PATNA, Nov 30: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to reopen a section of the ’80-pillared assembly hall’ at Kumhrar here on Sunday, a site regarded as the only evidence of architectural activities of the Mauryan emperors in the Indian subcontinent.
Experts believe that this hall was where Emperor Ashoka held his meetings. However, in the late 1990s, the ruins of the hall began to get waterlogged due to groundwater seepage. To prevent further decay of the excavated structure, the site was covered with soil and sand in 2004.
The decision to re-open a portion of the hall was made on Saturday after a team of experts, led by Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General of ASI, and scientists including Alok Kumar Sinha, Rittik Das, and the Superintending Archaeologist of the Patna Circle, Sujeet Nayan, inspected the site.
According to a statement by the DG ASI, “The pillared hall at Kumarhar is believed to be the remains of the Mauryan palace of Patliputra. The hall was filled up with sand and earth in the past due to waterlogging in the excavated trenches. Now it has been found that the groundwater table has significantly gone down, and many of the surrounding water reservoirs have been filled to construct houses. Therefore, to check the possibilities of reopening the pillared hall, ASI Patna Circle is reopening a small area on the peripheral region to assess the condition of a few stone pillars”.
Talking to PTI, Nayan said, “It has been decided to re-open a small portion of the hall to know its present condition. Initially, only a few pillars will be exposed. Later, after a detailed analysis of the condition, all pillars may be opened for the public.”
Nayan added, “This will be a historic moment as the process of opening of the hall for public will begin after 20 years. The Mauryan Pillared Hall was brought to light by excavations conducted by ASI and the K P Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna, between 1912 and 1915, and again between 1951 and 1955. This hall is believed to have been used by Ashoka for the Third Buddhist Council held at Patliputra in the 3rd Century BCE.”
Due to waterlogging caused by groundwater seepage in the late 20th century, the site was again covered with soil and sand in 2005 to prevent further damage.
Kumhrar is an area of Patna where remains of the ancient city of Patliputra, the capital of the Mauryan Empire, were excavated.
Archaeological remains here, dating back to 600 BCE, reveal the history of the city and its rulers, including Ajatasattu, Chandragupta Maurya, and Ashoka. The site includes remnants from four historical periods, spanning from 600 BCE to 600 CE. (PTI)
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