Brick Stupa near Bimbisara Road is the stone and brick structure of archaeological significance. While trekking up to Bimbisara road, there are two brick stupas, the first about 73 metres from the base and the second further up where the road turns to the north.
Mentioning of Hiuen Tsang
Hiuen Tsang noticed the two stupas. He says that the first commemorated the spot where Bimbisara got down from his chariot and the second where the king sent back the crowd that was accompanying him.
Discovery of the Brick Stupas
These stupas were opened in 1905- 1906. But nothing very interesting was found. It is claimed that this brick stupa that is discovered known as the largest stupa in the world.
Stone Structures near Bimbisara
The stone structure of Bimbisara was built by Ajatashatru. It is mentioned in ancient Buddhist texts and in the accounts of foreign travellers but was buried in the sands of time for thousands of years.
Importance of Brick Stupa near Bimbisara Road
Brick Stupa near Bimbisara Road was built over the relics of Gautama Buddha after his death in 483 BC in Kushinagar. The relics were divided into eight categories and as many stupas were built by the Licchavi kings and by Ajatasatru who belonged to the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha and had his capital in Rajgir.
Archaeological Survey of Brick Stupa near Bimbisara Road
According to Indian historical sources in the archaeological survey, the stupa built in Rajgir by Ajatashatru had remained untraced. The Mahaparinirvansutta, a book on the life of Gautama Buddha, mentions the stupa, built of brick, and says that its location is somewhere in Rajgir. The stupa is mentioned even in the accounts of foreign travellers like Fahien, who has talked of the structure in detail. It is believed that the stupa might have been located somewhere in the northern side of the city. But they abandoned hope after extensive excavations yielded a stone structure. There was no doubt about the stupa being built of brick since Atma Katha, another authentic source of Buddhist stupas, says the structure was brick-made. In independent India, the brick stupas began on the southern side only after this. On the south-eastern side of Rajgir town, which had been covered with thick forest, the history-diggers saw a flat land flanked by mounds. Survey experts, who were working on the possible location of the stupa, decided to excavate this area in 1997. Soon a structure emerged, raising hopes among the excavators. The structure that has now been unearthed is made of bricks and has two terraces measuring 29 metres by 25 metres. On top of terrace, a structure has been found that matches the description given in Jivakamravana, an ancient Buddhist text.
