Ancient ruins of Boxanagar in Tripura | Sepahijala
Boxanagar Ancient Ruins is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Indian state of Tripura. It is unknown who, who, and at what time built the architectural monuments of this archaeological site. However, from the evidence of archeological ruins and artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations, archaeologists imagine that the ancient ruins of Boxanagar are the remembrance of the ancient Buddhist civilization, which developed around the sixth century CE and lasted until the twelfth century CE. This center of Buddhist civilization probably played an important role in the spread of Buddhism at that time.
It is suggested from archaeological ruins and evidence that the Baxanagar ancient ruins in Tripura are contemporary with archaeological sites discovered at Lalmai-Mainamati in Comilla of Bangladesh namely Shalban Vihara, Ananda Vihara, Bhoj Vihara, Kotila Mura, Rupban Mura, Itakhola Mura, etc (?).
Archaeological excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India have discovered the ruins of several architectural structures built of terracotta bricks at Baxanagar. Among them – a ruin of Stupa, a temple ruin, and a Vihara ruin are notable finds here. Archaeologists have proven that these ruins are related to Buddhism.
Each side of the square stupa discovered here measures 15.4 meters. The architectural plan of the stupa reflects the pancharatha. Chaitya griha (hall) is located in the eastern part of the stupa. Excavations brought to light the ruins of a rectangular chaitya griha, extending east-west. The stupa is constructed with terracotta bricks of various sizes and lime sand.
Another rectangular architectural structure’s ruins is exposed at the southeast corner about 30 meters from the stupa. It is a structure of 30 meters long and 18 meters wide. It has ten cells, five in the northern and five in the southern part, and a narrow lane in the middle, which runs east-west. Terracotta bricks of various sizes and lime-sand combinations were also used in its construction.
The ruins of another architectural structure were exposed about 25 meters northeast corner of the vihara and about 65 meters east of the stupa. The rectangular structure measuring 23.5 meters long and 15.5 meters wide appears to be the ruins of a temple. The temple has a central sanctum and front entrance complex, projecting towards the west. Its construction also uses different sizes of terracotta bricks and lime-sand combinations.
It is also known that notable artifacts are found here which are – three copper images of Buddha, specially shaped bricks, stupas, seals, and silver coins. In 1988 CE, the Archaeological Survey of India took over the responsibility of conservation and supervision of the site.
This archaeological site named Baxanagar Ancient Ruins is located in the Boxanagar block of the Bishalgarh sub-division in Sipahijala, one of the districts of Tripura state, 36 kilometers south by the road of Agartala, the capital of Tripura. Anyone may easily visit this archaeological site by vehicle namely minibus, microbus, auto, motorcycle, etc. by road. [Md Shahin Alam]
References:
- Archaeological Survey of India, Aizawl and Guwahati Circle;
- Author’s field visit to Boxanagar Ancient Ruins in Tripura.
Ancient ruins of Boxanagar in Tripura
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