Kasrawad Buddhist Site

Kasrawad is a historically significant town in Khargone district that served as an important Buddhist centre during the ancient and early medieval periods. The Buddhist remains and stupas here have been designated as 'sites of national importance' by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), placing Kasrawad among India's most protected archaeological sites.

The town preserves Buddhist stupas, monastic remains, and an impressive collection of approximately 440 ancient sculptures spanning multiple centuries of Buddhist artistic production. These sculptures represent various schools of Buddhist art and provide valuable evidence of Buddhism's deep roots in the Narmada Valley region — a fact often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives that focus on Buddhism's presence in eastern and northern India.

The archaeological finds suggest that Kasrawad was a thriving Buddhist community with monasteries and educational centres, likely connected to the broader network of Buddhist sites along the Narmada trade route. The sculptures include representations of the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and various Buddhist symbols and narratives.

Note: Some of the site's treasures are in a submergence zone due to dam construction, making current visits a matter of urgency for those interested in seeing the remains in their original context. The sculptures that have been preserved are housed in a local museum.

For visitors interested in Buddhism's lesser-known heritage in central India, Kasrawad provides compelling evidence that this region was once a flourishing Buddhist landscape.