Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t7.4

v1.c7.s2.t7.4

The glorious heritage of Sarnath was finally uncovered by the British archaeologists, especially A C Cunningham during the 19th century. They found tall and huge Dhamekh *stupa*, foundation remains of Dharmarajika *Stupa* (bricks of which were pillaged aand used as building materials in Varanasi), severely destroyed Chaukhandi stupa constructed to spot the site of Buddha’s meeting with five ascetics – later over which Akbar constructed a memorial to mark his father Humayun’s hiding place after defeat by Sher Shah Suri. They also found ruins of Mulgandhkutivihar. (In 1930, Sri Lankan monk Anagarik Dharmapal constructed a new Mulgandhkuti Temple there.) They also found the Ashokan Pillar broken, with its top which had a statue of four lions that has been declared a national symbol and is now adorning the Sarnath museum. Besides this, located in Sarnath are also Jaina and Shaiva temples.