BUDDHIST MONASTERY AT MOGALMARI 

In the year 1998 Dr. Ashoke Dutta, Head of the Department of Archeology, Calcutta 
University had an excursion tour with his students at Sorosanka Lake under jurisdiction. In 
course of his excursion tour he was introduced with the Ex-Head Master of Dantan High 
School Mr. Naren Biswas. He primarily told him regarding “heap of soil” at Mogalmari village 
and some small Hailstones with engrave in “Pali Script”. Dr. Ashoke Dutta had a visit at 
Mogalmari and shown keen interest on it and searched for the owners of the land. After 
long formalities his dream of excavation of the heap of soil at Mogalmari became true. First 
excavation at Mogalmari started in the month of March’2003. 
The 6th excavation took place with effect from 12.03.12 to 25.03.12 under the 
leadership of Dr. Ashoke Dutta and his team of experienced Archeologist. This is the most 
fruitful excavation so far. 
The present i.e. 6th excavations of Mogalmari have brought to light the largest 
buddhist monastery Complex in West Bengal. The monastery has two structural phases. The 
earlier phase (6th – 7th Century AD) is characterized by the application of extensive time / 
stucco and decorative bricks in the construction. The later phase (11th to 12th Century AD) 
is represented by a tri-ratha structure to the west as a brick stupa inside the complex. 
This as a unique artistic creation embellished with stucco work of Nalanda of Bihar and 
partly with the Raktammthika Mahavihar of Bengal. The discovery will definitely enrich the 
history of Bengal. 
The stucco work has been made with Gypsum and lime. There are several stucco 
works of Lord Buuddha in different position on the entire wall of the monastery. Forty five 
(45) types of different decorative bricks have been used in constructions of the outer wall 
of the monastery was 60’ X 60’. Thirty eight types of bricks have been used at Nalanda 
Buddhist monastery. Some Terrakota Lamp, Votic stup and Votic tablets have been found at 
the Mogalmari villages at some houses who have kept in their possession. Likewise one small 
Hailstone is kept with the possession of one Pranati Jana D/O Lt. Bankim Bihari Jana with 
Script in Pali Language. Latter on Dr. B.N. Mukherjee, an expert of Pali Language has 
discovered the script meaning as “Propagation of Dharma does not happen without self 
sacrifice”. Some bricks same as found in the monastery wall could also be found nearly still 
now which enlighten to the fact that Buddhist were living at the village. 
There is a saying regarding the name of Mogalmari. It is said that the Pathans went 
through the village for a battle with Mughals which took place namely Tukarui village under 
Dantan Police Station. Mughals died in the battle. Since then the village has been named as 
Mogalmari.

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