PATNA: Several Buddhist sites located in the hilly terrain of Hazaribagh are facing a serious threat due to the constant bombing of the sacred hills by the Border Security Force (BSF) Kolhual Pabar, Chhatra, Sitagarh hills and several other sites rich in Buddhist relies await measures for their protection.

Sitagarh hills have been the site of a heavy mortar firing range of the BSF for several years. Coal mines threaten the North Karanpura valley

The Hazaribagh chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been campaigning for several months to stop the bombardment of the hill adjacent to these sites. Letters supporting the INTACH’s plea to protect these sites have been sent by several eminent per- sons in New Delhi to the minis- tries concerned but the bombing continues.

The Hazaribagh chapter of INTACH has in a letter to the Japanese ambassador to India requested the Japanese government to consider surveying the area and taking steps for its protection. Sitagarh covers over 20 hectares which require to be surveyed and protected said the letter. “Your government is taking a keen interest in Rajgir and directly financing the Bihar government for the development of Buddhist sites there,” it added.

The route which Sakyamuni took to Hazaribagh from Bodh Gaya is dotted with Buddhist sites. He passed through the dense forests of Champa Arania, which is today called Champaran, and proceeded to Itkhori (“place of parting”) where he parted from his mother. Thereafter, Lord Buddha passed through Bhaduli and Nawadih – both known to be places of Buddhist relies in Hazaribagh district and entered the pargana of Champa, which is today modern Hazaribagh, traversing the old route which continued to Silagath hills. This was the way into the valley of the Lower Damodarriver navigable from there to Tamluki which is the port of the Damodar river in its delta, shared with the Hooghly in the Bay of Bengal. The Hazaribagh region, bordering Bodh Gaya, is an ancient Buddhist area connected closely with Lord Buddha and the corresponding period. The Archaeological Survey of India has recognized this.

The Sitagarh area has yielded several stupas and stone monuments apart from archaeological remains over an area of 20 hectares. A life-size stone statue of Lord Buddha was found in the jungle. All the remains have been dated by the ASI to sixth century.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 27, 1994