Role of Alexander Cunningham in the Discovery of Buddhist Monasteries
Keywords:
Alexander Cunningham, Buddhist Monasteries, Archaeological Survey of India, Buddhist Heritage, Indian Archaeology, Buddhist Sites, Cultural PreservationAbstract
Sir Alexander Cunningham, the pioneering archaeologist and founder of the Archaeological Survey of India, made significant contributions to the discovery and documentation of Buddhist monasteries and related sites across India. His work was crucial in identifying and preserving numerous sites of Buddhist heritage, including Stupas, Viharas (monasteries), and inscriptions. This article examines Cunningham’s contributions to the rediscovery of Buddhist monasteries, exploring his methods, significant findings, and the enduring impact of his work on the study of Buddhism and archaeology.
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9. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Archives: ASI Official site http://asi.nic.in/
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54(3), Pp. 270-303.
2. Caspers, E. D. (1991). A History of Indian Archaeology from the Beginning to 1947.
3. Deheja, V. (1992). Early Buddhist Rock Temples: A Chronology.
4. Lahiri, N. (2012). Finding Forgotten Cities: How the Indus Civilization was Discovered.
5. Marshall, J. (1960). The Buddhist Art of Gandhara: The Story of the Early School. Its Birth, Growth, and Decline.
6. Mitra, D. (1971). Buddhist Monuments.
7. Ray, H. P. (2000). The Winds of Change: Buddhism and the Maritime Links of Early South Asia. Caspers
8. Singh, U. (2004). The Discovery of Ancient India: Early Archaeologists and the Beginnings of Archaeology.
Online Resources:
9. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Archives: ASI Official site http://asi.nic.in/
10. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: https://whc.unesco. org/en/list
Published
2025-09-30
Issue
Section
Review Article
