Ballal Dhipi
 Ballal Dhipi ruins | |
  Shown within West Bengal  Ballal Dhipi (India) | |
| Location | Bamanpukur, Nadia district |
|---|---|
| Region | West Bengal, India |
| Coordinates | 23°27′01″N 88°24′05″E / 23.4503°N 88.4014°E |
| Type | Buddhist Vihara |
| History | |
| Founded | 10-12th century or a little earlier |
Ballal Dhipi is a historic archeological site on the eastern flood plain of the Hooghly in Nadia, West Bengal, a few kilometres east of Nabadwip. The remains date back to the 12th century AD and earlier. A 30-ft structure of solid terracotta bricks is spread over an area of 1,300 sq ft. with a floor made of lime and sand. It is named after Ballala Sena (1160-1179) of the Sena dynasty.
Archaeologists have found traces of a temple complex. Historians differ on the origin of the structure. It may be the ruin of a Buddhist stupa or vihar, possibly built between the 11th and 13th centuries. It has similarities with Vikramshila Vihar, in Bihar and Shompur Vihar, in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It may also be a part of the capital of the Sena dynasty.
Geography
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5miles
Wildlife Sanctuary
check point
Dewanganj
M: municipal town/ city, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: place of historical/ religious interest, T: place of tourist interest.
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
Location
[edit]Ballal Dhipi is located at Bamunpukur, near Mayapur and Nabadwip, 23°27′01″N 88°24′05″E / 23.4503°N 88.4014°E.
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
Excavations
[edit]The Kolkata Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India excavated the mound, during 1982-1988, and "exposed huge brick structures and various antiquities datable to c. 10th to 12th cent. AD. The brick structure include shrines on sides and a massive construction within an enclosure." The antiquities indicate the possibility of Buddhist affiliation. The structural complex covers nearly 13,000 m2. Experts opine the "stupa(vihara) of eighth/ ninth century was perhaps a seat of learning and pilgrimage up to the end of the 11th century." It is about 25 km from Krishnanagar.[1][2]
The ASI has divided the site into two parts – the mound and the remains of a fort. Both the sites are identified as an ASI listed monument.[3][4]
Ballal Dhipi picture gallery
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It is thought to be the remains of a fort -
The remains of a staircase -
A part of the extensive structural complex -
A narrow lane inside Ballal Dhipi complex -
Partial views of Ballal Sen's Dhipi -
A ruined part of Ballal Sen's Dhipi -
The information boards -
A crocodile head-shaped water outlet at Ballal Dhipi
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References
[edit]- ^ "Mound known as Bamanpukur Mound of Fort". ASI, Kolkata Circle. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Pilgrimages & Tourist Spots". Ballal Dhipi. Egiye Bangla, official website of Nadia district. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of West Bengal - Archaeological Survey of India". Item nos. 130&131. ASI. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ Datta, Rangan. "Ballal Dhipi near Mayapur — a perfect (and mysterious) destination for a day outing". The Telegraph. My Kolkata. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
External links
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