_to_preserve_Kumhrar_on_Dec_29/articleshow/927151.cms Experts' meet to preserve Kumhrar] The Times of India, Dec 26, 2006] The excavation finding here dates back to 600 B.C , and marks the ancient capital of Ajatshatru, Chandragupta and Ashoka, and collectively the relics range from four continuous periods from 600 BC to 600 AD. [http://patna.bih.nic.in/html/kumhrar.htm Ancient city of Pataliputra] Patna Official website.] .

Excavations

* Assembly Hall of 80-pillars: During the excavation work, carried out, 1912 -1915, by D B Spooner, during which, 72 pillars, about 10 meters in height, made of polished sedimentary rock were found, dated to the Mauryan period. During the subsequent excavation, done by K P Jaiswal, 1951-1955, eight more pillars were found, giving the hall its present name – “Assembly hall of 80 pillars”. All the ruins are attributed to the Mauryan period, though historians vary regarding the use of the 80-pillar hall, some suggest that it was in this hall that Third Buddhist Council was held , in 250 BCE, at "Asokarama" in Patiliputta (Patliputra), under the reign of Mauryan Empereor, Ashoka (r. 273 BC-232 BC).

* Anand Bihar: The foundations of the brick Buddhist monastery were excavated, apart from wooden beams and clay figures, which are now kept for public display in the surrounding park .

* Arogya Vihar: Also found during the excavations, are the presence of an "Arogya Vihar" headed by Dhanvantari, an early Indian medical practitioner, considered the source of Ayurveda .

* Durakhi Devi Temple – Excavations in 1890s, by Wadell, revealed a detached piece of a carved stone railing of a stupa, with female figures on both the sides, giving it the name, 'Durukhi' or 'Durukhiya' (double faced) Devi, a specimen of Shunga art 2-1 century B.C. The figures are shown grabbing and breaking branches of trees, are "Shalabhanjikas" (the breaker of branches), the young women under a fertililty ritual. These images were later brought to their present location, at Naya Tola (Kankarbagh), a kilometer west to the site, where they are presently worshipped in a temple-like structure; a replica of these figures has also been kept in Patna Museum [ [http://yac.bih.nic.in/Da-01.htm An overview of archaeological importance of Bihar] Directorate of Archaeology, Govt. of Bihar. ] .

ee also

* Bulandibag
* Barabar Caves

Further Reading

*Altekar, A. S. Coins in Kumrahar and Bulandibag (Pataliputra) Excavations in 1912-13. (1951)

External links

* [http://www.biharandjharkhand.com/directory/photo_patna1.htm Images of "Kumhrar"]

References