Nigali Sagar (also called Nigliva,[1]Nigali Sagar pillar, Nighihawa pillar, Nigliva pillar, or Araurakot pillar) is an archaeological site in Nepal containing the remains of a pillar of Ashoka. The site is located in Nigalihawa, about 20 kilometers northwest of Lumbini and 7 kilometers northeast of Taulihawa.[2] Another famous inscription discovered nearby in a similar context is the Lumbini pillar inscription.
The pillar was discovered in 1893 by a Nepalese officer on a hunting expedition.[3][4] The pillar and its inscriptions (there are several inscriptions on it, from Brahmi to Medieval) were researched in March 1895 by Alois Anton Führer. Führer published his discovery in the Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey Circle, North-West Province, for the year ending on June 30, 1895.[1] The fact that the inscription was discovered by Führer, who is also known to have forged Brahmi inscriptions on ancient stone artefacts, casts a doubt on the authenticity of this inscription.[5]
Nigali Sagar pillar with inscription
Nigali Sagar pillar stump with exposed inscription, and separated top portion.[6]
The pillar was not erected in-situ, as no foundation has been discovered under it. It is thought that it was moved about 8 to 13 miles, from an uncertain location.[7]
Besides his description of the pillar, Führer made a detailed description of the remains of a monumental "Konagamana stupa" near the Nigali Sagar pillar,[8] which was later discovered to be an imaginative construct.[9] Führer wrote that "On all sides around this interesting monument are ruined monasteries, fallen columns, and broken sculptures", when actually nothing can be found around the pillar.[10] In the following years, inspections of the site showed that there were no such archaeological remains, and that, in respect to Fuhrer's description "every word of it is false".[11] It was finally understood in 1901 that Führer had copied almost word-for-word this description from a report by Alexander Cunningham about the stupas in Sanchi.[12]
Kanakamuni Buddha
"Budha-sa Konākamana-sa" (𑀩𑀼𑀥𑀲 𑀓𑁄𑀦𑀸𑀓𑀫𑀦𑀲, "Of the Kanakamuni Buddha") inscription in the Brahmi Script, at Nigali Sagar, 250 BCE
It is said that in this place the Kanakamuni Buddha, one of the Buddhas of the past, was born.[13] The Asoka inscription engraved on the pillar in Brahmi script and Pali language attests the fact that Emperor Asoka enlarged the Kanakamuni Buddha's stupa, worshiped it and erected a stone pillar for Kanakamuni Buddha on the occasion of the twentieth year of his coronation.
Added to the doubts on the authenticity of the inscription, the very mention of a "divinized Buddha having been several time reborn" and preceded by other Buddhas such as Kanakamuni Buddha, inscribed on a pillar in a historical period as early as the 3rd century BCE, is considered by some authors as quite doubtful and problematic.[14] Such complex religious constructions are generally considered as belonging to later stages of the development of Buddhism.[14]
“His Majesty King Priyadarsin in the 14th year of his reign enlarged for the second time the stupa of the Buddha Kanakamuni and in the 20th year of his reign, having come in person, paid reverence and set up a stone pillar”.[15][16]
Because of this dedication by Ashoka, the Nigali Sagar pillar has the earliest known record ever of the word "stupa" (here the Pali word Thube).[17]
There is also a second inscription, "Om mani padme hum" and "Sri Ripu Malla Chiram Jayatu 1234" made by King Ripu Malla in the year 1234 (Saka Era, corresponding to 1312 CE).
Accounts of the pillar
Fragments of Gotihawa and Nigali Sagar, possibly belonging to the same pillar.[18]
The Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien (337 CE – c. 422 CE) and Xuanzang (602–664 CE) describe the Kanakamuni Stupa and the Asoka Pillar in their travel accounts. Xuanzang speaks of a lion capital atop the pillar, now lost.
A base of a Pillar of Ashoka has been discovered at Gotihawa, a few miles from Nigali Sagar, and it has been suggested that it is the original base of the Nigalar Sagar pillar fragments.[18]
Gallery
Birthplace of Koṇāgamana Buddha. Nigalihawa, Kapilvastu District, Nepal
Statue commemorating the birthplace of Koṇāgamana Buddha. Nigalihawa, Kapilvastu District, Nepal
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ashoka Pillar, Nigali Sagar.
^ abSmith, VA (1897). "The Birthplace of Gautama Buddha". The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 29 (3): 615–21. doi:10.1017/S0035869X00024758. JSTOR 25207888. S2CID 162671036.
^"Niglihawa: The Birthplace of Kanakamuni Buddha". Kapilavastu: Monuments. Lumbini, Nepal: Lumbini Development Trust. 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
^Falk, H (1998). The Discovery of Lumbini. Occasional Papers. Vol. 1. Lumbini, Nepal: Lumbini International Research Institute. pp. 1–22.
^Waddell, LA; Wylie, H; Konstam, EM (1897). "The Discovery of the Birthplace of the Buddha". The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. 29 (3): 645–6. JSTOR 25207894.
^Führer, AA (1897). Monograph on Buddha Sakyamuni's birth-place in the Nepalese tarai /. Allahabad : Govt. Press, N.W.P. and Oudh.
^Mukherji, PC; Smith, VA (1901). A report on a tour of exploration of the antiquities in the Tarai, Nepal the region of Kapilavastu;. Calcutta, Office of the superintendent of government printing, India.
^Führer, AA (1897). Monograph on Buddha Sakyamuni's birth-place in the Nepalese tarai /. Allahabad: Govt. Press, N.W.P. and Oudh. p. 22.
^""On all sides around this interesting monument are ruined monasteries, fallen columns, and broken sculptures." This elaborate description was not supported by a single drawing, plan, or photograph. Every word of it is false." in Rijal, Babu Krishna; Mukherji, Poorno Chander (1996). 100 Years of Archaeological Research in Lumbini, Kapilavastu & Devadaha. S.K. International Publishing House. p. 58.
^Mukherji, P. C.; Smith, Vincent Arthur (1901). A report on a tour of exploration of the antiquities in the Tarai, Nepal the region of Kapilavastu;. Calcutta, Office of the superintendent of government printing, India. p. 4.
^Political Violence in Ancient India by Upinder Singh p.46
^ abBeckwith, Christopher I. (2017). Greek Buddha: Pyrrho's Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia. Princeton University Press. pp. 233–235. ISBN978-0-691-17632-1.
^ abBasanta Bidari - 2004 Kapilavastu: the world of Siddhartha - Page 87
^ abInscriptions of Asoka. New Edition by E. Hultzsch (in Sanskrit). 1925. p. 165.
^Amaravati: The Art of an early Buddhist Monument in context. p.23
^ abIrwin, John (1974). "'Aśokan' Pillars: A Reassessment of the Evidence-II: Structure". The Burlington Magazine. 116 (861): 721. ISSN 0007-6287. JSTOR 877843.
See also
Google location and photographs
January 06, 2023
nigali, sagar, also, called, nigliva, pillar, nighihawa, pillar, nigliva, pillar, araurakot, pillar, archaeological, site, nepal, containing, remains, pillar, ashoka, site, located, nigalihawa, about, kilometers, northwest, lumbini, kilometers, northeast, taul. Nigali Sagar also called Nigliva 1 Nigali Sagar pillar Nighihawa pillar Nigliva pillar or Araurakot pillar is an archaeological site in Nepal containing the remains of a pillar of Ashoka The site is located in Nigalihawa about 20 kilometers northwest of Lumbini and 7 kilometers northeast of Taulihawa 2 Another famous inscription discovered nearby in a similar context is the Lumbini pillar inscription Nigali Sagar pillar of Ashoka at NepalThe Nigali Sagar pillar one of the pillars of Ashoka MaterialPolished sandstoneSizeHeight Width Period culture3rd century BCEDiscovered27 35 41 7 N 83 05 44 9 E 27 594917 N 83 095806 E 27 594917 83 095806 Coordinates 27 35 41 7 N 83 05 44 9 E 27 594917 N 83 095806 E 27 594917 83 095806PlaceNigalihawa Nepal Present locationNigalihawa Nepal Nigali SagarShow map of NepalNigali SagarShow map of South Asia Contents 1 Discovery 2 Kanakamuni Buddha 3 The Nigali Sagar Edict 4 Accounts of the pillar 5 Gallery 6 References 7 See alsoDiscovery EditThe pillar was discovered in 1893 by a Nepalese officer on a hunting expedition 3 4 The pillar and its inscriptions there are several inscriptions on it from Brahmi to Medieval were researched in March 1895 by Alois Anton Fuhrer Fuhrer published his discovery in the Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey Circle North West Province for the year ending on June 30 1895 1 The fact that the inscription was discovered by Fuhrer who is also known to have forged Brahmi inscriptions on ancient stone artefacts casts a doubt on the authenticity of this inscription 5 Nigali Sagar pillar with inscription Nigali Sagar pillar stump with exposed inscription and separated top portion 6 The pillar was not erected in situ as no foundation has been discovered under it It is thought that it was moved about 8 to 13 miles from an uncertain location 7 Besides his description of the pillar Fuhrer made a detailed description of the remains of a monumental Konagamana stupa near the Nigali Sagar pillar 8 which was later discovered to be an imaginative construct 9 Fuhrer wrote that On all sides around this interesting monument are ruined monasteries fallen columns and broken sculptures when actually nothing can be found around the pillar 10 In the following years inspections of the site showed that there were no such archaeological remains and that in respect to Fuhrer s description every word of it is false 11 It was finally understood in 1901 that Fuhrer had copied almost word for word this description from a report by Alexander Cunningham about the stupas in Sanchi 12 Kanakamuni Buddha Edit Budha sa Konakamana sa 𑀩 𑀥𑀲 𑀓 𑀦 𑀓𑀫𑀦𑀲 Of the Kanakamuni Buddha inscription in the Brahmi Script at Nigali Sagar 250 BCE It is said that in this place the Kanakamuni Buddha one of the Buddhas of the past was born 13 The Asoka inscription engraved on the pillar in Brahmi script and Pali language attests the fact that Emperor Asoka enlarged the Kanakamuni Buddha s stupa worshiped it and erected a stone pillar for Kanakamuni Buddha on the occasion of the twentieth year of his coronation Added to the doubts on the authenticity of the inscription the very mention of a divinized Buddha having been several time reborn and preceded by other Buddhas such as Kanakamuni Buddha inscribed on a pillar in a historical period as early as the 3rd century BCE is considered by some authors as quite doubtful and problematic 14 Such complex religious constructions are generally considered as belonging to later stages of the development of Buddhism 14 The Nigali Sagar Edict EditMain article Minor Pillar Edicts The inscription made when Emperor Asoka visited the site in 249 BCE and erected the pillar reads Nigali Sagar Edict Translation English Transliteration original Brahmi script Inscription Prakrit in the Brahmi script His Majesty King Priyadarsin in the 14th year of his reign enlarged for the second time the stupa of the Buddha Kanakamuni and in the 20th year of his reign having come in person paid reverence and set up a stone pillar 15 16 𑀤 𑀯 𑀦 𑀧 𑀬 𑀦 𑀧 𑀬𑀤𑀲 𑀦 𑀮 𑀚 𑀦 𑀘 𑀤𑀲𑀯𑀲 𑀪 𑀲 𑀢 𑀦Devanam piyena piyadasina lajina chodasavasa bhisite na𑀩 𑀥𑀲 𑀓 𑀦 𑀓𑀫𑀦𑀲 𑀣 𑀩 𑀤 𑀢 𑀬 𑀯𑀠 𑀢 Budhasa Konakamanasa thube dutyam vaḍhite𑀯 𑀲𑀢 𑀯 𑀲 𑀪 𑀲 𑀢 𑀦𑀘 𑀅𑀢𑀦 𑀅𑀕 𑀘 𑀫𑀳 𑀬 𑀢 Visativa sabhisitena ca atana agaca mahiyite𑀲 𑀮𑀣𑀩 𑀘 𑀉𑀲𑀧𑀧 𑀢 silathabe ca usa papite 15 16 Rubbing of the inscription Because of this dedication by Ashoka the Nigali Sagar pillar has the earliest known record ever of the word stupa here the Pali word Thube 17 There is also a second inscription Om mani padme hum and Sri Ripu Malla Chiram Jayatu 1234 made by King Ripu Malla in the year 1234 Saka Era corresponding to 1312 CE Accounts of the pillar Edit Fragments of Gotihawa and Nigali Sagar possibly belonging to the same pillar 18 The Chinese pilgrims Fa Hien 337 CE c 422 CE and Xuanzang 602 664 CE describe the Kanakamuni Stupa and the Asoka Pillar in their travel accounts Xuanzang speaks of a lion capital atop the pillar now lost A base of a Pillar of Ashoka has been discovered at Gotihawa a few miles from Nigali Sagar and it has been suggested that it is the original base of the Nigalar Sagar pillar fragments 18 Gallery Edit Birthplace of Koṇagamana Buddha Nigalihawa Kapilvastu District Nepal Statue commemorating the birthplace of Koṇagamana Buddha Nigalihawa Kapilvastu District Nepal Full length of the pillar Another general view Pillar stump and inscription of Ashoka 13th century inscription by King Ripu Malla Inscription of a bird Inscription by Ashoka Rubbing of the inscription Nigali Sagar pillar inscriptions Ashoka pillar inscriptions Nigali Sagar pillar planReferences Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ashoka Pillar Nigali Sagar a b Smith VA 1897 The Birthplace of Gautama Buddha The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 29 3 615 21 doi 10 1017 S0035869X00024758 JSTOR 25207888 S2CID 162671036 Niglihawa The Birthplace of Kanakamuni Buddha Kapilavastu Monuments Lumbini Nepal Lumbini Development Trust 2021 Retrieved June 30 2021 Falk H 1998 The Discovery of Lumbini Occasional Papers Vol 1 Lumbini Nepal Lumbini International Research Institute pp 1 22 Waddell LA Wylie H Konstam EM 1897 The Discovery of the Birthplace of the Buddha The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 29 3 645 6 JSTOR 25207894 Thomas EJ 2002 History of Buddhist Thought Courier Corporation p 155 note 1 ISBN 978 0 486 42104 9 Fuhrer AA 1897 Monograph on Buddha Sakyamuni s birth place in the Nepalese tarai Allahabad Govt Press N W P and Oudh Mukherji PC Smith VA 1901 A report on a tour of exploration of the antiquities in the Tarai Nepal the region of Kapilavastu Calcutta Office of the superintendent of government printing India Fuhrer AA 1897 Monograph on Buddha Sakyamuni s birth place in the Nepalese tarai Allahabad Govt Press N W P and Oudh p 22 Thomas EJ 2000 The Life of Buddha as Legend and History Courier Corporation ISBN 978 0 486 41132 3 On all sides around this interesting monument are ruined monasteries fallen columns and broken sculptures This elaborate description was not supported by a single drawing plan or photograph Every word of it is false in Rijal Babu Krishna Mukherji Poorno Chander 1996 100 Years of Archaeological Research in Lumbini Kapilavastu amp Devadaha S K International Publishing House p 58 Mukherji P C Smith Vincent Arthur 1901 A report on a tour of exploration of the antiquities in the Tarai Nepal the region of Kapilavastu Calcutta Office of the superintendent of government printing India p 4 Falk Harry The discovery of Lumbini p 11 Political Violence in Ancient India by Upinder Singh p 46 a b Beckwith Christopher I 2017 Greek Buddha Pyrrho s Encounter with Early Buddhism in Central Asia Princeton University Press pp 233 235 ISBN 978 0 691 17632 1 a b Basanta Bidari 2004 Kapilavastu the world of Siddhartha Page 87 a b Inscriptions of Asoka New Edition by E Hultzsch in Sanskrit 1925 p 165 Amaravati The Art of an early Buddhist Monument in context p 23 a b Irwin John 1974 Asokan Pillars A Reassessment of the Evidence II Structure The Burlington Magazine 116 861 721 ISSN 0007 6287 JSTOR 877843 See also EditGoogle location and photographs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nigali Sagar amp oldid 1124547881, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
