Sultanganj Buddha
Encyclopedia
The Sultanganj Buddha is the largest complete bronze figure of its kind in the world. The statue is dated by archaeologists at between 500 to 700 AD. It is 2.3m high and 1m wide, weighs over 500kg and was made using the lost wax technique. It was found in the North India
n town of Sultanganj
, Bhagalpur district
, Bihar
in 1860 or 1861 during the construction of the East Indian Railway.
The engineer responsible for its discovery, E.B. Harris, published a detailed account of the excavations in which he describes finding the right foot of the Buddha ten feet under the surface, beneath a floor that seemed to have been built to conceal the statue. It seems to have traveled to England accompanied by George Turnbull
, Chief Engineer of the East Indian Railway, and its passage was paid by Samuel Thornton, a Birmingham based manufacturer of railway fittings and former mayor of the town.
In Birmingham, where many mechanical parts of the East Indian Railway had been manufactured, the Buddha was offered to the City in 1864 to become the basis of the museum that would eventually be established to inspire the metalworkers of the town. It remains as one of the most valuable objects in the collection at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
.
Since 1998 the Buddha has been the centerpiece of a gallery dedicated to celebrating the religious and sculptural heritage of South Asia, where around 20% of the population of Birmingham also have their roots. However the appeal of the Buddha is more universal and it has been cited as an example of a 'charismatic object' because of the way that many residents of Birmingham hold it in great affection. In recent years it has become the focus for an annual celebration by West Midlands based Buddhist groups from a range of traditions, and has flowers left at its feet more regularly.
monks to this day.
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
n town of Sultanganj
Sultanganj
Sultanganj is a city and a notified area in Bhagalpur district in the Indian state of Bihar.-History:Sultanganj is a town in Bhagalpur district and has a railway station, of the same name on the loop-line of the Eastern Railway running from kolkata to Kiul. An excellent all-weather road connecting...
, Bhagalpur district
Bhagalpur District
Bhagalpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Bhagalpur town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-Geography:...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
in 1860 or 1861 during the construction of the East Indian Railway.
The engineer responsible for its discovery, E.B. Harris, published a detailed account of the excavations in which he describes finding the right foot of the Buddha ten feet under the surface, beneath a floor that seemed to have been built to conceal the statue. It seems to have traveled to England accompanied by George Turnbull
George Turnbull
George Turnbull was a Scottish philosopher, theologian, teacher, writer on education and an early but little-known figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. He taught at Marischal College, Aberdeen, worked as a tutor and became an Anglican clergyman...
, Chief Engineer of the East Indian Railway, and its passage was paid by Samuel Thornton, a Birmingham based manufacturer of railway fittings and former mayor of the town.
In Birmingham, where many mechanical parts of the East Indian Railway had been manufactured, the Buddha was offered to the City in 1864 to become the basis of the museum that would eventually be established to inspire the metalworkers of the town. It remains as one of the most valuable objects in the collection at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a museum and art gallery in Birmingham, England.Entrance to the Museum and Art Gallery is free, but some major exhibitions in the Gas Hall incur an entrance fee...
.
Since 1998 the Buddha has been the centerpiece of a gallery dedicated to celebrating the religious and sculptural heritage of South Asia, where around 20% of the population of Birmingham also have their roots. However the appeal of the Buddha is more universal and it has been cited as an example of a 'charismatic object' because of the way that many residents of Birmingham hold it in great affection. In recent years it has become the focus for an annual celebration by West Midlands based Buddhist groups from a range of traditions, and has flowers left at its feet more regularly.
Pictures of Sultanganj Buddha
The right hand is raised in abhayamudra (a gesture of reassurance or protection) while the left hand, with palm outward and held downwards, and is said to indicate the granting of a favour. The end of the monastic robe is held between the hollow of the thumb and forefinger of this hand in the manner still practised by TheravadinTheravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
monks to this day.