Buddhist Sites In Karnataka

Historian calls for research on Buddhism in Gulbarga

Sunday March 26 2006 10:24 IST

GULBARGA: Former director of State Archaeology and Museums Department Dr Suryanath Kamat has underlined the need to preserve archaeological monuments, historical sites, inscriptions and other artefacts.

He said the tantrik practices in Buddhism might help understand the rampantly prevalent sorcery called Banamati. The in-depth study of Buddhist culture, which had prevailed in the district thousands of years ago will not only help study history in right perspective, but also psychological understanding of Banamati, he added.

Presiding over the two-day conference of the ‘Gubarga District’s History and Archaeology’ organised jointly by the Directorate Archaeology and Museums, district administration and Gulbarga university here on Saturday Dr Kamath noted that Gulbarga had a very long historical background than any other district in Karnataka.

Maximum number of inscriptions belonging to the Shatavahana period has also been found in this district, he said. Dr Kamath, who is also associated with the Mythic Society and Karnataka Itihasa Academy, regretted that there was a shortage of experts.

“There is a possibility of discovery of large number of inscriptions in future. But we do not have persons knowing Sanskirt and Prakrit languages to study these inscriptions.

“The Sanskrit department of Gulbarga University is on the verge of closure,” he observed.

He stressed the need for preserve the archaeological site at Sannati on the banks of river Bhima in Chittapur taluk where earliest Budhist settlement has been discovered.

He asked the government to develop it in to a prominent tourist centre. He also suggested to declare Rahstrakoota monuments found at Shirwal as National Monuments and to undertake their repair works.

Inaugurating the conference Gulbarga University acting vice-chancellor Pratap Singh Tiwari said there was lot of scope for study and research in the field of history and archaeology in the district.

He noted that a dispassionate history could not be documented unless people’s culture was recognised. Chief-whip in the State Legislative Council Vitthal Herur expressed concern over increasing illegal occupation of historical sites and monuments by vested interests and wanted the Archaeology Department to take steps to preserve them.

source: indonews.com