Deur Kothar

Deur Kothar: An Ancient Buddhist Heritage Site

Deur Kothar, also known as Deorkothar, is a location of significant archaeological importance situated in Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Its discovery in 1982 brought to light a wealth of Buddhist heritage, most notably stupas believed to have been commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka. The site's importance was formally recognized in 1988 when it was declared a monument of national importance by the Government of India, and it is currently under the preservation and conservation efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal.

Discovery and Excavations

The site was brought to public attention in 1982 through the efforts of P.K. Mishra of the Archaeological Survey of India, in collaboration with Ajit Singh, the sarpanch of the nearby village of Barhat. Recognizing its potential international bearing on the study of Buddhism, extensive, though controlled, excavations were undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India from 1999 to 2000. These excavations revealed four prominent stupa mounds constructed from brick. Among these, Stupa No. 1 stands impressively at approximately 9 meters (30 ft) in height. In total, the site contains remnants of around 30 stupas, fashioned from both stone and brick. The surrounding landscape further adds to its archaeological value, featuring 63 rock shelters adorned with ancient rock paintings. Several of these rocks also bear inscriptions in the Brahmi script, providing further insights into the site's historical context.

The Deorkothar Inscription and Buddha's Earliest Evidence

A key discovery at Deur Kothar is a six-line Brahmi inscription found on a pillar. This inscription is considered by scholars to be the earliest epigraphic evidence of the historic Buddha. Transliterated into the Devanagari script, the inscription's first line explicitly mentions the Buddha. The core message of the inscription pertains to the erection and dedication of a stone pillar by an unnamed Upasaka and his disciples. This act was performed in memory of the Buddha, the enlightened one. The inscription also makes mention of an Acharya named Dharamdev, along with his three disciples—Uttarmitra, Bhadra, and the aforementioned Upasaka—who were residents of the monastery at the time. It was they who installed this pillar, dedicating it in honor of the Buddha.