Deor Kothar is a location of archaeological importance in REWA, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. It is popular for its Buddhist stupas and was discovered in 1982. The stupa of Deor Kothar was established by the Mauryan king Asoka in the 3rd century BCE.
Deur Kothar also has five thousand years old rocky caves which are definitely very intriguing in their appearance. As an attempt to spread Buddhism in the Vindhyan region during the period of Ashoka, the remains of Lord Buddha were distributed to create these stupas.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY of Deor kothar
P.K. Mishra (Archaeological Survey of India) discovered Deorkothar in 1982 along with Ajit Singh, sarpanch of village Barhat. It was declared a monument of national importance in 1988 by the Govt of India and is being preserved and conserved by Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal.
The Archaeological Survey of India opted to conduct significant but controlled, excavations at the site because of the site’s prominence and potential international impact on Buddhism. Excavations at the site began in 1999 and continued until 2000. The site is distinguished by four stupa mounds, two of which have been subjected to archaeological excavations (numbers 1 and 2). 40 stupas composed of stones or bricks have been discovered. There are historic rock paintings on the rocks in the vicinity. Inscriptions in the Brahmi language can be found on several rocks.
INSCRIPTION of DEOR KOTHAR
The six-line Brahmi inscription on the Deorkothar pillar is considered to be the earliest evidence of the historic Buddha.
The inscription mentions Buddha in the first line. The gist of the inscription pertains to the erection and dedication of a stone pillar by an unnamed Upasaka and his disciples in memory of the Buddha, the enlightened one.
The inscription speaks about an Acharya, named Dharamdev, and his three disciples – Uttarmitra, Bhadra, and Upasaka, who used to reside in the monastery. They installed this pillar, dedicating it to the Buddha.
