Editing Sarnath (section)

===8th century – 12th century===
During the [[Pala Empire|Pala]] (8th–11th centuries) period, the rulers built new ''[[mahavihara]]s'' such as [[Odantapuri]], [[Somapura Mahavihara|Somapura]], [[Jagaddala Mahavihara|Jagaddala]], and [[Vikramashila]] and patronised existing ones such as [[Nalanda]] and Sarnath. During this time, Buddhist pilgrims and monks from all over Asia travelled to Sarnath to meditate and study. The Palas were the last major Buddhist dynasty to rule in the Indian subcontinent. They were replaced by the [[Gahadavala dynasty]], whose capital was located at Varanasi.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Although the Gahadavala kings were Hindu, they were tolerant of Buddhism. Inscriptions unearthed at Sarnath in the early 20th century indicate that some of the monasteries there enjoyed royal patronage from the Gahadavala rulers. For example, in a mid-12th-century inscription attributed to Queen Kumaradevi (consort of [[Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)|King Govindachandra]]) and member of the [[Pithipatis of Bodh Gaya|Pithipati dynasty of Bodh Gaya]]. She takes credit for the construction or restoration of a [[Vihāra|living quarters for monks]].{{sfn|Konow|1908|pp=320, 327-8}} 

It is widely asserted that the structure referred to in the Kumaradevi inscription is the Dharma Chakra Jina Vihar, but the evidence for this is inconclusive. Whatever the case, it is likely to be among the last structures to be built at Sarnath prior to its destruction in 1194.{{sfn|Asher|2020|pp=6-8}} The inscription, excavated at Sarnath in March 1908,{{sfn|Konow|1908|p=319}} is currently maintained at the [[Sarnath Museum|Sarnath Archeological Museum]].<ref name="ASI2013">{{cite web|author=Archaeological Survey of India|authorlink=Archaeological Survey of India|title=Accession Number: 33 (Kumaradevi inscription)|work=Archaeological Museum Sarnath|publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] - Sarnath Circle|location=Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh|year=2013|url=http://www.sarnathmuseumasi.org/gallery/Gallery2%20Acc%20No%2033.html|accessdate=2 January 2023|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307230006/http://www.sarnathmuseumasi.org/gallery/Gallery2%20Acc%20No%2033.html|url-status=live}}</ref>