Some Words About "An Ancient Kapilvastu"

Tilaurakot, the Ancient Kapilvastu where Shakya King Suddodhan reigned over two and half century back, is situated on the bank of Banganga river near a dense forest, 4Km to the north of Taulihawa City.

Lord Buddha, the only son of King Suddodhan, lived here for 29 years of his formative age. Although Prince Siddharth was brought up in a very aesthetic and luxurious environment at his Royal Palace Kapilvastu, he renounced his worldly life in his prime in search of enlightenment.

The Ancient Kapilvastu, the shrine of world peace that has tremendous potentialities for spiritual growth, inspires all the peace loving people around the world. This ancient city of Shakyas after having been sacked by Viruddhaka slowly fell into oblivion and got lost for centuries.

The search for the lost site of Kapilvastu was a challenge to archaeologist. In the nineteenth century, archaeologist made great efforts to explore the exact location of Kapilvastu. Archaeologists like P.C. Mukherji, J. Nakamura, D'mitra, Taranand Mishra and B.K.Rijal. who carried out excavations in Tilaurakot and other related archaeological sites of the region, identified Tilaurakot with the ancient Kapilvastu, on the basis of the Jatakas, the Lalitvistara, Baudha Charita, the Ashoka pillars and the accounts of Chinese pilgrims Hsuan Tsans and Fa-hein. Their archaeological findings have brought the authenticity of Kapilvastu to light.

This fortified palace complex which has four gates on the cardinal directions, is 1700 feet long to north-south and 1300 feet wide to east-west. The excavations have exposed both the wester and eastern gateways and structural complex in the center.

From the excavation of the western gateway flanked by two brick bastions, a 19 feet wide road with brick plate forms on both sides, leading from the gateway into the citadel encircled by moat and defense wall have been found. Copper coins, iron spade, chisel and other metal objects have also been found near the gate.

Other objects like coins, shards of P.G. ware, N.B.P. wares and weapons of the time of Kushang, Maurya and Sunga period were also found in the excavation of the structural complex.

Likewise, the excavation of the eastern gate complex, also known as 'Mahabhinisharman Dwar' through which Buddha went out renouncing his princely life in search of peace, has uncovered a 19 feet wide road flanked on either side by bastion. Moreover, terracotta human and animal figurines, beads, bangles, coins, a seal bearing a Brahmi inscription, shards of painted Grey ware and N.B.P. wares too have been found here.