An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s12.t2.9

v1.c19.s12.t2.9

However the idea of the *saṅghārāma* as a seat of learning took its final shape under the Pālas (8th to 12th centuries). The Somapura-mahā-vihāra (Paharpur in Bangladesh), founded by Dharmapāla (770-810), having a tall terraced edifice surrounded by a quadrangular monastery, was the largest of the Buddhist settlements. Other *mahā-vihāras* including Vikramaśilā (Patharghata-ANTICHAK area), Odantapuri (Bihar Sharif) and Jāgaddala (in n. Bengal), the last one built by Rāmapala (1077-1120) sprang up. By this time the Vajrayāna cult along with the Tantric esoteric rites became popular throughout India.