ANCIENT KAPILAVASTU: The Sakya Territory and Sakya Capital City Proper Where Siddhartha Trod
- Hari D. Rai
Information Chief
Lumbini Development Trust
Email: haridra@yahoo.com
Source : http://www.lumbinitrust.org/articles/view/214
Abstract
Ancient Kapilavastu is referred to denote both Sakya kingdom as a
whole and its capital city proper in early Buddhist literatures. The
kingdom of Kapilavastu was extended to the Himalayas in the north, Pava
and Kushinagar in the south, the Rohini River in the east and the Rapti
River to the west. It means Kapilavastu kingdom was extended in a vast
area in the plains below the Himalayas that falls both within the
boundaries of Nepal and India at present. But there was a controversy
about the hometown of the Buddha, the capital city where Siddhartha
spent 29 years of his princely life. About two possible sites found as
Kapilavastu: Tilaurakot, the one in Nepal and Piprahawa, the other in
India, the archaeologists argued for about one hundred years. Finally,
the site of Tilaurakot was confirmed as an ancient Kapilavastu. The
paper accumulates important evidences on the issue that ascertains
Tilaurakot as ancient Sakya capital city.
Key Words: early Buddhist literature, Chinese travelers' version, archaeological finding and conclusion, geographical position
Geographical Setting and Historical Prelude of Kapilavastu, ancient Sakya Kingdom
One of the major Buddhist sites, ancient Kapilavastu, or present day
Tilaurakot, is situated on the lap of the foothills of the Siwalik range
in Kapilavastu district in the south-western plains of Nepal.
Religiously, historically and archaeologically important site of
Tilaurakot is located at 27˚34'30˝ N longitude and 83˚ 3' 30˝E latitude.
Kapilavastu is the name of the ancient Sakya kingdom as well as of the
capital city. This holy site of the Buddha’s childhood home is 28 km
west of Lumbini, his birthplace, and is connected by an all-weather
blacktopped road (Bidari, 2007: 153).
Ancient referred both Sakya kingdom as a whole and as its capital city
proper in early Buddhist literatures. Kapilavastu was a beautiful Sakya
kingdom on the foothills of the Himalayas established by the banished
sons and daughters of Okkaka (Ikshvaku), who hailed from Saketa, the
capital of Kosala kingdom. The King banished his four sons and five
daughters to ascend Jantukumara, his son from another queen Jayanti in
the throne. The exiled princes and princesses traveled to the Himavat
(Malalasekera, 1983: 970). They settled in the sala (shorea robusta)
forest on advice of sage Kapila near his hermitage. They developed the
area into a prosperous kingdom known as Kapilavastu in due course.
Scholars opine that these exiled Kshetriya royals were called Sakya as
they settled clearing the saka (sala) forest. And new kingdom was called
Kapilavastu meaning Kapila, the sage and vastu, building or city in
Sanskrit as it was proliferated by Kapilamuni.
The kingdom of Kapilavastu was extended to the Himalayas in the north,
the Rohini River in the east and the Rapti River to the south and west
(Raychaudhari, 1927: 117). However, Bidari referring to some Buddhist
sources demarcates the border of Kapilavastu kingdom to be the Himalayas
in the north, Pava and Kushinagar in the south, the Rohini River in the
east and the Rapti River to the west (Bidari, 2007:158).
From above discussion, it is evident that Kapilavastu, the ancient
Sakya kingdom was extended between two famous rivers namely Rohini and
Rapti from east to west whereas it touched the Himalayas in the north
and approached Kushinagar and Pava to the south. It means Kapilavastu
kingdom was extended in a vast area in the plains below the Himalayas
that falls both within the boundaries of Nepal and India at present.
But there was a little controversy about the hometown of the Buddha,
the capital city where Siddhartha spent 29 early hears of his princely
life. Two possible sites were found as Kapilavastu: Tilaurakot, the one
in Nepal and Piprahawa, the other in India. The archaeologists argued
for about one hundred years to confirm it. The site named as present
day Tilaurakot is finally confirmed as an ancient Kapilavastu, the
childhood hometown of the Buddha after meticulous research and
archaeological excavations carried out for about a century for following
reasons:
Tilaurakot in Nepal as Sakya Capital City Proper Where Siddhartha Trod
I. Early Buddhist Literary Sources
Kapilavastu is well described in early Buddhist literary sources. Some
important early literatures that do mention of ancient Sakya kingdom
are: the Lalita Vistara, the Buddhacarita, the Saundarananda and the
Sumangalavilasini by Asvaghosha, some suttas of the Dhigha-Nikaya, the
Sutta-Nipata, the Papanchasudini, the Jataka Stories, etc. Some relevant
mentions are as follows:
The Lalita-vistara, an important epic of 1st century AD mentions that
the banished offspring of Sujata, the king of Kosala left Saketa the
capital city and went northwards and lived in the salavana (sala forest)
at the foothills of the Himalayas as per the guidance of sage Kapila.
The Buddha recounts the story of the Sakyas to Ananda in the Ambattha
Sutta of the Dhigha-nikaya as: O Ananda, long ago King Okkaka, in order
to hand over his kingdom to his son from his beloved wife, banished the
princes Okkamukha, Karkanda, Hathinika and Sinipura and the princesses
from the elder queen. After banishment they settled down in a forest of
saka trees on the slope of the Himalayas by the side of lotus flower
(Pradhan, 1979: 7).
The Saundarananda, an epic by Asvaghosha gives an account on founding
of Kapilavastu as Sakyan kingdom thus: Some Ikshvaku princes came to
north from Saketa and settled down near the place where sage Kapila was
practicing penance. The princes got Gautama as their gotra (clan) name
from their preceptor Kapila Gautama. The sage marked the area in the
sala forest and told them to build a new city after his death. The
princes founded a new city according to the wish of their preceptor
Kapila which was later named Kapilavastu meaning the city or settlement
of Kapila.
The Jataka Stories mention about eighteen associations of labourers
employed by the Sakyas in their palace and in their country including
those of smiths, stoneworkers, ivory workers, jewelers etc (Davids,
1971: 90). During Nepalese and Japanese joint archaeological excavation
at Tilaurakot (1967-77) a large hoard of coins, weapons, ivory objects
and jewelries were uncovered from Tilaurakot. The discovery of these
antiquities demonstrate relevancy of the tales.
Thus, ancient Buddhist literature Lalita Vistara, the Saundarananda, by
Asvaghosha, and the Ambattha Sutta of the Dhigha-Nikaya unanimously
state that the banished royal offspring of Kosala kingdom traveled
towards north and lived on the foothills of the Himalayas near the
hermitage of Kapilamuni and hence the place was called Kapilavastu after
the name of Kapila, the great sage. Tilaurakot is situated in the
foothills of the Himalayas and 'Tilaurakot' is synonymous known as
'Kapilavastu' from remote historical period of time in Nepal whereas
Piprahawa in India falls far apart of the Himalayas and it was given
name Kapilavastu later in the modern era.
II. Chinese Travelers' Description
Fa-hsien's visit
Chinese monk Fa-hsien who visited Kapilvastu, Lumbini and Ramagrama in
the 4th century AD prepared notes on important Buddhist sites which he
personally visited. His travel account has been an important source to
locate these historical sites. He describes Kapilavastu to be close to
the places of Krakuchhanda and Kanakmuni Buddhas with Asokan pillars.
Kapilavastu: Leaving the city of Sravasti, and going
twelve yojans to the south-east, we arrive at a town called Na-pi-ka.
This is the birthplace of Krakuchhanda Buddha. There are towers erected
on the spots where the interview between father and son took place, and
also where he entered Nirvana. Going north from this place less than one
yojana, we arrive at a town where Kanakamuni Buddha was born; there are
towers also erected here over similar places as the last. From this
spot going eastward less than a yojana we arrive at the city of
Ka-wei-lo-wei (Kapilavastu).
Lumbini: 50 li (14.41 km) to the east of the city (Kapilavastu capital
city) is the royal garden called Lumbini; it was here the queen entered
the bath to wash herself, and having come out on the north side,
advanced twenty paces, and then holding a branch of the tree in her
hand, brought forth the Prince.
Ramagrama: Going east 5 yojana (72 km) from the place where Buddha was
born, there is a country called Lan-mo [Ramagrama] (Beal, 1996: 48).
Above description provides us the reference that Lumbini, the
significant place of the birth of the Buddha lies to the east of
Kapilavastu, his hometown. Lumbini lies to the north east from
Piprahawa, the site proposed by India.
Huien Tsiang's Visit
Huien Tsiang another eminent Chinese pilgrim who visited Buddhist sites
of present day Nepal in 629 AD and prepared beautiful travel account.
He has recounted about significant Buddhist sites in following manner:
Kapilavastu: From this point (somewhere in Sravasti)
going south-east 500 li (about 144 km) or so, we come to the country of
Kie-pi-lo-fa-sse-ti (Kapilavastu). This country is about 4000 li (about
1152 km) in circuit. There are some ten desert cities in this country,
wholly desolate and ruined. The capital is overthrown and in ruins. Its
circuit cannot be accurately measured. The royal precincts within the
city measure some 14 or 15 li (about 4 km) round. They were built of
brick. The foundation walls are still strong and high. It has been long
deserted.
Kudan: "To the south of it (Kapilavastu capital city)
is the city, not far, there is a stupa; this is the place where, having
arrived complete enlightenment, Buddha met his father Suddhodana".
Another description of Kudan by him goes as: To the south of the city
(capital city) 3 or 4 li (about 1.5 km) is a grove of the nyagrodha
trees in which is a stupa built by Asoka raja. This is the place where
Sakya Tathagata, having returned to his country after his enlightenment,
met his father and preached the law.
Gotihawa: "To the south east of the city is a stupa
where are that Tathagata's relics (of his bequeathed body); before it is
erected a stone pillar about 30 feet high, on the top of which is
carved a lion. By its side (or on its side) is a record relating the
circumstances of his Nirvana. It was erected by Asoka raja.
Niglihawa: To the north east of the town of
Krakuchhanda Buddha, going about 30 li (8.64 km), we come to an old
capital (or, great city) in which there is a stupa. This is to
commemorate the spot where in the Bhadra-kalpa when men lived to the age
of 40,000 years, Kanakamuni Buddha was born.
Sagarhawa: To the north of the capital (Niglihawa),
there are several hundreds and thousands of stupas, indicating the spot
where the members of the Sakya tribe were slaughtered. Virudhaka-raja
having subdued the Sakyas, and captured the members of their tribe to
the number of 9,990 myriads of people, then ordered them to be
slaughtered.
Sarakupa: From this (capital city) 30 li (about 8 km)
south-east is a small stupa. Here is a fountain, the waters of which are
as clear as a mirror. Here it was, during the athletic contest, that
the arrow of the prince, after penetrating the targets, fell and buried
itself up to the feathers in the ground, causing a clear spring of water
to flow forth. Common tradition has called this the arrow fountain
(sarakupa); persons who are sick, by drinking the water of this spring
are mostly restored to health; and so people from a distance taking back
with them some of the mud (moist earth) of this place, and applying it
to the part where they suffer pain, recover from their ailments.
Lumbini: To the north east of the arrow well about 80
or 90li (about 24 km), we come to Lumbini (Lavani) garden. Here is the
bathing tank of the Sakyas, the water of which is bright and clear as a
mirror, and the surface covered with a mixture of flowers. To the north
of this 24 or 25 pace there is an asoka flower tree which is now
decayed; this is the place where Bodhisattva was born on the eighth day
of the second half of the month called Vaisakha.
Ramagrama: From this (Lumbini garden) going east 300
li (about 86 km) or so, across a wild and deserted jungle, we arrive at
the kingdom of Lan-mo [Ramagrama] (Beal, 1983: 13-25:).
Hiuen Tsian mentions that the area of the royal precincts is about 4 km
in circuit that was protected with high and strong defense wall. A
series of archaeological excavations have revealed Tilaurakot as big
palace complex enclosed by 10-12 feet wide defense wall and deep and
wide moat encircling it from outside. Similarly, he locates Kudan, the
ancient Nyagrodharama to be about 1.5 km south of the capital city and
provides reference of the city to be south east of Gotihawa which is
just 8.64 km south-west of Niglihawa. So is the distance and direction
of Tilaurakot from these two historical sites bearing Asoka pillars. He
locates Kapilavastu from Lumbini, the most noticeable place being the
birthplace of the Buddha and site of Asoka pillar more accurately in
terms of direction and distance. He locates Sarakupa to be about 8 km
south-east of Kapilavastu palace and Lumbini about 24 km north-east of
Sarakupa. It simply means that Lumbini is situated about 28 km east of
Kapilavastu which is exact location of Tilaurakot today.
III. Archaeological Excavations and findings and conclusions of Archaeologists
A series of archaeological excavations were conducted at Tilaurakot by
renowned archaeologists that included Dr. A. Fuhrer (1897), P. C.
Mukherji (1899), Debala Mitra (1962), Tarananda Mishra (1967-72), Babu
Krishna Rijal (1972-73) and a joint team from Rissho University of Japan
DoA, Nepal (1967-77) over a 100-year of period. The vestiges of the
fortification walls, moats, palaces, stupas, temples, viharas, ponds and
guardrooms have been revealed and large amounts of antiquities have
been collected from those excavations at Tilaurakot (Rai, 2010:116).
Some of the findings are as following:
Monuments
The Fort (Kot)
The kot of Tilaura was confirmed as ancient Sakya capital city by PC
Mukherji after his first scientific excavation at Tilaurakot and so is
mentioned in his report. The fort extends over a large area, stretching
1,600 feet (487.68 m) from the south to the north and 1,000 feet (304.8
m) from the east to the west. Tilaurakot fulfills all conditions as
early Buddhist literatures and the Chinese travelers mention (Mukherji,
1969: 19). The palaces were built on elevated area for safety and
security of the palace in ancient times.
The Fortification Wall
The fort wall encloses the elevated plain area of Tilaurakot in the
middle. After running straight north for a certain distance, it curves
slightly in conformity with the bank of the Banganga River. The wall,
thus, is roughly pentagonal in shape. The measurement of the wall from
north to south is 500 m while it is 405 m east to west through the
center. The fortification wall, surrounded by a moat rampart, is made up
of bricks and brickbats of size 12 ¼ inches x 8 inches x 2 inches. The
wall is of 10-12 feet wide, which means it must have been very high.
Buddhist scriptures mention its height to be of 18 feet. This majestic
fortification wall enclosed the ancient Sakya palace (Bidari, 2007:
198). The design of a deep moat surrounding the defense wall in all
directions, points to the strong defense system of the palace. The moat
used to be a deep and wide water ditch full of crocodiles and other
man-eater aquatic animals attached with the fort wall so that it would
be almost impossible for the enemies to swim across the moat to
penetrate into the palace premises.
The Gate
Four gates have been found along the fortification wall in each
cardinal direction. Of the four gates, archaeologists have so far
excavated two. The exposed western gate is made up of bricks, brickbats,
mortar, wood and iron, had many doors, one after another. Archaeologist
T. N. Mishra found three phases of construction of the gateway. He
found the first and second phases of construction in the layer 3 dating
from 2nd-1st century B.C. The third phase of construction is associated
with layer 2, which dates from 1st - 2nd century A.D (Bidari, 2007:
259). P. C. Mukherji explored the eastern gate in 1899. He uncovered an
ancient large square building close to the gate, which he assumes that
might have been used for security purposes. The middle section of the
eastern fort wall, which has been identified as the Mahaviniskramana
Dwara or Mangal Dwara, is the gate from where Prince Siddhartha walked
out of the palace (Rijal, 1996: 104). It is said that when Prince
Siddhartha set out on the journey, the guards posted at the gate and
people of Kapilavastu had fallen asleep and did not notice anything
(Mitra, 1998: 261-63). A number of doors found along the gateway are
guardrooms that indicates a high degree of precaution and security
management of the palace, the main administrative complex and the
residences of the king.
Kanthaka Stupa
About 100 m east of the gate lies a stupa, believed to be erected at
the spot where Kanthaka, the favorite horse of Prince Siddhartha, had
died. It is believed that the horse had a sole purpose to accomplish -
to take the Bodhisattva out of the world of luxury and help him attain
perfect enlightenment. After crossing the Anoma River, Siddhartha shaved
his head and formally entered the world of monkshood. He sent Chhanna,
his charioteer, and Kanthaka, the horse, back home. The horse served the
destined purpose and died before entering the palace gate (Rijal, 1996:
24). Both Chinese travelers have noticed the stupa during their visit
to Kapilavastu.
Northeast Pond
A large man-made pond lies in the north-eastern corner of the fort.
The ancient pond might have been built for pleasures of the Sakya royal
palace, as there is a mound, possibly the ruin of the palace to the west
of it on an elevated surface. There is another pond to the south of the
hypothesized palace (Mukherji, 1969:20). Mukherji uncovered many ponds
during Tilaurakot excavation. The Lalita-vistara mentions about many
ponds in the palace of Suddhodana.
Samai Devi Temple
The temple of Samai Mayi, the sylvan deity, was found close to the
exposed palace annex to the north-west part of the fort (Mukherji, 1969:
20). The temple houses fragments of ancient sculptures assumed to be
worshipped by members of the Sakya dynasty as mentioned in Buddhist
literatures. There is a mention of temples in the complex of the Sakya
palace in the Lalita-vistara, and travel accounts of the early Chinese
pilgrims.
The Palace Site
Japanese archeologists under the leadership of Nakamura have exposed
the ruins of a palace-like structure on the north-western part of the
fort, which they speculate it as the northern wing of the ancient Sakya
palace. The exposed complex is, though smaller and is possibly a part of
the main building of the palace. However, the vestiges belong to a
later period of the Sakya dynasty (Nakamura et al., 2000: 252). The
complex might possibly have been built with the best available materials
of the time. However, brick had not been introduced in this region by
then. For this reason, archeologists have not uncovered any palace
structure of the Buddha period. This will require massive and intensive
excavation to reveal the Sakya period palaces, which possibly were made
up of perishable objects.
Metal Workshop
T.N. Mishra found a metal workshop near the southern defense wall.
According to him, the smiths used the workshop to make weapons,
agricultural tools and household utensils. Coins also seem to have been
minted in the workshop. The workshop had a big oven, and metal objects
were found near by. They include two big water jugs, pieces of copper
pots, 12 early cast copper coins, two iron spades, iron chisels and
frying pans (Bidari, 2007: 260). The discovery of the weapons factory
and coin minting plant in the locality supports the assumption that it
was the capital city of the Sakyas.
Ancient Roads
Mishra unearthed ancient roads dating from 7th - 6th century B.C. to
2nd century A.D. in the vicinity of the fortified area of Tilaurakot.
The roads were very wide and paved with bricks and brickbats. Some roads
have stone edging on both sides. Very interestingly, some roads have
eight inches soling made from iron slag (ibid: 260). Such an improved
road transport in the vicinity indicates that the place was very
important.
Pottery
The potteries found at Tilaurakot date from 6th century B.C. - 8th
century A.D. They can be categorized into Painted Grey Ware, Northern
Black Polished Ware, Black and Red Ware, Red Ware and Grey Ware (Mitra,
1972: 15). However, the PG Wares with its associate findings can be
dated back to the 9th century BC or earlier elsewhere. There were some
serious shortcomings in the dating of antiquities by Debala Mitra in
Tilaurakot excavation.
Terracotta Figurines
Human figurines, animal figurines, toy carts and toy wheels were
discovered by Debala Mitra at Tilaurakot. These figurines date from the
pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga and Kushana periods (Bidari, 2007: 223).
Coins
Mishra collected silver and copper punch marked coins, early cast
coins, die-struck coins etc from Tilaurakot (Bidari, 2007: 264). Coins
of various shapes and sizes belonging to different periods were
discovered during the excavations. The coins mainly included copper
ones; they were punch marked coins, inscribed copper coins and
uninscribed copper coins (Mitra, 1972: 84-91). These coins prove that
there was systematic trade and prosperity in the Sakya kingdom.
Stone Objects
Debala Mitra found 31 stone objects in total. Some of the stone objects
found were ornaments. They were fine grained and well polished
sandstone products. Some of them were fragments of rods turned and
tapered by a lathe machine (Bidari, 2007:224). Discovery of stone
objects suggests the ancientness of the site.
Sakya Token and Sealings
The seals and sealings uncovered at Tilaurakot bear legends read as
Ne-ga-ma, Ne-ga-me-ya, Da-vi-la-sa, Jetha-kichakama, Sa-ka-na-sya etc
(ibid, 273). Among these seals, the one bearing the legend Sa-ka-na-sya
(the token of the Sakyas) designates the site with association to the
Sakyas.
Miscellaneous Objects
Casual wears like beads and bangles made of clay, stone and metal; bone
and ivory objects; metal objects including pots and vessels, weapons
such as the arrow, knife and dagger, and ornaments like rings, bangles
and beads made of gold, silver, copper and bronze were richly obtained
out of Tilaurakot excavations. The unearthing of these objects from
excavation suggests Tilaurakot to have been an important place in
ancient times.
IV. Conclusions of Archaeologists
Dr. Alios Fuhrer
Fuhrer excavated Kapilavastu sites mainly Sagahawa from 22 December
1897 to March 1898. His report ascertains Tilaurakot as ancient Sakya
capital. He opines that ancient Kapilavastu capital city includes
greater area including Kudan, Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa etc and
being Tilaurakot the inner or core city where the Sakyan palace was
situated.
P.C. Mukherji
Mukherji, the senior archeologist of India conducted first scientific
archaeological excavations in different potential archaeological sites
in and around Kapilavastu from 3 February 1899 to 29 March of the same
year. He is highly credited for a painstaking job of scientifically
exploring many sites and preparing convincing reports and drawings of
the sites. According to him, Tilaurakot fulfills all the conditions of
Sakya palace complex as mentioned in the Buddhist literature. His
excavation report confirms Tilaurakot as ancient Sakya capital city.
Debala Mitra
After P C Mukherji, Mitra was commissioned to Nepalese Terai for
archeological excavations of potential sites. She conducted brief
excavations at Tilaurakot and collected antiquities in 1962. She
mentioned that the antiquities collected by her were not earlier than
the 300 BC. But soon, she realized shortcomings in her conclusion and
corrected the report dating the same antiquities to have been of 600 BC,
which became acceptable to the Government of Nepal as well.
Tara Nanda Mishra
Mishra, the then senior archeological officer of the Department of
Archeology continued excavations from 1967 to 1972. His work brought 3
periods and 9 layers of cultural depositions to light at Tilaurakot. He
dated the 9th layer of defense wall to the 7th-6th BC. He also uncovered
western gate way complex, three phases of defense wall with the outer
moat surrounding it, roads of 7th - 6th BC to the 2nd BC and recovered a
large amount of antiquities from Tilaurakot. He also excavated
Dhamnihawa mound and exposed the twin stupas. His research guarantied
Tilaurakot being ancient Sakya capital city.
Babu Krishna Rijal
Rijal, the then Chief Archeological Officer of Nepal and his team in
Kapilavastu, followed Mishra. The team excavated and explored more than
30 different archeological sites in the Kapilavastu region during the
season of 1972-1973. Rijal divided human deposition within the fortified
area of Tilaurakot into 4 periods. Of them, Period I yielded Painted
Grey Wares dating back to 8th-7th century BC, Northern Black Polished
Wares were richly found the Period II that dated back to 6th – 5th
century BC, the Period III yielded red wares associated with NBP and
Grey ware was assigned to be of Mauryan period and the Period IV
consisted of red ware and black-slipped grey ware was dated of Sunga and
Kushana period. Hence Rijal confirmed prevalence of human settlement at
Tilaurakot by 8th century BC.
V. Geographical Location, Position and Characteristics of Tilaurakot
Location
Based on the early Buddhist sources, Basanta Bidari concludes that the
banished royal children of king Ikshvaku who hailed from Kosala kingdom
towards north and lived on the foothills of the Himalayas, on the east
bank of ancient Bhagirathi (Banganga at present) River near the
hermitage of Sage Kapila (Bidari, 2002: 8). There is not any river
existed near by Piprahawa, the site situated in the Indian plains far
from the Himalayas of the north.
Position
Let the Sakyans and the Koliyans see you
Facing the west, crossing the Rohini River (Theragatha verses: 527-33)
The Theragatha Commentary provides information about the location and
direction of Kapilavastu to the reference of River Rohini and Koliya
kingdom. According to the commentary, the River Rohini flows southwards
and separates the Sakya kingdom Kapilavastu on the west from the Koliya
kingdom on the east. Rajagaha lies far to the south across the Ganges.
People traveling to Kapilavastu from Rajagaha via the Vajjian country
and then the Koliyan country would cross the river Rohini facing the
west.
Rhys Davids determines that position of Kapilavastu to be 60 (540
miles) from Rajgriha, 50 (450 miles) from Vaisali and 6/7 (50/60 miles)
from Sravasti and opines that Tilaurakot roughly lies in this position
(Rhys Davids, 1971:17:).
Chinese travelers Fa- Hsien (399 AD) and Hiuen Tsiang (629 AD) both had
seen Gotihawa and Niglihawa with stone pillars erected by Emperor Asoka
near by Kapilavastu. These great sites are close to Tilaurakot. Hiuen
Tsiang locates Lumbini about 30 km the east of Kapilavastu which is
accurate distance and direction of Tilaurakot today.
Characteristics
We find many artifacts, which prove existence of human settlements
around Tilaurakot extended in a vast area from 8th or 7th century BC.
The existence of civic life around Tilaurakot is clearly evident as
archaeological excavations have proven Gotihawa (7 km south-west) of
about 9th century BC, Kudan (5 km south) of about 3rd century BC or
earlier, Niglihawa (8 km east) of about time immemorial to 3rd century
BC, Sagarhawa (5 km north) of about 5/6th century BC. It was mandatory
for a palace to be surrounded by civic settlements because of security
and other purposes. So Tilaurakot fulfills all the qualification of a
capital city. While not even a single archaeological site of Buddha
period have found so far in the surrounding of Piprahawa. It simply
means that Piprahawa by then was surrounded by forest from all sides.
How could a king rule from the jungle? It was not difficult but also
impossible to rule a country from the middle of the jungle for security
of the king who used to be Supremo of the state and legislative,
judiciary and executive head. Ruling a country from the jungle is not
viable for political, administrative, economic and other reasons even
today.
Archaeologists have revealed a 10-12 feet wide fortification wall with
four big gates in 4 cardinal directions and watchtowers surrounding
Tilaurakot. A deep and wide moat encircles the fortification wall from
the outside. The large fortified area with an intensive security systems
in the design suggests Tilaurakot deserve all qualities to be a royal
palace.
Conclusion
The association of ancient Kapilavastu with Gotihawa and Niglihawa;
position of Tilaurakot to the reference of the Himalayas, Lumbini
garden, the Banganga River and the Rohini river; huge fortified palace
complex with a moat encircling the fortification wall and uncovering of
wide range of antiquities dating back to 8th or 9th century BC to Kushan
and Gupta period including the seals bearing inscription Sa-ka-na-sya
(token of the Sakyas) etc firmly establish Tilaurakot to have been
childhood hometown of Siddhartha. This fact is also supported by the
version of Chinese pilgrims and early Buddhist texts. Consequently
renowned archeologists and contemporary scholars confirmed present day
Tilaurakot of Nepal as the ancient Sakya capital city. While
K.M.Srivastava's claim of Piprahawa as ancient Kapilavastu on the basis
of Piprahwa seals containing inscriptions -Devaputravihara, Kapilavastu
Bhikhu Sangha and Maha Kapilavastu Bhikku Sangha could not stand in
front of concrete archaeological evidences found at Tilaurakot. The
three seals uncovered by Srivastava do not suffice to prove Piprahawa as
the Sakya palace rather it suggests the site to be a Vihara complex
associated to Bhikkhu Sangha (association of monk) of Kapilavastu.
With evidences discussed above and opinion of renowned archaeologists,
researchers, and scholars it can be concluded without any doubt that
present day Tilaurakot is the ancient Kapilavastu, the Sakya capital
city. It was the palace complex of King Suddhodana, where Siddhartha
lived as a prince, and experienced the worldly life. Having understood
reality and inevitability of suffering in life, he renounced all
luxuries from the eastern gate and set out in a journey of search of
supreme wisdom.
Nevertheless we cannot ignore or underestimate the significance of
Piprahawa. It was an important Vihara complex amidst the jungle under
the control of Kapilavastu Bhikkhu Sangha possibly after Buddha's
mahaparinirvana (great demise). The site of Piprahawa therefore can be
assumed to have been an important place of Buddhist learning and
practices under the authority of Bhikkhu Sangha of Kapilavastu.
Ancient Sakya Kingdom was extended in a large area stretching from the
Himalayas on the north, Kushinagar and Pava to the south, the Rohini
River on the east and the Rapti River on west. The area of ancient
Kapilavastu was shared between Nepal and India during the political
division of the neighboring countries. Of them, Kapilavastu, ancient
Sakya capital city present day Tilaurakot fell within boundary of Nepal
and Sakya Vihara complex present day Piprahawa fell within boundary of
India during the demarcation of border between the neighbouring
countries. Hence, both significant Buddhist sites should be visited with
much devotion. And spiritual tourism should be promoted in integrated
manner in mutual effort and cooperation of Nepal and India. The
neighbouring countries together can tap the huge potential of spiritual
tourism from the Buddhists world over, as one of the biggest markets by
understanding and accepting the outstanding cultural value of Tilaurakot
as ancient Sakya capital city proper and Piprahawa as ancient Sakya
monastery. The neighboring countries together can tap the huge
potential of spiritual tourism from the Buddhists world over, as one of
the biggest markets by understanding and accepting the outstanding
cultural value of "Tilaurakot as ancient Sakya capital city proper" and
"Piprahawa as ancient Sakya monastery".
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. References
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II. Appendix (Measurement Unit)
1 mile = 5.55 li
1 km = 3.47 li
1 yojana = 9 miles = 14.41 km
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