Vaishya Tekri Mound

About Vaishya Tekri Mound

• Location: It is a massive Mauryan-period Buddhist stupa mound in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
• Naming: It is believed to be named after Devi, Ashoka’s wife, who belonged to the Vaishya or merchant community.
• Historical Association:
  • Ashoka: The site is traditionally associated with Emperor Ashoka, who is believed to have built a stupa during his viceroyalty of Ujjain.
  • Buddhist links:
    • References: The site has been associated with Kanakgiri Vihara mentioned in ancient Buddhist literature.
      • It has also been linked to a large stupa described by Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, but neither connection is conclusive.
• Key Features:
  • Large Size: The stupa was estimated to be about 350 feet in diameter and at least 100 feet high.
    • It was substantially larger than the Sanchi Stupa.
  • Unique Construction: Its core was made of compacted local blackish murum, while large bricks laid in mud mortar formed the outer facing.
  • Engineering Design: Bowl-shaped masonry was used at the base to support the superstructure and resist the pressure of the material above it.
  • Surrounding Moat: A rectangular depression or moat surrounded the stupa, with evidence of a passage for worshippers on its western side.
• Earlier Excavation: The first excavation was conducted in 1938-39 by the Archaeological Department of the erstwhile Gwalior State.
  • It established that the mound was not natural but the remains of a stupa.