What is bhitari pillar?

Bhitari pillar is a sandstone column located in the Bhitari village of Jaunpur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The pillar is believed to have been erected during the reign of the Gupta Empire, possibly by the emperor Kumara Gupta I (r. 414–455 CE) or his successor Skandagupta (r. c. 455 – c. 467 CE).

The pillar stands approximately 15 feet tall and is decorated with inscriptions in Brahmi script. The inscriptions record the achievements of Kumara Gupta I and his descendants, including the conquest of several regions and the establishment of a stable and prosperous empire.

Archaeological excavations in the Bhitari area have also uncovered remains of several Buddhist stupas and monasteries, indicating that the region was an important center of Buddhism during the Gupta period.

Today, the Bhitari pillar is a protected monument under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India and is a popular tourist attraction.