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Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t8: Shravasti

Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t8

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Shravasti

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Once among the six largest and flourishing cities of ancient India, Shravasti was the capital of the Kosala kingdom during 6th century BCE. By this century, it had almost vanished. The city remained in oblivion until Alexander Cunningham discovered its ruins

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Ruins of Śrāvastī in 1862. Its geographical location is in northeast Uttar Pradesh in Sahet (modern Gonda district) and Mahet (modern Baharaich district), along the bank of River Rapti, which led to the creation of a modern Shravasti district with the Bhinga town as its headquarters by carving out Bharaich and Gonda districts. It is about 150 km away from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

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Not much is known about the origin of ancient Shravasti. According to Vishnu Purana, the city was founded by Ishvaku King Shravast or Shravastak, along the bank of Achirvati river. In Pali Tripitika texts, Buddhaghosh writes that the city was named Savatthi after the Sage Savattha who lived here. At another place, Pali texts note that it was named Sravasti because everything for human consumption and entertainment was available in this mega town and capital of the powerful Kosal kingdom that had a large population and market.

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Shravasti has been referred as one of the richest cities of Buddha’s era. It was connected with all the other five largest cities through trading routes. The route from Shravasti to Rajgriha was the most famous and frequented. According to Buddhist Sanskrit text, Divyavadan, this commercial route passed through the ancient cities of Setatya, Saket, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Pava, Bhagnagar and Vaishali. It had to cross River Ganges for which boats were arranged by either Licchavis of Vaishali or the rulers of Magadh during the time of Ajatshatru. Another commercial route that connected Shravasti with Paithan (Pratishthan/ Pishtapuram) was the illustrious capital of Satvahana empire in southwest India. This touched the cities of Saket, Kaushambi, Vidisha, Gonaddha, Ujjain and Mahishmati.

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Most of the references to Shravasti, however, relate to its Buddhist and Jain connections during the era of the Kosal kingdom. Buddha spent 24 *chaturmaas* (four-month rainy season) in Shravasti. The most famous Buddhist monastery, Jetvanaram, was located here. This was constructed by a local rich merchant, Anathpindaka (Sudatta), and donated to Buddha. Its magnificent entrance gate was built by Kumar Jeta. Another famous monastery was built by Vishakaha Mrigarmata under the direction of Monk Mahamodglayana and was known as Purvaram monastery because of its location near the eastern gate of Shravasti. King Prasenjit also constructed a monastery for Buddhist nuns, Rajkaram, here. On the request of Mahaprajapati Gotami, Buddha had preached a *sutta* (verse) of Majjhimnikaya. In fact, Buddha presented the maximum number of discourses on *suttas* and Jatak stories in this city. The dreaded robber and murderer, Angulimal, was ordained here.

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Both Faxian (5th century CE) and Xuanzang (7th century CE) had travelled to Shravasti. Both found it to be a city in fast decline. They witnessed and identified most of the places referred to in the Pali texts. Xuanzang found two Ashokan *stupas* and piillars at the eastern gate of the city.

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Shravasti is also famous as a Jain sacred place where it is also known as Kunalnagarí, Chandrikapuri and Manikpuri. It was associated with the 3rd Jain Tirthankar Sambhavanath as well as with the last Tirthankar, Lord Mahavira, who spent several *chaturmaas* in the city. Kosal King Prasenjit was a follower of the latter. According to Jaina texts, many of the *shresthis* (businessmen), as well as members of the royal family from the city embraced Jainism. This included famous businessman, Nagdutta, and son of King Jitshatru, Mrigdhwaj. The ancient Shobnath Temple and other Jaina monuments indicate strong Jain connection. During 10th and 11th centuries CE, the city was ruled by successive Jain kings like Mayurdhwaj, Hansdhwaj, Makardhwaj Sudhavadhwaj and Suhridhwaj.

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(*Kamal Sheel*)

Linked texts (3)