Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Buddha-Gaya : the land of enlightenment. 3. Rajagrha: the place of solitude and meditation. 4. Nalanda : the celebrated seat of learning. Bibliography.

From the preface: "The present monograph contains some of my observations on the three ancient historical places of modern Bihar (ancient Magadha) which constitute a landmark in the history of 'Buddhistic Culture of India'. Although many scholars have commented on the different aspects of the history of these places in various contexts, the picture emerging so far is not as satisfactory as it ought to have been. The purpose of the present monograph is, therefore, to present authentic materials for the historical construction and critical appreciation of these places which have a great bearing on the culture of India in general and that of Asia in particular.

"It would be seen that the Buddhist University at Nalanda inaugurated for the first time in India's history the best and greatest centre of higher learning. Being international in character, it rose above the sectarian horizon to impart education in sacred as well as secular branches of learning which elicited universal admiration. The following pages portray, in some detail, faithfully but critically, the literary and archaeological sources to analyse and assess the wonderful contributions of these places to Buddhist culture within the frame-work of the cultural history of India as a whole."

[Upendra Thakur (1928-1990) worked as Professor and Head of Ancient Indian and Asian Studies and Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies at Magadh University, Bodhgaya. His books include Some Aspects of Ancient Indian History and Culture, History of Mithila and Socio-Economic Life in Early Medieval Mithila.]No. 10948

Return to Buddhist Arts of India Catalogue

Return to Buddhism Catalogue