Kaushambi, near modern Allahabad was an important
center of Buddhism in ancient times.
Kaushambi has been a great center of Buddhist
culture and heritage. In ancient times Kaushambi was an important seat
of Buddhist learning and the remains of various monuments bear testimony
to this fact. The capital of the ancient Matsya kingdom was in Kaushambi
during the time of Lord Buddha. It is about 57 km away from modern
Allahabad. In ancient times it was known as Kosam. Kaushambi, which is
reminiscent of Buddhist culture, is now into ruins but lot can be read
into the great past of the place. The 6 km expanse of Parikshit's fort
is now extinct. In the 4 BC, the great Mauryan emperor, Ashoka, had
built two pillars in Kaushambi. One of these pillars now is in Allahabad
fort and the other is in a dilapidated condition in Kaushambi. In
Buddhist scriptures and ancient Indian literature we find mention of a
Buddhist Vihara (Ghositaram Vihara) but unfortunately no trace of the
Ghositaram Vihara is present now.
