The Bodhi tree was cut down many times.
According to legend first time by Ashoka’s wife who was jealous of his attention to it.
Then again by King Pushyamitra Shunga in the 2nd century BC, and by King Shashanka in 600 AD. In the 7th century AD, Chinese traveler Xuanzang wrote of the tree in detail.
Each time it was replanted
The tree Cunningham saw earlier died and in 1881, Cunningham planted a new Bodhi tree on the same site.
The Bodhi tree plays a huge role in Buddhism.
This is a frieze from the original Sunga dynasty railing around the Mahabodhi Temple now displayed in the museum
