Vaishya Tekri: Ujjain’s Ancient Stupa Returns To The Archaeological Spotlight After 90 Years

Nearly 90 years after archaeologists first excavated Vaishya Tekri in Ujjain, the Madhya Pradesh government is pushing for fresh archaeological work at the site. The mound is believed to contain the remains of a large Buddhist stupa that the 1938–39 excavation estimated at 350 feet in diameter and at least 100 feet in height. By comparison, the Great Stupa at Sanchi is approximately 54 feet high. Although the figures have led to comparisons with Sanchi, the actual size and plan of the monument need to be established through proper excavation.

But the site's importance extends beyond the question of whether it was larger than Sanchi. The earlier excavation attributed the structure to the Mauryan period based on its construction, unusually large bricks, and coin finds, and suggested that an association with Ashoka was possible. A new excavation could therefore address a more fundamental question: what exactly was built at Vaishya Tekri, when was it built, and what does it reveal about Ujjain's role in the Buddhist and political landscape of ancient central India?

What The First Excavation Revealed

The first excavation was undertaken in 1938–39 by the Archaeological Department of the erstwhile Gwalior State. It established that the mound contained substantial structural remains rather than being simply a natural hill. The excavation report described a large stupa and estimated its base at approximately 350 feet in diameter, with a height of not less than 100 feet. It also noted that erosion and the loss of the outer facing made it impossible to determine the monument's exact original plan and elevation.

The measurements are significant because they put the monument at a scale that, if confirmed, would exceed the surviving Great Stupa at Sanchi in height. But the comparison needs to be treated carefully. The Vaishya Tekri figures come from an excavation conducted almost nine decades ago and are only an estimate of the monument's original height, while the Sanchi figures are verified and describe a surviving monument. Until the mound is systematically excavated again, the claim that Vaishya Tekri was larger than Sanchi remains a historical and archaeological possibility rather than a newly established fact.

The earlier investigators also found evidence of the structure belonging to the Mauryan period, around the 3rd century BCE. The unusually large bricks were considered chronological evidence, while two coins recovered during the excavation, a punch-marked coin and a cast Avanti coin, provided additional archaeological context. These findings support an early date for the structure, but they do not by themselves establish who commissioned it.

An Unusual Approach To Building A Massive Stupa

The construction of Vaishya Tekri was as significant to the early excavators as its scale. The core of the monument was made from locally sourced blackish murum that had been compacted to form a dense mass, while the exterior was faced with brick masonry laid in mud mortar. This differed from the construction techniques the excavators had encountered at other stupas.

The dimensions of the bricks were also notable. Some measured more than 22 inches in length, with the largest recorded variety measuring approximately 22¼ by 18¼ inches and another measuring around 22¼ by 15¼ inches. The early excavators considered these unusually large bricks one of the reasons for assigning the monument to the Mauryan period.

The base contained another unusual feature. The masonry had been constructed in a bowl-like form, with sloping sides designed to support the weight of the superstructure and resist the outward pressure created by the material above it. In practical terms, the builders appear to have adapted the foundation to deal with the structural demands of an exceptionally large monument.

The landscape around the stupa had also been altered during its construction. The excavation report indicated that the murum used for the core had been quarried from the surrounding area, leaving a roughly square depression or moat around the monument. A passage was identified on the western side, which the excavators interpreted as an approach for worshippers coming from the direction of the ancient city.

Much of that original architectural evidence has since been lost or remains buried. The earlier report noted that the facing of the stupa had almost entirely disappeared, making a complete reconstruction of its original form difficult. That makes a new excavation particularly important: it could reveal surviving sections of the structure that were either inaccessible or not investigated during the first excavation.

Why The Ashoka Connection Needs Fresh Evidence

Vaishya Tekri is often described in current coverage as an Ashoka-era stupa, but the archaeological evidence available so far does not establish that attribution conclusively. The original excavators considered the structure Mauryan and said it was possible that it was one of the stupas traditionally associated with Ashoka. They did not establish that Ashoka himself built it.

The association persists partly because of Ujjain's place in Mauryan history. Ashoka is traditionally associated with Ujjain before his accession to the imperial throne, and the city was an important centre in the Mauryan period. That historical context makes an Ashokan-period Buddhist monument at the site only plausible. 

Ujjain is best known for its Hindu pilgrimage sites, but its archaeological record points to a far longer and more layered history. Investigations in and around the city have uncovered remains from different periods, including evidence of Buddhist activity. If renewed excavation establishes Vaishya Tekri’s date, construction history and links with other ancient sites, it could add to the Buddhist history of Ujjain’s past, bringing it into a sharper focus for travellers. 

The immediate challenge, however, remains access; the district administration has proposed acquiring surrounding private land for INR 40 crore, while ASI officials estimate that meaningful excavation could take at least three years. After nearly nine decades, the focus is on using modern archaeology to establish its scale, chronology and possible connection with the Mauryan period and Ashoka. 

FAQs