The history of Sarnath goes back to fourth century bce till twelfth century ce. The book contains the comparative study of monuments at Sarnath with the descriptions of Xuan-Zang and further with the archival records in the form of paintings, lithographs, line drawings and photographs. The harms occurred by humans or by nature is well documented. A beautiful collection of images related with Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanism; their changing paradigm, significance of the Lord’s hand postures and panels showing his life-scenes are described in this book with rare photographs. The terracotta figurines, seals, sealings and beads of different materials, bricks, arches and kirtimukhas are never given due importance before. Along with these hundreds of small votive stupas of stone and terracotta are duly categorized and described with their purpose of construction, plan & photographs, etc. The excavations carried out have ample proof of Sarnath being a manufacturing cum factory site, which is first time dealt with in this book. 

Sarnath has the honour of securing Lord Buddha’s holy relics in its premises and the history behind its expedition from Lord’s parinirvana at Kusinagar to Sarnath is narrated in the book. The place is marked with memorial edifices by the great Mauryan king Asoka and further by Kaniska, Kumaragupta, Sthirpal, Vasantpal, Kumaradevi, etc. The bibliography, rare photographs and line drawings are very conscious and exhausting efforts to provide a complete picture of Sarnath. We wish that this book will be fruitful for the scholars, researchers, pilgrims, tourists and visitors alike. 

About the Author

Niharika (b. 1958)  did  graduation, post-graduation and Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. She has eight books on history and archaeology, two books of Hindi stories and one of Hindi poems and more than 35 papers and articles published in National and International journals and magazines to her credit. She is Chief Editor and Publisher of a journal named “Arnava”. She has won first prize of Ministry of Culture for her archaeology book. 

Ajay Srivastava (b. 1955) did graduation and post-graduation from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He has one book on archaeology which has received First Prize of Ministry of Culture, India and many papers and articles published in National and International journals to his credit. He is Editor of “Arnava”. Now, working as Curator, Crafts Museum Varanasi, he served in Archaeological Survey of India for more than 32 years in different capacities, retired in 2015. 

Sachin Kr. Tiwary (b. 1985) did graduation and post-graduation from B.H.U., Varanasi; P.G. Diploma in Archaeology from Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi and Ph.D. from Patna University, Patna. After serving as an Archaeologist in different capacities in Archaeological Survey of India; he is presently working as Assistant Professor in the Dept. of AIHC and Archaeology, B.H.U., Varanasi. He has 3 books and more than 35 papers in national and international journals to his credit. He is Associate Editor of “Arnava”.