Sculpting the Divine

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 and Patil. It comprehensively analyses the evolution of rock-cut sculptures, the environmental setting of Kauwa-Dol Hill, and its historical-religious landscape.