Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal
by Shubha Majumder | 2017 | 147,217 words
This page relates ‘Archaeological sites in Birbhum District’ of the study on the Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal based on the fields of Geography, Archaeology, Art and Iconography. Jainism represents a way of life incorporating non-violence and approaches religion from humanitarian viewpoint. Ancient Bengal comprises modern West Bengal and the Republic of Bangladesh, Eastern India. Here, Jainism was allowed to flourish from the pre-Christian times up until the 10th century CE, along with Buddhism.
Archaeological sites in Birbhum District
158. Ghurisha:
The site is located under Islamabajar police station of District Birbhum. The cultural sequence at the site started from the BRW level although some microliths were reported from the site. An image of Pārśvanātha is found installed in the ruins of a lateritic temple.
159. Mallarpur:
This site is located under the Maureswar police station. A seated image of an unidentified Tīrthaṅkara was found from this site. This is now kept in a building, near to Siddeswar Kali Mandir.
160. Baragram:
This is another important early medieval settlement and Jain antiquities were also recorded from this site. Baragram is located about 1.5 kms north-east of Lohapur railway station and 12 kms. east of Nalhati. Some low mounds scattered with habitational remains have been identified from the different localities of this village. Interestingly, good numbers of Buddhist as well as Brahmanical sculptural remains have been reported from this site from time to time. However, during our recent exploration we identified some Jain sculptural remains. It is very unfortunate that with out proper scientific excavation it is very difficult for us to study the proper contexts of the reported sculptural remains from this site (Pl.VI.H).