The remains of the monasteries found in the excavations at Sarnath appear to have been built between the 3rd century AD and the 12th century AD according to archaeologists.
The architectural style of monastery number 4 reveals the life of the monks living in this monastery. This monastery bears evidence of the Buddhist monastic tradition at this site.
This monastery has three rooms on the north side and three on the east side, a verandah and a courtyard below the ground level and the stone pillars installed in the wall are special. The courtyard was paved with flat bricks whose slope is towards the drain located in the north-east corner. The 12th century stone inscription in Nagari script found from this monastery states that this monastery was built or renovated with the contribution of Kumari Devi who was the queen of Kannauj.
The architectural style of this monastery is a reflection of the Shunga dynasty, the Gupta dynasty and King Harshvardhan who were not a follower of Buddhism but they were great patron of Buddhism. The contributions of these kings, such as the artworks based on the life of Buddha, railings etc. are unprecedented.
This monastery is a mirror of the life of the monks living there. The remains of this monastery at the Sarnath archaeological site are an important discovery.