Deorkothar stupas
Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Deorkothar is a Buddhist site in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh. It has several brick stupas from about the 3rd century BCE, the Mauryan period. The site was found in 1982. Remains there include inscribed stone pieces, a broken pillar and Mauryan-period pottery. It matters because it shows that Buddhism spread along trade routes across central India in Ashoka's time.
Example
The main stupa at Deorkothar is a brick mound with smaller stupas around it. It is dated to c. 3rd century BCE. Short Brahmi inscriptions found there record gifts made by monks and lay followers.
Don't confuse with
- Bharhut stupa: also in Madhya Pradesh and from about the same age. It is famous for its carved railings, added under the Shungas.
Related concepts
- Stupa
- Donations to stupas
- Sanchi stupa
- Bharhut stupa
- Amaravati stupa
- Kesariya stupa
- Bhattiprolu stupa
- Kanaganahalli
- Nagarjunakonda
- Diamond Triangle of Odisha