Lesson 2/54 min
Somapura Mahavihara (Paharpur)
Somapura Vihara / Paharpur Buddhist Vihara
- Location: Paharpur, Naogaon district; also called Paharpur Buddhist Vihara
- A monument of the Pala period; builder the Pala king Dharmapala
- The book gives the construction period as 781–821 CE
- The vihara measures about 274 m × 274 m
- The largest number of stone sculptures and terracotta plaques have been found here
- Called the finest monument of Buddhist civilisation; UNESCO World Heritage in 1985
- Satyapirer Bhita is in this area (Naogaon)
Watch out: The printed exam answer is that Dharmapala built Somapura (42nd and 24th BCS). The seals carry Dharmapala's name, but sources date his reign anywhere from 770 to 821, so remember the name, not the years. If a question says it was built in the 7th century, note that it is actually of the Pala period (8th–9th century).
Jagaddala Vihara
- Location: Dhamoirhat, Naogaon
- Builder: King Ramapala
- An important centre of learning in ancient Bengal
Vikramshila Mahavihara
- Location: Antichak, Bihar, India
- A vihara outside Bangladesh, yet it appears in the books and in exams
Check yourself
Who built the Somapura Vihara, and in which district is it?
At a glance
- 1
Somapura Vihara (Paharpur) is in Naogaon; the work of the Pala king Dharmapala.
- 2
Paharpur has yielded the most stone sculptures and terracotta plaques; UNESCO recognition in 1985.
- 3
Jagaddala Vihara is at Dhamoirhat, Naogaon; builder King Ramapala.
- 4
Vikramshila Mahavihara is at Antichak in Bihar, India.