Deorkothar Katra Stupa Complex
Deur Kothar Stupa Cluster · Deorkothar Buddhist Site
Mauryan Ashoka 3rd c BCE → Sunga 1st c BCE–2nd c CE·Mauryan–Sunga Buddhist (Ashokan–Sunga complex)·🇮🇳 Madhya Pradesh, Rewa District, Deorkothar village 5 km NW of Katra on Rewa–Allahabad Road, 75 km from Rewa, Vindhyan spur, India
About
About Deorkothar Katra Stupa Complex
Deorkothar Katra Stupa Complex — Ashokan–Sunga Buddhist establishment (3rd c BCE possible Ashoka, 1st c BCE inscribed pillar) with 4 stupas, 30.5-m brick stupa-1 with stone vedika rail similar to Bharhut, and Prakrit pillar inscriptions published by von Hinüber & Skilling (2013). Excavated 1999–2002 by P.K. Mishra (ASI Bhopal) revealing 3rd c BCE–2nd c CE deposits, punch-marked coins, Northern Black Polished Ware, and Buddhist railing fragments. Easternmost Ashokan stupa complex in Vindhyas linking Sanchi–Bharhut circuit. Deorkothar pillar inscriptions are rare Prakrit of Ashokan time.
Why it mattersPossible Ashokan stupa easternmost in MP — Prakrit pillar inscriptions bridging Ashoka and Sunga
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Ashokan foundation vs Sunga only — Mauryan layer proof?
Theories
- 01Deorkothar as eastern Ashokan frontier model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3rd c BCE Mauryan (P.K. Mishra Ashokan claim) / 1st c BCE Sunga stupa-1
- Period
- Mauryan Ashoka 3rd c BCE → Sunga 1st c BCE–2nd c CE
- Culture
- Mauryan–Sunga Buddhist (Ashokan–Sunga complex)
- Builders
- Mauryan emperor Ashoka (?) and Sunga donors (Prakrit inscriptions)
- Purpose
- Vindhyan Buddhist monastic centre on Rewa–Allahabad route with Ashokan memory
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3rd c BCE
Possible Ashokan brick stupa foundation
1st c BCE
Sunga rail and Prakrit pillar carved
1999–2002
Mishra excavations reveal 4 stupas and pillar fragments
On the ground
Structures & features
24.9324° N · 81.6630° E · 150 m · 2 mapped features
Stupa-1 with Vedika Rail
stupa30.5-m brick stupa-1 with fallen sandstone vedika rail fragments on eastern spur
24.9326° N · 81.6633° EPrakrit Pillar Inscription Site
inscriptionFragmentary Prakrit Brahmii pillar inscriptions near stupa-2 published 2013
24.9320° N · 81.6628° E
Gallery