Author Harmesh Jassal charts forgotten Buddhist history
Released on December 28, 2025, Jassal’s book ‘Punjab Da Bodhi Itihaas’ is a deep dive into 1,200 years of the region’s history, starting with the ancient Trigarta Kingdom – the earlier name for Jalandhar – predating Punjab itself
Did the Buddha ever come to Punjab? What was it like studying at Taxila (Takshashila), one of the earliest centres of learning in the ancient world? What must the seers, scholars, and merchants have felt as they walked through the ancient trade route – the Silk Route?
A recently released book by Jalandhar-based scholar, historian and author Harmesh Jassal answers these questions and more, delving into the origins of Jalandhar and documenting Punjab’s rich ancient dynasties and largely forgotten Buddhist history.
Released on December 28, 2025, Jassal’s book ‘Punjab Da Bodhi Itihaas’ is a deep dive into 1,200 years of the region’s history, starting with the ancient Trigarta Kingdom – the earlier name for Jalandhar – predating Punjab itself.
While discussing the region’s ancient kings, ethos and value systems, the book also provides a meticulous history of contemporary archaeological digs and discoveries related to Buddhism in the state. The 368-page book carries generous illustrations documenting Buddhist statues, coins, stamps, and other artefacts found at archaeological sites across Punjab.
Prominent Buddhist sites discussed in the book include Sanghol; Dholbaha, where Buddhist statues were unearthed; Faridkot, where a wooden Buddha statue was discovered; the Nathan Di Bagichi site in Jalandhar; Vrinda Devi Temple in Jalandhar; and the Phagwara Naga Mandir site, from which ancient coins were excavated. The book also discusses stamps dating back to the period of the Greco-Bactrian king Menander I (Milind).
One chapter focuses on Milind, who ruled the region of present-day Sialkot and embraced Buddhism, and his famous conversations on Buddhism with the sage Nagasena. While the two-volume book is comprehensive in itself, it remains a work in progress. The current volumes trace 1,200 years of Buddhist history in the region, from the time of Buddha to King Harshvardhana. The third volume will explore Buddhist history after the Harshvardhana period.
Speaking to The Tribune, Harmesh Jassal said, “It is a magnum opus. I’m 72. I don’t know whether I will survive to complete the entire work because there is so much more to do. However, I know I will keep working to finish it as long as I can.”
Answering whether Buddha himself came to Punjab, Jassal replied, “In the book, possibilities are discussed. Buddhist history goes back over 2,500 years. No historian can claim anything definitively. But the book traces the paths he must have taken in the region.”
Was Jalandhar on the ancient Silk Route?
“A route used to come from Patliputra (Patna), and the Silk Route from the north used to join at Mathura. Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Ferozepur were situated on this route, which went further to Taxila in present-day Pakistan. Taxila was a major centre of learning. Nalanda University became famous much later. Earlier, all students and scholars went to Taxila. Buddha’s devotee and personal physician, Jeevak, also studied surgery there. He certainly must have taken this route. I’ve discussed it in the book.”
Why does the region have so few traces of Buddhism today?
“Kings like Pusyamitra Shunga, who established the Shunga dynasty, marched from Pataliputra and killed the Buddhist king Brihadratha Maurya, taking over the throne. He persecuted Buddhists and even travelled to Peshawar, offering rewards for the heads of Buddhist monks – 100 coins per monk. Many kings did not favour Buddhism. Additionally, much of the ancient architecture was made of wood. These factors led to very little surviving evidence of Buddhism in the region. Whatever remained was later destroyed by marauders or subsequent rulers.”
