තපස්සු භල්ලුක
Orissa Review * November - 2007
1
Tapassu and Bhallika of Orissa, Their
Historicity and Nativity
(Fresh Evidence from Recent Archaeological Explorations and Excavations)
Gopinath Mohanty, Dr. C. B. Patel,
D. R. Pradhan & Dr. B. Tripathy
The historicity and nativity of Tapassu and Bhallika,
the two merchant brothers of Utkala who became
the first disciples of Lord Buddha are shrouded
in mystery. Utkal was a very ancient country. In
Buddhist literature it is described as 'Ukkala' or
'Okkala'. In the Brahmincal literature we find
copious depiction of Utkala to have been located
in the southern region of extended Vindyan range
along with Mekalas, Kalingas, Andhras and
others. Most of the scholars are of the opinion
that Utkala of the epic and Puranas is the same
as 'Ukkala' or 'Okkala' of the Pali literature.
According to Majjhima Nikaya, Vassa and
Bhanna are the two tribes of Ukkala who
professed a type of religion called Ahetuvada,
Akiriyavada and Natthikavada. These two tribes
later on are known to have embraced Buddhism
preached by Lord Buddha. Tapassu and Bhallika
Inscription - Kesa Thupa
Orissa Review * November - 2007
2
of India. Under this historical backdrop, we have
to identify the original home land of Tapassu and
Bhallika basing on the fresh archaeological
evidence.
Now, the Department of Culture, Govt. of
Orissa is making extensive archaeological
exploration and excavations in various parts of
the state to gather scientific source material to
strengthen the historicity and nativity of the two
famous merchant brothers of world eminence.
Literary Record:
According to early Vinaya texts and the
Anguttara Nikaya "two merchants named
Trapusa (Pali Tapassu or Tapussa) and Bhallika
(Pali Bhalliya) approached the Buddha eight
weeks after his enlightenment and offered rice
cakes and honey". As per the belief, present-day
Buddhist community, residing in the Athagarh-
Baramba region of Cuttack district and Kantilo-
Padmavati-Banki opine that the merchants offered
Inscriptioin - Bhekku Tapussa Danam
(variedly described as Tapussa and Bhalluka or
Bhalliya) are ascribed to Vassa and Bhanna tribes
of ancient Utkala. The two merchant brothers
became so widely popular in Buddhist world that
they were represented in various garbs in various
countries. The Burmese legends speak Tapassu
(Tapoosa) & Bhallika (Palekat) as the residents
of the city of Okkalaba in the Irrawaddy valley.
According to Dr. N. K. Sahoo Okkalaba is
nothing but a variant form of the country of Utkala,
mistaken as a city. The Lalitavistara mentions the
city (Adhistana) called Utkala in Uttarapatha. The
Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India in
1st half of 7th century A.D. has spoken about
two places as belonging to Tapassu and Bhallika
in Balkh regions. But as per the older Pali accounts
found in the Vinaya texts, the Nikayas and the
Jatakas, the two merchant brothers are
represented as hailing from the country i.e.
Janapada of Ukkala which should be identified
with Utkala i.e. modern Orissa in the Southeast
Orissa Review * November - 2007
3
the Lord 'Arisa Pitha' (rice cake mixed with ghee
and molasses) in a bowl provided by the four
guardians of the directions (Lokapalas). After
offering these gifts, Tapassu and Bhallika became
the first lay disciples (Upasaakas) and received
relics of Buddha's hair (eight handful strings of
hair) and nails which the Tathagata offered them
to enshrine in stupas in their home country. The
merchant brothers carried home the divine relics
to their native city Asitanjana where they
deposited it in a magnificent Chaitya, erected for
the purpose. According to the commentary of the
Theragatha these two merchants also
subsequently visited the Buddha at Rajagriha and
by that time Tapassu was renamed as Sotapanna
and Devachikaupasaka and his name has been
incorporated in the list of eminent upasakas of
Lord Buddha. On the other hand Bhallika joined
the Sangha and became an arhat. The Pujavaliya
text of Ceylon delineates that Tapassu and
Bhallika after their conversion visited the east coast
of Sri Lanka where they erected a Chaitya to
commemorate their visit. The site where the
merchant brothers reached in Ceylon might be
identified with Manthai harbour city with which
the ancient Oriya people had tremendous maritime
contact. The archaeological material of
Radhanagara has a striking similarity with the
material found at Manthai harbour in Sri Lanka
i.e. Fine Grey Ware and Black Slipped Ware,
Knobbed Bowls, or Begging Bowls etc.
Radhanagar (spelt as Rajnagar in 1929
Toposheet) is situated in Jajpur district of Central
Orissa.
The Recent Explorations and Excavations:
Several Buddhist remains within a particular
geographical limit with Radhanagar Fort as the
Inscription - Bhallika Lena
Orissa Review * November - 2007
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epi center have been found at places like Kayama,
Deuli, Tarapur, Vajragiri, Langudi, Kantigadia,
Neulpur, Panturi, Bandareswar etc. These sites
are covered under limited excavation to trace here
cultural sequence. Even in the trial and
experimental explorations, inscriptions mentioning
the names of Tapassu and Bhallika at Tarapur
and Deuli have been located. The inscriptions have
been deciphered by J. Jayprakash, Epigraphist,
Archaeological Survey of India. The survey also
resulted in the discovery of at least 10 massive
stupas, 40 rock-cut caves and several hundreds
of votive stupas, images/sculptures of Buddhist
pantheon, belonging to all the three schools i.e.
Hinayana (Lower Vehicle), Mahayana (Greater
Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Tantric or magical form
of Buddhism). Explorations at and around Langudi
hill yielded spectacular discoveries like the ancient
Buddhist monastery of Puspagiri Vihara, an
Ashokan stupa, two rare statues of Emperor
Ashoka, 54 rock cut votive stupas, five rock-cut
dhayani Buddhas and their counterparts. The
remains of two monasteries as also a golden
glazed Northern Black Polished Ware sherd, the
pottery associated with the Mauryan noble class/
royal people is striking. The excavation at Langudi
hill, with the discovery of Ashokan stupa and
Puspagiri Vihara, has substantiated the statement
of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (629-645
A.D.) that "Ashoka constructed ten stupas (Pali
Tope) in Wu-Tu (Odra) country where Buddha
had preached". The stupa at Langudi hill may be
the one among the ten stupas said to have been
constructed by Ashoka. The epigraphical and
archaeological remains of this tract of 10 km
radius speaks of the evolution of Buddhism from
6th century B.C. to 10th century A.D. in this part.
The Landscape:
The sites mentioned above are located in a
very densely populated areas of Dharmasala
Tehsil. The Fort of Radhanagar is situated in the
midst of several small hillocks containing
spectacular Buddhist remnants belonging all the
three sects, Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
All the hillocks are a part of the Asia hill range
and drained by the river Brahmani and its tributary
Kelua. The Buddhist sites located on the hillocks
are also supported by water bodies of the rivers
as well as channels dug-out for obvious reasons.
Eventually, they also served as protective water
bodies. The region is also one of the most fertile
tracts of the Mahanadi-Brahmani delta and
characterized by a high dependency on agriculture.
The precipitation of the area is also well-balanced
but sometimes affected by flood situation. The
lithostratigraphic unit of the area is marked by the
presence of granite and granite gneiss, charnokites
and quartz, chert and chalcedony as main intrusive
veins. The landscape provides an ideal location
for human habitation being protected by chains
of hills and water bodies. The people are smart
agriculturalists and bear a Central Indian affiliation,
especially the traditional navigators and fishermen
of the region. The geographical feature of the
region is intersected by rivers like Brahmani and
Kelua and by numerous water bodies, small and
big laterite hillocks with khondalite, charnokite and
sandstone outcrops, plain valleys with black and
alluvial soil, it convenient for settlements.
The Culture Complex of Radhanagar:
Radhanagar (200 411 N and 860 111 E)
Radhanagar is located in the midst of a
cluster of hillocks, on the right bank of river Kelua,
Orissa Review * November - 2007
5
a tributary of the Brahmani river (about 85 kms
from Bhubaneswar) in the district of Jajpur. It is
a fortified settlement, honeycomb in shape,
measuring 1200 m on each of the sides. Recently,
a small-scale excavation has resulted in the finding
of a number of important archaeological materials.
At present the fort is partially preserved.
Earth, brick and laterite blocks are traced in the
construction of the rampart. Fortification of each
side consists of three projections, two in the
corners and one in the centre. The average height
of the fortification is between 4 and 5 m (at
projections). There are two gateways (20m wide
each) one in the northern side and the other one
in the east of the central projection. The space
covering an area of 500 sq. m. on the western
horizon in the inner fortification, in an irregular
orientation, marks the citadel or the nucleus area
of the city. The citadel is associated with a large
variety of pottery with considerable types and
forms, terracotta ring-wells, ritual tanks, brick
structures and a wide range of antiquities. The
average brick size is 46 X 30.5 X 9 cm3. About
7 to 8 m habitational deposit can be noticed at
the citadel area over the water logging surface.
The locality of the extreme south within the
fortification has preserved a few isolated mounds
with an assemblage of potsherds and other
habitational debris. The community of low social
ranking probably inhabited this locality. Besides,
habitational mounds are also noticed outside the
fortification, indicating that a considerable part of
urban population of Radhanagar lived outside the
fortification walls.
Quite close to the fort is located a hillock,
Kayama, where a monolithic elephant is located
(only one in the entire sub-continent), the second
being at Jaugada (at a place called Gudiali, in
between Kavisuryanagar and Purushottampur in
Ganjam district) in a somewhat kneeling posture,
locally known as 'Hati Pathara'. The third elephant
is located at Dhauli (half hewn). The fourth
evidence of an elephant (Ashokan) comes from
Kalsi, near Deheradun in Uttarakhand, in the form
of a graffito. Keeping in view the depiction of the
elephant, the one located at Kayama may be
considered as the earliest depiction of Lord
Buddha in anthropomorphic form which
symbolizes birth of Lord Buddha.
Ceramic Assemblage:
The pottery varieties of the site of
Radhanagar include a wide array of ceramic
products. They include Fine Red Ware
(decorated with fingertip decoration), Black and
Red Ware, Northern Black Polished Ware, Black
Slipped Ware, Knobbed Ware, Roman as well
as indigenous Rouletted Ware, Fine Grey Ware,
Red Polished Ware, Coarse Red Ware, etc.
which speak about the wide contact of the
settlement with far off places and civilizations.
Besides, a number of antiquities like terracotta
beads, earrings, gamesman, horse figurine,
bangles of terracotta and glass have also been
unearthed within one metre of excavation. Further
excavations will may yield more habitational
deposit.
Tarapur Hill (200 441 N & 860 101 E)
Tarapur (Plate 3) is a small isolated hillock
of khondolite, granite, sandstone with laterite
capping situated near National Highway No. 5 at
Fatehpur in Jajpur district (at a distance of 65
kms from Bhubaneswar in north-west direction).
The site is approachable through a morum road
Orissa Review * November - 2007
6
from the Highway. Most probably, the name
Tarapur has been derived from goddess Tara of
Buddhist pantheon. But surprisingly, no remains
belonging to the Mahayana and Vajrayana cults
are noticed.
On the top of the hillock the remains of a
stupa is noticed which has been partially disturbed
due to natural and manmade factors. The
excavation has revealed a square-sized stupa
made of burnt bricks whose sides are covered
with laterite pillars, most likely to strengthen the
corners and edges of the stupa. The shape and
construction pattern of the stupa is in a very crude
form speaks of its antiquity. Scientific dating
(Thermoluminiscence method) of some of brick
specimen from the core area of the stupa may
indicate the exact date.
It can be stated concluded that the stupa
at Tarapur flourished as an important centre of
Buddhism during the early phase of Buddhism and
the date of the site may go back to the early part
of 6th century B.C.
Besides the stupa, a double-storied rockcut
cave is also noticed in the debris. From the
cave, as also from the nearby areas, a number of
used earthen lamps with carbonized impression
have been found.
The exploration and excavation at this site
have revealed a wide range of material culture
such as pottery datable to the pre-Ashokan era.
Mention may be made of bowls with circular
bases made of well-levigated clay and of fine
fabric. The bowls have been found in two wares,
namely Red Ware with a very fine core and Fine
Grey Ware. The pottery is basically religious and
ritualistic in nature and comprised of bowls in
profusion and channel spouted basins while
shapes of utilitarian nature for household are scant.
At least five inscriptions, two in early
Brahmi characters and the rest three in proto-
Oriya have been found. The two early Brahmi
inscriptions, as deciphered by J. Jayprakash,
Senior Epigraphist, Archaeological Survey of
India read as 'Bhekku Tapussa danam' and
'Kaligaraja' which associates Tapussa with the site
and could be identified with the 'Kesa Stupa' as
referred in Anguttara Nikaya, the famous Buddhist
text. The casket might have survived in the debris
containing the Kesa or hair relic of Lord Buddha.
The remaining three inscriptions are datable to
later period and read as "Kalinga Gada-
Nayakasa, "Kalinga-desa-Gadha-Nayakasa",
and "Gupata Khandagiri".
Deuli-Deulipal Hills (200 461 N & 860 081E)
These twin hills of Deuli and Deulipal are
situated in the right bank of the river Brahmani
near the Gokarnika Tirtha at Jaraka on the
National Highway No. 5. The Brahmani meanders
at this point making the area protected and suitable
for navigation. A large number of rock-cut caves
(some are double-storied) are located on these
hills, suggesting the Buddhist association of the
site. On the top of Deuli hill is found the remains
of a large stupa, measuring 75 x 602 ft along with
large numbers of laterite blocks, architectural
members of the stupa, brick and brickbats and
ancient potteries. Besides, the site of Deuli located
at a close proximity to the site of Radhanagar on
the source of river Kelua has yielded a symbol
resembling a cowrie or grain. The symbols are
depicted on the exterior surface of the pots.
Similar symbol also occurs on seals and other
antiquities. Hence, the symbol might have been
used as an 'insignia' of Buddhist religion.
Orissa Review * November - 2007
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Orissa Review * November - 2007
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The inscriptional evidence at Tarapur and
Deuli strengthen the connection of Tapassu and
Bhallika with Utkala. As evident from the Buddhist
literary sources Tapussa and Bhallika were
contemporary of Lord Buddha and as such
cultural sequence of the site can be traced back
to 6th century B.C.
The explorations and excavations
conducted at Radhanagara have yielded
antiquities like pottery and metal objects, figurines
Another discovery of an inscription in early
Brahmi characters comes from a rock-cut cave
in Deulipal hills, adjacent to the Deuli hill where
a gigantic square-shaped stupa has been partially
unearthed. The inscription reads as 'Bhallika
Lena' and is significant in terms of the
identification of the homeland of Bhallika in
Orissa. The rock-cut cave is facing to the Deuli
hill stupa and might have been used by Bhallika
after he became an Upasaka or Arahat.
Orissa Review * November - 2007
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Mahanadi and Brahmani to reach Madhyadesa
or Central India as has been mentioned vividly in
early Buddhist and Hindu literature. There are
thousands of Buddhist remnants on the left bank
of the Mahanadi as also on the right bank of the
Brahmani. A thorough analysis of the
archaeological material such as pottery and other
antiquities have revealed the existence of a direct
route from Toshali to Pataliputra in between the
rivers Mahanadi and Brahmani. Tapassu and
Bhallika might have followed the route of Toshali-
Vidisha-Ujjain-Pataliputra or the unexplored route
of Toshali-Pataliputra located most probably in
between the two major rivers, Mahanadi and
Brahmani which has connected Radhanagar as
well.
Discussion:
Ukkala or Utkala mentioned in the
Anguttara Nikaya is most likely a variant form of
Utkala (Orissa). Later texts and traditions vary
as to its location. Burmese legends, for example,
identify Ukkala as a city in the delta of the Irrawady
river, while traditions of the Mahasanghika schools
as recorded in the Lalitavistara and the
Mahavastu, place Ukkala in north-west India.
From archaeological and epigraphical evidence
Utkala is known to have been situated in the north
of river Mahanadi in Orissa. This is supported by
puranic texts as well. Orissa was known as
Ukkala or Utkala, being named after a tribe called
Utkalas. In this context, Radhanagar or Rajnagar
fort in the Dharmasala tehsil of Jajpur district may
be identified with the ancient city of Asitanjana.
Radhanagar is the most ancient Early Historic fort
in Orissa dating back to the pre-Mauryan era
which is also well connected with Tapassu and
Bhallika as discussed in this paper.
etc. datable to the pre-Mauryan period. No other
archaeological site in Orissa provide so much
material of the pre-Christian era. The excavations
at Radhanagar yielded a type of pottery known
as Knobbed Ware in profusion amount which are
deeply associated with early Buddhism in a
symbolic perspective. Such wares are located in
settlements like Sisupalgarh, Jaugada, Marjakud,
Manamunda-Asuragada, Narla-Asurgarh,
Budhigarh and Kharligarh and Nehena. They carry
trade network of the Sresthis (Buddhist trading
community) and are found along the trade route.
The site has also yielded a wide variety of
antiquities like Northern Black Polished Ware,
Fine Grey Ware, Red Polished Ware, Black and
Red Ware some of which are even datable to the
pre-Mauryan period.
The Route/Trail of Tapassu and Bhallika:
It is known from the archaeological, literary
and numismatic sources that ancient Orissa was
well-connected with north and south India through
trade routes and with South and South-East Asia
through the sea. Two royal routes or Highways
existed in ancient Orissa, joining Toshali-Ujjain-
Pataliputra and Toshali-Chandraketugarh-
Pataliputra. The route of Toshali-Ujjain-
Pataliputra has been extensively surveyed and
established as per archaeological, scientific
(several pottery types were subjected for X-Ray,
Diffraction Analysis and Thin Section Analysis to
understand the trading pattern and the route),
ethnohistoric and literary data. It has been
confirmed that the route was in use since the 6th-
5th centuries B.C. as per the analysis of the
archaeological material found from more than 45
Early Historic settlements. Most probably there
also existed an important route in between the
Orissa Review * November - 2007
10
In the 7th century A.D. the Chinese Pilgrim,
Hiuen Tsang (Yuan Chwang) places their
homeland in the northwest, identifying two cities
north and west of Balkh. It is important to note
that Hiuen Tsang spent most of his times in
eastern, central and northern part of India up to
Allahabad or Prayag where the traveler attended
a Buddhist Assembly, organized by
Harshavardhana (606-646 A.D.). He was not
known to have visited 'Peshawar' or Balkh region
in modern Pakisthan and Afganisthan. Hence his
identification of Utkala in northwest India does
not seem to be probable.
The site of Radhanagar has not yet been
fully excavated horizontally and hence the detailed
cultural sequence of the site is yet to be
ascertained. However the startling results of the
preliminary explorations and excavations in and
around Asia hill range of which Radhanagar is
the epicenter may be identified with the ancient
city of Asitanjana to which Tapassu and Bhallika
belonged. It is hoped that the ongoing endeavour
of Culture Department may yield many more new
avenues to strengthen the historicity and nativity
of Tapassu and Bhallika.
Inscription - Kesa Thupa
Inscription - Bhekku Tapussa Danam
Inscription - Bhallika Lena
References:
1. Buddhism in Orissa, Dr. N. K. Sahoo, Utkal
University, 1958
2. 2500 years of Buddhism - Prof. P. V. BAPAT -
(Ed.) Pub.Div.GOI.
Bhallika - Page - 21, 133, 245
Tapussa - Page - 21, 133
3. A Historical Study of the terms Hinayana,
Mahayana and Vajrayana.
The origin of Mahayana Buddhism. Riyukan
Kimura - Calcutta, 1927.
Tapasas - Page - 50 - School of Thoughts -
divided into Sramanan, Brahamanas or Tapasas
& Paribrajakas.
4. Sahajayan - Ram Prasad Mishra - Calcutta, 1991
Tapasu - 7, 212
Bhallika - 7, 212
5. Development of Buddhism in Uttara Pradesh -
Nalinaksha Dutt, Publisher Bureau, U.P., 1956.
Tapasu & Bhallika - Page - 68
6. Buddhism in East Asia - Sukumar Dutt - ICCR,
1966.
Tapussa & Bhallika - Page - 49 & 63
7. The Voice of Buddha - Pranab Bandopadhyaya
- Calcutta, 1988.
Tapussa - 22, 23
Bhallika - 25
8. Sahajayan Cult of Bengal & Pancha Sakha Cult.
of Orissa -
Paritosh Das, Calcutta, 1988.
Tapussa - 49, 175
Bhallika - 49, 175
9. Manual of Indian Buddhism - H. Kera, Delhi,
1992.
Tapassu - 28, 119
Bhallika - 19, 120
10. The Historical Evolution of the Buddha legend -
Sarla Khosla, New Delhi, 1989.
Bhallika - 67, 69, 125
Tapussa - 67, 69, 125
Orissa Review * November - 2007
11
11. Bay, Gwendolyn 1983. (Translated). Lalitavistara
Sutra: The Voice of the Buddha: The Beauty of
Compassion. Berkley: U.S.A.
12. Behera, S.C. Interim Excavation Report. Jyoti
Vihar: Sambalpur University.
13. Brandtner, M. 1994. Archaeology of Western
Orissa: Finds from Nehena, in South Asian
Archaeology 1993, Vol. 1 (A. Parpola and P.
Koskikalio), Pp. 101-114. Helsinki: Suomalainen
Tiedeakatemia.
14. Donaldson, T.E. 2001. Iconography of Buddhist
Sculptures in Orissa (Vol. I). New Delhi: Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
15. Lal, B.B. 1949. Sisupalgarh: An Early Historic
Fort in the Eastern Coast, Ancient India 5:
62-105.
16. Mishra, J. 2000. Radhanagar: Early Historic
Buddhism, Urban Structure and Trade, in
Archaeology of Orissa (K.K. Basa and P.
Mohanty Eds.), Pp. 507-550. New Delhi: Pratibha
Prakashan.
17. Mitra, Debala 1980. Buddhist Monuments.
Calcutta: Shahitya Academy.
18. Mohanty, P.K. and B. Mishra 2005. From Stone
Age to the Early Historic: Recent Archaeological
Discoveries in Kalahandi District, Orissa, in River
Valley Cultures of India (K.K. Chakravarty and
G.L. Badam Eds.), Pp. 97-124. Bhopal. Indira
Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya.
19. Prusty, H. and P. Mohanty 1995. Langudi: A
Unique Rock-Cut Buddhist Site in Orissa,
Bulletin of the Deccan College Post Graduate
and Research Institute 53 : 325-327.
20. Ray, P.K. 1983. Buddhist Antiquities of Tarapur,
Orissa Historical Research Journal XXIX (1):
49-51.
21. Sahu, N.K. Religious Movements in Utkala and
Kalinga in the 6th Century B.C., Orissa Historical
Research Journal IV (3-4): 77-88.
22. Tripathy, Balaram. 2000. Early Historic Trade
Network in Central and Western Orissa: An
Ethnoarchaeological Perspective, Man and
Environment XXV(1): 60-67.
Sri G. N. Mohanty, Commissioner-cum-Secretary,
Culture and Information & Public Relations Department,
Bhubaneswar.
Dr. C. B. Patel is the Superintendent of Orissa State
Museum, Bhubaneswar
Sri D. R. Pradhan, Secretary, OIMSEAS
Dr. B. Tripathy, Research Scholar
Orissa Review * November - 2007
1
Tapassu and Bhallika of Orissa, Their
Historicity and Nativity
(Fresh Evidence from Recent Archaeological Explorations and Excavations)
Gopinath Mohanty, Dr. C. B. Patel,
D. R. Pradhan & Dr. B. Tripathy
The historicity and nativity of Tapassu and Bhallika,
the two merchant brothers of Utkala who became
the first disciples of Lord Buddha are shrouded
in mystery. Utkal was a very ancient country. In
Buddhist literature it is described as 'Ukkala' or
'Okkala'. In the Brahmincal literature we find
copious depiction of Utkala to have been located
in the southern region of extended Vindyan range
along with Mekalas, Kalingas, Andhras and
others. Most of the scholars are of the opinion
that Utkala of the epic and Puranas is the same
as 'Ukkala' or 'Okkala' of the Pali literature.
According to Majjhima Nikaya, Vassa and
Bhanna are the two tribes of Ukkala who
professed a type of religion called Ahetuvada,
Akiriyavada and Natthikavada. These two tribes
later on are known to have embraced Buddhism
preached by Lord Buddha. Tapassu and Bhallika
Inscription - Kesa Thupa
Orissa Review * November - 2007
2
of India. Under this historical backdrop, we have
to identify the original home land of Tapassu and
Bhallika basing on the fresh archaeological
evidence.
Now, the Department of Culture, Govt. of
Orissa is making extensive archaeological
exploration and excavations in various parts of
the state to gather scientific source material to
strengthen the historicity and nativity of the two
famous merchant brothers of world eminence.
Literary Record:
According to early Vinaya texts and the
Anguttara Nikaya "two merchants named
Trapusa (Pali Tapassu or Tapussa) and Bhallika
(Pali Bhalliya) approached the Buddha eight
weeks after his enlightenment and offered rice
cakes and honey". As per the belief, present-day
Buddhist community, residing in the Athagarh-
Baramba region of Cuttack district and Kantilo-
Padmavati-Banki opine that the merchants offered
Inscriptioin - Bhekku Tapussa Danam
(variedly described as Tapussa and Bhalluka or
Bhalliya) are ascribed to Vassa and Bhanna tribes
of ancient Utkala. The two merchant brothers
became so widely popular in Buddhist world that
they were represented in various garbs in various
countries. The Burmese legends speak Tapassu
(Tapoosa) & Bhallika (Palekat) as the residents
of the city of Okkalaba in the Irrawaddy valley.
According to Dr. N. K. Sahoo Okkalaba is
nothing but a variant form of the country of Utkala,
mistaken as a city. The Lalitavistara mentions the
city (Adhistana) called Utkala in Uttarapatha. The
Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India in
1st half of 7th century A.D. has spoken about
two places as belonging to Tapassu and Bhallika
in Balkh regions. But as per the older Pali accounts
found in the Vinaya texts, the Nikayas and the
Jatakas, the two merchant brothers are
represented as hailing from the country i.e.
Janapada of Ukkala which should be identified
with Utkala i.e. modern Orissa in the Southeast
Orissa Review * November - 2007
3
the Lord 'Arisa Pitha' (rice cake mixed with ghee
and molasses) in a bowl provided by the four
guardians of the directions (Lokapalas). After
offering these gifts, Tapassu and Bhallika became
the first lay disciples (Upasaakas) and received
relics of Buddha's hair (eight handful strings of
hair) and nails which the Tathagata offered them
to enshrine in stupas in their home country. The
merchant brothers carried home the divine relics
to their native city Asitanjana where they
deposited it in a magnificent Chaitya, erected for
the purpose. According to the commentary of the
Theragatha these two merchants also
subsequently visited the Buddha at Rajagriha and
by that time Tapassu was renamed as Sotapanna
and Devachikaupasaka and his name has been
incorporated in the list of eminent upasakas of
Lord Buddha. On the other hand Bhallika joined
the Sangha and became an arhat. The Pujavaliya
text of Ceylon delineates that Tapassu and
Bhallika after their conversion visited the east coast
of Sri Lanka where they erected a Chaitya to
commemorate their visit. The site where the
merchant brothers reached in Ceylon might be
identified with Manthai harbour city with which
the ancient Oriya people had tremendous maritime
contact. The archaeological material of
Radhanagara has a striking similarity with the
material found at Manthai harbour in Sri Lanka
i.e. Fine Grey Ware and Black Slipped Ware,
Knobbed Bowls, or Begging Bowls etc.
Radhanagar (spelt as Rajnagar in 1929
Toposheet) is situated in Jajpur district of Central
Orissa.
The Recent Explorations and Excavations:
Several Buddhist remains within a particular
geographical limit with Radhanagar Fort as the
Inscription - Bhallika Lena
Orissa Review * November - 2007
4
epi center have been found at places like Kayama,
Deuli, Tarapur, Vajragiri, Langudi, Kantigadia,
Neulpur, Panturi, Bandareswar etc. These sites
are covered under limited excavation to trace here
cultural sequence. Even in the trial and
experimental explorations, inscriptions mentioning
the names of Tapassu and Bhallika at Tarapur
and Deuli have been located. The inscriptions have
been deciphered by J. Jayprakash, Epigraphist,
Archaeological Survey of India. The survey also
resulted in the discovery of at least 10 massive
stupas, 40 rock-cut caves and several hundreds
of votive stupas, images/sculptures of Buddhist
pantheon, belonging to all the three schools i.e.
Hinayana (Lower Vehicle), Mahayana (Greater
Vehicle) and Vajrayana (Tantric or magical form
of Buddhism). Explorations at and around Langudi
hill yielded spectacular discoveries like the ancient
Buddhist monastery of Puspagiri Vihara, an
Ashokan stupa, two rare statues of Emperor
Ashoka, 54 rock cut votive stupas, five rock-cut
dhayani Buddhas and their counterparts. The
remains of two monasteries as also a golden
glazed Northern Black Polished Ware sherd, the
pottery associated with the Mauryan noble class/
royal people is striking. The excavation at Langudi
hill, with the discovery of Ashokan stupa and
Puspagiri Vihara, has substantiated the statement
of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (629-645
A.D.) that "Ashoka constructed ten stupas (Pali
Tope) in Wu-Tu (Odra) country where Buddha
had preached". The stupa at Langudi hill may be
the one among the ten stupas said to have been
constructed by Ashoka. The epigraphical and
archaeological remains of this tract of 10 km
radius speaks of the evolution of Buddhism from
6th century B.C. to 10th century A.D. in this part.
The Landscape:
The sites mentioned above are located in a
very densely populated areas of Dharmasala
Tehsil. The Fort of Radhanagar is situated in the
midst of several small hillocks containing
spectacular Buddhist remnants belonging all the
three sects, Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
All the hillocks are a part of the Asia hill range
and drained by the river Brahmani and its tributary
Kelua. The Buddhist sites located on the hillocks
are also supported by water bodies of the rivers
as well as channels dug-out for obvious reasons.
Eventually, they also served as protective water
bodies. The region is also one of the most fertile
tracts of the Mahanadi-Brahmani delta and
characterized by a high dependency on agriculture.
The precipitation of the area is also well-balanced
but sometimes affected by flood situation. The
lithostratigraphic unit of the area is marked by the
presence of granite and granite gneiss, charnokites
and quartz, chert and chalcedony as main intrusive
veins. The landscape provides an ideal location
for human habitation being protected by chains
of hills and water bodies. The people are smart
agriculturalists and bear a Central Indian affiliation,
especially the traditional navigators and fishermen
of the region. The geographical feature of the
region is intersected by rivers like Brahmani and
Kelua and by numerous water bodies, small and
big laterite hillocks with khondalite, charnokite and
sandstone outcrops, plain valleys with black and
alluvial soil, it convenient for settlements.
The Culture Complex of Radhanagar:
Radhanagar (200 411 N and 860 111 E)
Radhanagar is located in the midst of a
cluster of hillocks, on the right bank of river Kelua,
Orissa Review * November - 2007
5
a tributary of the Brahmani river (about 85 kms
from Bhubaneswar) in the district of Jajpur. It is
a fortified settlement, honeycomb in shape,
measuring 1200 m on each of the sides. Recently,
a small-scale excavation has resulted in the finding
of a number of important archaeological materials.
At present the fort is partially preserved.
Earth, brick and laterite blocks are traced in the
construction of the rampart. Fortification of each
side consists of three projections, two in the
corners and one in the centre. The average height
of the fortification is between 4 and 5 m (at
projections). There are two gateways (20m wide
each) one in the northern side and the other one
in the east of the central projection. The space
covering an area of 500 sq. m. on the western
horizon in the inner fortification, in an irregular
orientation, marks the citadel or the nucleus area
of the city. The citadel is associated with a large
variety of pottery with considerable types and
forms, terracotta ring-wells, ritual tanks, brick
structures and a wide range of antiquities. The
average brick size is 46 X 30.5 X 9 cm3. About
7 to 8 m habitational deposit can be noticed at
the citadel area over the water logging surface.
The locality of the extreme south within the
fortification has preserved a few isolated mounds
with an assemblage of potsherds and other
habitational debris. The community of low social
ranking probably inhabited this locality. Besides,
habitational mounds are also noticed outside the
fortification, indicating that a considerable part of
urban population of Radhanagar lived outside the
fortification walls.
Quite close to the fort is located a hillock,
Kayama, where a monolithic elephant is located
(only one in the entire sub-continent), the second
being at Jaugada (at a place called Gudiali, in
between Kavisuryanagar and Purushottampur in
Ganjam district) in a somewhat kneeling posture,
locally known as 'Hati Pathara'. The third elephant
is located at Dhauli (half hewn). The fourth
evidence of an elephant (Ashokan) comes from
Kalsi, near Deheradun in Uttarakhand, in the form
of a graffito. Keeping in view the depiction of the
elephant, the one located at Kayama may be
considered as the earliest depiction of Lord
Buddha in anthropomorphic form which
symbolizes birth of Lord Buddha.
Ceramic Assemblage:
The pottery varieties of the site of
Radhanagar include a wide array of ceramic
products. They include Fine Red Ware
(decorated with fingertip decoration), Black and
Red Ware, Northern Black Polished Ware, Black
Slipped Ware, Knobbed Ware, Roman as well
as indigenous Rouletted Ware, Fine Grey Ware,
Red Polished Ware, Coarse Red Ware, etc.
which speak about the wide contact of the
settlement with far off places and civilizations.
Besides, a number of antiquities like terracotta
beads, earrings, gamesman, horse figurine,
bangles of terracotta and glass have also been
unearthed within one metre of excavation. Further
excavations will may yield more habitational
deposit.
Tarapur Hill (200 441 N & 860 101 E)
Tarapur (Plate 3) is a small isolated hillock
of khondolite, granite, sandstone with laterite
capping situated near National Highway No. 5 at
Fatehpur in Jajpur district (at a distance of 65
kms from Bhubaneswar in north-west direction).
The site is approachable through a morum road
Orissa Review * November - 2007
6
from the Highway. Most probably, the name
Tarapur has been derived from goddess Tara of
Buddhist pantheon. But surprisingly, no remains
belonging to the Mahayana and Vajrayana cults
are noticed.
On the top of the hillock the remains of a
stupa is noticed which has been partially disturbed
due to natural and manmade factors. The
excavation has revealed a square-sized stupa
made of burnt bricks whose sides are covered
with laterite pillars, most likely to strengthen the
corners and edges of the stupa. The shape and
construction pattern of the stupa is in a very crude
form speaks of its antiquity. Scientific dating
(Thermoluminiscence method) of some of brick
specimen from the core area of the stupa may
indicate the exact date.
It can be stated concluded that the stupa
at Tarapur flourished as an important centre of
Buddhism during the early phase of Buddhism and
the date of the site may go back to the early part
of 6th century B.C.
Besides the stupa, a double-storied rockcut
cave is also noticed in the debris. From the
cave, as also from the nearby areas, a number of
used earthen lamps with carbonized impression
have been found.
The exploration and excavation at this site
have revealed a wide range of material culture
such as pottery datable to the pre-Ashokan era.
Mention may be made of bowls with circular
bases made of well-levigated clay and of fine
fabric. The bowls have been found in two wares,
namely Red Ware with a very fine core and Fine
Grey Ware. The pottery is basically religious and
ritualistic in nature and comprised of bowls in
profusion and channel spouted basins while
shapes of utilitarian nature for household are scant.
At least five inscriptions, two in early
Brahmi characters and the rest three in proto-
Oriya have been found. The two early Brahmi
inscriptions, as deciphered by J. Jayprakash,
Senior Epigraphist, Archaeological Survey of
India read as 'Bhekku Tapussa danam' and
'Kaligaraja' which associates Tapussa with the site
and could be identified with the 'Kesa Stupa' as
referred in Anguttara Nikaya, the famous Buddhist
text. The casket might have survived in the debris
containing the Kesa or hair relic of Lord Buddha.
The remaining three inscriptions are datable to
later period and read as "Kalinga Gada-
Nayakasa, "Kalinga-desa-Gadha-Nayakasa",
and "Gupata Khandagiri".
Deuli-Deulipal Hills (200 461 N & 860 081E)
These twin hills of Deuli and Deulipal are
situated in the right bank of the river Brahmani
near the Gokarnika Tirtha at Jaraka on the
National Highway No. 5. The Brahmani meanders
at this point making the area protected and suitable
for navigation. A large number of rock-cut caves
(some are double-storied) are located on these
hills, suggesting the Buddhist association of the
site. On the top of Deuli hill is found the remains
of a large stupa, measuring 75 x 602 ft along with
large numbers of laterite blocks, architectural
members of the stupa, brick and brickbats and
ancient potteries. Besides, the site of Deuli located
at a close proximity to the site of Radhanagar on
the source of river Kelua has yielded a symbol
resembling a cowrie or grain. The symbols are
depicted on the exterior surface of the pots.
Similar symbol also occurs on seals and other
antiquities. Hence, the symbol might have been
used as an 'insignia' of Buddhist religion.
Orissa Review * November - 2007
7
Orissa Review * November - 2007
8
The inscriptional evidence at Tarapur and
Deuli strengthen the connection of Tapassu and
Bhallika with Utkala. As evident from the Buddhist
literary sources Tapussa and Bhallika were
contemporary of Lord Buddha and as such
cultural sequence of the site can be traced back
to 6th century B.C.
The explorations and excavations
conducted at Radhanagara have yielded
antiquities like pottery and metal objects, figurines
Another discovery of an inscription in early
Brahmi characters comes from a rock-cut cave
in Deulipal hills, adjacent to the Deuli hill where
a gigantic square-shaped stupa has been partially
unearthed. The inscription reads as 'Bhallika
Lena' and is significant in terms of the
identification of the homeland of Bhallika in
Orissa. The rock-cut cave is facing to the Deuli
hill stupa and might have been used by Bhallika
after he became an Upasaka or Arahat.
Orissa Review * November - 2007
9
Mahanadi and Brahmani to reach Madhyadesa
or Central India as has been mentioned vividly in
early Buddhist and Hindu literature. There are
thousands of Buddhist remnants on the left bank
of the Mahanadi as also on the right bank of the
Brahmani. A thorough analysis of the
archaeological material such as pottery and other
antiquities have revealed the existence of a direct
route from Toshali to Pataliputra in between the
rivers Mahanadi and Brahmani. Tapassu and
Bhallika might have followed the route of Toshali-
Vidisha-Ujjain-Pataliputra or the unexplored route
of Toshali-Pataliputra located most probably in
between the two major rivers, Mahanadi and
Brahmani which has connected Radhanagar as
well.
Discussion:
Ukkala or Utkala mentioned in the
Anguttara Nikaya is most likely a variant form of
Utkala (Orissa). Later texts and traditions vary
as to its location. Burmese legends, for example,
identify Ukkala as a city in the delta of the Irrawady
river, while traditions of the Mahasanghika schools
as recorded in the Lalitavistara and the
Mahavastu, place Ukkala in north-west India.
From archaeological and epigraphical evidence
Utkala is known to have been situated in the north
of river Mahanadi in Orissa. This is supported by
puranic texts as well. Orissa was known as
Ukkala or Utkala, being named after a tribe called
Utkalas. In this context, Radhanagar or Rajnagar
fort in the Dharmasala tehsil of Jajpur district may
be identified with the ancient city of Asitanjana.
Radhanagar is the most ancient Early Historic fort
in Orissa dating back to the pre-Mauryan era
which is also well connected with Tapassu and
Bhallika as discussed in this paper.
etc. datable to the pre-Mauryan period. No other
archaeological site in Orissa provide so much
material of the pre-Christian era. The excavations
at Radhanagar yielded a type of pottery known
as Knobbed Ware in profusion amount which are
deeply associated with early Buddhism in a
symbolic perspective. Such wares are located in
settlements like Sisupalgarh, Jaugada, Marjakud,
Manamunda-Asuragada, Narla-Asurgarh,
Budhigarh and Kharligarh and Nehena. They carry
trade network of the Sresthis (Buddhist trading
community) and are found along the trade route.
The site has also yielded a wide variety of
antiquities like Northern Black Polished Ware,
Fine Grey Ware, Red Polished Ware, Black and
Red Ware some of which are even datable to the
pre-Mauryan period.
The Route/Trail of Tapassu and Bhallika:
It is known from the archaeological, literary
and numismatic sources that ancient Orissa was
well-connected with north and south India through
trade routes and with South and South-East Asia
through the sea. Two royal routes or Highways
existed in ancient Orissa, joining Toshali-Ujjain-
Pataliputra and Toshali-Chandraketugarh-
Pataliputra. The route of Toshali-Ujjain-
Pataliputra has been extensively surveyed and
established as per archaeological, scientific
(several pottery types were subjected for X-Ray,
Diffraction Analysis and Thin Section Analysis to
understand the trading pattern and the route),
ethnohistoric and literary data. It has been
confirmed that the route was in use since the 6th-
5th centuries B.C. as per the analysis of the
archaeological material found from more than 45
Early Historic settlements. Most probably there
also existed an important route in between the
Orissa Review * November - 2007
10
In the 7th century A.D. the Chinese Pilgrim,
Hiuen Tsang (Yuan Chwang) places their
homeland in the northwest, identifying two cities
north and west of Balkh. It is important to note
that Hiuen Tsang spent most of his times in
eastern, central and northern part of India up to
Allahabad or Prayag where the traveler attended
a Buddhist Assembly, organized by
Harshavardhana (606-646 A.D.). He was not
known to have visited 'Peshawar' or Balkh region
in modern Pakisthan and Afganisthan. Hence his
identification of Utkala in northwest India does
not seem to be probable.
The site of Radhanagar has not yet been
fully excavated horizontally and hence the detailed
cultural sequence of the site is yet to be
ascertained. However the startling results of the
preliminary explorations and excavations in and
around Asia hill range of which Radhanagar is
the epicenter may be identified with the ancient
city of Asitanjana to which Tapassu and Bhallika
belonged. It is hoped that the ongoing endeavour
of Culture Department may yield many more new
avenues to strengthen the historicity and nativity
of Tapassu and Bhallika.
Inscription - Kesa Thupa
Inscription - Bhekku Tapussa Danam
Inscription - Bhallika Lena
References:
1. Buddhism in Orissa, Dr. N. K. Sahoo, Utkal
University, 1958
2. 2500 years of Buddhism - Prof. P. V. BAPAT -
(Ed.) Pub.Div.GOI.
Bhallika - Page - 21, 133, 245
Tapussa - Page - 21, 133
3. A Historical Study of the terms Hinayana,
Mahayana and Vajrayana.
The origin of Mahayana Buddhism. Riyukan
Kimura - Calcutta, 1927.
Tapasas - Page - 50 - School of Thoughts -
divided into Sramanan, Brahamanas or Tapasas
& Paribrajakas.
4. Sahajayan - Ram Prasad Mishra - Calcutta, 1991
Tapasu - 7, 212
Bhallika - 7, 212
5. Development of Buddhism in Uttara Pradesh -
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Tapasu & Bhallika - Page - 68
6. Buddhism in East Asia - Sukumar Dutt - ICCR,
1966.
Tapussa & Bhallika - Page - 49 & 63
7. The Voice of Buddha - Pranab Bandopadhyaya
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Tapussa - 22, 23
Bhallika - 25
8. Sahajayan Cult of Bengal & Pancha Sakha Cult.
of Orissa -
Paritosh Das, Calcutta, 1988.
Tapussa - 49, 175
Bhallika - 49, 175
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Tapassu - 28, 119
Bhallika - 19, 120
10. The Historical Evolution of the Buddha legend -
Sarla Khosla, New Delhi, 1989.
Bhallika - 67, 69, 125
Tapussa - 67, 69, 125
Orissa Review * November - 2007
11
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