The Expanse of Archaeological Remains at Nalanda: A Study Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract:Historical records suggest that Nalanda was a Buddhist monastery of considerable repute with immense physical dimensions, which remained in existence from the fourth/fifth century until at least the end of the twelfth. This study investigates the area around Nalanda for evidence of human activity at such spatiotemporal scales using satellite images. Among its finds are: the site is much larger than the property protected by the Archaeological Survey of India; there is evidence of additional temples and monasteries; and there are indications of a large archaeological structure under Begumpur that was either a part of the Nalanda complex or a separate entity.