Archaeologists have found evidence of Buddhist and Hindu religious practices existing in harmony at the ancient Telhara University, claimed to be the second oldest in the world.

Senior officials of the state archaeological directorate, who are overseeing excavations and scientific exploration at the ancient seat of learning since December 2009, claimed it was already known that various streams of Buddhist Mahayana studies, including medicine and Tantrism, were taught at Telhara. But the latest findings suggest Hindu religious practices were also followed here.

Atul Kumar Verma, director at the state archaeological directorate, who heads the excavations at Telhara, said it was the first time in Bihar that Gupta period (fourth-fifth century AD) artefacts linked to Hinduism were found at a Buddhist monastery. "We recently found a statue of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Goddess Sita and a traditional lamp belonging to the Gupta period during scientific explorations at Telhara," Verma told The Telegraph on Saturday. "This is the first time that a Gupta period traditional lamp has been found at an ancient university in Bihar. This suggests that the tradition of lighting lamps dates back to the Gupta period. We now have evidence that remains recovered from Telhara till now belong to three periods, namely Kushan (first century-third century AD), Gupta (fourth-fifth century AD) and Pal (eighth-twelfth century AD) periods."

A section of historians, however, differed with the claim. "Buddhist monasteries of the Gupta period or even beyond used to promote inclusion of other religions to ensure harmony with the local population," said a Patna-based historian requesting anonymity. "They followed a hierarchy, wherein Buddhist order was on top and Hinduism and other religions at subsequent levels. For instance, statues of Vishnu and several other Hindu deities have been found at the ruins of the ancient Nalanda university too."

The state archaeological directorate has been claiming Telhara as the second oldest university in the world after finding archaeological remains belonging to the Kushan period. Takshila (in Rawalpindi district of Punjab province in Pakistan) is considered the oldest seat of learning, dating back to the Second Century BC. Nalanda, on the other hand, dates back to the fourth century AD.

Archaeological directorate officials claimed the university's downfall set in once Tantrism began to be taught there. Following misuse of Tantrism, locals called for Bakhtiyar Khilji, who destroyed this university, Nalanda, Vikramshila and another one at Odantapuri. "Telhara was completely devastated by Khilji. In fact, we found a layer of ash one feet deep, proof that the university had been badly burnt," Verma said.

The notified site of the ancient university at Telhara is 1 sqkm and only 20 per cent of it has been excavated till date. Excavations have taken place till up to 30ft underground.

"Scientific explorations at Telhara began in January and would conclude by month-end owing to onset of the rainy season," Verma said.

The director said the state government would approach the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for issuance of a licence to continue excavations at Telhara. Excavations have been suspended since October 2014 following non-issuance of excavation licence.

Senior officials in the state archaeological directorate claimed both Chinese travellers Huen Tsang and I-tsing have mentioned Telhara in their texts. "The ASI's first director-general, Sir Alexander Cunningham, who visited the place between 1872 and 1878, also wrote about inscriptions describing ' Teliyadhak' as a place that had seven monasteries, matching Hiuen Tsang's account," Verma said.