The Socio-Religious Dimensions of Dedicatory Inscriptions on Sculptures Donated to a Buddhist Establishment in Early Medieval Magadha: Kurkihar, c.800-1200 CE

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt has been made to trace the evolving social bases of patronage to the Buddhist monastic establishment of Kurkihar in early medieval Magadha through the prism of dedicatory inscriptions on sculptures donated to the same. I have argued that this monastic establishment attracted patronage from diverse sections of society till the end of the eleventh century CE. The twelfth century witnessed a shrinking of its patronage base.