INDO-TIBETAN ART & CULTURE STUDY GROUP  

Tibet House

1, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

LECTURE

Friday, October 30, 2009 
 

Dr. Muhammed K.K. will give a power-point presentation on “History of Buddhism through Archaeological Excavations” at Tibet House Conference Hall at 5:30 p.m.  

A number of sites associated with the life and times of the Buddha have been excavated in Bihar and U.P. These have thrown up important evidence regarding the growth and development of Buddhism, monastic institutions and the socio-religious life of ancient India. 

The phenomenal growth of sprawling universities like Nalanda and Vikramsila astounds one while going through ancient literature like the travelogue of Hieun-T’sang. But these institutions could not survive the onslaught of Bakhtiyar Khalji in the 12th century. And then these sites fell into oblivion and gradually turned into huge mounds overgrown with trees. 

Due to the sustained efforts of a number of scholars, many sites like Rajgir, Vaisali, Nalanda, Vikramsila and Kesariya have been excavated, and today they attract a large number of scholars and tourists. But it is difficult to visualize what they looked like when they were simple mounds.  

If you want to see photographs of those fabulous sites when they were nothing but ruins, come and listen to a power-point presentation on the Buddhist sites of north India. It is a journey through the corridors of history. 

Muhammed K.K. has wide-ranging expertise in archaeology, extending from Buddhist architecture, through medieval Hindu and Islamic art, to European architecture in India, subjects on which he has till date published 16 articles. Two highlights of his work experience have been his discovery of Buddhist stupas at Rajgir and Kesariya, and his overseeing the relocation of two temples in Madhya Pradesh. He has also worked in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Bihar, and at World Heritage Sites like the churches of Goa and the Taj Mahal. At present he is Superintending Archaeologist at the Delhi Circle, with the challenging task of conserving its numerous heritage sites and monuments. He has received three National Awards for his work. 

Mr. Dalip Mehta, Former Indian Ambassador has kindly agreed to chair the lecture. 

We will start with a cup of tea at 5:15 p.m. 

All are cordially invited. 

R S V P:  2461-1515