The Dharmrajika stupa at Sarnath is one of the
important Buddhist monuments.
Dharmrajika Stupa is believed to be the site where
the Buddha gave his first sermon. The Dharmrajika Stupa was pulled down
in the 18th century by an officer of the Maharaja of Benaras who was
looking for building material for constructing a bazaar. At present the
'Dharmrajika Stupa', built by the great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (273-232
B.C.) is in complete ruins. The stupa was enlarged five times during
different periods and empires. In the eighteenth century, during the
reign of Raja Chet Singh of Benaras, the stupa was again pulled apart by
his Dewan, Jagat Singh.
