About the Book: Sculpting the Divine: Rock-cut Sculptures of Kauwa-Dol Hill
(Ancient Silabhadra Monastery)
The book Sculpting the Divine: Rock-cut Sculptures of Kauwa-Dol Hill explores
the vibrant artistic legacy of the Pala period in the ancient Magadha region
through meticulous documentation of Brahmanical and Buddhist sculptures. The
site, once home to the ancient monastic complex of Silabhadra Vihara, served as
a thriving centre of learning. The study highlights the dynamic interplay
between rock, relief, and ritual, transforming stone into a medium of memory,
sanctity, and historical continuity.
This work examines accounts by notable scholars who have studied the site,
including Xuanzang, Buchanan, Kittoe, Beglar, Cunningham, Bloch