Ahmedabad: The present-day Vallabhipur, about 40 km from Bhavnagar, is a small town with a population of 15,000. However, between the 3rd and 8th centuries CE, it was the seat of the Maitrakas, one of the early rulers of the region.
The town was also famous for its university, Valabhi Vidyapith, which was compared with the revered Nalanda University in present-day Bihar by Chinese travellers Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) and Yijing in the 7th century CE. A recent study found remains of the famed town in satellite imagery.
The findings were published in the paper ‘Ancient Valabhi: A Remote Sensing Perspective’ by Arya S Pradeep and MB Rajani from the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) recently.
The researchers draw parallels with existing structures of a similar nature to indicate that the remains, mostly buried beneath the existing town, include the ruling seat, university, and monastery.
Rajani, associate professor at NIAS, told TOI that it started for them with a collaborative project with SAC-Isro on geo-archaeology. Some of the sites were selected that have undergone geomorphological challenges. “Along with the Gangetic Delta and Krishna-Godavari Rivers delta, we also selected Valabhi,” she said.
Pradeep, an architect and researcher, said that Valabhi was a capital and port city once upon a time. “But we do not have much evidence regarding location or extent. Thus, satellite images were used to find the patterns and spectral signatures of the landscape. It revealed important clues about an ancient site and its probable linkages to other significant cultural sites,” she said.
The researchers primarily identified two archaeological mounds, named by them as Mound M and Mounds M1 to M6. Mound M is a rough square of about 350 x 350 meters and is believed to be the fortified part of the town, whereas Mounds M1 to M6 are in a straight line having a length of about 350 meters. They are believed to be the monasteries by the researchers.
The study points to a square construction, very similar in dimension of about 300 x 300 meters, that can be found in Vikramsila in India and Somapura in Bangladesh, whereas a very similar monastery pattern is found in a group of monasteries of the Nalanda Mahavira complex.
‘The information from the Maitraka copper plate grants (CPGs) testifies to the presence of several monasteries and prominent monastic clusters in ancient Valabhi,’ mentioned the study. It added that the CPGs mention a cluster receiving royal patronage for several centuries.
The data from satellite images was also corroborated by an on-site visit. Prof Rajani said that Dr Hrishikesh Kumar, a scientist from the Geoscience Division of SAC-ISRO, Prof VH Sonawane, former Professor of Archaeology at the MS University of Baroda, Prof Krishnan, and Prof Prathapan from MS University were part of the field visit. Prof Sonawane was also part of the team that conducted excavations at Valabhi decades ago.
The teams also found some ancient remains and signs of the archaeological mound. However, the majority of the area is already populated, particularly in its southeastern limits. What next? Prof Rajani said that systematic surveys using other non-invasive techniques can help identify specific sites that can be excavated. “We will be willing to collaborate with anyone who would like to take this further,” she said.
Ends
BOX1
Valabhi, an early kingdom in present-day Gujarat, was famous as a seat of learning.
– Valabhi is believed to be established in the 3rd century and ruled by the Satavahana and Gupta dynasties. Later, it became the seat of power for the Maitraka rulers.
– The town was known for both Buddhism and Jainism traditions, including the Great Council of Valabhi that codified the Svetambara Jain texts.
– Valabhi University followed Nikaya Buddhism. Niti (political science, statesmanship), Varta (business, agriculture), Administration, Philosophy and Religion, Law, and Economic thoughts were among various courses taught here.
– Xuanzang describes it as Fa-la-pi and describes it as, ‘This country is 6000 li or so in circuit, the capital about 30…There are about a hundred sangharama… Not far from the city is a great sangharama which was built by Arhat Achara.’
– Yijing, the Chinese monk who visited India in the seventh century CE, remarked that Nalanda and Valabhi were two premier monastic institutions during the time of his visit.
– Valabhi inscriptions are believed to be closer to the Brahmi script used in Asokan edicts across India.