Telhara (Bihar, India) -- a node in Bharatam Janam’s Meluhha Knowledge Network, ca. 5th century BCE
What is the oldest University in recorded history?
It could be Takshashila University, dated ca. 700 BCE followed by Telhara, Nalanda, Vikramashila -- all of which could have constituted a Meluhha Knowledge Network of a Knowledge Society of ancient times.
Here is a collation of some reports on archaeological finds of this great archaeological marvel related to a Knowledge Society in Bihar, India.
With the unraveling of the Indus Script cipher as Mlecchita Vikalpa (Meluhha cipher), a project has to be undertaken to document the Itihaasa of Bharatam Janam.
Present indications are that Telhara will be recorded as a golden page of this narrative since this is in a region where the lingua franca was Meluhha, the center-piece of the Indian sprachbund effectively debunking the wrongly perceived multiplicity of language families of Bharatam Janam. It appears that most people spoke proto-Indian vaak (speech), venerated as a divine manifestation in Rigveda.
Kalyanaraman
Sarasvati Research Center
December 14, 2014
Published On: Sun, Dec 14th, 2014
By IANS
Telhara University’s ruins older than Nalanda, Vikramshila
Chinese traveller Heuen Tsang visited Telhara in the 7th century AD and he mentioned the university as “Teleadaka”
Bihar’s Arts, Culture and Youth Affairs Secretary Anand Kishor said that based on key findings from the excavation, it can be confirmed that Telhara University was older than Nalanda and Vikramshila.
“A team of archaeologists has found four Buddhist monastery seals made of terracotta, bearing the inscriptions – Sri Prathamshivpur Mahavihariyaye Bikshu Sanghas – in Pali language in Nalanda district that indicated the university’s real name, which is usually described as Telhara University,” Kishor said.
Kishor said Chinese traveller Heuen Tsang visited Telhara in the 7th century AD and he mentioned the university as “Teleadaka” in his narrative.
Kishor told that archaeologists have discovered bricks that were used to lay the ancient university’s foundation.
“Bricks’ dimension 42x32x6 cm revealed a Kushan, first century AD, influence. That is a strong evidence that the Telhara University is older than fourth century’s Nalanda University and seventh century’s Vikramshila University.”.
Kishor said the archaeological discovery was a landmark achievement for Bihar.
He said archaeologists based on previous findings placed the Telhara University in the Gupta period between fourth and seventh century. But the new findings cleared all doubts as to the university’s age.
Atul Kumar Verma, director of state archaeology, said: “It is a positive development in the field of excavation in Bihar.”
“After discovery of remains of fourth century ancient Nalanda and eight century Vikramshila universities, this is the discovery of remains of third ancient university in the state,” Verma said.
He said remains of Telhara University were found during excavation of a 45-foot high mound. “We have also found a huge floor, statues in bronze and stone, and over 100 seals.”
Verma said Heuen Tsanng has given a graphic account of a cluster of as many as seven Buddhist monasteries flourishing at “Teleadaka”, also called “Tiladhak”, at Telhara site, where about a thousand monks studied under the Mahayana school of Buddhism.
The excavation at Telhara site was started in 2009 after the then chief minister Nitish Kumar took special interest in it.
http://www.indileak.com/telhara-universitys-ruins-older-than-nalanda-vikramshila/
Telhara University's ruins older than Nalanda, Vikramshila
Patna, Dec 14: The remains of Telhara University, discovered in Bihar, are older than Nalanda and Vikramshila universities, officials said here on Sunday.
Bihar's Arts, Culture and Youth Affairs Secretary Anand Kishor said that based on key findings from the excavation, it can be confirmed that Telhara University was older than Nalanda and Vikramshila.
"A team of archaeologists has found four Buddhist monastery seals made of terracotta, bearing the inscriptions - Sri Prathamshivpur Mahavihariyaye Bikshu Sanghas - in Pali language in Nalanda district that indicated the university's real name, which is usually described as Telhara University," Kishor said.
Kishor said Chinese traveller Heuen Tsang visited Telhara in the 7th century AD and he mentioned the university as "Teleadaka" in his narrative.
Kishor told IANS that archaeologists have discovered bricks that were used to lay the ancient university's foundation.
"Bricks' dimension 42x32x6 cm revealed a Kushan, first century AD, influence. That is a strong evidence that the Telhara University is older than fourth century's Nalanda University and seventh century's Vikramshila University.".
Kishor said the archaeological discovery was a landmark achievement for Bihar.
He said archaeologists based on previous findings placed the Telhara University in the Gupta period between fourth and seventh century. But the new findings cleared all doubts as to the university's age.
Atul Kumar Verma, director of state archaeology, said: "It is a positive development in the field of excavation in Bihar."
"After discovery of remains of fourth century ancient Nalanda and eight century Vikramshila universities, this is the discovery of remains of third ancient university in the state," Verma said.
He said remains of Telhara University were found during excavation of a 45-foot high mound. "We have also found a huge floor, statues in bronze and stone, and over 100 seals."
Verma said Heuen Tsanng has given a graphic account of a cluster of as many as seven Buddhist monasteries flourishing at "Teleadaka", also called "Tiladhak", at Telhara site, where about a thousand monks studied under the Mahayana school of Buddhism.
The excavation at Telhara site was started in 2009 after the then chief minister Nitish Kumar took special interest in it.
Early this year, Nitish Kumar announced that specimen from the site would be housed in the proposed International Museum in Patna.
http://www.focusnews.com/?q=detail/national/1/455049
Another ancient university found in Nalanda
PATNA: Bihar is known as home to the ancient Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. But little known to the outside world, archaeologists have identified yet another ancient university at Telhara in Nalanda district, 60km from Patna.
The Bihar state directorate of archaeology had started excavation at the site on December 26, 2009 and discovered pottery, images and over a thousand seals belonging to the Gupta period (5th century AD) and the later Pala period (9-10th century AD).
"We also found a 75X75 metre floor dotted with a number of platforms with images of Buddha. The evidence of three temple structures is also found. Monks used to offer prayer on these platforms," says Atul K Verma, who headed the excavation team.
The Bihar state directorate of archaeology had started excavation at the site on December 26, 2009 and discovered pottery, images and over a thousand seals belonging to the Gupta period (5th century AD) and the later Pala period (9-10th century AD).
"We also found a 75X75 metre floor dotted with a number of platforms with images of Buddha. The evidence of three temple structures is also found. Monks used to offer prayer on these platforms," says Atul K Verma, who headed the excavation team.
Verma, who is also the director of the state directorate of archaeology, said evidences from both Gupta and Pala period structures, like the one mentioned by Chinese traveller Xuanzang (Hiuen-Tsang) in his travelogue, have been unearthed during the excavation at the 35ft high Bulandi mound at Telhara.
"We have also found seals written with 'Teladhak Mahavihara', which was also authenticated by archaeologist Alexander Cunningham in his report," Verma told TOI. "Traces of ashes have also been found from the site which reminded us of the destruction by a Turkish attack led by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century," Verma said. The radius of the university was likely to be one km, he said.
Only a few days back, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen had visited this ancient site during his visit to Nalanda.
Telhara, a monastic site of Theravada tradition, was first discovered in 1872 by the then district magistrate of Nalanda, AM Broadley. In the 13th century, Telhara came under Turkish rule and, later, became an important settlement of Muslims.
| Thursday , January 16 , 2014 |
Varsity ruins near Nalanda | ||||
| SHUCHISMITA CHAKRABORTY | ||||
Patna, Jan. 15: Archaeologists have found remains of another ancient university at Telhara, near the ruins of Nalanda. According to historians, Telhara University’s reference has been found in the account of Chinese travellers Hiuen Tsang and Ithsing. Atul Kumar Verma, director, archaeology, said the directorate of archaeology had got firm evidence of the Telhara University, about 40km from Nalanda. “We have found the same monastery seal, which was found during the excavation carried out at the Nalanda University site. While we had discovered only two-three monastery seal then, we have found seven-eight similar seals this time. The monastery seals are made of terracotta and are in round shape. There is a wheel sign, flanked by two deer, on the seal also. The monastery seals, which we have found at Telhara, date back to thousand years and it is totally similar to the seals, which were found at the ruins of Nalanda University,” he added. He said the team, including conservator S.K. Jha, senior technical assistant Nand Gopal among others, had been carrying out excavation work at the site since 2009. The directorate runs under the state, art, culture and youth affairs department. “What makes us more confident about our claims is the finding of three Buddhist temples, which Hiuen Tsang briefed in his account. Besides, we have also discovered a huge platform, which has the seating capacity of nearly thousand people. This platform has also got mention in Hiuen Tsang’s account. He has written that around a thousand monks used to sit for prayer on this platform. Our another important discovery is the teacher compartments. This has also got mention in Hiuen Tsang account,” said Verma. The directorate has also got evidence that the varsity was equally popular in the Gupta period. “We have found sculptures made of red sandstone, which proves that the university was quite popular in the Gupta period. We have found pottery of different shapes and seals from the site of the Gupta period. There is a complete influence of the Gupta period in the strokes of writing, which we have found on the earthen pots. Another important finding is the 1ft layer of as — something similar found from the Nalanda University site. It is believed that Nalanda University was set on fire by Turkish Muslim army under Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. We have got evidence that Telhara University was also burnt by Khilji on his way,” Verma said. Verma added that the finding of directorate of archaeology is important as it acknowledges the fact that Bihar was once the centre of education. “After discovering the ruins of Nalanda and Vikramshila University, we have been able to discover the remains of another university in Bihar. It is definitely one of our big achievements and it also establishes the fact that Bihar was once the centre of excellence,” said Verma. Verma added that it would take the directorate at least 10 years to properly conserve the university. “It would take quite some time for conservation. At present, our directorate is facing manpower shortage. Most of the important posts, including assistant director, technical assistant, surveyor among others, are lying vacant. We have asked the Bihar Public Service Commission to fill up the vacant post. So far as my knowledge goes, they have initiated the process of recruitment,” said Verma. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who hails from Nalanda district, had visited the site several times to keep himself abreast about the progress of the excavation. He announced that relics from the site would be housed in the proposed International Museum coming up in Patna. Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen also made a trip to the site last week on request of the chief minister to have a first-hand view of the excavations. Sources said the directorate of archaeology has recently been quite active. It is soon going to set up a pre-historic park at Chirand in Saran district. The pre-historic park would be set up at a cost of Rs 7 crore. |
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140116/jsp/bihar/story_17827039.jsp#.VI2qzNKUeSo
| Friday , June 17 , 2011 |
Tourism boost to historic Telhara | |||||||||||||||||||||
| SANJEEV KUMAR VERMA | |||||||||||||||||||||
Patna, June 16: Plans are afoot to bring Telhara, an ancient Buddhist monastic site, on the tourist map of India. Realising its richness as a heritage site after two rounds of excavations, the state government has decided to develop it as a tourist spot. “The excavations revealed that it is a very precious site. So, we have decided to develop it as a tourist spot,” state art culture and youth affairs minister Sukhda Pandey toldThe Telegraph. To begin with, a boundary wall would be erected around the excavated site. In the long run, the government intends to set up a museum to display the antiques found from the site. “For now, we have decided to keep the historic items in the Biharsharif museum,” Pandey said. Located 29km west of Nalanda, this monastic site was discovered in 1872 by A.M. Broadley, then magistrate of Nalanda, which was commented on with some details by Alexander Cunningham between 1875 and 1878. Cunningham intended to do the excavation of this site. But he could not because of protest by the settlers in the vicinity of the site then. Contrary to the popular belief that the monastery came into existence during the Gupta period (4th to 7th century AD), the latest round of excavation at the site from January to May this year has revealed that it might have come up in the 3rd century BC. The first round of excavation was carried out from December 2009 to May 2010. “Finding of northern black polished ware during the latest round of excavation suggests the monastery is much older,” Atul Verma, the excavation and exploration officer of the art and culture department, who led the excavation team at Telhara, said. The findings of the excavation also suggest that the site might have been flooded and regained its importance during the Kushan period (1st century AD). “There was a 4-metre-thick layer of sand just above the layer in which northern black polished ware was found. It suggests flooding of the site,” Verma said, adding that sprinklers made of clay, which were an exclusive specialty of the Kushan period, were found in the layer above the sand. The second round of excavation has also confirmed that that the monastery was a centre of Tantric Buddhism. The basalt statue of Yamantak, the god of death, with seven heads suggests so. During the excavation work, the team members stumbled upon a 1.5-foot-thick layer of ash, suggesting burning of the monastery by Bakhtiyar Khilji, who had raided Bihar towards the end of the 12th century. These findings apart, the latest round of excavation has also given evidence of presence of a three-storeyed structure at this place, as mentioned by Hiuen Tsang in his travel account. Evidence to prove the presence of prayer hall and residential cells of monks in the monastery has also been found. A number of potteries and images belonging to the Gupta age and the Pal period were found. The excavation revealed a 34-metre-long floor lined by a number of cells. Another brick paved floor with a wall almost 12-foot-high has been discovered below the prayer hall in the eastern side. Above this floor, a well was found. In course of excavation, the team came across the Gupta age monastery. Nearly 60-metre-long brick wall of the monastery structure was found 8m below the ground-level. Another structure running in north-south direction was traced below it. “So far, the two rounds of excavation have revealed many things. But two to three rounds of excavation would be carried out in coming years for the complete exploration of this site,” Verma said. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110617/jsp/bihar/story_14121217.jsp Not Nalanda alone Bihar had another ancient university at Telhara. Bihar is known across the globe as home to the ancient Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. But little known to the outside world, archaeologists have stumbled upon traces of another ancient university in Bihar - at Telhara, a small village 30 km from Biharsharif. Preliminary excavations launched by the Bihar government in December last year led to the discovery of pottery and images belonging to the Gupta period (5th century AD) and the later Pala period (9-10 th century AD). "We also found a 34-metre floor dotted with a number of platforms having Buddha images on them, " says Atul K Verma, who headed the excavation team. An excavation and exploration officer in the Bihar state directorate of archaeology, Verma told TOI-Crest that excavation at the 35-fthigh Bulandi mound at Telhara has unearthed evidence of a three-storey concrete structure, like the one mentioned by Chinese traveller Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang) in his travelogue. Telhara, a monastic site of Theravada tradition, was first discovered in 1872 by the then district magistrate of Nalanda, AM Broadley. In the 13th century, Telhara came under Turkish rule and later became an important settlement of Muslims. According to Bihar's culture secretary Vivek K Singh, further excavation at the site would start in October. "In view of its importance, we are going to declare it a state-protected site, " he says. Not just that, non-descript Ghorakatora near Giriyak in Nalanda has had archaeologists baffled ever since they discovered a 3, 500-yearold site during excavations in the village a couple of years ago. More than 300 terracotta, stone, metal, glass, iron, bone and shell objects were among the finds at the site perched on National Highway-31 between Biharsharif and Nawada. ASI's Patna circle superintending archaeologist SK Manjul said the antiquities were in existence from the Chalcolithic period (1500-800 BC) to the Pala era. In 2007-08, ASI conducted excavations near a five-metre high mound at the southern end of Begampur village, 1. 4 km away from the ruins of the old university at Nalanda. "One of the most important antiquities discovered at the site is a fragment of a seal with a three-line inscription in Brahmi script beside which a running deer has been depicted, " Manjul says. Excavation at the site also unearthed terracotta gamesman, beads, human and animal figurines, terracotta plaques, armlets, iron rings and nails and terracotta moulds of a horse - all belonging to the pre-Gupta and late medieval periods (200 AD - 1300 AD). That's not all. Even a "small scale" excavation conducted at Damankhanda village, one km away from the ruins of Nalanda, revealed the remains of a Buddhist temple and architectural and sculptural remains dating back to 600 BC-1200 AD. http://www.timescrest.com/coverstory/not-nalanda-alone-3091 | Wednesday , February 9 , 2011 |
Post No 864 Date: 24 February 2014 ( India had many ancient universities such as Taxila (Thatchasheelam), Kancheepuram, Vikramasila and Nalanda. Now one more university is discovered in Bihar) From The Indian Express 23 February 2014 & another magazine... A statue of the 12-armed Avlokiteshwar Buddha found from a Tiladhak site is at the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Perhaps the best known Pala sculpture from Telhara is now in Rietberg Muzeum, Zurich. Following matter is added from another newspaper. “We have found the same monastery seal, which was found during the excavation carried out at the Nalanda University site. While we had discovered only two-three monastery seal then, we have found seven-eight similar seals this time. The monastery seals are made of terracotta and are in round shape. There is a wheel sign, flanked by two deer, on the seal also. The monastery seals, which we have found at Telhara, date back to thousand years and it is totally similar to the seals, which were found at the ruins of Nalanda University,” he added. Burnt down by Muslim Army The directorate has also got evidence that the varsity was equally popular in the Gupta period. “We have found sculptures made of red sandstone, which proves that the university was quite popular in the Gupta period. We have found pottery of different shapes and seals from the site of the Gupta period. There is a complete influence of the Gupta period in the strokes of writing, which we have found on the earthen pots. Another important finding is the 1ft layer of ash — something similar found from the Nalanda University site. It is believed that Nalanda University was set on fire by Turkish Muslim army under Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. We have got evidence that Telhara University was also burnt by Khilji on his way,” Verma said.  MAJOR FINDINGS SEALS AND SEALING The recovery of over 100 terracotta seals and sealings from the Gupta and Pala periods provides strong evidence of this being a Buddhist university. Besides seals of the chakra flanked by two deers, other seals have inscription of Buddhist mantras. Seals of Gaj-Lakshmi and flying birds were also found. Some inscriptions that have not yet been deciphered would be sent to Mysore for deciphering. PLATFORM, TEMPLES Just above the ashen layer — said to be proof of Turkish general Bakhtiyar Khilji having destroyed the monastery — is the sanctum sanctorum of three Buddhist shrines, each measuring 3.15 square metres. A big platform, found just below this ashen layer, is said to have accommodated over 1,000 monks.  CELLS FOR TEACHERS The excavation has so far revealed 11 cells of 4 square metres each. It is believed that these were faculty quarters. There is evidence of bricks from the Gupta and Pala periods. COPPER BELL CHIMES The excavation revealed several broken pieces of small bells. Parts of molten copper also suggest that the monastery was well-decorated. CAUTION INSCRIPTION A stone inscription in Sanskrit (early Nagari script), probably written just before the destruction of the Tiladhak mahavihara, says, “He who tries to destroy this monastery is either a donkey or a bull”. Below the stone inscription are images of the two animals. FASTING BUDDHA AND VOTIVE STUPA A miniature terracotta image of a fasting Buddha from the Pala period is a rare find. A six-foot-tall votive stupa from the Pala period suggests the prevalence of Buddhism.  MAURYAN PERIOD Bone tools and pottery shards of Northern Black Polished Ware points to this being a settlement in the Mauryan period. STONE SCULPTURES Among the over 15 stone sculptures found at the site are a red sandstone sculpture of Bodhisatva, Avlokiteshwar, Manjusri and the Buddha in his ‘earth witness’ mudra. A black stone statue of Buddha in abhay mudra (fearless mode) from the Pala period has been found. The red sandstone Bodhisatva sculpture is believed to be from the Gupta period. Some sculptures of Hindu deities such as Uma Maheshwar and Ganesh and Vishnu from the later Pala period were also found. The presence of a Yamantaka sculpture is evidence of Tantric Buddhism at the monastery.  Contact swami_48@yahoo.com http://tamilandvedas.com/tag/telhara-university/ | Thursday , July 3 , 2014 |
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