Context:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), led by D.B. Garnayak, resumed excavations at the Ratnagiri Buddhist complex in Odisha’s Jajpur district after a 60-year gap.
- Ratnagiri is a part of the Diamond Triangle of Odisha, along with Udaygiri and Lalitgiri, and has been documented as a historical site since 1905.
Key Discoveries
- Among the significant discoveries were a colossal Buddha head, a 5-feet palm sculpture, an ancient wall, and inscribed Buddhist relics, dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries AD.
- The Buddha’s head was approximately 3-4 feet tall, and the palm sculpture was 5 feet tall, reflecting the area’s cultural richness.
Historical Significance
- Odisha, historically known as Kalinga, has a deep connection with Buddhism, especially after Emperor Ashoka’s conversion following his Kalinga War in 261 BCE.
- Ratnagiri is a part of the Diamond Triangle of Odisha, along with Udaygiri and Lalitgiri, and has been documented as a historical site since 1905.
Cultural and Trade Links with Southeast Asia
- Odisha had long-established trade links with Southeast Asia, exchanging spices, silk, gold, and jewelry with regions like Bali, Java, and Burma.
- Odisha celebrates the Baliyatra festival to commemorate its 2,000-year-old maritime and cultural ties with Southeast Asia.
- Experts believe that Tapassu and Bhallika, the two merchant brothers who were the first disciples of Lord Buddha, originated from Utkala, an ancient name for Odisha.
Ratnagiri as a Center of Learning
- Ratnagiri, known as the “Hill of Jewels”, was first discovered in 1905 by Manmohan Chakravarty, then sub-divisional officer of Jajpur.
- The site’s historical significance is confirmed by seals with the inscription “Sri Ratnagiri Maha Viharaya Arya Bhikshu Sanghasa” and its flourishing under the Bhaumakara dynasty in the 9th-10th century.
- Ratnagiri is believed to have been a major Buddhist learning center, potentially rivaling Nalanda.
- Tibetan texts found at the site indicate its significance in Mahayana and Tantrayana Buddhism (also known as Vajrayana).
- The evidence suggested that the famous Chinese Buddhist monk Hiuen Tsang may have visited Ratnagiri in 638-639 AD.
The latest excavations highlight Ratnagiri’s role as a key Buddhist learning center and Odisha’s influence on the spread of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.