Evolution of the Patronage Base of Buddhist and Brahmanical Religious Centres: A Study of Inscriptions on Copper Plates, Stone, Terracotta Seals and Sealings, and Metal Vases

A significant discovery reveals the extensive patronage and pilgrimage network of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, dating back to the Sunga period. The study, based on inscriptions from copper plates, stone slabs, terracotta seals, sealings, and metal vases, highlights that the temple's influence extended beyond early medieval Bihar and Bengal, attracting pilgrims from as far as Sri Lanka, China, and Burma. Notably, while inscriptions on seals are common in Nalanda excavations, Bodh Gaya shows a scarcity of such epigraphic data, contrasting with its rich history of royal patronage and international pilgrimage. This research sheds light on the temple's evolving religious significance and its role as a hub for both Buddhist and Brahmanical traditions.

Prasad, B. N. (2021). Evolution of the Patronage Base of Buddhist and Brahmanical Religious Centres: A Study of Inscriptions on Copper Plates, Stone, Terracotta Seals and Sealings, and Metal Vases. Archaeology of Religion in South Asia, 381–489. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003194361-6