Indian Archaeology 1987-88 PDF

INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88
—A REVIEW
EDITED BY
M.C.JOSHI
Director General
Archaeological Survey of India
PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
NEW DELHI
1993
Cover : TisseruStupa,Leh,Ladakh
Cover layout & design: Raj Nath Kaw
1992
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Price :Rs. 250.00
PRINTED AT BENGAL OFFSET WORKS, 335, KHAJOOR ROAD, KAROL BAGH, NEW DELHI-1 10005.
PHONE: 524200,7510455
PREFACE
I am happy to place before the scholars the Indian Archaeology 1987-88—A Review not very long
after the publication of the previous issue. We are making efforts to bring the publication of the Review up
to date; this, however, would depend on timely submission of material by contributors. It has been our
experience that, in many cases, several reminders have to be given for sending material to us for
inclusion in the Review which results in delay of its publication. I am sure, with the cooperation of
different institutions and the State Departments of Archaeology and Museums and my own colleagues in
different Branches and Circles of the Survey it would be possible for us to maintain regularity of its
publication.
The present issue of the Review is more voluminous than the previous ones and thus reflects also
increased activities in different fields of archaeology. Out of several excavations reported in this issue, I
may mention the work at Banawali, Thanesar, Sanghol, Hampi, Sannathi, Daulatabad, Lalitagiri,
Udaigiri, Fatehpur Sikri, Sravasti, Balikeshwar, Chandel, Harsud, etc. by the Survey, at Kuntasi jointly by
the Deccan College, Pune, and the Gujarat State Department of Archaeology, at Mangalkot by the
University of Calcutta, at Kotasur by the Visvabharati, Maihar by the Allahabad University, Ganeshwar
by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan State and at Shikarpur by the Department of
Archaeology, Government of Gujarat. It is perhaps not necessary to list the conservation works
carried out by the Survey and the different State Departments throughout the length and breadth of the
country. However, I may mention that the Survey continued to carry out the major work of structural
conservation and chemical preservation of the Angkor Vat temple in Cambodia.
The Survey also established a museum at the Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad, West Bengal, and
the large number of objects in the collection were given detailed chemical treatment.
I am thankful to the Universities, State Governments and other institutions who have contributed
to the Review. I must also express my thanks to my colleagues in the different Branches and Circles.
The responsibility for the information published in the Review is that of the contributors.
Finally, I would like to place on record my grateful thanks to my colleagues, particularly to Shri
B.M. Pande, Director (Publication) of the Headquarters office of the Survey and his devoted associates
namely Shri C. Dorje, Superintending Archaeologist, Dr. Arundhati Banerji, Deputy Superintending
Archaeologist, Shri J.C.Gupta, Production Officer and Shri K.P. Padhy and Shri A. Jha, Assistant
Archaeologists who worked with efficiency and best of their ability constantly to bring out this volume. It
would not have been possible to publish this issue of Indian Archaeology—A Review without their
involvement under the guidance provided by Shri B.M. Pande. I would like to thank Sarvashri H.S.
Miyan, Ramesh Dalai, S.N. Nautiyal and Rakesh Chander of the Drawing Section for making the
illustrations press ready. I am also thankful to the staff members of the Publication Branch for their
assistance in preparing and typing out the text matter.
New Delhi
21 December 1992 M.C. JOSHI
CONTENTS
Page
I. Explorations and Excavations ........................................................................................................... 1

Andhra Pradesh, 1; Assam, 8; Bihar, 9; Gujarat, 13; Haryana, 20; Jammu and Kashmir, 31; Karnataka,
33; MadhyaPradcsh,41;Maharashtra,81;Orissa, 88; Punjab. 95; Rajasthan,99;Tamil Nadu, 102; Uttar
Pradesh. 103; West Bengal. 110.
II. Epigraphy ........................................................................................................... 116
Sanskritic and Dravidic inscriptions, 116
Andhra Pradesh, 116; Karnataka, 118; Madhya Pradesh, 120; Maharashtra, 120; Manipur, 120; Tamil
Nadu, 122; Uttar Pradesh, 122. Arabic and Persian inscriptions, 123.
Andhra Pradesh, 123;Bihar, 123;Gujarat, 124; Karnataka, 125; Madhya Pradesh, 125; Maharashtra,
126; Rajasthan. 127; Tamil Nadu, 128; Uttar Pradesh,128; West Bengal, 129.
III. Numismatics and Treasure trove ............................................................................................................... 131
Andhra Pradesh, 131;Gujarat, 131; Karnataka. 131; MadhyaPradesh. 132; Rajasthan, 133; Tamil Nadu,
133.
IV. Other Important Discoveries ............................................................................................................ 134
Andhra Pradesh, 134; Gujarat, 135; Himachal Pradesh, 135; Jammu and Kashmir, 136; Madhya Pradesh,
137; Maharashtra, 140; Manipur, 141; Mizoram, 141;Rajasthan, 142; Tamil Nadu, 142; Uttar Pradesh, 143.
V. Radiocarbon Dates ........................................................................................................... 145
Gujarat, 145; Haryana, 146; Jammu and Kashmir, 146; Madhya Pradesh, 147; Meghalaya, 147; Punjab,
147; Rajasthan, 148; Tamil Nadu, 148.
VI. Palaeobotanical and Pollen Analytical Investigations ......................................................................... 150
Karnataka, 150; Maharashtra, 150; Uttar Pradesh, 150.
VII. Museums .................................................................................................................................. 154
VIII. Architectural Survey ........................................................................................................................ 159
Temple Survey, 159; Building Survey, 169.
IX. Preservation of Monuments ........................................................................................................... 171
Monuments of National Importance, 171.
AgraCircle, 171; AurangabadCircle,173;BangaloreCircle,174;Bhopal Circle, 179; Bhubaneshwar
Circle. 183; Calcutta Circle, 185; Chandigarh Circle, 186; Delhi Circle, 187; Guwahati Circle, 188;
Hyderabad Circle, 192; Jaipur Circle, 194; Lucknow Circle, 195; Madras Circle, 197; Mini Circle, Goa,
200; Mini Circle, Shimla, 201; Patna Circle, 202; Srinagar Circle, 203; Vadodara Circle, 205. Monuments
maintained by the States, 206.
Andhra Pradesh.206; Bihar, 207; Gujarat. 207; Kamataka,207; MadhyaPradesh,207;Manipur,208;
Rajasthan, 208.
X. Expeditions outside India ............................................................................................................ 210
Preservation of Angkor Vat Temple, Siemreap, Cambodia, 210.
Structural Preservation, 210; Chemical Conservation, 210.
XI. Archaeological Chemistry ............................................................................................................ 211
Treatment of Monuments and Paintings, 211.
Andhra Pradesh, 211; Assam, 211; Bihar. 211; Daman and Diu, 212; Goa, 212; Gujarat, 212;
Haryana, 213; Himachal Pradesh, 213; Jammu and Kashmir, 213; Karnataka, 214; Madhya
Pradesh,214;Maharashtra,215;Nagaland,216;Orissa,217;Rajasthan,218;TamilNadu,218; Uttar
Pradesh, 219; West Bengal, 219.
Page
Treatment of excavated objects and museum exhibits, 220.
Analysis and Research, 222.
XII. Archaeological Gardens .......................................................................................................... 227

Andhra Pradesh, 227; Goa, 227; Gujarat, 227; Karnataka, 227; Maharashtra. 228; Orissa, 228; Punjab,
228; Rajasthan. 228; Tamil Nadu, 228; Uttar Pradesh, 228; West Bengal. 229.
XIII. Publications .......................................................................................................... 230
Publications of the Survey, 230
Other publications, 230.
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88
—A REVIEW
I. EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS
ANDHRA PRADESH
1. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ADILABAD.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums of the

Government of Andhra Pradesh reported the discovery of vertebrate fossils belonging to reptilian
family (size 40.5 x 3.5 x 12 cm, 41.5 x 33 x 15 cm) located inside the layers of Gondwana rock on
the outskirts of Pogadepalli village in the Kundaram Reserve Forest in the district.
2. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ANANTAPUR.—About 1800 villages were surveyed in the district by

the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, for me preparation of a directory of
monuments and antiquities. During the course of the survey, several temples of architectural and
historical importance were discovered apart from a number of prehistoric, protohistoric and early
medieval sites, loose sculptures of different cults including the naga cult, inscriptions, fortification
walls, burji, bastions, etc. In addition to these, one site with evidence of glass industry was also found.
3. EXCAVATIONS AT MALLIPADU, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums,

Andhra Pradesh, conducted minor excavations at Mallipadu which revealed two cultural phases, I
(iron age) and II (early historical). Phase I is characterized by typical megalithic Black-and-red Ware,
and Phase II is marked by the occurrence of Rouletted Ware, coins of late Satavahana and Ikshvaku
periods, beads and terracotta figurines.
4. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT GUNTUR.—D. Hanumantha Rao of the Hyderabad Circle of the

Archaeological Survey of India1 discovered several megaliths at Chityala village on the right bank of
the river Krishna. These megaliths consist of dolmenoid cists having chambers protruding above the
ground. In many cases, the chamber slabs have a port-hole. At Chityala Tanda, a hamlet of the same
village, he also found a menhir two metres in height with an anthropomorphic form.
Explorations were conducted at Ketavaram, 5 km south-west of Chityala on the same river bank,
which revealed a rectangular fort having circular and square bastions at regular intervals and
half-a-dozen temples and mandapas, all belonging to the medieval period. Most of them are in a
dilapidated condition without any icons inside. In one of the temples, two slabs of mukhamandapas
bear carvings of ships, which throw some light on the navigation system of the period.
In the vicinity of the Kollur village in the same district, a late medieval Qutb Shahi mosque,
temples of stone with brick sikharas, dedicated to Siva and Vishnu, loose sculptures of nagas,
naginis, hero-stones and Nandi, all datable to medieval period, were found.
The Archaeological Survey of India is referred to in the following pages as the Survey.
1
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY I9S7SS — A REVIEW
With the objective of tracing the extension of the rule of the new dynasty (Sada kings), M.
Kasturi Bai assisted by Venu Shanker and P. Srinivas Reddy of the Birla Archaeological and Cultural
Research Institute, Hyderabad, carried out explorations in the district and discovered following sites:
Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains
Guntur Mallavaram Early historical

Narasaraopet Elchuru Neolithic to early historical
-do- Jonnalagadda Neolithic and early historical
Sattanapalli Attaluru Early historical
-do- Chandavaram Early historical
-do- Garapadu Neolithic to early historical
-do- Garikapadu Neolithic to early historical
-do- Jalalapuram Neolithic to early historical
-do- Pondugula Early historical
-do- Vipparla Early historical
Exploration carried out by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh,
resulted in the discovery of Palaeolithic, iron age and early historical remains at the village Madduru
near Amaravati in Guntur district.
Middle Palaeolithic artefacts comprising scrapers and flakes were noticed across the habitation
area of 10 cm thickness, covered by earth washed down from the higher levels of the hill.
Further south, discovery was made of an iron age burial complex containing terracotta sar-
cophagi in the pits dug into the murrum at the foot of the hill alongwith black and red ware sherds.
Explorations in a habitation site at the northern foot of a hillock on the eastern side of the village
Madduru yielded remains of early historical period. Sherds of thick black-and-red ware, black ware,
red ware of slipped and plain varieties were also found at the site.
5. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KARIMNAGAR.—Detailed taphonomical and morphological study of

the skeletal remains of Bos namadicus, collected from the right bank of the Godavari near the village
Servaipet in Karimnagar district was conducted by G.L. Badam of the Deccan College, Post-
Graduate and Research Institute, Pune. This is the first discovery of any vertebrate fossil made so far
in the lower reaches of the Godavari. It also gives insight into the palaeogeographical distribution of
Bos namadicus in the Pleistocene deposits of peninsular India. Weathering and diagenesis seem to be
the major taphonomic factors operating on the death assemblage at the site. The material seems to be
autochthonous and in all probability is derived from one individual only. Interestingly, there are
indications of deformity in the axis vertebra and the radius-ulna which might reveal some
palaeopathological condition and/or the effect of the sediment load on the material.
6. EXCAVATION AT NELAKONDAPALU, DISTRICT KHAMMAM.—With a view to exposing completely the

structural details of the stupa, the site was taken up for excavation for the fifth season by the
2
EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh. The excavations revealed the top hub,
five-tiered dome (anda), drum (medhi), the circumambulatory passage (pradakshinapatha) along
with three ayaka platforms and the staircases with landing platforms on either side introduced to the
drum, at the four principal cardinal points which were exposed completely. It also brought to light two
structural phases in brick masonry.
7. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KHAMMAM.—Explorations conducted by the Department of Archae-

ology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, in village Vairadhara Annavaram, situated in Veerulapadu
Mandal, yielded evidence pertaining to different cultural periods. These include sherds of neolithic
pottery, stone axes, megalithic Black-and-red Ware and urn burials. Besides, early historical black-
and-red ware sherds in both plain and slipped varieties were also noticed.
8. EXCAVATION AT TAKKELAPADU, DISTRICT KRISHNA.—The Department of Archaeology and Muse-

ums, Andhra Pradesh, carried out excavation at two sites in the Takkelapadu village in Jaggeyapeta
taluk. In one of these sites were found two to three disturbed courses of brick, a few limestone pieces,
fragments of a pedestal probably belonging to a Buddhist image and red-slipped ware. The other
habitational site yielded only the pottery of the early historical period. The usual fabrics are red, black
and the black-and-red wares. On the basis of these finds, both the sites could be dated between the
first and the third century AD.
9. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KRISHNA.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra

Pradesh, reported the discovery of megalithic and early historical sites at Lam situated on Guntur-
Amaravati road about 15 km from Guntur. A few megalithic cist burials were noticed on the eastern
slope and one on top of the hillock. These oblong burials are oriented east-west. To the west of this
megalithic site was found a habitation site datable to first-second century AD which abuts the hill on
the eastern side and tapers towards west from the foot of the hill.
Exploration was also carried out at Yeturu, located on the left bank of the river Krishna in
Nandigrama taluk, which yielded evidence of a habitation site, datable to the early centuries of the
Christian era.
10. EXPLORATIONS IN DISTRICT MAHBUBNAGAR.—A survey of four villages, Garlapalle, Ujjili,

Madharam and Somesvarabanda by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh,
which are likely to be affected by the construction of a reservoir, brought to light evidence of artifacts
of Middle Palaeolithic, neolithic and early historical period. Besides, bangles of early historical
period were found.
On the north-eastern outskirts of the village, another ancient habitation site containing remains
from neolithic to medieval period, was located. Sculptures of Ganapati and hero-stones, were also
found at the site, which is very near the proposed reservoir and is threatened with submergence. The
site also yielded neolithic axes, potsherds of black-and-red and black painted on red bowls. At
Garlapalle on the left bank of Peddavagu in Maktal taluk, habitation site extending over 5 acres of
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88 —A REVIEW
land containing remains ranging from the neolithic to early historical period was found. Exploration in
the village Kamsanipalle, Kodangal taluk, brought to light protohistoric paintings, figures of bulls,
bears, etc., in red ochre, under a huge rock.
The School of History, Culture and Archaeology, Telugu University, Srisailam, carried out
explorations in District Mahbubnagar along the ancient footpath from Umamaheswaram to Srisailam
on the left bank of the river Krishna and discovered several stone age occupations, temples and
remnants of a fortification wall belonging to the medieval period.
Artefact occurrences were noticed at Rasulchervu (16° 15' N; 78° 39' E), Burjgundal (16° 13' N;
78° 38' E), Chaleswaram (16° 11' N; 78° 39' E), Appapur (16° 11' N; 78° 41' E), Borapur (16° 08' N;
78° 42' E), Kadalivanam (16° 08' N; 78° 48' E), Medimankal (16° 07' N; 78° 46' E) and Sangrigundal
(16° 06' N; 78° 48' E). The artefacts include few handaxes and cleavers, numerous scrapers on flakes
and blades, points, simple and Levallosian flakes, and retouched as well as unretouched blades and
cores.
At Rasulchervu, few flakes were noticed scattered at random. Burjgundal appears to be a huge
habitation site extending to several hectares. Artefacts of all categories, handaxes, cleavers, flakes,
flake tools, blades, and blade tools lie scattered on the surface and the site seems to be a multiculture
one. Chaleswaram, Appapur and Borapur have revealed flake-based artefacts and probably represent
Middle Palaeolithic occupation. Between Medimankal and Kadalivanam there is a large Lower
Paleolithic habitation site. Numerous fine quartzite boulders, cobbles, pebbles and many artefacts lie
scattered over a large area extending to several hectares. At Kadalivanam, there is a huge rock shelter
measuring about 200 x 100 x 5 metres, a natural spring, a water fall and a hill stream. Blade-based
artefacts of the Upper Palaeolithic are found on the surface all around Kadalivanam extending to
several hectares. The sediments on the floor of the rock-shelter were removed down to the bedrock
and a Siva-linga and other related icons were installed in recent times thereby destroying the
evidence, if any, of occupation by the Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. Sanrigundal is a small
Chenchu settlement around which are scattered numerous blade-based Upper Palaeolithic artefacts.
Here, the raw material, which is fine grained quartzite, is not available and therefore seems to have
been brought from elsewhere. The raw material for tools at all the other sites mentioned is medium to
fine-grained quartzite and is locally available.
The region under investigation falls under southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest and has
70% to 90% vegetation cover. Of this, 80% constitute woodland vegetation and the remaining 20%
scrub thorny thickets. The mean annual rainfall is 850 mm and the temperature varies between
16° C and 43° C in winter and summer respectively. Food plant and animal species and birds are
abundant and varied.
It is interesting to note that this mountainous woodland ecosystem also happens to be the habitat of
the Chenchus who are traditional hunter-gatherers. Within a radial distance of 15 kms, at least 14
Chenchu settlements were observed. The households of each settlement vary between 3 and 20.
Incidentally, Chenchu settlements also happen to be the habitat of the stone-age hunter-gatherers.
Water sources in the form of springs and streams seem to be a decisive factor for the location of
settlements of the ethnographic present as well as the prehistoric past. Another interesting feature is
that like the Kung San of the Kalahari and the aborigines of Australia the Chenchus aggregate into
larger settlements during rainy season when water is available everywhere and disperse widely to
smaller settlements during summer when water is scarce. This phenomenon of dry season dispersion
and wet season aggregation among hunter-gatherers of the present as well as recent and remote past in
the semi-arid and arid pasts of the world have been reported by several anthropologists. Partially or
wholly abandoned Chenchu settlements were noticed at Medimankal, Lingaborre and Pandiborre
along the foot path.
The remnants of a ruined wall about 1-5 metres wide looking like a fortification wall, were
noticed at many places. It is said to have been running all along the northern ridges of the Nallamalai hill
ranges for about 200 kms. The local tradition says that this wall was built by Prataparudra of the
Kakatiya dynasty.
At Umamaheswaram (16° 18' N; 78° 41' E), a Siva temple oriented towards north, is built in the
middle of the steep hill range overlooking a deep valley. The temple consists of a garbha-griha,
antarala, mukha-mandapa and a pillared corridor abutting the north and east wall of the
mukha-mandapa. The rocky shelter serves as the roof of the garbha-griha as in a cave temple, but the
walls are of masonry. The garbha-griha houses the mukhamandapa and the corridor has beautiful
and ornate pillars in Kakatiya style.
At Populesam (16° 13' N; 78° 38' E) corrupt form of Papanesvara is a small temple called
Populesvara temple consisting of garbha-griha and ardha-mandapa. The superstructure of the
garbh-griha is of stepped pyramidal type. The presiding deity is in: the form of Siva-linga. There is a
beautiful loose sculpture of Bhairava within this temple. Based on art and architectural features, this
temple may be dated back to thirteenth century AD.
At Chaleswaram (16° 11' N; 78° 36' E) there are two natural caves turned into temples. The first
cave is provided with a wall in front having a doorway in the centre. The rock-shelter in front serves as
the porch. The doorway has a plain sakha and a Gaja-Lakshmi motif in the lintel. On the upper section
of the wall there is a purnaghata symbol. This shrine houses Siva-linga with a round panavatiam.
There are three loose sculptures representing Virabhadra and two rishis. The second cave has
brick-built walls which are in a dilapidated condition. This cave shrine also houses Siva-linga.
At Borapur (16° 09' N; 78° 41' E), also known as Bhairapur, a late medieval temple was noticed by
the side of Bramaramba cheruvu. The temple has a large courtyard surrounded by aprakara with a
gopura gateway in the east. There are four shrines within this courtyard which are in a ruined
condition. On the tank bund of the Bramaramba cheruvu at Borapur a herb-stone with the figure of a
handsome youngman dressed as a chief was also noticed.
11. EXCAVATION AT EDITHANUR, DISTRICT MEDAK.—Two find out the relationship between the
terracotta images recovered in the rock shelter of Siddheswaragutta and the engravings and paintings in
rock shelters of Chawdammagutta, small-scale excavations were conducted by the Department of
Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, at Edithanur, a small village in Sangareddy
Taluk.
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88—A REVIEW
Foundation of a rectangular rubble stone structure erected on the natural outcrop of the hillock
with circular ovens or hearth with ash and traces of charcoal pieces inside along with a circular ash pit
besides it were exposed. A soapstone image of Ganesa, small iron sickle, iron piece, a lump of tin or
copper foil were found. A few trenches yielded microliths along with pieces of dull red and black
wares.
Trenches excavated inside rock-shelters revealed potsherds at a depth of 2 to 3 cm and
microlithic blades and cores were found at a depth varying between 8-20 cm.
The rock painting and engravings could be assigned between mesolithic and megalithic periods.
The terracotta figures from Siddhesvaragutta include bearded human head made of black clay
with stout and thick set noses. The portion above the eyebrows of these terracotta figurines is shaped in
such a way that it seems to resemble the lower edge of a cloth cap. This along with the dotted lines
indicate an attempt to alter the cultural bearings of these objects during the medieval period in order to
associate them with the local shrine. Presence of dabber-shaped stone objects also attest this
hypothesis since such objects are generally used for keeping on the.four corners over the cloth
covering the tomb. It finally suggests that an attempt was made to adapt later religious tradition on
these votive linga-shaped cylindrical terracotta figurines and to convert them into gandampeer
worshipped by a local Muslim community.
Thus the antiquities found in Siddhesvara (Sisshula) rock-shelter appear to be collected from
elsewhere and placed in the said rock-shelters to establish the religious nature of the rock-shelter as a
worshipping place of Siddhesvara during early medieval period, while an attempt was made to
associate them with later religious developments of the succeeding period.
12. EXCAVATION AT KOHIR, DISTRICT MEDAK.—An early historical site datable to early centuries of
the Christian era was exposed at Kohir by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Govern-
ment of Andhra Pradesh. No structures were encountered during the excavation. Red, black, black-
and-red and chocolate red wares, figurines and beads of terracotta, stamp with incised flower motiff,
glass bangles and pieces of unidentified iron objects are among the finds.
13. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT MEDAK.—D. Hanumantha Rao, J. Vara Prasad Rao and C. Ramadevi
of the Hyderabad Circle of the Survey explored the area near Kohir and discovered a low mound
locally known as Pandigadda of late early historical times. Pottery, beads of jasper, chalcedony and
terracotta, terracotta objects, bangles of shell and glass, all datable to about fourth-fifth century AD,
were collected from the surface of the mound.
14. EXPLORATION IN NARASAPUR, DISTRICT NALGONDA.—In the course of exploration, the Depart-
ment of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, located eight megalithic cairn circles on either
side of the road at Narasapur village, in Atmakur Mandal.
15. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT NELLORE.—A.V. Siva Sarma of the Hyderabad Circle of the Survey
discovered an early historic Buddhist site in Rudrakota, 12 km north of Kavali. The surface finds
include fragments of chhatri and a stone piece with lotus motif. A medieval temple was also found in
the same village, besides sculptures of Ganesa, Vishnu and hero-stones.
16. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS NELLORE AND SRIKAKULAM.—The Department of Archaeology and

Museums, Andhra Pradesh, explored the coastal district of Andhra Pradesh to study palaeolithic
evidence in the context of fossil beaches for dating the prehistoric material found in the river basins.
As a result of this, three fossil beaches were identified at 20 m, 8 m and 4 m height above the mean
sea level. No palaeolithic artefacts were associated with 20 m beaches. Man perhaps appeared in the
east coast of India in the phase of marine recession which followed the +20 m stand. The lower
palaeolithic phase progressed through the phase of marine advance of the +8 m stand, and the late
Acheulian continued through the following phase of recession. The middle palaeolithic dates to the
period of marine advance to the +3 m stand whereas the upper palaeolithic partly continued into the
succeeding phase.
17. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT PRAKASAM.—In the course of village-to-village survey, P. Sitarama

Murthy of the Hyderabad Circle of the Survey discovered the following sites :
Kanigiri Ambavaram Early historical pottery (late phase) and

ruined medieval temple
-do- Chandrasekharapuram Late medieval temples
-do- Chennappanayudipalle Lade medieval temple dedicated to
Vishnu
-do- Dirasavancha Late medieval temples
-do- Ganeswarapuram Lakulisa sculpture
-do- Punugodu Late medieval temples
18. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT RANGA REDDY.—D. Hanumantha Rao and J. Vara Prasada Rao of the
Hyderbad Circle of the Survey discovered an extensive megalithic site 1 km south of Manneguda on
the Hyderabad-Pargi road. There are two low laterite hillocks strewn with several megalithic circles
of different dimensions ranging in diameter from 5-10 m.
19. EXCAVATIONS AT THOTLAKONDA, DISTRICT VISHAKHAPATNAM.—Excavations at Thotlakonda by

the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, revealed a Buddhist
site which was located abutting the sea coast 15 km from Vishakhapatnam along the beach road. It
commands a panoramic view of the area, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
The structural remains exposed here include pillared hall, stupas with their usual components,
sculptured pillars and viharas.
A good number of sculptured pillars, pilasters, railing upright, chhatra pieces with early Brahmi
letters, Buddha-padas with auspicious symbols, harmika with amalaka motifs were found on the
north-eastern part of the settlement. Fallen pillared congregation hall with a variety of pillars in
different sizes at the centre of the habitation is a unique feature of the site.
Basing on the datable material obtained from the excavations as well as surface which includes
pottery, coin and label inscriptions engraved on chhatra slabs, the site of Thotlakonda seems to have
flourished from second-first century BC to first-second century AD.
20. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT VISHAKHAPATNAM.—In the course of exploration, D. Hanumantha

Rao and J. Vara Prasada Rao of the Hyderabad Circle of the Survey noticed foundations of an early
medieval brick temple-complex at Kotauratla, 14 km south-east of Narsipatnam, besides a few
sculptures of Kukkutesvara, Nandi, Ganesa, Sarasvati, Vishnu, Bhairava and Mahishasuramardini
which are datable to about the eighth-ninth century. The size of the brick measures 35 x 20 x 7 cm.
21. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT WARANGAL.—J. Vara Prasada Rao of the Hyderabad Circle of the
Survey discovered a late Kakatiya temple in a dilapidated condition at Gundratimadugu, 80 km east
of Warangal in the direction of Kazipet-Vijayawada railway line. The significant feature of this
temple is the lofty square brick vimana of three talas, with intervening recessed grivas. The talas
consist of a series of kutas, panjaras and salas on the four sides of the vimana. Th recessed grivas
were embellished with vyala and dwarf figures in stucco on brickwork. The lofty vimana recalls and
resembles the Vijayanagara temple gopura architecture which is uncommon in the area.
ASSAM
22. EXCAVATION AT AMBARI, DISTRICT GUWAHATI.—In continuation to the earlier excavations

(Indian Archaeology 1969-70—A Review and Indian Archaeology 1970-71—A Review1) work was
resumed at Ambari under the direction of T.C. Sharma of the Department of Anthropology, Gauhati
University, with assistance from G.N. Bhuyan, Director of Archaeology, Assam, Minerva Sonawal,
Bhaskar Jyoti Das, Nripen Roy, Bonani Deka, Binita Baishya, Pallabi Rabha and Uddalak Datta.
Three trenches (AMB IVA, AMB VA and AMB VIA), measuring 5 metre square, were exposed to
an average depth of 2.10 metres below which there occured subsoil water level. A large number of
dressed stone blocks as well as sculptures belonging to seventh-eighth century AD were recovered
below the subsoil water level. It was observed that there are cultural relics of much earlier periods of
ancient Pragyotishpura below the subsoil water level.
The most important finds of structural remains comprised of bricks and ornamental stone blocks
of gneissic rock. In the trench, AMB IVA, six brick structures of different cultural periods belonging to
Period I (circa seventh to thirteenth century AD) were exposed. Below the brick structure, were stone
architectural remains of still earlier period, which could not be fully recovered as those were
1
This publication is referred to in the following pages by the year only.
8
below the subsoil water level. Likewise, in all the excavated trenches structural remains of bricks and
stone have been exposed.
Pottery of various colours, designs and shape was found in profuse quantity in the excavation.
The most important and significant are the kaolin wares which were found in large quantity.
Apart from the kaolin wares, Muslim green-glazed ware of the Ahom-Mughal period and
Chinese celadon ware of the fifteenth-sixteenth century AD were also found in the upper layers.
The most significant find in the excavation are the Brahmanical icons of which 135 have been
recovered so far in addition to a large number of Siva-linga and yoni-pithas. The icons comprise
fifty-five images of Durga, thirty-seven of Vishnu, forty-one yonipithas, all finely carved in granite.
All these antiquities, except the gaja-vyalas, were recovered from a single trench, AMB VIA, at
a depth ranging between 200 in and 2.10 m.
Apart from these icons, various stone blocks, featuring architectural designs such as capital,
pillar-base, etc., were also recovered from the trenches. A tool for sharpening and grinding stone,
having a smooth facet was found.
Other finds from the excavation of this season include eleven copper coins of the British period,
sixty-four Siva-lingas of terracotta, terracotta beads and balls, four carnelian and five coral beads,
pieces of green glass and bangles and cannon balls.
The discovery of partly dressed stone blocks, partly carved icons, undressed stone blocks as well
as the grinding stone suggest that the site was sculptors’ colony of the Varman and Post-Varman
dynasties (seventh-tenth centuries AD). Further, the discovery of a large number of stone images in
undamaged condition suggests that some of the brick structures exposed in the excavation were
actually artists’ studios where the images were stored for exports.
BIHAR
23. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BHAGALPUR.—In the course of village-to-village survey, K.P.

Choudhary of the Patna Circle of the Survey located a brick built temple dedicated to Radha and
Krishna in the village of Jandaha.
24. EXCAVATION AT TARADHI (BODH GAYA), DISTRICT GAYA.—In continuation of last season’s work
(1986-87, pp. 23-24) the Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Bihar, under the guidance of
Ajit Kumar Prasad, assisted by Jaya Prakash Narayan Singh, Shiya Sharan Singh, Sanjiv Ranjan and
Dinesh Prasad Gupta, resumed excavation at Taradih mound under the general supervision of Prakash
Charan Prasad. The main objectives of this year’s operation were to spot out the brick built monastic
complex of the Pala period; to ascertain its extent and to determine different structural phases; and
to get more details of the neolithic and chalcolithic cultures.
A neolithic horizon overlying the natural soil was found in the course of the excavations.
Period I was distinguished by neolithic deposits. The pottery was mainly handmade, comprising
burnished and plain red ware, and some examples of cord-impressed sherds as well. The red ware had
different shades such as light red, deep red, chocolate red, etc. The important types included vases
with flared rim and narrow mouth, fiandis with out-turned rim, ring-based bowls, storage jars,
miniature pots, etc. Some burnished sherds bore irregular scratches.
Some hearths of different shapes and size were also found in the course of excavations.
On the basis of pottery, Period I may be further divided into two sub-phases, ‘A’ and ‘B’. Phase A
had deposits associated with a handmade red ware, the ceramic types being handis, vases, bowls, jars,
etc. A few cord-impressed wares were also found.
Phase B was marked by the appearance of burnished grey ware. Pottery of this phase was also
handmade, the types being handis, bases, bowls, jars, etc. The cooking vessels usually had rusticated
bases; the red ware and cord-impressed pottery of the previous phase continued.
The notable antiquities of bone included points, pins, arrowheads, etc.
Period II was represented by chalcolithic deposits. The pottery of this period was generally
wheelmade, though handmade pottery of the previous still continued to be in use though with lesser
frequency.
Period II was also distinguished by the appearance of copper and the black-and-red ware. The
pottery was predominantly red ware, though specimens of black-and-red and black wares were also
found in good number. The pottery had usually thick slip of red colour, of different hues such as
chocolate red, light red, orange to ochre red, deep red, brick red, etc.
The important pottery types included vases, handis, rimless handis, storage jars, dishes,
dishes-on-stand, bowls-on-stand, lipped-bowls, bowls with globular profile and outcurved featureless
rim, perforated bowls, basins, etc. Some pottery pieces bore white painting in the form of dots, strokes,
way lines, etc. A few sherds were decorated with incised parallel lines, criss-cross, diamond, etc. A
few larger pots like the storage-jars were decorated with thumb- and rope-impressed designs.
Important antiquities of terracotta included bangles, beads, balls, etc. Among other notable finds are a
copper finger ring, bone arrowheads, points, pins, styluses, etc. A good number of disc-shaped tiny
steatite and stone beads, balls, etc. were also found.
Period III was distinguished by the appearance of iron and black slipped ware. The black-and-red,
black, and red wares of the earlier period continued in this period but improved in quality. These were
made of well-levigated clay and were well-fired. Large pottery pieces show the evidence of paddy
husks. The main pottery types included deep bowls, lipped-bowls, lota-shaped bowls, handis, rimless
handis, basins, etc. The important antiquities were stone beads, balls, conical-shaped objects, bone
arrowheads, points, pins, terracotta spindle whorls, ear-lobes, beads, etc. Iron slag was also found in
the course of excavations.
Period IV was marked by the appearance of the Northern Black Polished Ware (hereafter NBP)
though black-and-red ware still continued in less frequency and new types in red ware and black ware
made their appearance in this period. Specimens of both plain and slipped red ware are also met with.
The noteworthy types included vases of outcurved thickened rim and outcurved beaded rim, dishes
with sharp carination at the base, bowls with evened rim, bowls with horizontally splayed-out rim,
basins with beaded rim, lipped-basins, lid-cum-bowls, flat-based bowls, troughs, etc.
Among other important finds are bone arrowheads, points, pins, stone beads, balls, and terracotta
beads, earlobes, discs, gamesmen, etc.
10
Period V was represented by the Kushana red ware, the important types being surahi, vases,
flat-based bowls, frying-pans, etc. Among antiquities, mention may be made of beads of stone, glass
and terracotta, glass and terracotta bangles, terracotta animal figurine and iron nails.
Period VI was marked by the appearance of Gupta and late Gupta antiquities along with
structural remains of burnt brick of the period. Notable objects of stone were beads, votive stupas,
chhatravalis, pedestal, images of Buddha and terracotta objects which included beads, earlobes,
conical objects and seals and sealings.
Period VII was distinguished by antiquities of the Pala period and remains of a
monastery-complex, terracotta seals and sealings, votive stupas, chhatravalis, etc.
25. EXCAVATION AT KUSHI, DISTRICT MUZAFFARPUR.—The Patna Circle of the Survey under the
direction of B.K. Saran, assisted by B. Nath, Sunil Kumar, Saptarshi Kumar and K.C. Shrivastava
carried out a small scale excavation. The excavation revealed five layers. The first layer, of hard
compact soil having grey colour patches, has no antiquity. The second layer is of loose blackish soil
with a deposit of 1.50 m to 2.00 m. This is the only layer which has yielded antiquities such as
terracotta human figures, variety of beads and balls, conical objects and seal and sealing.
On the south-western corner of the mound remains of a semi circular brick platform were
exposed, the diameter of which is 1.95 m and contains five courses of brickbats.
Few sherds of red ware, decorated and stamped with incised designs of fish and flowers were
also found. The shapes included dishes, storage jars, lota, bowl, pitcher, handi, lamps, spouted pots,
etc.
26. EXCAVATION AT MANER, DISTRICT PATNA.—In continuation of the previous year’s work (1986-
87, pp. 25-26), the Department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, Patna University,
resumed the excavation at Maner. The work was directed jointly by B. Narayan and A.K. Singh under
the overall supervision of B. Sahai, with assistance received amongst others from J.P. Singh, L.K.
Prasad, R.N. Singh and P.K. Bose.
The main objective of this year’s excavation was to trace the extension of the structure-complex
showing room-like formations and floor of the Pala period, which was partly exposed earlier. Three
extension trenches, each measuring 6 x 4 m, were taken up for excavation work towards the eastern
side of MNR-2.
Excavation in the extended area revealed that the floor showing the drain in one of its corners
formed part of a courtyard. The courtyard, in turn, was enclosed by a brick-built passage plastered
with surkhi and lime. The passage in question stretched towards north-east and also towards southeast
and south-west. Towards the eastern side of the north-east running passage, a row of three rooms was
noticed. The central room of this row had all the four arms intact while the other two on its northern
and southern sides showed respectively two and three arms of the roomlike formation. Another row
of three rooms lay towards the western side of the north-east running passage, which was partly
exposed earlier. The central room in this row had all the four arms, while the other two roomlike
formations on its northern and southern sides showed three and two arms respectively.
11
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88 — A REVIEW
Towards the southern side of the south-east and south-west running passage, a row of two rooms
was noticed. The room on the south-western side had all the four arms of the room like formation.
Curiously enough, a roomlike formation consisting of two arms only was noticed towards the western
side of the courtyard.
All the rooms with four walls vary in size, with the bigger one measuring 2.83 x 2.22 m; the
other two respectively measure 2.73 x 2.28 m and 2.3 x 1.42 m. The extant height of the walls of the
rooms range between 0.87 m and 1.2 m.
The whole of the structure-complex was found resting over layer 3, which was composed of
compact yellowish soil. The structure-complex in question was sealed by layer 2, which was
composed of compact soil of light grey colour mixed with brickbats and its average thickness was
0.56 m. The notable antiquities obtained from layer 2 include terracotta female head, horse rider,
seated elephant, bird figurines, broken iron spearhead, bone point, terracotta and stone beads, etc.
Layer 1 of the trench divisible into five sub-layers was composed of somewhat compact and loose soil
deposits mixed with brickbats and potsherds and its total thickness was around 1.71 m. It had yielded
mainly mixed materials of different kinds including green glazed sherds of early medieval period, but
special mention may be made of the discovery of an iron sword and an iron chopper like tool which
were obtained from the lower part of this deposit.
The area between XVII to XIX was also dug up to the NBP level. Excavation in this area had
revealed a small brick wall of three courses which was found running near the corner of the eastern
section. The wall in question was sealed by layer 3 and it rested over layer 4. The antiquities obtained
from layer 3 include a terracotta figurine, some iron objects including a broken spearhead and bone
points. An inscribed glass sealing was found from a pit, which was sealed by layer 3. The inscribed
letters of this sealing may be ascribed on a palaeographic grounds to the period between first century
BC and first century AD. Layer 4 and 5 of this area yielded NBP sherds and other associated wares.
The notable finds from these layers include a beautiful bone stylus, copper antimony rod, terracotta
and stone beads, etc.
27. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT RANCHI.—In the course of village-to-village survey, S. Kumar of the
Patna Circle of the Survey brought to light a medieval site yielding red ware at Ekambe and
megalithic burials and sandstone sculptures of fifteenth century at Sutimbe.
28. EXCAVATION AT RAJMAHAL, JHIMJHIMIA-KALISTHAN, DISTRICT SAHEBGANJ.—Under the general

supervision of Prakash Charan Prasad and Ram Shekhar Singh, assisted by J. Akhtar, N.C. Ghosh and
D.P. Gupta of the Directorate of Archaeology, Government of Bihar, conducted a trial excavation at
Jhimjhimia-Kalisthan, in village Turtipur, 3 km to the south-west of Rajmahal (Lat 25° 3' N; Long
87° 50' E. The site is situated to the southern side of a shallow lane and includes five villages
Malkasaba, Fulbagh, Turtipur, Begampur and Gadaganja. At the northern end of these villages, there
is a brick rampart along the lake. The main objective of this year’s excavation was to unravel the
cultural sequence of the site. Earlier explorations of the area had yielded black and red, NBP, red,
black, black-slipped, grey and Muslim glazed wares, Chinese porcelain, Persian tiles, etc.
12
A trench measuring 5 x 5 metres was laid out at the village Turtipur near Jhimjhimia-Kalisthan. It
revealed remains of three periods comprising materials associated with the NBP ware, the post NBP
period datable between the second century BC and second century AD, and the Indo-Islamic period.
The pottery collected from Period I comprised the NBP, black, black-slipped, grey and red
wares. The pottery is mainly wheel-turned and well-fired, the noteworthy shapes include the vase,
handis, storage jars, bowls, dishes, basins, lid-cum-bowls, etc. A few black-slipped sherds having
graffiti marks were also encountered. Conical bowl with splayed-out rim, perforated bowls, lipped
bowls in red ware are also worth mentioning.
Among associated finds are beads of semiprecious stones, bangles, pestles, etc., animal and
human figurines, balls, ghata-shaped beads of terracotta, tanged and socketed arrowheads, and disc of
bone, iron chisel and nails and iron slag, copper antimony rods and wires. Remnants of burnt clay with
reed impressions indicate that hutments during this period were of wattle-and-daub.
Period II was marked by the appearance of pottery and antiquities datable between the second
century BC and second century AD. Mainly red ware was found though some sherds of black-slipped,
black and grey wares were also met with, the types being bowls, vases, narrow-necked vessel,
lid-cum-bowls, plates, spouts, etc. Some of the red ware vessels were having slip or wash. The
antiquities of the period comprised terracotta animals, beads, balls, etc.
A thin whitish layer of silt was noticed at the top layer of Period II below which weathered
sherds were found. It shows that the site was deserted for a long time at this particular site, prior to the
next occupation.
Period III was marked by the appearance of green, yellow and bluish glazed ware as well as
Chinese porcelain of the medieval period, red slipped and red wares without any wash or slip,
fragments of wide-mouthed jars, cooking vessels with soot marks, basins, vases, handis, plates,
bowls, miniature pots of medium fabric in red ware. Lamps (dipa) of dull red ware with a lip for the
wick, devoid of any wash or slip, lamp of red ware with incurved rim and a widened lip for the wick
and treated with a wash on the exterior only were also picked up. A few such lamps had soot-marks at
the lip too. The neck portions of huqqa and chilams both in black and red colour were also met with. A
few flower-shaped chilams with yellow coating were collected. A few pieces of Persian tiles were also
met with. Two hearths were noticed from this period. A terracotta male head and iron objects were
also found.
29. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT SARAN.—K.C. Shrivastava of the Patna Circle of the Survey, during
village-to-village survey, located ekamukha Siva-linga in black basalt from Narainpur. It is assign
able to late medieval period.
GUJARAT
30. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS BHARUCH AND VADODARA.—K.P. Mohandas and K.D. Tripathi of the
Vadodara Circle of the Survey conducted exploration in Bharuch and Vadodara districts and brought
to light late medieval temples at the following sites :
13
District Taluk Village
Bharuch Nandod Jior

-do- -do- Kumbeshwar
-do- -do- Sukhadcv
Vadodara Dabhoi Chandod
-do- -do- Karnali
-do- Karjan Alampura
-do- -do- Moti Korall
-do- Sinor Sinor
-do- Talakwada Talakwada
31. EXCAVATION AT SHIKARPUR (VALMIYO TIMBO), DISTRICT KUTCH.—Excavations were taken up by

the Department of Archaeology, Government of Gujarat, under the direction of M.H. Raval, assisted
by D.P. Mehta, M.D. Varma, J.D. Trivedi and S.P. Mehta at Shikarpur (23° 16' N; 70° 41' E), a
Harappan site in Taluk Bhachau of the District.
This season’s excavations were planned for testing the stratigraphy and chronology of the site
for further extensive, well-planned horizontal excavation.
The site of Shikarpur, known as Valmiyo Timbo, is situated just adjoining to the National
Highway No. 8A, leading to the Kandla Port on the Gulf of Kutch. Actually the mounds are located at
a distance of about 5 km to the south-west of the village Shikarpur. The site comprising three inter-
connected mounds, is about 2 to 3 km north of the eastern tip of the Gulf of Kutch. A dried-up
sand-filled river-bed just to the west of the site is an interesting topographic feature. This perhaps
might have been a link with the sea.
These three archaeological mounds cover an area of 236 m east-west x 224 m north-south.
Roughly, there are two main parallel twin mounds running east-west and rising to the height of 5 to 6
m, from the surrounding ground level. The third lower mound (height 1.5 m) is to the south and
south-west of these twin mounds. This mound is more ashy indicating some firing activity. The slopes
of about 30 degrees are all around the site with a deep cutting between the main twin mound. The
entire mound is strewn with potsherds, small rubbles and occasionally antiquities like beads, chert
blades, terracotta objects, etc. Large number of rubbles indicate rubble structures within the mound.
Pottery from the surface comprised of the reserved slip ware, Harappan red ware and other allied
pottery.
Three trial trenches measuring 5 m x 10 m were laid on the top of the three mounds and a section
cutting of 5 m x 1.55 m was also undertaken in the rain gully between the twin mounds. In the deepest
trench Cl on the mound II upto the depth of 300 m, ten layers were encountered before reaching the
natural soil. In the remaining trenches mud brick structures were encountered.
The upper five layers were highly disturbed layers of loose ashy earth and high patches of white
and grey ash probably indicating a huge destructive fire. Habitation layer 6 and 7 are marked by mud
brick structures particularly exposed in trench Al and C. Layers 7 to 9 were slightly compact
14
brownish earth revealing most of the Mature Harappan pottery and antiquities. Layer 9 in trench C is
marked by mud brick structure. Again, layer 10 is marked by Early Harappan material. Thus
stratigraphy probably reveals three to four habitation levels marked by mud brick structures and
hearth. The last habitation level layer 4 is marked by rubble structure. The topmost three ashy layers
indicate fire and final desertion of site.
The structures are both of rubble (last phase) as well as mud bricks (two early phases). One of the
structures No. 4 in trench A is particularly interesting. It is a north-south running floor like structure
composed of mud bricks (35 x 20 x 10 cm) and black clay mortar. The bricks used in this are of three
colours—greyish, light yellowish brown and dark brown and are laid in a regular rectangular
chequer pattern arranged in contrasting colours.
Three to four circular and oval hearths with red baked outer lining were also encountered.
The pottery is typical Mature to Late Harappan including Harappan red ware, chocolate-slipped
ware, cream-slipped ware, buff ware, polychrome ware, perforated, coarse gritty ware, etc. In
addition to this, quite a number of reserved slipped ware sherds were also found. Another interesting
ware is glazed ware of various grades. A few sherds of painted black and red ware were also collected.
The main forms are storage jars, globular pots, dish-on-stand, basins, vases, vertical perforated pots,
dishes, bowls, troughs, etc.
Two potsherds with Harappan letters were also found. One of them is a fragment of painted red
ware with incised vertical fish symbol. The second sherd is a fragment of a chocolate coloured bowl
with rhomboid symbol with a double cross, and has geometric decorations like intersecting circles,
loops, diamonds, chevrons, straight and wavy lines and dots. Miniature pots of toys were also found.
A number of terracotta bull, ram and toycart frames, beads, marbles, fragments of bangles were
also found.
Inspite of the limited excavation hundreds of triangular cakes varying in size and shapes were
found.
A variety of semiprecious stone beads and pendants of agate, carnelian, jasper and chert of
different shapes were found. Steatite micro-beads were found in plenty. Apart from disc beads and
water beads of steatite dentalium, chank and paste beads were also found.
Copper ring, bangles, chisels etc., fragments of chert blades of varying size, fine drill bits,
variety of stone drills are some of the other finds.
A large number of fragments of chank bangles alongwith chank slices, discarded waste materials
of chank etc., brought out by the excavation indicate the existence of chank industry.
32. EXPLORATION AROUND DHOLAVIRA, DISTRICT KUTCH.—L.S. Rao and V.H. Parmar of the Exca-
vation Branch V of the Survey discovered an ancient water reservoir built across a seasonal nalah,
locally known as the Kharodawali river. Situated to the south-east of the famous Indus Kotada mound at
a distance of about 2 km, the reservoir is constructed of mud embankment provided partly with stone
boulder veneering and partly by dry masonry wall.
The dam, oriented in north-west and south-east direction, measures approximately 350 m in
length. Perhaps during its heyday it must have held water covering an area of about 15-20 acres.
15
Interestingly, the upstream banks on either side of the dam exhibit traits of structural remains in
whose association large quantity of conch-shells, mostly waste material scattered around could be
noticed. The occurrence of pottery accompanied with conch shell waste in the surrounding area
indicated this structure being of the early historical period.
L.S. Rao and V.H. Parmar also discovered a subsidiary settlement of the Harappans at Dholavira.
The site located on the eastern bank of a seasonal nalah locally called Khorodawali river, lies almost
half way between the Indus Kotada mound and the newly discovered ancient water reservoir. The
built-up area of the site measures about 75 x 35 m. The greater axis following the river bank runs in
north-south direction. The prominent architectural features of the structural remains on the surface are
akin to those of fortification walls of the Indus Kotada mound. Besides, as the surface features
indicate there are structures of smaller dimension built either on rectangular or square plan. Since the
structures are highly disturbed it is difficult to ascertain their function.
However, it may be pointed out that the cultural assemblage of Harappans has drawn blank. But
the architectural style of the structural remains strongly indicates that this site also belongs to the
Harappans.
33. EXPLORATIONS IN DISTRICTS MAHESANA AND VADODARA.—The Department of Archaeology of

the Government of Gujarat took up the village-to-village survey in Harij Taluk of Mahesana district
and Dabhoi and Shinor taluks of Vadodara district and following villages/sites of archaeological
interest were discovered:
District Taluk Village/site Nature of remains
Mahesana Harij Govna Medieval
-do- -do- Jamanpur Medieval
-do- -do- Jaska Medieval
-do- -do- Piluvada Medieval
-do- -do- Vansa Medieval
Vadodara Dabhoi Bamboj Medieval
-do- -do- Bhimpura (Kukad) Microlithic
-do- -do- Bhimpura (Phoolwadi) Microlithic
-do- -do- Chandod Medieval
-do- -do- Karali Medieval
-do- -do- Karner Microliths
-do- -do- Kukad Late medieval
-do- -do- Naranpura Medieval
-do- -do- Navi Mangrol Medieval
-do- -do- Pargam Medieval
-do- -do- Sathod Medieval
-do- -do- Sitapur Microlithic and medieval
-do- -do- Ten Medieval
-do- -do- Vadaj Medieval and late medieval
16
34. EXCAVATION AT UMTA, DISTRICT MAHESANA.—An excavation of the mound at village Umta,
known as Rajgadhi mound in Visnagar taluk of the district, was carried out under the direction of B.S.
Makwana, of the Department of Archaeology of the Government of Gujarat, assisted by H.S. Shah
and O.P. Ajwalia. An area of 8 x 8 m and 5 x 10 m on the western side of the mound was taken up
for excavation.
The excavation was undertaken upto 1.5 m to 200 m depth, but no clear chronological sequence of
structures could be traced and only pieces of Sultanate and Mughal bricks and lime flooring, pottery
fragments including black and red wares, pieces of glazed ware, glazed roof tile as well as pieces of
human and animal-shaped toys, toy-cart wheel, were found.
35. EXCAVATIONS AT KUNTASI, DISTRICT RAJKOT.—Excavations at Kuntasi in Maliya Taluk were

carried out by M.K. Dhavalikar, Vasant Shinde and Shubhangana Atre of the Deccan College, Post-
Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, in collaboration with M.S. Raval and Y.M. Chitalwala of the
Department of Archaeology, Government of Gujarat, with assistance from R.K. Mohanty,
P.P. Dandawate, Y.S. Rasar, V.G. Vishwasrao, C.G. Padwal and P.D. Chudasama.
Kuntasi is situated 30 km to the north-west of Morvi. The ancient site (Lat 22° 54' 40" N; Long
70° 37' 30" E), locally known as Bibino Timbo, is located 3 km to the south-east of the present
village. It is spread over an area of about 220 m (N-S) and 150 m (E-W) with a maximum habitational
deposit of about 7 m. The excavation was undertaken with twofold objectives : to trace the evolution of
Late Harappan from the Mature Harappan; and to study the socio-economic organization of the
Harappans by employing the conjunctive approach.
The excavation revealed a twofold sequence of cultures viz. Period I : Mature Harappan (c.
2300-1900 BC) and Period II: Late Harappan (c. 1900-1700 BC). Of the total cultural debris of about 7
m, the upper 2 m belongs to the Late Harappan, the lower 5 m represents the Mature Harappan.
Period I (Mature Harappa): The excavations revealed that the citadel mound was protected by a
double fortification wall of stone rubble set in mud masonry. It is roughly squarish on plan (93 m N-S
x 83 m E-W) and has a squarish watch tower in the south-western corner which is similar in
construction. It is built of large flat stones at the base and also along the margin, whereas in the middle it
has been packed with stone rubble. The bastion is roughly squarish on plan and measures 8.50 m
(N-S) and 10-55 m (E-W). Only four of its courses now survive and its extant height is 60 cm. The
outer fortification wall was built of large boulders whereas the inner one had smaller stones. The inner
wall which emanates from the watch tower in the south-western corner, was about 1 to 1.2 m wide but
in the middle it broadened to about 2.5 m, rendering it the appearance of a landing platform because
of its slope.
The outer fortification wall, which was partly exposed on the southern periphery, takes a turn in the
southeastern corner of the mound and runs towards north where it broadens from 1.20 m to 3.30 m.
Further up towards north where there is a steep rise, there is a ramp, 4.10m wide, joining the inner wall
at a distance of 9.50 m. In this area of 9.50 m x 4.10 m are set large stones in mud masonry. It is highly
likely that this served as a landing platform for going down to the river for loading-unloading cargo
in boats.
17
This year the excavation was confined mostly to the western pan of the main citadel mound. In Sq.
OD1 was unearthed a kiln, which resembles a huge hemispherical cauldron, made of clay, which was
periodically plastered with clay. Its maximum diameter is 1.65 m and the extant depth is 50 cm. At the
bottom of the kiln, in the centre, was found ash over which were lying fragments of a storage jar. The
kiln had sand packing all around, and was supported, at the base, by stones. The sand packing was
obviously meant for sandbath for maintaining heat in the kiln. Stratigraphically the kiln belongs to the
Mature Harappan. Yet another pottery kiln represented by an open shallow pit was encountered in the
earliest levels of Period I. It is roughly circular on plan (dia. 3 m) and resembles the pre-Harappan
open kiln at Mehrgarh.
The structure complex that was exposed on the western side consists of large narrow chambers.
They are built of stone rubble set in mud masonry. At places the walls had basal courses of stone over
which was a mud wall. Besides, the use of mud bricks (9 x 18 x 36 cm) conforming to the Harappan
standard has also been attested. The structure complex has yielded no evidence of domestic hearths
and has no well made floors. Only structure Nos. 7 and 8 have a number of storage chambers and silos
whereas the other structure (Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12) is full of what appears to be furnaces and kilns.
This leads us to surmise that the structure complex was not used for residential purposes but served as
a workshop and storehouse.
Structure 8 is a large room (5.30 m wide and 4.75 m long), which has been divided into different
chambers by mud brick walls. There is a narrow chamber along the northern margin (4.80 m E-W x
1.45 m N-S). In the floor of the chamber are three sites dug into the ground which are lined with mud.
The easternmost has a diameter of 70 cm and is 50 cm deep. The central one is shallow (dia. 1.20 m
and 25 cm deep). The third by its side on the south-west has a diameter of 60 cm and is 30 cm deep. In
the western half of Structure 8 and in the southern part is yet another shallow chamber (2.30 m long,
1.60 m wide and 1.5 m deep). In the eastern half are two more, one large (1.50 m x 1.70 m x 60 cm
deep) and the other narrow (1.50 m x 65 cm x 60 cm). It is highly likely that the small chambers formed of
mud-bricks were used for storage.
Period II (Late Harappa): In one of the structures (ST 3) in the uppermost levels (Late Harappa)
was encountered a furnace probably for smelting copper. Its longer axis is in the southwest-northeast
direction and on plan it is circular with a narrow channel. Its walls are made of clods of earth which
have been burnt hard. Its extant depth is 25 cm. The inner diameter of the furnace is 70 cm and the
channel is 45 cm long and 20 cm wide. In structure 1 was encountered a burial of an adult in an
extended posture in a pit. The skeleton was in a supine position with the head towards the north and
the legs towards the south. It is in an excellent state of preservation.
The excavation has yielded typical Harappan painted pottery, long tubular carnelian beads,
cubical chert weights, terracotta can frame, etc., but no Harappan seal has so far been found. Among
the pottery forms are perforated jars, profusely painted “S” shaped vases, goblets and bowls with
short stud handle. The painted designs are executed in black pigment which include geometric, floral
and animal motifs.
This season’s work indicates that the Harappan settlement at Kuntasi played an important role in
their activity. It was not an agricultural settlement but was a centre for acquiring and processing
18
raw materials for manufacturing articles for export. The geomorphological studies suggest that
Kuntasi may have been a creek port during Harappan period. The discovery of landing platform,
anchor stones, etc., corroborate the hypothesis.
36. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT SURAT.—In the course of village-to-village survey Vilas Jadhav of the
Vadodara Circle of the Survey brought to light the following sites of archaeological interest.
Taluk Site/Villages Nature of remains
Nizar Adad Medieval habitation mound

-do- Bhavali Palaeoliths
-do- Borda Late medieval brick temple
-do- Boripaha Late medieval wooden memorial pillars
-do- Devpan Late medieval hero-stones
-do- Hardoli Medieval Hanuman sculptures
-do- Khurda Medieval sculpture of Vishnu
-do- Khonora Microliths
-do- Lakhamikeda Late medieval hero-stones and wooden
memorial pillars
-do- Lekurwali Late medieval sculpture of Vishnu
-do- Raighad Hero-stones and step-wells
-do- Ramaki-Talav Medieval Hanuman sculpture
-do- Sayala Hero-stones
-do- Velda Hero-stones, sculptures of Ganesa,
Vishnu, Nandi and four Tirthankara
heads.
Songhad Chimkuva Medieval Hanuman sculpture
-do- Jamkhadi Microliths
-do- Khokhasa Hero-stone
-do- Kikakui Microliths
-do-Uc Tokarva Hero-stone
chal Kachali Parvati sculpture
-do- Pethapur Hero-stones
-do- Sus Hanumana scupture and hero-stones
37. EXCAVATION AT NAGWADA, DISTRICT SURENDRANAGAR.—In continuation of previous season’s

work (1986-87, pp. 30-31) K.T.M. Hegde, assisted by V.H. Sonawane, V.S. Parekh, K.K. Bhan, K.
Krishnan and Ajit Prasad of the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History of the M.S.
University of Baroda, resumed further excavation at Nagwada (23° 20' N; 71° 41' E) in Dasada Taluk of
the district. The objectives of extension of excavation were to trace the habitation deposits of the
19
earliest peasant community that had lived at the site, whose extended and pot-burials were brought to
light during the last two seasons; to unearth complete plans of houses in each structural phase; to
locate workshops of semiprecious stone ornamental bead and shell bangle manufacturing industries;
and to open more area of the settlement.
Nine 5 x 5 m trenches adjoining the earlier trenches were cut in this season. In the lowermost
level of these trenches a few pits sealed by layer 4 were encountered. On of these pits yielded a large
number of fragments of gold ornaments and another yielded an almost intact medium-sized pot
decorated with geometric designs in black and white pigments. This pot is one of the rare survivals of
the pre-Harappan levels whose burials were unearthed in the last season. The newly cut nine
trenches of this season, however, did not yield any other evidence of pre-Harappan habitation.
In layer 4,3 and 2 m a number of fragmentary remains of rectangular structures were unearthed in
this season. They were built of either mud-bricks of the size 32 x 16 x 8 cm, in alternate layers of
headers and stretchers or rubble whose thickness varied from 64 to 68 cm. In layer 2 these rubble
structures were more discernible. One of the rubble walls in this layer was Graced upto a length of 20 m
in north-south direction. We are, however, not yet in a position to outline the complete plan of a house
in any of the structural phase. The unearthed 20 m long wall may probably suggest that the habitation
was oriented in north-south direction.
Among the important antiquities that have come to light during this season are : (i) a Harappan
sealing on a clay lump complete with an inscription in Harappan script and impression of a bull below
the line of inscription, (ii) an image of mother goddess embellished with steatite beads near ears, eyes,
mouth and shoulders, one of the steatite beads on the left ear of the image still found in situ, (iii) three
large copper axe heads each measuring 26 cm in length 14 cm at the cutting edge and 12 cm at the
butt-end and each weighing nearly 1800 gm and a few copper bangles and rings, (iv) a steatite
pendant with concentric circle designs on it and a large number of ornamental beads made of agate,
amazonite, lapis lazuli, steatite and faience and fragments of shell bangles. However, the workshops
of these industries at the site are yet to be traced.
HARYANA
38. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS BHIWANI AND HISSAR.—The Indo-French Archaeological Expedition

under the joint leadership of R.S. Bisht of the Survey and H.P. Francfort of the French National Centre
for Scientific Research explored the area to the south of Delhi-Fazilka National Highway in the
districts of Bhiwani and Hissar of Haryana. The other members of the team were S. Jamal Hasan, Y.S.
Rawat, Puran Singh, Ravinder Kumar and M.S. Rawat of the Survey and M.A. Courty, P. Gentle, C.
Debaine Francfort, G. Willcox, F. Debaine and C. Pariselle of the French side. The objectives were: (i) to
build up protohistoric sequence of cultures; (ii) to carry out environmental studies of the area in the
past in relation to the present; and (iii) to find out artificial irrigation system, if any, of the protohistoric
times.
In the course of investigation, five archaeological sites viz., Mangali 1 and 2, Rawalwas Kalan,
Tigrana and Bhurtana were subjected to trial trenching while the already excavated sites of Siswal and
20
Mitathal were included for sampling. Besides, a gush was made between the two mounds of Mitathal to
ascertain whether there existed a canal although the result was in negative. Similarly, operation at
Shahpur across Firuzshah canal and at Gorchi could not prove existence of protohistoric canal.
A sitewise summary of the results follows :
Mangali 1 (29° 02' N; 75°44' E) and Mangali 2 in district Hissar are situated on low sand dunes
and did not reveal any stratified deposit except a thin pottery spread on the surface and some large pits
dug up for refuse or graves during protohistoric, medieval and recent times. The pre-Harappan pottery
was predominantly the usual red wares classified into five fabrics, namely A, B, C, D and E, although
grey ware sherds of fabric F were also present in the corpus. Painted motifs were the usual horizontal
bands, hatched triangles and wavy lines done in black. Occasional use of buff pigment for filling in or
highlighting motifs in black was also noticed.
Rawalwas Kalan (29° 04' N; 75° 35' E) in district Hissar, contains 3.15 m thick deposit of which
about 1.25 m belongs to the pre-Harappan and the remaining to the medieval period. Of the
pre-Harappan period, structural remains were represented by successive floor-levels and fire-places.
In the ceramics, most of the potsherds belong to fabric ‘A’ and ‘B’of the Kalibangan culture, while
other fabrics are fewer in number. Painted motifs are simple broad bands around rim, neck or shoulder.
A few sherds bearing incised designs were also noticed. Among the objects mention may be made of
one fragment each of terracotta incised biconical bead, terracotta bangle, grinding stone, terracotta
ball bearing pierced holes besides a few fragmentary bone points.
The site Tigrana (28° 50' N; 76° 09' E) in district Bhiwani has yielded a two metre deposit of
pre-, mature and late Harappan periods. The last one was found at the eastern periphery of the main
mound.
Bhurtana (28° 55' N; 76° 58' E) in district Bhiwani yielded mainly Harappan material. A few
walls made of bricks of 4:2:1 ratio in respect of length, width and thickness were also noticed.
Preliminary studies of the landscape and geological formations indicated that (i) the Drishadvati
was a seasonal stream on the path of progressive dessication, (ii) there was no perennial or seasonal
stream near Mitathal and Tigrana and rather the area around is like a big bowl receiving the monsoon
run-off, (iii) the protohistoric sites were not only confined to the banks of Drishadvati but also situated
away from it but, of course, on the edge of some interdunal depression, (iv) sites like Mangali 1 and 2
might be seasonal camping sites of the protohistoric cultivators or raisers of livestock or of both.
Detailed studies of the materials and samples are under way.
39. EXCAVATIONS AT BANAWALI, DISTRICT HISSAR.—R.S. Bisht of the Excavation Branch V, Vadodara, of
the Survey assisted by Y.S. Rawat, Puran Singh, Ravinder Kumar and M.S. Rawat took up
excavation at Banawali for final season. Fresh information has now enabled to outline a fairly
coherent cultural scenario of the protohistoric Banawali. The most significant achievement was
ascertaining of nearly complete conformation of the pre-Harappan as well as late Harappan settle-
ment (fig. 1).
21
The sequence of cultures is now as follows :

Period I : Pre-Harappan (Kalibangan) culture:
IA : Pre-defence phase.
IB : Defence phase.
IC : Transitional phase (Proto-Harappan)
Period II : Mature Harappan culture
Period III: Post-Harappan (Banawali-Bara) culture.
As already reported earlier, the pre-Harappans initially founded at Banawali an open settlement
which was subsequently secured by a wall: hence subdivision of the period into two phases, i.e., IA
and IB. The average thickness of the regular habitational deposit is 2.20 m belonging to both the
sub-periods.
Period IA (Pre-defence phase): The present work has settled that sub-period IA is represented by
an average deposit of 0.60 m with one structural phase (pl. I) although the possibility of the second one
cannot be ruled out. Comparatively, the pottery, more particularly that of fabric 'A', is finer in quality
in terms of clay, baking, lightness, surface-treatment and painted motifs. Standardized moulded
bricks set in mud mortar were the usual building material. The solitary fired brick-structure resting right
upon the natural soil, as found in the first season's work, should necessarily belong to this sub-period.
Period IB (Defence phase): In its 1.60 m deposit were noticed two major constructional phases of
defensive wall and five phases of houses (pl. II and fig. 2). Originally, the fortification wall was 1.40
m wide with no tapering on either side. Due to faulty construction, it soon started developing signs of
tilting and cleavage and thus necessitating its augmentation by raising ancillary dwarf wall along the
inner side. Since this measure did not seem to have withstood as it was further damaged from the
outside by water-action, the Kalibangan people rebuilt it into a massive fortification wall, of which
the extant width has been noticed to be 2.50 to 3.20 m because some portion of it has been chiselled out
or sliced away slightly obliquely from outside by the builders of the succeeding period. However, a
segment of it at one place provided the width of 3.50 m. The most significant achievement of the- season
was providing of the general configuration of the fortification. While its outline from the north
through west to south-west and on the south-east was determined with certainty, the southern wall
along the river seems to have been washed away. At least, near the south-eastern corner, it seems to have
been badly destroyed both by nature and man as the probings proved. Neither the wall nor the regular
deposit of the period could be found while some deposit of Period IC was found still lying in situ
underneath an enormous water borne debris. It is interesting to note that the defensive wall round
the acropolis of Period II, which generally followed the one of Period I, looks like a horseshoe; there
are, however, strong archaeological as well as topographical indications that the pre-Harappan wall
was most probably designed like a large oval following the existing natural elevation. The longer axis
of the settlement most probably lay from the east to west. Although at the initial stage, the
pre-Harappans did not leave any space between the wall and the house inside, they
23
subsequently maintained an 1.40 m narrow street all throughout. However, the houses that ranged
along the wall do not seem to be regular residential use. Rather, those might be small workshops or
industrial structures in contrast to the habitational houses made with thicker walls of better masonry
work.
The main building material was nicely moulded sun-dried brick of standard measurements
showing a variety albeit giving the ratio of 3:2:1 in respect of length, width and thickness, which was
scrupulously followed except in case of square bricks which too fall in general prescription of
measurements as their sizes (already reported) reveal. In the latter case the ratio is always found to be
2:2:1.
The pottery is of the usual Kalibangan corpus in its fabrics, forms, surface treatment and painted
motifs, however, almost in all first five fabrics there is a sub-group which is heavier than normal in its
class and look greyish-brown in appearance. This pottery persists during the Period II and
ultimately continued in Period III as well.
Among noteworthy antiquities are : two large terracotta wheels without hubs from sub-period
IA and a few beads of steatite, carnelian and terracotta from sub period IB.
Period IC (Transitional, proto-Harappan phase): The previous observations regarding the cul-
tural makeup were reconfirmed. It was again found that on all three sides the people of this phase
scrupulously followed the existing fortification wall albeit by widening it almost twice as large (fig. 2).
However, on the south it was found destroyed by the post-Harappans or washed away by the river
flood. It was also re-established that the outer fortification which was used and rebuilt by the Mature
Harappan as well was in fact conceived and constructed during this phase. By firmly determining the
run of the western wall of the lower town the previous observation further showed up that the entire
outer fortification was more or less irregular trapezium in outline. It was also firmly confirmed that
the radial arrangement of streets of the lower division came into being due to the curvilinear nature of
the antecedent fortification which was, as observed above, fully reappropriated during Period IC.
The average thickness of regular habitational deposit was found to be more or less 1-00 m. Other
details and nature of finds remained the same as already reported (1986-87, pp. 32-34). Besides, those
partially exposed (pl.III), one house located in the north-western corner of the Lower Town was laid
bare completely. It consisted of seven walled spaces, of which the large one in the shape of the Roman
‘T’ seems to be an open courtyard furnished with fire places.
Period II (Mature Harappan Culture): It is needless to say that the Mature Harappan followed
and maintained with marginal modifications at places the same planning which was laid in the
preceding phase.
Most interesting is the introduction of a flight of steps rising from the Lower Town to the
Acropolis near the south-eastern area of the inner fortification. On the side of the citadel, opposite to
the stairway, there was found an extensive platform which is perhaps the remnant of a similar stairway
for getting across the bipartite wall. The staircase of the ‘lower town’ is near an impressive projection
which looks like an imposing bastion (pl. IV).
Outside the eastern town-wall the moat was fully exposed and found to be 5.70 m in width at the
top and 3.60 m in depth (fig. 3). On present showing, this particular moat seems to be cut through
25
in the middle of this phase. Beside this moat there was found more or less equally wide but shallow
channel, running parallel to it. It was perhaps meant to let off the surplus water or to feed water to the
moat.
Among the two most important finds is a burnished grey ware vase decorated with two
bucranian motifs in applique, one each made on diametrically opposite fields. It closely resembles,
more or less, similar bovine heads occurring in painting on the pre-Harappan pots from Kot-Diji,
Kalibangan, Burzahom and Sarai Khola, etc. The other is an unbaked clay figurine of an animal which
has deep-cut criss-cross incisions on the back as well on one side of the neck thereby imparting it an
appearance of a horse because the former might suggest the saddle and the latter the mane. Among
other interesting finds are : an ivory comb (pl. V A); terracotta cakes bearing engraved human
figurines (pls. V B and VI A); a terracotta cake with an engraved ass (pl. VI B); a steatite seal; and
human (both male and female) figurines of clay. A tortoise shell (pl. VII A) was also recovered from the
‘acropolis’ area of the Indus town.
Period III (Post Harappan, Banawali-Bara Culture): Of this period 0.50 m deposit had been
confirmed in previous excavation. This year only one pise wall running roughly north-south was
exposed along with one circular fire-place, storage pits and working floors. In one of the floors was
embedded the lower half of a small vase containing curiously a chert weight, agate beads and some
non-descriptive terracotta objects and small stone pebbels (pl. VII B). A solid object having a hole in
the centre across the width and four holes on the top—has been recovered of which the longer sides are
curved downwards. It looks like a solid frame of a cart. Besides, two terracotta wheels with
pronounced hub were also found.
In pottery, survival of pre-Harappan tradition in some of the forms and fabrics continues
strongly. Besides, the pottery consisting of grey ware, handmade red ware and poor quality red ware
having incised and/or pinched decoration continued to occur. The extent of the settlement of this
period could not be ascertained as much of its deposit has either been eroded or destroyed by
agriculturists.
40. EXPLORATION AT RAKHIGARHI, DISTRICT HISSAR.—R.S. Bisht and Y.S. Rawat discovered an
extensive pre-Harappan site, locally known as Arada, situated at a distance of less than half a
kilometre to the west of the Indus mound of Rakhigarhi. The site, located in village Rakhi Shahpur in
district Hissar, is spread over an area of 300 m square containing a cultural deposit of about 3 m.
Besides the above, R.S. Bisht and Y.S. Rawat together with Jamal Hasan, Ravinder Kumar and
M.S. Rawat examined the tube-will bore and extended it to ascertain the cultural make-up and found a
2.90 m thick deposit of the pre-Harappan culture manifested by its typical bricks and pottery. The
former revealed the dimensions of 36 x 24 x 12; 42 x 28 x 14 and 45 x 30 x 15 cm, while the latter
contained the fabrics A, B and C with a few sherds of D of the Kalibangan ceramics. The painted
motifs were few and mostly done in black albeit with a few specimens having additional use of
huffish pigment. Use of white (milk white) pigment for decoration as found in the Kalibangan
ceramics has not been seen so far.
27
41. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KARNAL.—In the course of village-to-village survey, Kanwar Singh
of the Chandigarh Circle of the Survey explored the following sites of archaeological interest in
Panipat Tehsil:
Village/site Nature of remains
Atah Siva temple

Basegra Ancient mound
Bhadaur Temple
Bhanswal Ancient mound
Brahman Majra Siva temple
Chulkana Modern temple and sarai
Dahar Siva temple
Dehra Well
Goela Khurd Temple
Jattipur Ancient mound
Jurasi Ancient mound
Kalkha Ancient mound
Mahrana Ancient mound
Namunda Ancient mound
Naultha Samadhi
Patti Kalyana Ancient mound
Rakshara Idgah and well
Sanjoli Ancient mound
Shaharmalpura Siva temple
Sutana Ancient mound
42. EXCAVATIONS AT THANESAR, DISTRICT KURUKSHETRA.—With a view to imparting field training to

the students of the Institute of Archaeology and to investigate the nature of occupation at the site, the
Institute of Archaeology of the Survey undertook excavation at Thanesar (29° 59' N; 76° 50' E) under
the direction of B.M. Pande and with cooperation of J.P. Srivastava of the Excavations Branch-II, Delhi
assisted by R.P. Sharma of the Institute of Archaeology, Narayan Vyas of the Bhopal Circle, G.S. Gaur,
L.S. Mamani and R. Krishnaiah of the Excavation Branch-II, K.C. Nauriyal, R.K. Sehgal, I.M. Tikku,
H.S. Miyan and R. Dalai of the Headquarters office, J.M. Thapar of the Chandigrah Circle, and A.K.
Patel, D.N. Dimri and Rakesh Tiwari respectively of the Srinagar Circle, the Jaipur Circle and the
Garden Branch, Agra.
The mound which is also called locally as the Harsh-ka-Tila measures about 900 x 500 metres
and is between 15 and 23 metres in height. The mound was divided on the basis of surface features,
into three parts from north to south which were designated as TSR-1, TSR-2, and TSR-3. In order to
obtain optimum results, trenches were laid out in three areas on the northern, western and southern
28
sides. The operational area in each of the aforesaid locality measured 100 x 20 m, 10 x 10 m and 50
x 20 m.
Excavations revealed occupational deposit of about 16 metres and unfolded an almost complete
cultural sequence from the Kushana to the Mughal periods. Some sherds of grey ware of the PGW
lineage and having painting were also found in a limited area in one of the excavated trenches.
Barring the trench in which were found the few sherds of PGW lineage, the earliest period was
marked by the use of typical Kushana red ware. Important pottery shapes included bowls with
incurved rim, sprinklers, vases with long vertical neck, basins, etc. In the upper levels, this pottery was
found associated with moulded, bright red-slipped and red polished pottery. No structures could be
located due to the limited excavated area in which remains of this period were found. A trench on the
northern slope containing redeposited strata also yielded Kushana material. The antiquities of this
period include a terracotta sealing with Brahmi inscription in first-second century characters reading
‘Sri Rudrah’ (pl. VIII A), antimony rod, terracotta votive tank and terracotta plaque (pl. VIII B).
Of particular interest are terracotta flat tablets (pl. IX A) of either square, rectangular or
parallelogrammatic shape having in majority of cases three vertical/horizontal/oblique or semi-
circular and in a few cases two lines scratched on one face which were found in large number from
one of the trenches on the lower slopes of the mound on the north-west. The exact stratigraphical
position of these tablets which have been reported in Kushana levels from several sites elsewhere is not
clear and needs to be clearly understood. However, it seems that these were found in association with
pottery which on present showing is post-Kushana.
The next was the Gupta period (circa fourth to middle of sixth century) marked mainly by
moulded pottery, red polished ware and plain red ware with shapes typical of the period. Other
important objects included a fragmentary Vishnu image and Brahmanical deities, terracotta plaque, a
small mould for casting human head (pl. IX B) and some moulded bricks.
The Pushyabhuti or Vardhana period (middle of the sixth to end of seventh century) was
distinguished by a massive brick building and other structural remains. One of the walls of this
massive structure was excavated upto ninety-nine courses, without reaching the bottommost course.
This building was evidently of substantial size.
The pottery of this period generally bears chocolate brown slip and impressed decorative motifs
such as the leaf, the sun, flowers with petals, criss-cross designs, etc. Amongst notable finds of this
period, mention may be made of a highly fragmentary stone inscription in seventh century characters
(pl. X A), a stone torso of Kubera, a terracotta elephant, beads of semiprecious stones and terracotta
and ivory bangles.
The Rajput period (circa eighth to twelfth century) which includes the Pratiharas and the
Tomaras was represented by distinct red ware industry and three structural phases of building activity.
The stamped decoration on pottery included concentric circles, floral designs and mat impressions.
Knife-edged bowls, spouted vessels, variety of lids and jars were main pot types. Scanty evidence of
glazed ware was noticed in upper levels. Miscellaneous objects of daily use such as terracotta human
and animal figurines, stone pestles, iron nails, a bronze (?) vase (pl. X B) and beads of semiprecious
stones were also found.
29
The Sultanate period (thirteenth century to first quarter of sixteenth century) was marked by a
sturdy red ware and glazed wares. Brick walls of residential buildings were exposed. Evidence of
some kind of conflagration towards the end of this period was noticed in TSR-3 by way of substantial
deposits of ash, etc.
The Mughal period (second quarter of sixteenth to mid-nineteenth century) was represented by
remains of large house-complexes (pl. XI A), a hall-like building, a massive arched structure (pl. XI B),
entrance staircases, brick-built entrance with off-set projections, covered and open drains some of
which were lime-plastered, brick-on-edge floors, etc. In one of the trenches, close to the hall-like
building, a series of shallow pottery basins in a row was exposed. The hall-like building, measuring
1015 x 8.50 m the roof of which was resting on brick-built square-based pillars, had inside it fair
quantity of slag, ash, loose greyish earth, tandoor-like oven, kuthala or storage jar, and seems to be
some kind of smithy or workshop. The exposed houses comprised rooms of various sizes, bathrooms
and kitchen with earthenware utensils, pestles and grinders, chulhas and other refuse material. The
houses were built along streets with lanes and bylanes. A partly-exposed house in TSR-1 opened into a
2.40 m wide paved street.
Ceramic evidence included fine Mughal wares, both plain and decorated (pl. XII), glazed ware,
grey ware, stone ware and sherds of Chinese porcelain (pl. XIII A) some of which contain inscriptions in
Chinese characters. The main pottery shapes of this period include plates, handis, karahis, huqqas,
chilams, surahis, bottles, variety of lids with heavy central knob and lamps.
Important antiquities included human and animal figurines (pl. XIV), balls, beads, dice, cartframe,
rings, ear ornaments, dabbers, gamesmen and rattle of terracotta; bangles and rings (both plain and
decorated) and ear ornaments of ivory; spearheads, arrowheads, spades, clamps, nails, knives of iron;
beads, human figures, balls, pestles and saddle-querns of stone; shell bangles and ring; points and
decorated pieces of bone; a gold nose ring; several copper coins, one of which is of Shah Alam II
(1759-1806) issued from the Delhi mint; a signet ring with an inscription in Persian and a
partly-broken terracotta seal (pl. XIII B) with inscription on both faces which reads: “Khadim-i-Shar
lbn Muhammad Qaziyan Qazi Muhammad Fazil” on one face and “Nur Muhammad Ahmad Shaikh
lbn” on the other.
A few human burials were found in some trenches both in TSR-1 and TSR-3. The burials were
mainly oriented north-south and in few cases, the graves had been cut into the walls of earlier
structures.
The brick-built defence wall, the existence of which was observed on the surface particularly on
the northern and western sides of the mound, was exposed at several places. The wall is of about 4
m average width with a bastion on the north-western corner (pl. XV A) and a small bastion on the north
(pl. XV B). There were several sub-phases of construction beginning with the Sultanate period. At some
places, the fortification wall appears to have been raised by providing box-like structures filled with
all kinds of material available at the site. One constructional phase of defence wall exposed on the
southern slope is of an early date. On the present showing, it appears that the defence wall was
introduced (at Thanesar) perhaps after the Gupta period and raised subsequently in following
30
successive periods. The fortifications seem to have fallen into disuse sometime in the late Mughal
period as is evident from the fact that structures have been found raised over it.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
43. SCIENTIFIC CLEARANCE OF TISSERU STUPA, DISTRICT LEH (LADAKH).—In continuation of the
previous year’s work (1986-87, pp. 36-37) the Srinagar Circle of the Survey under the direction of
R.C. Aggarwal, assisted by R.S. Fonia, A.K. Pandey, Vijay Shankar, A.K. Patel, Balbir Singh Jamwal
and Tsering Wangchuk, took up scientific clearance of Tisseru Stupa mainly, to expose its different
structural parts on the remaining southern and western side.
This year’s work exposed the lower and upper circular terrace of the stupa. The terrace walls are
like the walls of the northern and eastern side having inward rise and built of rubble stone masonry in
mud mortar. There are remnants of plaster over them. Paws of lion figurine on the southern and
western side, a damaged figurine of lion and floral design in stucco have also been exposed on the
upper circular terrace. Both the terraces are badly damaged in the centre on the western and the
eastern sides.
Over the upper circular terrace is built a structure having four built-in walls in ascending order
with provision of ambulatory passage in-between them. Only its outermost wall has been provided
with buttress wall. The lower portion of the wall is of rubble stone masonry whereas the upper portion is
of sun-dried bricks (10 x 20 x 40 cm). All the passages on the southern side are interconnected
through entrances in the centre of the walls. An entrance in the fourth wall which is an access to the
drum portion appears to have been closed in the later stage. The floor and ceiling of these passages
were made of wooden twigs as evident in the second and third passages on the southern side. Passages on
the western side are badly damaged.
Above the walled structure rests the drum of the stupa. It has radiating walls of stone and brick
masonry around it which act as buttresses to the topmost walled structure. The drum comprises vaults on
its periphery.
A hoard of clay tablets depicting Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjusri, Tara, Mahakala, Samvara and
chorten have been found from the site.
44. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT PUNCH.—In the course of exploration, R.C. Aggarwal and S.N.
Kesarwani of the Srinagar Circle of the Survey discovered the following sites on the banks of the river
Punch and its tributaries :
Mande (Haveli) Chak Katro Early and late medieval pottery

(33° 45'30" N; 74° 11'20" E)
-do- Chandak Kushana pottery, remains of early
(33° 45' 20" N; 74° 10' 15" E) medieval temple and late medieval well
31
Taluk VillagelSite Nature of remains

Mande (Haveli) Mandi Devanagri inscription, Kushana and
(33° 47' 40" N; 74° 15' 20" E) medieval pottery
-do- Salum Late medieval sculpture and pottery
(33° 48'N; 74° 13' E)
-do- Satra Early and late medieval
(33° 46' 30" N; 74° 12' 20" E) pottery
-do- Sauji Kushana pottery ad memorial stone of
(33° 52' 20" N; 74° 17' 10" E) late medieval period
-do- Sekhlu Late medieyal baoli with sculptures
(33° 47' 10" N; 74° 14" E)
Punch Ajot Kushana and early medieval site
(33° 46' 20" N; 74° 4' E)
-do- Gulpur Kushana pottery and structure
. (33° 46'N; 74° 3'E)
-do- Old Punch Kushana pottery, remains of early
(33° 46' N; 74° 5' 46" E) medieval temple and sculptures, late
medieval fortress
43. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT RAJAORI.—In the course of exploration in the district, S.N. Kesarwani
under the supervision of R.C. Aggarwal of the Srinagar Circle of the Survey, discovered the following
sites of archaeological interest:
Kalakot Deolian (Bhandar) Late medieval fortress, tank and baoli

(33° 10' 30" N; 74° 23' 25" E) with sculptures
-do-N Panjnara Early medieval temple complex
(33° 11'40" N; 74° 21'45" E)
aoshera Darhal Late medieval fortress
(33° 13' 30" N; 74° 8' 40 " E)
-do- Rajil Early medieval pottery and about 150
(33° 09' 30" N; 74° 10' E) years old mosque Late medieval
-do-Sun Richua (Chingas) temples
(33° 15' N; 74° 15' 20" E)
darbain Gandhe Remains of early medieval temple and
(33° 30" N; 74° 27" E) sculpture and late medieval sculptures
32
KARNATAKA
46. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BELLARY.—During the course of village-to-village survey, W.V.S.

Narasimham of the Bangalore Circle of the Survey recorded the following antiquarian remains.
Sandur Anthapura Siva temple (circa seventeenth century),

hero-stones, inscriptions
-do- Appalapura Microliths
-do- Avinamadugu Medieval sculptures and fortification
-do- Ayyanahalli Microliths
-do- Basapuram Medieval temple and inscriptions
-do- Bennihatti Palm-leaf manuscript
-do- Chikkantapuram Hero-stones, one being inscribed
-do- Daroji Parallel-sided blades, pecked and ground
stone tools, medieval temple and sculptures
-do- Ingaligi Ash mound
-do- Joga Medieval temple
-do- (Kere) Rampura Microliths
-do- Kodalu Microliths and memorial stones
-do- Kurikuppi Microliths, temple (circa sixteenth century)
and medieval sculptures
-do- Lingadahalli Copper coin
-do- Malapuram Microliths
-do- Mallapuram Handaxes (?), hero-stones
-do- Nagalapuram Inscriptions, memorial-stones and medi-
eval sculptures
-do- Rajapuram Handaxes (?), microliths, fragmentary
pecked and polished axe, neolithic pottery
and rock paintings
-do- Santanapuram Hero-stone and Idgah
-do- Talura Temples, hero-stone and medieval forti-
fication
-do- Thoranagal Microliths, disturbed ash mound, mounds
yielding neolithic and early historic pottery
-do- Tumati Hero-stones and inscriptions
-do- Ubbalagandi Inscriptions
-do- Vaddu Medieval temple
-do- VittalaDura Hero-stones
47. EXCAVATION AT HAMPI, DISTRICT BELLARY.—In continuation of last year’s work (1986-87, pp.
38-40), the Hampi National Project of the Survey under the direction of B. Narasimhaiah, assisted by
33
K. Veerabhadra Rao, HanumanthappaTelagu, M. Loganathan, T.P. Balakrishna Unnithan, J. Ranganath

and V.N. Joshi, resumed excavation in the Royal Enclosure as well as Hazara Rama Complex with the
objectives of completely combing the areas of any possible structures as the above areas formed the
nucleus of the Vijayanagara City, and simultaneously conserving the excavated remains.
Excavation carried out near the southern doorway of the Hazara Rama temple at the northern end of
the passage (pl. XVI) revealed three rooms built of rubble in mud mortar across the passage. The walls
running in east-west orientation over the disturbed eastern cyclopean wall of the passage obviously
belong to a later period when the passage fell into disuse. The excavation also exposed architectural
details of the southern doorway such as the upper portion of the niche containing the canopy portion
of the figure of Vitthala besides the dressed granite slabs of the wall. The stone channel exposed
earlier, running into the temple through the entrance bifurcates after entering the temple. One of the
arms runs towards east and the other towards north. The eastward running channel empties into a
storage well in the south-eastern corner of the temple, whereas the other feeds another storage well
behind the temple. This channel traverses further behind the northern compound wall of the temple.
Interestingly, as the channel is connected to the well (2.10 m square and 6.45 m deep) once it is filled up,
water automatically flows further north. The excavation also yielded the stone merlon blocks
originally fixed atop the compound wall but later employed for lining the eastward running channel in
the temple.
Excavation conducted in an area of 530 sq.m at the southern extremity of the passage leading
from Hazara Rama southern doorway and outside the south-west corner of the Royal Enclosure
indicated that the above channel also feeds a stepped tank cut into the bedrock and lined with dressed
stones on the western side of Royal Enclosure, which was exposed earlier. At the southern extremity
(near the main road leading to Hampi) a platform, having north-south orientation of which only three
courses are extant, was also exposed. This was perhaps supporting a mandapa guarding the entrance
to regulate the entry of persons into the Royal Enclosure through its western doorway.
Digging in the area north-east of the Mahanavami Dibba, to ascertain the relationship of the
walls found on the surface with the Mahanavami Dibba, laid bare a screen wall running parallel to the
northern retaining wall of the Mahanavami Dibba. The extant wall built of huge granite blocks set in
dry masonry is only one course high at places and is much disturbed. A two metre square and 3 m
deep soakage pit was also exposed in the north-eastern corner of the Enclosure. A stone sill with iron
bearings on either side, which once supported the stone door (pl. XVII A) is a significant find.
Fragments of the missing door were also found here. These massive stone doors, which are replicas of
contemporary wooden models, were employed to close the entrance (pl. XVII B). The decoration and
the amount of effort involved in raising such a huge door-frame suggest that this entrance was used
mainly by the royal family and other feudatories for going to Mahanavami Dibba. This view is also
supported by the fact that the north-east corner of the enclosure nearer the soakage pit is plastered with
lime, which was probably used for cleaning hands and feet before entering the enclosure. The
flagstones exposed along the retaining wall of the Mahanavami Dibba indicate that the enclosure was
paved with flat stones.
34
Further excavation on the southern side of the public bath by way of clearance of debris
comprising loose grey earth mixed with potsherds and architectural fragments brought to light the
outlet of the public bath, the outer extent of which is yet to be traced. The main drain, which was
exposed earlier, was found to run towards south after crossing the screen wall. Roughly parallel to
the southern retaining wall of the public bath, another rubble wall; probably raised to give it additional
support, was also traced. The public bath had an earlier outlet for depletion but was abandoned when
the new outlet was incorporated into it subsequently. A small shallow square stepped well was also
exposed immediately south of the public bath. The seepage water collects into a 2 m deep pit in the
north-western corner. The three squatting lions originally placed at the centre of each side of the tank of
the four pillars, which probably supported a kind of balcony overhanging the tank, were also
retrieved. Trenches laid on the eastern side of the tank revealed that the retaining wall had collapsed and
the earth cleared off the tank was dumped here. Excavation here also yielded two more pieces of
squatting lions.
Excavation in the Hazara Rama complex to fully expose the structures lying on either side of the
Peddangadi Veedi (Big-Market Street), by which name the Hazara Rama bazar was popular, brought to
light the western compound wall of temple no. 1 exposed earlier. A cyclopean wall built of roughly
dressed, wedge-shaped blocks, having a steep, plain outer surface and very steep steps on the inner
face was also traced. This wall which connects the gateway north of Hazara Rama temple and the
arched entrance east of Hazara Rama temple separates the temple complex consisting of temple no.
1, the dilapidated structures to its east, the square tank, the mandapa and the monolithic Garuda pillar
from the eastern area. The extant height of the wall is 2.95 m and 1.15 m wide at the top. At a depth of
2 m a stone flooring around a square pit of 1.70 m square was encountered. This pit was lined inside with
a masonry wall on the four sides and at the mouth it was narrowed down to only 1 m square by
corbelling roughly dressed slabs. There are two slabs across the mouth covering almost half of the
opening. The working level of the pit is well above the working level of the cyclopean wall on its east
almost abutting it. Originally meant to be a wall, it appears to have been used later as a silo.
The compound wall of temple no. 1 was also traced on the eastern side. Extant to a height of 1.75 m,
comprising of five courses of roughly dressed granite slabs, the width of this wall varies from 0.90 m to
1.10 m. Each course has some slabs laid across, meeting both the faces like headers for strong
binding. The core of the wall was filled up with rammed earth. A stone trough with two holes was
found in the south-western corner of the temple. In front of the temple many stones, worn out on one
side were found, indicating that they were once part of the road known from inscriptions as
Peddangadi Veedi.
Near the arched gateway of the Peddangadi Veedi, a storage tank with an inlet on the southern
side was found north of the entrance after clearing the accumulated debris. It was built against the
enclosure wall on its western side and is plastered with lime plaster. The bottom was also plastered
with lime after giving firm rubble soling. The beams above were laid to facilitate drawing of water
from the tank. Excavation here revealed a number of architectural fragments probably belonging to
the cloister running in east-west orientation, remnants of which can be seen in the area north-west of
the arched gateway.
35
Excavation on the southern side of the road joining the Hazara Rama temple and the arched
entrance have brought to light rectangular (15 m x 12 m) stepped-tank. This tank, built of roughly
dressed granite slabs, has steps on three sides except on west and has two small landings of 1.05 m width
before reaching the water edge. Fed by a stone channel on its western side, it has a catwalk all around
with the outer edge marked by a kakshasana-like raised course of stones. The tank was subsequently
deepened and converted into a stepped well. While deepening the tank rough steps were cut in the
bedrock besides providing a ramp on its south-eastern corner probably for some religious ceremony.
The antiquities found during the excavation include objects of gold, silver, copper, brass and
iron, bone and ivory, stone miniatures and Siva-lingas besides a variety of beads including that of
pearl. Copper coins, an iron mortar (pl. XVIII A), a miniature gold pot and a miniature Siva-linga
with a brace are amongst the noteworthy antiquities. The iron mortar measuring 0.61 m long has
diameter of 0.12 m at the muzzle end and 0.10 m at the rear end. The diameter of the bore is 0.05 m at
the muzzle end. It has a small hole near the narrow side 0.04 m from the end. Unlike the specimen
discovered earlier this does not have the pivots for turning it along the vertical plane. Though it is
rusted on the surface the overall shape is intact. The gold miniature pot (pl. XVIIIB), 1.4 m high, was
made in four pieces and then soldered. It has provision for the lid. The exact purpose of this miniature
pot is not known.
The head of Garuda (pl. XIX A) and the copper coins were also found in the tank. Though many
miniature Siva-lingas were found in the past, its method of use in religious activities was not known. A
lone specimen unearthed in this season has given a clue to its use. The miniature Siva-linga with a
copper brace and rings on either side was worn by passing a string through the rings, (pl. XVIIIC). It is
more probable that they must have attached it to the yajnopavita. The panel with intricate carvings
of the Later Chalukyan period found in the Hazara Rama passage is another interesting find (pl. XIX
B).
The gold chain (pl. XX A) weighing nearly 44 grams found in a soakage pit north-west of
Mahanavami Dibba outside the enclosure in a noteworthy specimen. It consists of roughly square
links of 1 mm diameter soldered is such a way that the open ends of the two are perpendicular to each
other and become a single unit in the chain. Interestingly, similar chain decoration is also found on a
sculpture of a royal person. Another important find is a gold thali recovered from the stepped tank near
the Hazara Rama Complex. It is 9 mm in diameter with the figure of Lakshmi seated on a lotus in
repousse. Incidentally, the ring for the thread is also fabricated from the same sheet and soldered for
strength.
The pottery unearthed includes vases, dishes, shallow plates, vessels and a number of miniature
pots of medium to fine fabric with or without a black slip. Some of them bear pre-firing decorations.
Fragments of cream coloured Chinese ware with blue paintings were also found. A fragment of the
bottom portion of a dish (pl. XX B) contains four letters in Chinese characters representing symbols
of long life, riches, growth, intelligence, etc., normally found on the ‘deluxe ware’.
The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Karnataka State continued excavations in the
Nobleman’s Palace area and the area north of Hazara Rama temple at Hampi, under the direction of
M.S. Nagaraja Rao.
36
Nobleman’s Palace no. 11, Nobleman’s Palace no. 14 and Temple no. 2 were excavated in the
Nobleman’s Palace area. Nobleman’s Palace no. 11 is situated to the west of Nobleman’s Palace no.
1. This structure, facing east, has an open courtyard in front which is surrounded by an enclosure wall.
The main structure has three ascending levels. On the north and south of the main structure are small
rooms. Iron nails, clay beads, bangle pieces, ivory dice, tooth cleaners, soapstone pencils, decorative
female figure of lead and Siva-lingas were found in the excavations. Out of these the tiny figure of
lead representing a. decorative lady standing on a lotus, flanked by hamsas on either side is an
interesting feature.
Nobleman’s Palace no. 14, facing east, lies to the north-east of Nobleman’s Palace no. 12. Like
other structures in this complex, this structure also has several landings. This structure consists of an
openyard with enclosure wall. A flight of steps leads into the first landing from the openyard. Here on
either side are rooms at a higher level on the second landing. A flight of two steps in the northwest
corner leads to the second landing. At the centre of the second landing is a raised platform. Several
iron pegs, nails, rings, stone pencils, glass bangle pieces and small Siva-lingas were recovered in
the excavations.
Temple no. 2, located to the north-west of Nobleman’s Palace no. 1, is facing east. This is a small
temple consisting of garbhagriha and mukhamandapa. To the north of the temple is a small well.
There are small rooms to the west of the temple. Sculptures of Hanuman and Alvar, a tiny image of
Venugopala and thin broken sheets of gold used for decoration have been found in the course of
excavation.
Structure no. 1 (24.50 m x 9.70 m) to the north of Hazara Rama temple faces east. At the centre of
the structure are two parallel walls running in north-south direction. Across these walls at the centre at a
higher level is a thin wall running in east-west direction. In between the parallel walls is rammed
earthen floor. Iron nails, chain, glass bangle pieces, brass bell have been found in the excavations.
48. EXCAVATION AT SANNATI, DISTRICT GULBARGA.— In continuation of the previous season’s work
(1986-87, pp. 41-42) A.P. Sagar and D. Hanumantha Rao, assisted by R.S. Kulkarni, J. Vara Prasada
Rao, T.C. Ratnam, A. Suresh, Ananda Tirtha, S.C. Edwin and H:C. Thapliyal, of the Survey in
collaboration with the Society for South Asian Studies, U.K., represented by James Howell, assisted
by Annie Howell, carried out excavation of the second Stupa mound at three major areas viz., Central
Sectional Cutting; Deep Transectional Cutting; and Peripheral Excavations.
1. Central sectional cutting: With an intention to find out the structural details of the stupa at the
centre, an area measuring six metres square was taken up and dug to the natural bedrock. The
excavation revealed that the mound was made up of a series of successive dumps of mud and shale and
mixed deposits of both, with occasional potsherds and small brickbats. This has also given us a deep
section of the mound having 9.50 m depth, a circular pit measuring 1.50 m diameter cut into the shale
deposit, having 0.30 m depth, filled with brown clay is found. Again, at 2.40 m depth a deposit of lime
spread was noticed, with no structural association but has yielded some carbonized seeds (yet to be
identified) and a small quantity of charcoal. At the bottom, a small pit cut into the natural rock, filled
with black clay earth was also met with.
37
2. Deep transectional cutting: The transectional cutting from the centre to the northern end of
the mound of previous season, was continued by reducing its width to 2 m with an intention to have
a longitudinal section across the mound to know the structural details and to correlate with the
peripheral structural activities with the mound. This was cut down to the level of undisturbed black
cotton soil on which the stupa was built. It also revealed that at the peripheral end of the drum a
semicircular foundational pit was cut into the undisturbed black soil, and the drum wall was built.
3. Peripheral Excavation: This has covered the entire southern half of the mound and brought
to light the outline of the stupa, a brick platform and large-scale pit activity.
(a) In this area inspite of constant ploughing and large-scale pit activity, the extent of the stupa
was quite clear. It is circular on plan. The retaining wall of the drum is built of shale blocks
as in the northern half but most of the shale blocks have disintegrated.
(b) The brick platform is built abutting the stupa drum, its northern wing is actually resting on
the top of the drum wall. The southern wing is yet to be exposed. On the east-west, the
width of the platform measures 19 m. The platform core is filled with courses of slate rock
regularly laid one above the other. At the exterior of the eastern and western sides the brick
walls are decorated with mouldings at basal region. It is provided with an approach from
the west through a small platform ascended from north by a flight of two limestone steps
having a moonstone at the base and a guard-stone at its western side. The bricks measuring
50 x 25 x 7 cm used for its construction tally with those used in the drum wall rebuilt on
the northern side, which belongs to the II phase of the stupa construction.
(c) The excavation on either side of the platform revealed a large-scale disturbance of cultural
strata by way of digging of pits of irregular shape, made stratigraphically at a much later
period. This may relate to the destruction phase of the site. One such pit in the south-west
corner of the site has yielded a memorial pillar, broken into two pieces. One of these
contains sculptures depicted in two tiers with a label inscription engraved in between, in
early Brahmi characters datable to second century AD (pl. XX C).
Besides antiquities like beads, pottery, iron and copper objects, the above excavation has yielded
seventeen lead coins, and four copper coins, mostly ascribable to Satavahana dynasty. Most of the coins
bear on the obverse a crescented three-arched hill with a legend and on the reverse the Ujjain symbol.
49. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KOLAR.—During the course of his exploration, P.S. Sriraman of the
Bangalore Circle of the Survey brought to light the following sites:
Mulbagal Avani Habitation mound (100m x 50 m) with

cultural remains from Megalithic period,
group of temples (circa tenth to seven-
teenth century), inscriptions, hero-stones
and sculptures
38
Mulbagal Balla Inscribed hero-stones Ruined

-do- Chitteri Saptamatrika temple and inscribed
hero-stones (circa tenth century)
-do- Cholangunte Inscriptions (circa sixteenth century)
-do- Gottikunte Group of hero-stones, one bearing a Tamil
inscription of circa thirteenth century.
-do- Idlapura Habitation mound (70 m x 70 m) of
medieval period
-do- Jogalkashti Kilu Group of memorial stones and inscrip-
tions of medieval period Megalithic
-do- Holali burial site of cist with stone circle type
Inscribed hero-stones (circa tenth century)
-do- Kondenahalli
Agrahara Group of hero-stones Habitation
-do- Kuppampalya site (100 m x 100 m) with early
-do- Mel Gani medieval cultural assemblage, in-
scriptions, Saptamatrika temple and in-
scribed hero-stone (circa tenth century)
Hero-stones and sculptures of matrikas
-do- Padakashti Inscribed memorial stone (circa tenth
-do- Rampura century Memorial
stone of medieval period
-do- Sringere
Chadamanahalli
50. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT SHIMOGA.—During the course of exploration, C.S. Seshadri of the
Bangalore Circle of the Survey noticed the following antiquarian remains.
Shikaripur Agrahara Sculptures of Later Chalukyan style

Muchadi Ambar
-do- Koppa Sati stones
-do- Arsinagere Sculptures and inscriptions (seventeenth
century)
-do- Basavanandihalli Temple (sixteenth-seventeenth century)
Bhogi Inscriptions (ninth century) and inscribed
-do- hero-stones (twelfth century)
39
Shikaripur Bisalahalli Inscribed hero-stones (twelfth century)

-do- Chikka Jambur Medieval fort
-do- Chikka Magadi Inscriptions, Brahmanical and Jaina tem-
ples of Hoysala style Temples,
-do- Churchugundi sculptures, hero-stones
(sixteenth-seventeenth century)
-do- Donanagudde Medieval sculptures Sculptures
-do- Elagere of Hoysala school Inscribed hero-stone
-do- Haraguvalli Sculptures of Post-Vijayanagara style
-do- Hire Kalvatti Inscriptions and hero-stones
-do- Hire Jambur (tenth-eleventh century)
Inscribed hero-stones of Hoysala period
-do- Hitla Brick structures of early historical pe-
-do- Isur riod, inscription (ninth-tenth century),
Later Chalukyan apsidal temple and in-
scribed hero-stones Inscriptions
and medieval fortification Inscriptions,
-do- Kadenandihalli hero-stones and sati stones Medieval
-do- Kalmane iron working site Sculptures of
-do- Kaniya Nayaka period Inscriptions
-do- Karnehalli Inscriptions (fifteenth-sixteenth century)
-do- Kortigere Inscriptions of Satavahanas, Kadambas,
-do- Kuskur inscribed hero-stones and sculptures
-do- Malavalli (twelfth-thirteenth century)
Brick structures of early historical period,
inscriptions of Kirtivarma (AD 647-677)
-do- Mallenahalli of Chalukyas of Badami and hero-stones
Inscription
Inscriptions and sculptures of Hoysala
-do- Manchi Koppa school
-do- Mayathammana Inscribed hero-stone (twelfth century)
Muchadi Hero-stones (ninth to thirteenth century)
-do- Muthagi Sculptures of Hoysala school
-do- Muthalli Hero-stones of Hoysala period
-do- Narasapura Medieval fortification Medieval
-do- Negalige sculptures
-do- Ragi Koppa
-do- Sanda
40
Shikaripur Seelvantana Koppa Medieval temples and hero-stones

-do- Serihalli Inscriptions and hero-stones of Hoysala
period
-do- Settihalli Inscription
-do- Shankari-Koppa Sculptures (twelfth century)
-do- Shivanapada Medieval inscriptions
-do- Tadasanahalli Inscribed hero-stones and sari-stones of
the Later Chalukyan period.
MADHYA PRADESH
51. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BASTAR.—J.K. Patnaik, S.K. Ganguly, K. Srimani of the Bhubaneswar
Circle of the Survey explored 26 villages in Bhopalpatnam Tehsil in course of the exploration work of
the area under the submergence of the Indra-Sagar Hydel Project. The villages/sites with antiquarian
remains are listed below:
Village/Site River/Nala Nature of remains
Badekakler Dobri Nala Memorial granite pillars

(19 °05 'N;8 0 °30'E)
Dhvdme Indravati river Tribal memorial pillars
(19° 21'N; 80° 33'E)
Edapalli — Memorial pillar
(19° 10'N; 80°27'E)
Netikakler — Memorial pillar
(19° 17'N; 80° 31'E)
Pasewada Indravati river Ruins of a medieval Siva temple facing
(19° 16' N; 80°28'E) east consisting of a sanctum, vestibule,
porch and an entrance porch and flat
ceiling
Phulgundam Dobri Nala Memorial pillars of late period
(19° 5'N; 80° 29'E)
52 EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT DATIA.— In the course of village-to-village survey, R.K. Chaturvedi

assisted by Rakesh Verma of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya
Pradesh, carried out exploration in the District and reported the discovery of the following sites:
41
Village/Site Nature of remains
Agora Early historical, sculptures

Akola Sculpture
Amara Sculpture
Aser Fragmentary sculpture
Badokhari Sculpture
Badonikhurd Early historical, inscriptions, sculptures, medieval
pottery
Baghawati Sculpture
Banapura Fragmentary sculpture, medieval pottery
Barjorpura Broken sculpture
Barkheda Early historical
Basai NBP, sculptures
Baswaha Early historical
Berachha Early historical, NBP, fort
Bhadhawali Early historical
Bhadumar? Fragmentary sculptures
Bharoli Early historical, garhi, sculptures
Bhitora Fragmentary sculptures
Bhowai Buruga Broken sculptures
Bohora-ka-bagh Early historical, sculptures
Bijania Siva-linga Fragmentaary
Budhara sculptures Medieval pottery, sculptures
Buhara Baoli
Chak Chandeva Early historical, coins
Cheema Medieval pottery
Chirole Early historical, sculptures
Chopara Broken sculptures
Damani Medieval pottery
Devgarh Medieval Pottery
Devapura Early historical, sculputures
Dhanoli Early historical, sculptures
Dhirpur Sculptures
Diguwan Microliths, Black-and-red ware, PGW, NBP, early his-
Dohar torical, sculptures Medieval
pottery Sculptures
Dongarpur
Ekara
42
Erai Early historical, sculptures

Ghughari Medieval pottery
Govind Nagar Medieval pottery
Gyara Medieval garhi, broken sculptures
Hatlab Early historical, sculptures
Hindora Early historical, NBP, sculptures
Hinetia Early historical, NBP, sculptures
Jaswantpur Medieval pottery
Jatpur Medieval pottery
Joharia Early historical, sculptures
Kadhari Fragmentary sculptures
Kasali Early historical, inscriptions
Keolari Medieval pottery
Khadaua Baoli
Khaikheda Early historical
Kheronghat Early historical
Kheri Sculptures
Khiris Ghoghi Sculptures
Khodan Medieval tank and garhi
Kua Khera Early historical, NBP
Kurthara Early historical, sculputre
Kusoli Sculptures
Lanch Early historical, garhi, Siva-linga, sculptures
Magron Sculptures
Meheba Siva-linga
Mahroli Early historical
Makdari Broken sculptures
Makoli Sculptures
Mewali Fragmentary sculpture
Mudara Sculptures
Nirawal Broken sculptures
Panehargarh Medieval sculpture
Parasara Medieval temple
Pathora Sculptures
Ramgraha Fragmentary sculptures
Rampura Sculptures
Raniapura Medieval pottery
Rarua Jivan Sculptures
43
Rarua Rai Early historical, sculptures

Ratai Kheda Early historical
Sahera Fragmentary sculptures
Satlab Early historical, sculptures
Satlon Sculptures
Seonda Palaeolithic tools, early historical, sculptures
Setama Fragmentary sculptures
Sewani Sculptures
Sikri Sculptures
Sirasa Baoli
Sunar Sculptures
Targuwar Sculptures
Tharet Early historical, sculptures
Tigharu Sculptures
Uchad Early historical, NBP, sculptures
Unnao Early historical, NBP, medieval pottery, sculptures
Urdana Sculptures
Veekar Early historical, NBP
Veerpur Medieval pottery
Weekar Sculptures
53. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.—The Prehistory Branch of the Survey under the
direction of S.B. Ota, assisted by N.G. Nikose, N. Taher, J.S. Dubey, R.K. Dwivedi, N.K. Nimje, C.
Yadav and P.S. Pashine explored and surveyed Khandwa and Harsud taluks with the aim of
ascertaining the archaeological potentiality of the submergence area of Narmada Sagar Dam Project for
further implementation of planned investigation, if required, before the area gets submerged. The
survey brought to light the following archaeological evidence:
Tehsil Village Nature of remains
Harsud Abhawa Acheuhan

-do- Amulni Medieval mound
-do- Baihari (Bir) Medieval mound
-do- Balri Remains of Siva temple (twelfth-thirteenth
century AD) locally known as Shankar
Mandir, medieval structural remains
-do- Bamangaon Medieval mound
44
Telisil Village Nature of remains
Harsud Bandariya Medieval mound

-do- Bargaon (Mal) Medieval mound
-do- Barur Medieval mound
-do- Belwari Microliths (two localities), medieval site
-do- Beriya Medieval mound
-do- Bhawarli Medieval mounds (two in number), late
medieval brick temple, remnants of stone
temple
-do- Bijalpur Kalan Medieval site with fortification locally
known as ‘Kotra’, late medieval struc-
tures, remains of a temple (twelfth-
thirteenth century)
-do- Bijalpur Khurd Acheulian (four localities), microliths,
early historical mound, loose sculptures,
memorial stones, iron smelting site
-do- Billod Microliths
-do- Billod (Mal) Medieval mound
-do- Blurari Medieval mound
-do- Boribandri Microliths, medieval mound
-do- Boribandri Microliths
(Kherkheda)
-do- Chalpa Kalan Early historical mound
-do- Chhirwan Microliths
-do- Chich Medieval mound
-do- Chikhli Medieval mound (two in mumber)
Dewaldi Medieval mound
-do- Dagarkheri Late medieval structural remains
-do- Ganor Microliths, medieval mound, iron smelt-
-do- ing site
-do- Gehelgaon Medieval mound

-do- Gehungaon Medieval mound
(Kalan)
-do- Gondikhera Microliths
-do- Gullas Middle Palaeolithic tools (two localities),
iron smelting site
-do- Haripura Medieval site
45
Tefisil Village Nature of remains
Harsud Harsud Remains of a temple (twelfth-thmeenth

century) locally known as “Saraswati
Kund” with loose sculputres, medieval
mound
-do- Hathnora Late medieval structural remains
-do- Jabgaon Medieval mound
-do- Jaitapur Khurd Microliths
-do- Jalwan Medieval mound
-do- Jagria (Mal) Medieval mound
-do- Jhirighat Medieval mound
-do- Jogibira Remains of Siva temple (twelfth-thir-
teenth century), medieval mounds (three
in number), loose sculptures, sati stones
-do- Junapami Medieval mound
-do- Karauli Microliths
-do- Kashipura Microliths, medieval mound
-do- Kasrawad Medieval-mound
-do- Khudia (Mal) Middle Palaeolithic tools, medieval
mound, late medieval temples
-do- Khutia Medieval mound
-do- Kukdal Middle Palaeolithic tools, remnants of a
temple with Vishnu sculptures (twelfth-
thirteenth century), medieval mound
-do-
Kuksi Medieval mound
-do-
Lachhora Medieval mound
-do-
Lodhisanthri Medieval mound
-do-
Mahatpur Microliths, medieval site
-do-
Malod Microliths
-do-
-do- Maujwari Microliths, medieval mound
-do- Nagpur Microliths, memorial stones
-do- Nandgoan Medieval mound
-do- Naoghata Acheulain site
-do- Nazarpura Microliths, medieval mound
Newalkhera Middle Palaeolithic tools, microliths,
early historical mound, Vishnu image
-do- Pangeria Medieval site
-do- Panghat (Kalan) Sculptures of Ganesa, inscription in
Devanagari script
46
Tehsil Village Nature ofreniains
-do- Singaji Medieval sites (five in number)

-do- Saktapur Medieval mound
-do- Sarai Acheulian (two localities)
-do- Semrur (Mai) Medieval mound
-do- Sodia Microliths, medieval site
-do- Sonpura Medieval mound
-do- Susarel Remains of brick temple
-do- Torniya Microliths, temple remains
Khandwa Balwara Acheulian
-do- Jamoti Acheulian, microliths, loose sculptures
-do- Purni Acheulian (two localities), microliths
(two localities), early historical and me-
dieval mounds, iron smelting site
Acheulian sites are mostly confined to the Vindhyan region on the left bank of the Narmada.
These are all open-air sites mostly confined to the foothill zones except the locality III at Bijalpur
Khurd which is located at a height of more than 1100 (335 m) above MSL. Most of these sites
comprise more than one locality and are surfacial in nature except Bijalpur Khurd locality III and
Balwara (pl. XXI A) which preserve a rich cultural deposit. On the basis of the typo-technological
characters of the assemblage, it may be assigned to late Acheulian phase. The assemblage comprises
handaxes, cleavers, discoids, choppers, large number of utilized simple artefacts, etc. Quartizite as the
major source of raw material has been utilized for fabricating the artefacts. Apart from quartzite,
cherty type material has been utilized as raw material at Sarai and Abhawa. It has been noticed that
locally available raw material has been exploited for manufacturing tools.
Middle Palaeolithic sites so far located are all open-air surface sites occurring in the context of
barren tableland, rocky ridges and hillocks, mostly in the Deccan Trap area. The assemblage (pl.
XXII) belonging to this cultural phase comprises mostly varieties of scrapers, points, utilized flakes,
etc., apart from simple artefacts. Raw material used is mainly quartzite and sometimes locally available
chert as at Khudia.
As regards the microlithic industry, the area is extremely rich. These sites are mostly confined to
the undulating Deccan Trap region concentrating on both the banks of the Chhota Tawa and mainly on
its tributaries. Once again, these are all open-air surface sites except in a few cases where some
cultural deposit is suspected. These sites occur in the context of barren land, rocky ridge and hillocks,
very close to the perennial or seasonal water bodies. The most noteworthy feature, observed at certain
sites like Gondikhera, Boribandri (Kherkheda) and Charkhera, is that microliths occur in association
with some of structural remains. From the nature of occurrence and composition of assemblage it
seems to belong to recent period which may be ascribed to the activities of some recent tribal
communities. The microlithic assemblage in general is characterized by the occurrence of very few
47
number of utilized flakes, and simple artefacts such as flakes and chips, cores, worked nodules, etc.
Chalcedony as the major raw material is used apart from a minor use of chert which occur in pockets in
Deccan Trap.
With a view to ascertaining the stratigraphical position and associated finds of early historical
sites, a trial trench measuring 20 x 10 m was laid at Bijalpur Khurd. A maximum cultural deposit of
about 1 m was encountered overlying the black soil. The ceramic industry of this period is
characterized by the occurrence of black-and-red ware, black-slipped ware and black polished ware
apart from plain red ware and red-slipped ware. Burnishing is very common on the pottery.
Black-and-red and black polished ware are of medium fabric and are prepared from
well-levigated clay. Red ware occur both in thin and thick fabric. The shapes include mostly bowls,
jars, etc. Carination on the pots is almost absent. Apart from pottery, other antiquities from the site at
Bijalpur Khurd include saddle quern, grinding stones, anvils, burnisher, hopscotch and shell objects
(pl. XXI B-C). A large number of animal bones mostly of Bos sp. occur at all the levels. Iron slag and
corroded iron objects do occur at all levels in the trial trench. Floor levels in the form of lime platform
has also been observed. On the basis of cultural affinity with early historic horizon at Maheshwar and
Navdatoli, the early historical level at Bijalpur Khurd can be dated back to about second-third century
AD.
Apart from early historical mounds, a large number of medieval mounds have been located very
close to the present day villages. At some of these mounds rubble fortification has been noticed. The
most significant discovery belonging to this cultural phase has been located in the village jurisdiction of
Bijalpur Kalan, which is locally known as “Kotra”. This site contains rubble fortification wall with
elaborate structural remains in a well planned fashion. The burial ground associated with this site has
also been located. The stone (pl. XXIII A) and brick antiquities collected from the site include a brick
with incised design (pl. XXIIIB), saddle quern, stone potter’s wheel, stone lamp and grinding stone.
Apart from these, cowries, glass bangles and beads (both of lac and stone) have also been collected.
The metal objects (pl.XXIIIC) picked up from the site include iron nail and bangle and a copper ring.
Temple remains noticed at a number of villages can tentatively be divided into three successive
phases. Temples belonging to the earliest phase are all brick constructions as at Harsud, Balri and
Susarel. The second phase of temple construction is characterized by stone construction with
elaborate carvings and fine sculptural remains, which have been noticed at Kukdal, Harsud, Jogibira
(pl.XXIV A-B), Balri and Bijalpur Kalan. On the basis of iconographic features and temple styles, the
temples can be ascribed to twelfth-thirteenth century AD. Temples of third phase are characterized by
both brick and stone construction as at Khudia (Mal), Torniya, Bhawarli, Bijalpur Kalan, etc. These
are all plain constructions without any carvings, belonging to late medieval times.
Structural remains comprising tombs, houses, wells, and some unidentified structures belonging
to late medieval times have also been noticed. These structures are constructed of dressed stones or
lakhauri bricks, and lime has been used as mortar.
Of the loose sculptures, mention may be made of image of Vishnu noticed at Bhilgarh in village
Jamoti, Kukdal and Newalkhera and Ganesa at Bijalpur Khurd and Panghat (Kalan). On iconographic
and stylistic grounds, these sculptures probably belong to twelfth-thirteenth century AD. Apart from
48
this some unidentified pieces have also been noticed. An inscription in Devanagari characters
belonging to thirteenth-fourteenth century AD has been noticed in a modern shrine at Panghat
(Kalan). Sculptures of Hanuman carved on a slab in low relief associated invariably with all medieval
habitational sites is the typical feature observed in the area.
Sati memorial stones which have been noticed are square in plan and pillar-type, standing
upright on the ground (pl.XXIV C). It depicts the figures of horse-rider, the sun and the moon, sati
sacrifice, etc.
A number of iron smelting sites have been noticed which occur isolatedly in the form of a heap of
iron slags rising about 1 to 2 m in height. These sites are mostly confined to the Vindhyan and its
adjoining areas on the southern bank of Narmada which is rich in iron-ore deposits. The antiquity of
iron smelting activity in the area goes back to early historical times, which is confirmed during the
trial diggings at Bijalpur Khurd.
54. EXPLORATION IN HARSUD TALUK, DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.—Excavations Branch I of the Survey
under Amarendra Nath, assisted by S.K. Lekhwani, K.P. Rao, S. Pratapchandran, N.K.S. Sharma and
H.J. Barapatre undertook exploration in Harsud Taluk of the submersible areas under Indira Sagar
Project. The noteworthy results included a number of sites ranging from pre-historic to historic
period.
Among pre-historic sites, mention may be made of the spread of Lower Palaeolithic sites along
the Narmada on its north bank. Tools were picked up from the floor terrace of Narmada and its
tributaries, deposited over the alluvium. The river section which is about 25 m high at few places was of
eroded Deccan Trap and its conglomerate covered by a thick deposit of alluvium over the flood
plains. The tools, recorded as surface finds, suggest by its typotechnology a mid to late pleistocene
age, keeping in view the reports of mid and late pleistocene fauna fossils in the adjoining area of
Narmada in similar geomorphological setting. The lower palaeolithic tool types included hand-axes,
cleavers, points, scrapers, etc (fig. 4).
The hand-axes made on cores without the cortex and a straight working edge indicate a late
Acheulian proximity to the industry. A few knives made on mega-flakes with secondary retouches on
working edge gives similarity to highly evolved Acheulian industries reported from Madras as well as
South Africa. The quartzite outcrops were natural source of raw material for the pre-historic people of
this region. Sites were located around Boria (22° 14' N; 76° 32' E), Chandgarh (22° 16' N; 76° 37' E) (also
refer 1960-61, p. 61), Jatam (22° 16' N; 76° 35' E), Kaladev (22° 20' N; 76° 32' E), Mathni (22° 16' N;
76° 34' E), Nawghat (22° 15' N; 76° 37' E), Pamakheri (22° 20' N; 76° 36' E) and Pandiyadeh (22° 16'
N; 76° 38' E) on the north bank of the Narmada, while similar stone age sites were also discovered on
the south bank of the Narmada around Abhawa (22° 14' N; 76° 38' E), Balri (22° 14' N: 76° 41' E, also
refer 1974-75, p. 24), Bargaon Raiyat (22° 12' N; 76° 46' E), Jamunya (22° 15' N; 76° 43' E), Nawghat
(22° 15' N; 76° 38' E) and Nirguria Mal (22° l l ' N ; 76° 36' E). Microliths have earlier been reported
from this site (1960-61, p. 61).
The Middle Palaeolithic tools (fig. 5) collected from this area by its technotypological study also
indicate its affinity to late Pleistocene on the same analogy as noted above. Majority of the tool types
49
belong to scraper industry with variants like round, side or convex-edged ones made on secondary
flakes while a few scrapers were made on cores also. Points also make up an appreciable percentage in
the collection of tools which by its typotechnological features can be compared to Mousterian points.
Some of these had a short tang for hafting. Interesting to note among other tool types are diminutive
hand-axes. These predominantly flake tools are meticulously made showing fine retouch. Quartzite was
mostly used while a few chert and jasper tools were also found. Sites of this period were generally spread
along the lower Chhota Tawa intermixed with flood plains on either banks. On the northern bank of
the Narmada, a notable site of Middle Palaeolithic industry was discovered at Anjaniya (22° 17' N;
76° 39' E) while the southern bank yielded sites of this industry at Balikeshwar (22° 16' N; 76° 40' E),
Balri (1974-75, p. 24), Gondikhera (22° 01' N; 76° 40' E), Jhagria Raiyat (22° 13' N; 76° 43' E),
Kharuwa (22° 10' N; 76° 35' E), Khudia Mal (22° 14' N; 76° 43' E), Kotra Bijalpur Khurd (22° 13' N;
76° 36' E), Malod (22° 10' N; 76° 43' E), Newalkhera (22° 10' N; 76° 39' E), the site had earlier
yielded microliths (1960-61, p. 61), Nirguria Theka (22° 10' N; 76° 36' E), Regwan (22° 08' N; 76°
38' E), Somapura (22° 14' N; 76° 40' E) and Sonpura Mal (22° 09' N; 76° 37' E).
The spread of microliths was noticed mostly from sites found along the right bank of upper
Chhota Tawa and its seasonal tributaries. The assemblage included a variety of tools like blades with
and without retouching, lunates, trapezoids, points, scrapers and arrowheads (fig. 6). The arrowheads,
especially one from Kasrawad and another from Undwa by their typotechnological feature suggesting a
mesolithic affinity, and deserve special mention. In this collection utilized flakes are many. The
assemblage of cores reveals a good number of fluted ones, besides irregular varieties. Most of the
tools were made out of chalcedony, chert, jasper, besides a few were attempted on quartz and rock
crystals. These microlithic sites were located within the revenue limits of the villages namely Amulni
(22° 04' N; 76° 42' E), Balikeshwara Bandariya (22° 05' N; 76° 49' E), Barkeshwar (22° 17' N; 76° 41'
E, lower palaeoliths have been reported from this site earlier, 1960-61, p. 61), Barur (22° 02' N; 76°
44' E), Berian (22° 00' N; 76° 38' E), Bharari (22° 03' N; 76° 43' E), Bharkali (22° 05' N; 76° 44' E),
Boria Boribandri (21 ° 59' N; 76° 43' E), Bothiya Khurd (22° 02' N; 76° 50' E), Brahmogram (22° 01'
N; 76° 42' E), Charkhera (21° 57' N; 76° 39' E), Chich (22° 06' N; 76° 50' E), Dagarkheri (22° 04' N;
76° 49' E), Dotkhera (22° 00' N; 76° 44' E), Gondikhera, Gullas (22° 12' N; 76° 39' E), Harsud (22°
06' N; 76° 44' E), Hathnora (22° 04' N; 76° 48' E), Jabgaon (22° 10' N; 76° 38' E), Jaitapur Khurd
(22° 08' N; 76° 42' E), Jogibira (21° 54' N; 76° 40' E), Kashipura Mal (22° 02' N; 76° 46' E), Kashipura
Mauja (22° 02' N; 76° 45' E), Kasrawad (22° 02' N; 76° 42' E), Malod, Mugal (22° 05' N; 76° 48' E),
Nandgaon Khurd (22° 59' N; 76° 38' E), Nawghat, Nimkhera (21° 53' N; 76° 39' E), Palani Mai (22° 03
N; 76° 38' E), Patakhali (22° 07' N; 76° 38' E), Pratap Pura (21° 59' N; 76° 40' E), Punghat Kalan (22° 18'
N; 76° 46' E), (also see 1959-60, p. 69), Punghat Khurd (22° 19' N; 76° 47' E), Rewapur (22°03'N;
76°44'E), Selda(21°57'N; 76°37'E), Somapura, Surwadia (21°56'N; 76°35' E), Tomiya (22° 01' N;
76° 45' E), Undwa (22° 06' N; 76° 39' E) and Undel (21° 56' N; 76° 34' E).
The explorations have brought to light an interesting distribution pattern of prehistoric sites in
the Chhota Tawa basin. Majority of the Lower Palaeolithic sites are located on the left banks near the
confluence of the Chhota Tawa and the Narmada. However, on the corresponding right bank of the
Narmada are some of the best palaeolithic sites which need further investigations. Some of the rich
51
Middle Palaeolithic sites are distributed in the lower right basin of the Chhota Tawa and corresponding
left bank of the Narmada. On the other hand, with a few exceptions, most of the microlithic sites are
concentrated in the central valley of the Chhota Tawa and its tributaries like the Ruparel and the
Ghorapachar.
A few early historic potsherds of black-and-red ware variety, were noted from a mound on the
junction of the Narmada and the Pandiyadesh nala within the revenue limits of Chandgarh village.
Some more potsherds of similar ware were found from Bijalpur Kalan as well (22° 11' N; 76° 35' E).
The potsherds were mostly of coarse fabric and ill-fired. The fragments of the sherds indicate parts of
bowls, basins and jars. The village had earlier yielded both Lower and Middle Palaeolithic tools
(1960-61,-p. 61).
Medieval remains included habitation mounds, dilapidated temples, disturbed tombs, loose
sculptures and a few memorial pillars. Ancient mounds were noticed at Boribandri, Harsud Garhi,
Kashipura Mal, Kashipura Mouja, Kotara (Bijalpur Khurd) and Newalkhera. The finds from the
mounds can be bracketed into early historical and medieval periods. The pottery of the early historical
period is characterized by red ware whereas in the. later period it is distinguished by darkish-grey
ware, coarse in fabric and poor in treatment (fig.7). An occasional use of red slip is noticeable.
Likewise, burnishing would also be seen on a grey ware sherds. In both the categories incised and
stamped designs are found. The designs are parallel, wavy, zig-zag and oblique lines, circle, etc. On
one sherd, incised circles in a parallel row were found as decoration on the raised horizontal band.
There are fragments of rims of basins, jars, globular pots, miniature pots, spouts and lids. Of the two
coins one is a Gadhaiya coin of billon from Boribandri Garhi with its obverse showing the bust of a
king to the right and a fire altar motif on the reverse. The other is a weather beaten, round copper
coin of Akbar, issued from Bairat mint, discovered from Kashipura Mauja.
An ‘L’ shaped brick structure was noticed on the surface at Boribandri Garhi which looked like a
pan of an early medieval brick temple; the size of the bricks used varied from 35 x 21 cm to 28 x 22
cm, while the approximate thickness of the wall was 1.25 m. Another important historical site was
noticed at Kotara, under the revenue limits of Bijalpur Khurd, situated on the right bank, close to the
confluence of the Chhota Tawa and the Narmada. The site has a fortification of random rubble and
mud. Inside the fortification chambers on either side of the lane were found a row of five brick built
structures of religious nature assigned to late medieval period. Semrur Mal (22° 13' N; 76° 48' E) on
the banks of the Samdehi river, yielded a few grey potsherds of medieval period from a field near the
village. The types are similar in fabric as described above.
Temple ruins of the medieval period were located at Khudia Mal and Panghat Kalan. A Samadhi
erected for saint Singhaji (AD 1575-1616), is a living vestige as it is under worship at the Singhaji
village (22° 02' N; 76° 37' E). Near the village Susrel (22° 08' N; 76° 40' E) at the confluence of Kali
Machak and Chhota Tawa, foundations of a medieval temple was noticed. At Bhawarli (22° 07' N;
76° 46' E), a partially dilapidated tomb belonging to a Burhanpur ruler was recorded.
Loose sculptures were common finds from almost all the villages mentioned below which
apparently show evidences of medieval occupation of this region. Some of these sculptures are kept in
the local temples and worshipped while others are still left as it is. The sculptured fragments are
55
worked on trap-rock, sandstone, besalt etc., these include Ganesa, Hanumana, Vishnu, Siva, Bhairava,
Surya, Nandi, Lakshmi and Parvati in different forms and attributes. These were found from Abhawa,
Bargaon Mal (22° 13' N; 76° 46' E), Bijalpur Kalan, Bir (22° 07' N; 76° 42' E), Boribandri, Birkhera
Mafi (22° 05' N; 76° 40' E), Borkhera Klan (22° 07' N; 76° 36' E), Chalpa Kalan (22°03' N; 76°37' E),
Chhirwan (22° 07' N; 76°40' E), Dinkarpura (22° 05' N; 76° 33' E), Ghisur (22° 06' N; 76° 38' E),
Harsud, Jalwan (22° 09' N; 76° 36' E), Jogibira, Kukdal (22°'16' N; 76° 46' E), Newalkhera,
Newalpura (22° 05' N; 76° 42' E), Pheferia Kalan (22° 06' N; 76° 36' E), Piplia Kalan (22° 07' N; 76° 42'
E), Pawali (22° 06' N; 76° 40' E), Segwan (22° 07' N; 76° 39' E), Singaji, Sonpura Mal and Susrel.
Memorial stones are common findings from a few villages. These memorial pillars have four sides
with a floral top. Sometimes the face of the pillars have carved frames depicting warriors, horse-rider,
worshipper and also erotic figures. These memorial stones are reported from villages, viz. Bijalpur
Kalan, Bijalpur Khurd (22° 12' N; 76° 37' E), Ghisur, Kukdal, Morud (22° 00' N; 76° 37' E), Nagpur
(22° 12' N; 76° 37' E) and Phefaria Kalan.
55. EXPLORATION IN KHANDWA TALUK, DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.—The Excavations Branch I of the
Survey under Amarendra Nath assisted by S.K. Lekhwani, K.P. Rao, S.P. Partapchandran, N.K.S.
Sharma and H.J. Barapatre undertook explorations in Khandwa taluk of the submersible areas under
Indira Sagar Project. The explorations revealed sites of prehistoric importance.
The Lower Palaeolithic sites were represented by tool types such as hand-axes, cleavers,
scrapers, cores and utilized flakes forming the industrial debitage. Acheulean technique is indicated
by removal of cortex over the hand-axes with parallelogramatic section. The working edges are
retouched by alternate flaking. Few specimens have a portion of its cortex retained and the alternate
flaking without a soft hammer retouch gives curved cutting edges. Cleavers on flakes are quite normal in
usage. Inspite of the presence of a few chopping tools, the Lower Palaeolithic industry in general can
be put to the middle to late Acheulean stage by its technique of manufacture which is further
corroborated by the presence of tools like points from the collections. Tools were all made on the
locally available raw material quartzite. Among the sites, mention may be made of Balwara (22° 10' N;
76° 31' E) which appear as a typical factory site in view of the collection of raw material and various
stages of tools manufactured obtained from the area. Other sites yielding similar tool types were
Chandel (22° 12' N; 76° 27' E), Dharikotla (22° 13' N; 76° 32' E) and Junapani (22° 11' N; 76° 34' E).
Balwara and Dharikotla lies on the banks of Pipalghat, a small tributary of Narmada while Junapani is
on the left bank of the Chhota Tawa river.
Microlithic assemblages were noticed in and around the village Bijora Mafi (22° 08' N; 76° 33 E),
Chandel, Gulgaon Mal (22° 08' N; 76° 32' E), Jamkota (22° 08' N; 76° 30' E) and Junapani. These sites
were mostly located along the left flood plains of the Chhota Tawa. The large number of fluted cores of
siliceous material found from these sites reveal basically a blade using people. Besides parallel-sided
blades, a few points and lunates were also collected. The amorphous cores reveal production of flakes
for scrapers. These tools were prepared out of chalcedony, chert and quartz crystals which are
available as natural raw material from the intertrappeans eroded material resting on basal rock of this
area.
57
A few black-slipped ill-fired potsherds with a grey core assigned to medieval period were
noticed from the mud-walls of the present village Purni (22° 09' N; 76° 32' E) which indicates the
reuse of ancient habitation.
Besides, loose sculptures of Siva-Parvati, Siva-linga, Nandi, Chamunda, Vishnu, Lakshmi,
Narasimha, Ganesa and broken unidentifiable pieces were noticed from the village Bangarda (22° 09'
N; 76° 28' E), Bhongani (22° 12' N; 76° 29' E), Bir (22° 03' N; 7'6° 33' E), Chiktikhal (22° 11' N; 76°
27' E), Dharikotla Madhi (22° 14' N; 76° 32' E), Jamoti (22° 13' N; 76° 34'E), Piplani (22° 13' N; 76°
26' E), Richhi (22° 15' N; 76° 25' E) and Sarlia (22° 13' N; 76° 25' E).
A few sculptures were found at Jamoti, locally known as Bhilgarh Madhi, while at Sukhdev
Ashram within a late medieval structural complex some highly worn out loose sculptures of Brahmanical
divinities were noticed. Majority of the sculptures were made on locally available buff sandstone.
56. EXCAVATION AT BALIKESHWARA, DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.—The Excavations Branch I of the

Survey, Nagpur, under the guidance of Amarendra Nath, assisted by S.K..Lekhwani, K.P. Rao, S.
Pratapchandran, N.K.S. Sharma, R.K. Roy, M.U. Qureshi, Mohinder Singh, S.V. Sutaone, P.M.
Bhope, H.J. Barapatre, R.D. Ramtakkar, A.U. Ganar, Shahid Akhtar and Sultan Singh carried out a
small scale excavation at Balikeshwara (22° 16' N; 76° 40' E) a medieval temple site, situated on the
left bank of the river Narmada, about a kilometre north of Balri Revenue Circle with a view to
establishing the cultural sequence of the site before its submergence due to the Indira Sagar Project
across the Narmada (fig. 8).
The excavation revealed three phases of structural activities, i.e., on preceeding and the other
succeeding the temple 1. Phase I (post-Gupta period) is represented by brick structure laid in front
and back of the temple. The exact nature and extent of this brick structure could not be ascertained, as
it was disturbed by structural activities of Phase II. The lower two courses of the brick wall in offset rest
over bedrock and the upper three courses, thereof, are laid in recessed order having outer face
chamfered. In all, six brick courses are recorded in the trench laid in front of the existing temple;
whereas only two courses of another brick wall of this phase, are seen in a trench cut below the
brickbat pavement in the backyard of the temple. The structure is laid in header and stretcher style in
mud-mortar. The bricks measure 42 x 26 x 8 cm in size, on an average.
In Phase II the existing Balikeshwara Siva temple, facing east (15.35 x 8.15 m), was built in
stone over the remains or brick structures of Phase I by further cutting a shallow pit into bed-rock. In
the foundation, river-pebbles were pitched over which two courses of unifinished heavy-duty stone slabs
were laid to strengthen the superstructure. On plan, the temple consisted of a saptaratha sanctum, an
antarala, mukha-mandapa with transept and an qrdha-mandapa in front (fig.9 ). The steps leading to
the temple were noticed in the trench laid in front of this temple. The entire sikhara has fallen.
However, the portions of adhishthana and vedika remain admirably well. The mukha-mandapa also
was in a ruined state with the ponions above the kakshasana dilapidated. The door jamb to the
sanctum in situ, is embellished with saptasakha mouldings (fig. 10). The bottom frames, resting on the
door-sill, are carved with standing images of Siva, salabhanjikas, Rama and Lakshmana and Bali and
Sugriva (?) combat. The lintel, now dislodged, shows carved images of Ganesa and
59
Lakshmi in the centre. The level of the sanctum is lower than the level of mukha-mandapa and the
outer pavement. The mandapa and the transversed projections in the north and south are bedecked
with vedika mouldings supported by kakshasana.
To the north of the sanctum wall, a circular kunda to receive the abhisheka water was built
reusing the bricks of Phase I. It rests over bedrock and had twenty-one courses with two offsets and a
maximum outer diameter of 1.40 m. The covered drain connecting the sanctum and the kunda bear
traces of lime-plaster.
Debris clearance behind the sanctum of the main shrine of Phase II brought to light architectural
members of the temple which helped in preparing a conjectural elevation drawing. The rekha-sikhara
in saptabhumija mouldings could be reconjectured upto finial (fig. 11). Firm in contour and design, the
clarity of its vertical edges and provision of its detail pattern are replete with meticulous carvings. The
beauty of the temple is further enhanced by the square gavaksha element, veiling and linking its strata;
at the edges they emerge clean cut. A good number of tiny fragments of sculptures in round, perhaps
enshrined in the centre of the gavaksha, were recovered from the fallen debris along with stone
blocks having gavaksha mouldings. A bust fragment of Vidyadhara is one of the finest sculptural
fragments recovered from the site. In this example the delineation of patra-kundala is realistic and
suggests gracious movement. Likewise, several loose bracket capitals of pillar depicting caryatids or
kichakas, as if diving in space, were found scattered on-the site; these may form part of a rajasika
image of sky. Images of four handed Bhairava (45 x 26 cm) in lalitasana and Dakshinamurti (52 x 27
cm) also in lalitasana found in the debris immediately over the paved brickbat floor, were originally
embellished at the beki height of sikhara as both had tennon projections; besides the four bhumija
blocks were located in the debris with mortise to hold the images at the base of the beki in cardinal
direction.
In Phase III, the structural activities at the site included construction of another Siva-shrine (3.50 x
2.20 m) to the north of the sanctum of the temple 1. It has, on plan, a sanctum followed by a mandapa
(temple 2). Another rectangular shrine (3.85 x 1.90 m) with a separate mandapa was added in the
south-west corner. Abutting the mandapa a headless Nandi was found, which suggests that the
rectangular shrine (temple 3) was dedicated to Siva. In the trench at the steps of temple 1, another
mandapa (1.75 x 1.35 m) of this phase was recorded. The complete extent of this structure could not be
ascertained as the eastern portion of it was embedded in the baulk.
Three copper coins were discovered from debris at the site; one is of the die-struck variety and
two are the issues of the Mughals. The die-struck coin bears on the obverse a lizard like creature and on
the reverse a seated bull. The coin of Akbar reads on obverse Darb-i-Bairat (struck at Bairat) and on
the reverse nuh (sad) (nine hundred) and the coin of Jahangir reads on the obverse Falus-i-Jahangiri,
struck at Bairat.
Other important antiquities from the site include a thin copper bowl of fine workmanship
slightly damaged near the base, a shell bangle fragment (fig. 12. 13) and a stone plaque (8 x 5.5 cm)
depicting Vishnu and Lakshmi (fig. 12.2).
57. EXCAVATION AT CHANDEL, DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.— The Excavations Branch I of the Survey,
61
Nagpur, under the direction of Amarendra Nath, assisted by S.K. Lekhwani, K.P. Rao, S.
Pratapchandran, N.K.S. Sharma, R.K. Roy, M.U. Qureshi, Mohinder Singh, S.V. Sutaone, P.M.
Bhope, H.J. Barapatre and R.D. Ramtakkar carried out a small scale excavation with a view to
exposing, the plan of the temple and to ascertain earlier phases, if any, as the site comes under
submergence, due to Indira Sagar Project across Narmada. The temple, facing west and dedicated to
one of the Saptalnatrikas—Chamunda, is situated on the western outskirts of the village Chandel (22° 12'
N; 76° 27' E), in the Khandwa Taluk.
After a careful clearance of the surface debris, two small trial trenches were laid, one on the
northern side abutting the outer wall of the antarala and the other on the south-eastern projection of the
transept (fig. 13). In the former trench, two courses of a brick structure of ‘L’ shape were noticed, one
arm of the same was seen extended below the basal slab of the Chamunda temple. It shows that the
existing temple was built over the remains of an earlier structure of religious nature. However, the other
trench did not reveal such structure, only basal stone slabs used in the foundation were noticed. The
bricks recovered from the site are over-burnt and contain clay mixed with stone chips and heavy
sand-particles. Among the moulded bricks, one has gadrooned edge and others have bevelled and
semi-circular ends. A few wedge-shaped bricks were also noticed. The brick-size varies between
31.5 x 17 x 6 cm to 17 x 15 x 5 cm.
The temple of Chamunda was built after levelling the said brick structure, over a gentle slope
towards west. It was also observed that the lower courses of the sanctum was laid higher than the
foundation courses of the mandapa, in order to maintain an even level at adhishthana height.
Built over a raised podium, the temple (15.5 x 10.5 m) consists of a pancharatha sanctum,
antarala, a mandapa with transept in and an ardha-mandapa in front. The doorway of the sanctum,
now dislodged, is embellished with mouldings. In the bottom frames, on either side of the dvarasakhas,
are carved in low relief, the standing images of Bhairava followed by apsaras (ramification of
salabhanjika). The images of Ganesa and Lakshmi are carved in low relief, one above the other, in
the central offsets of the lalatabimba (fig. 14). In the sanctum there is a defaced image of Chamunda in
alidha. The mandapa with lateral projections on northern and southern sides is intact upto the
kakshasana level. The slanting backrest slab of the kakshasana, juts out from the vertical vedika, is
decorated with chakra, pairs of beaded uprights and planks with scroll motifs, appear alternately;
each motif has been carved within a separate rectangular frame. These decorations, appear to be
common in central India, can be compared with Chandpur temple (1979-80, pl. XLV B) in District
Lalitpur.
Of the ardha-mandapa, except the three flight of steps nothing was found in situ, but in the
deposit adjacent to steps revealed some fallen decorative members, that helped in reconstructing a
conjectural elevation both of the mandapa and the ardha-mandapa. Likewise, some sikhara compo-
nents and devakosthakas have also been retrieved in the deposit outside the pancharatha sanctum.
Consequently, in the debris a four-handed image of Andhakasuravadhamurti (86 x 50 cm) in
pratyalidha (pl. XXV A) found close to southern Bhadra, and a four handed image of Chamunda (88 x
47.5 cm) standing over a corpse (pl. XXV B) found abutting the northern bhadra, suggest their
position in the respective devakosthakas as the length and width of the images correspond to the
65
measurements of devakosthaka pilasters found in association with these images. Similarly, in the
northern deposit abutting the exterior of antarala, an image of seated Bhairava (55 x 39 cm) in
lalitasana was found along with devakosthaka pilasters of identical size suggesting their embellish-
ment in sukanasika.
Though load bearing measures were taken into account while laying the foundation, the temple
collapsed due to loose packing of reused bricks of earlier phase noted above, and rusting of iron
clamps binding the decorative veneering of the temple.
The pottery recovered from the site included red ware and dark grey ware (fig. 15). The former is
represented by both unslipped and slipped variety, while the latter is mostly black or with greyish black
slip. The slip is dull in appearance and confined to the outer surface. The core indicated mixture of sand
particles and vegetable matter. Noteworthy types are few which comprise the bowl and vase. A greyish
black slip vase with out-turned rim having convex shoulder has a series of punched circles.
Important minor finds in stone included a plaque (8.1 x 5.5 cm) depicting Siva-Parvati (fig.
12.1). and balls of various sizes. Generally these balls are spherical in shape with rough to smooth
finish. These balls have either been used as weights or as an item of game.
Antiquities in terracotta included a toy-cart wheel (fig. 12.6), two smoking pipes (fig. 12.4 and 7)
and some beads. Among metal objects, iron in the form of nails and clamps outnumbers copper. A
few copper rings (fig. 12.12) and one copper pouch of spherical shape with knobs at either end (fig.
12.11), pieces of lacquer bangles embellished with glass beads are some of the important finds from
the site (fig. 12.8 and 9).
On stylistic grounds the temple may be assigned to tenth-eleventh century AD.
58. EXCAVATION AT HARSUD, DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.— Amarendra Nath of the Excavations Branch I
of the Survey, assisted by S.K. Lekhwani, K.P. Rao, S. Pratapchandran, N.K.S. Sharma, Mohinder
Singh, S.V. Sutaone, P.M. Bhope, H.J. Barapatre, R.K. Roy, M.U. Qureshi, R.D. Ramtakkar, A.U.
Ganar and Shahid Akhtar carried out a small scale excavation at Harsud Garhi (22° 06' N; 76° 44' E),
with a view to understand the cultural sequence of the site, before it is completely submerged due to
the Indira Sagar Dam across Narmada.
To the north of the mohalla Rajagali Tekdi lies an ancient mound thickly populated which has
been extensively denuded due to unscrupulous cutting of the earth for domestic use. Excavation was
taken up on the western flank of the mound. However, digging was further restricted to the quadrants of
the western half of the trench (fig. 16). Inspite of limited scope of the work, the stratification, as
revealed, was interesting. Above the natural murrum were two layers 10 and 9 of brownish loose earth
with red ware and occasional red polished ware, which were overlain by a mud floor capped by a layer 8
again of brownish loose earth, over which rested another mud floor sealed by layer 7. The later phase
is marked by the disappearance of red polished, red-slipped and associated wares. In layers 6 to 1
coarse grey ware predominates over red ware, having common fabric of coarse type.
As has been noted above, there was hardly any occupation at the excavated site before the arrival of
the red polished ware that the area in the course of exploration has yielded microliths. Tentatively red
polished ware here has been ascribed to first-second century AD. Without any break in culture a
69
few pottery types of the preceding period persist in the later phase classified as medieval has yielded a
coin of Shah Alam II (AD 1759-88) which should be taken as upper chronological limit of the site.
The pottery of Phase I is characterized by red polished ware and associated red ware of thin and
medium thick fabric with red slip but devoid of any further decorative treatment. The types met with
are fragments of spouted vessel, bowl, carinated handi, dish, lid, storage jar, etc. A typical fragment of
spout with lustrous red polish and a wide-mouthed red ware fragment of a bowl internally bevelled at
the rim thereby producing a knife-edge, are some of the important sherds to mention. Fragments of
micaceous red ware having chocolate painting immediately below the carination of the handi is
typical to the site. One specimen of miniature pot apparently turned on slow wheel is subjected to
palm tapping to receive a globular shape. Another variant type met with is fragment of a
medium-sized jar with a featureless splayed-out rim on a carinated inner neck, haying coarse to medium
fabric with dull-red-slip. The black burnished ware, present in lesser frequency, has a specimen of
carinated handi with externally grooved splayed-out rim. A micaceous red ware sherd of bowl with
groove ledge and a fragment of drab ware with graffiti marks are some of the important specimen in
bowl. Mention may also be made of fragments of storage jar with thick crude ill-burnt fabric having a
red wash on both sides. The exterior neck portion is further decorated in concentric line with stamped
impression of circle in between parallel ribbed lines. Another fragment of storage jar in red ware
having a thick rim, flattened at the top with sharp taper at the neck distinguished by an applied notch
design at regular intervals (fig. 17).
The pottery of Phase II is distinguished by the darkish-grey ware and little of red ware, both
coarse in fabric and poor in treatment. The slip is mostly on the outside and is occasionally varnished.
The shapes met with include bowl, lid-cum-bowl, carinated handi, basin and bulbous jar. Among
decorated sherds reference may be made of a group of stamped circles appearing frequently on the
exterior of the vessel from medieval levels of other sites in this region like Chandel and Kashipura
with some variations. This motif appears like sun-motif. A lid fragment in sturdy grey ware with a
central knob externally of button shape gives a rough fracture due to ill-levigation and presence of
foreign material. This type of lid is common in other medieval sites reported elsewhere in this region.
In Phase I structures in the form of mud floors were found whereas in Phase II structures of
random rubble and burnt bricks are noticed. Nothing in the form of antiquity from lower phase is
encountered, however, a much corroded copper coin and a terracotta mould of an ornament (?) picked up
from the unstratified cutting at the site, may be classified under this phase. Besides a copper coin noted
above, terracotta beads, shell bangle fragment, stone balls and highly rusted pointed iron axe, iron
chisel and iron nails were also unearthed in the upper phase.
59. EXCAVATION AT SARASWATI KUNDA, DISTRICT EAST NIMAR.—Amarendra Nath of the Excava-
tions Branch I of the Survey, assisted by S.K. Lekhwani, K.P. Rao, S. Pratapchandran, N.K.S.
Sharma, Mohinder Singh, S.V. Sutaone, P.M. Bhope, H.J. Barapatre. R.K. Roy. M.U. Qureshi, R.D.
Ramtakkar, A.U. Ganar and Shahid Akhtar, carried out small scale excavation with a view to know the
cultural sequence of the Saraswati Kunda complex, before it is completely submerged due to the
Indira Sagar dam across the Narmada. The site is situated on the southern outskirt of Harsud town,
71
a taluk headquarter. In the vicinity, several stone sculptures of early to late medieval period, both of
Brahmanical and Jaina pantheons, have been reported. Some of the exemplary antiquities are now in a
private collection of Ram Gopal Sharma ‘Yogi’, owner of a restaurant in Harsud.
Behind the living temple of Siva, on the western side, abutting the later restored
pradakshina-patha, an area of 10 x 10 m was laid out for excavation, however, the excavation was
further restricted to the quadrants of the eastern half of the trench. The encroachment due to the
restoration of pradakshina-patha and later disturbances at the site remained a bottle-neck in
determining a relative chronology of the temple vis-a-vis structural evidences unearthed in the
excavation. Due to these later activities no stratified layers could be noticed. Nevertheless, burnt brick
structures of two different phases, superimposed, oriented east-west, could be recorded (fig. 18).
Structure of Phase I rests over black cotton soil and has a distinct foundation pit-sunk in the natural
soil. The eight courses laid in mud mortar in the foundation do not maintain the plumb-line and some
voids are also noticed in it between the laying of three lower courses at the base. The eastern arm of
these structures extend below the foundation of later restored pradakshina-patha, whereas the western
arm of the upper structure is extensively robbed. It appears that during the building activity of Phase
II the lower structure was levelled up and the top of it was used as a strong base for the structure of
later phase. Traces of lime mortar can be seen below the basal course of brick structure of Phase II. Out
of twelve courses exposed of the structure of upper phase, four lower courses are laid in offset,
remaining eight, supposedly straight, are now out-of-plumb due to pressure in the core. The maximum
width of the wall noted is 1.45 m and the brick sizes varied from 37 x 22 x 6 cm to 32 x 22 x 6 cm.
The living Siva temple oriented east-west, standing over these structural remains, has on plan a
triratha sanctum followed by an eight-pillared mandapa. From the excavated area, other than a
sculptured fragment of right portion of bigger image depicting a dancing figure no antiquarian
remains have been found. However, within the Saraswati Kunda complex from an unstratified deposit
some moulded bricks and a terracotta plaque depicting makara-mukha (fig. 12.3), perhaps pan of an
architectural decor, has been picked up. Likewise, two standing images of Vishnu, are seen restored to
the southern wall of the Saraswati Kunda. From left to right these sculptures may further be
classified as Vishnu in Narayana (75 x 40 cm) and Sridhara forms. The former stands in samabhanga on
a pancharatha pedestal and accompanied by Sankhapurusha on the right and a Chakrapurusha on the
left (pl. XXVI A). He is adorned with kirita-mukuta, beaded patra-kundalas, vana-mala, graiveyaka and
other usual ornaments. He holds sankha in the lower right hand and chakra in lower left hand whereas
the upper right hand holds padma and the left hand holds gada. Equally interesting is the Sridhara
form of Vishnu image wherein he is crowned by a karanda-mukuta instead of usual kirita. In this
image the order of distribution of attributes is different than the one described above. Here he holds in
the upper two hands chakra and gada whereas the lower two hands display akshamala and sankha (pl.
XXVI B). Between these two images, an architectural fragment is seen embedded in the wall of the
kunda. It depicts two seated images of Lakshmi in a projected balcony, separately, one above the
other in lalitasana holding chakra and gada as attributes. Another architectural fragment (86 x 23.5
cm) depicts in two vertical pilastered frames, images of Surya one above the other, the lower one
standing in samabhanga whereas upper one is squatting with knees apart (pl. XXVI C).
73
60. EXCAVATION AND EXPLORATIONS IN DISTRICT NARSINGHPUR.—In continuation of last year’s work
(1986-87, pp. 50-54) a team comprising V.N. Mishra, S.N. Rajaguru, G.L. Badam, R.K. Ganjoo, R.
Korisettar and V.G. Sathe from the Deccan College, Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune,
carried out further excavation at the palaeolithic site at Samnapur, and geological and
palaeontologi-cal investigations around Devakachar, Samnapur and Burman Ghat in the Narmada
valley.
The site is situated on the right banks of the Narmada and the Richai-nala, the latter originating in
the Vindhya hills and draining into the Narmada. It is located at the foot of a cherty quartzite outcrop
of the Vindhya hills, about 1 km north-west of the present Narmada, 1 km north-east of Gokula
village (23° 04' 45"; 79°r60' 55") and 1.5 km west-south-west of Samnapur village (23° 06' 17"; 79°
07' 30").
The site is located on the high (23 m) alluvial terrace of the Narmada. The fine silty-clayey
alluvium has been much dissected by erosion, producing a typical badland topography. The site
occurs in the form of a rubble spread on a hummock which is bound on the west and south by narrow
gullies and on the east by a wide nala. The rubble can be traced over a length of about 80 m in a
west-north-west direction towards the hill slope. Both the alluvial surface and the nearby hill are
covered by dry deciduous vegetation which is being rapidly cleared for cultivation right up to the edge
of the hill.
The archaeological horizon is buried in the alluvium and has been partly exposed by erosion. The
maximum thickness of the alluvium above the Narmada water level is about 23 m near the edge of the
river. The height of the archaeological horizon above the river level is only 10 m, suggesting that
some 13 m of silt cover over the site has been stripped away since it got originally sealed under the
silt. The archaeological horizon slopes towards the western gully where erosion has exposed artefacts
on the surface, and some of them have slid down into the gully. However, on the other three sides it is
still covered by silt, and the thickness of which progressively increases towards the east. The
maximum exposed slit cover, on the eastern side is 1.36 m, but it will further increase if the trench is
extended on this side.
Last year’s trench of 4 x 4 m was enlarged by 3 m along the E-W axis and by 5 m along the N-S
axis. It was divided into 1 m broad segments which were named I to M from north to south. The 1 m
square units in each segment were named in Arabic numerals from east to west. Seven squares were
exposed in each of I to K. segments while only five squares each were dug in L and M segments, the
total excavated area being 31 sq. m. The digging was done to a depth of 35 cm, and the record of
finds was maintained squarewise and in spits of 10.15 cm. The archaeological horizon occurs in a
rubble gravel sandwitched between silt deposits. The rubble, composed predominantly of blocks of
cherty quartzite and chert, is of a remarkably uniform nature. The size of the blocks ranges between
20 and 3 cm, the average being about 8 cm.
The artefacts were found throughout the excavated area though the density pattern varied. The
density of both blocks and artefacts was more in squares 2-5 of all segments. Square I of segments L
and M was almost completely devoid of blocks and artefacts. In all peripheral squares on the
eastern, northern and southern sides the concentration of blocks and artefacts was along the adjoining
squares. In other words, the concentration of both blocks and artefacts was in the central part of the
74
trench, roughly in an area of about 20 sq. m. The density of artefacts increases with the depth, the total
number of artefacts in the three levels dug being 194, 291 and 474, respectively.
The artefacts are remarkably fresh, suggesting minimal dislocation from their original locale of
manufacture, use and discard. The raw material used is primarily cherty quartzite available as blocks
and cobbles on the slope of nearby hill. However, other rocks like Vindhyan quartzite, dolerite, chert
and rarely chalcedony have also been used. Vindhyan quartzite and dolerite are exotic to the site, and
their nearest source is about 10 km away. Chert and chalcedony are available on the nearby hill within the
cherty quartzite.
The assemblage of 676 artefacts recovered from the excavation comprises shaped tools (177;
26.18%), modified artefacts (13; 1.92%) and debitage (486; 71.89%). Among the shaped tools
scrapers of various types (167) account for nearly 94.35% pieces. Other types in the shaped category
are cleaver (1), chopper (1), knife (1) and notch (7). Sub-types in the scraper class are side (103), end
(31), side-and-end (17), round (6) and double-side (10). The modified artefact class comprises only
13 retouched flakes. In the debitage category there are 248 (51.02%) flakes, 2 (0.41%) blades, 145
(29.83%) cores, 40 (8.23%) chips, 47 (9.67%) worked nodules/chunks and 4 (0.82%) hammerstones
(pl. XXVII).
Almost all the shaped tools are made on flakes. The retouch is bold, mostly unifacial and
restricted to the edge of the margins. Cortex is preserved on the dorsal surface of most of the artefacts.
Many of the unretouched flakes, particularly massive and heavy ones, show use marks and edge
damage. Predominantly, the assemblage consists of an amorphous flake element with a heavy duty
component adapted to woodland environment involving considerable wood-working and manipula-
tion of forested landscape. The assemblage appears to be a variant of the Middle Palaeolithic.
A few isolated dental remains of Bos sp. found in association with artefacts.
The rubble containing the archaeological material occurs as a thin lense in a silt deposit. The
position of the silt in the local alluvial stratigraphy is as follows (from top to bottom):
Lithological unit Approximate thickness
Yellowish brown silt with a lense of

cherty quartzite rubble with fresh Middle Palaeolithic tools 8 - 13 m
grades to
Light reddish brown silt with a lenticular patch of pebble gravel 2m
Reddish brown silt with intercalated bed of cobbly pebbly gravel
containing fresh and abraded Acheulian tools 6-8m
The basal reddish silt represents a flood plain of the ancient Narmada which was flowing 5-6 m
below the present course. The tributaries like the Richal nala had a steeper gradient and were
occasionally contributing coarser cobbly pebbly gravels during strong floods. On the other hand, the
overlying yellowish brown silt represents the flood plain of the Narmada and its tributaries when the
Narmada was flowing a few metres above the present bed level. The rubble under study was deposited in
the very early phase of the aggrading and widely meandering Narmada. The several metres thick
75
silt cover over the rubble indicated frequent occurrence of low energy floods in the rapidly aggrading
Narmada.
The rubble has originated as colluvial sheetwash from the nearby hill range. Artefacts occur
over the entire exposed extent and to a depth of 40 cm of the rubble. The hominid groups probably
took advantage of the easily available raw material for making their tools. The closeness of the
perennial Narmada afforded accessibility to water as well as game. The alluvial surface containing
the rubble was not subject to inundation by the annual Narmada floods. The close by hills afforded
further refuge from the floods and also provided ample source of plant and animal foods as well as
varied raw material for tool making. The fairly uniform distribution of artefacts, both horizontally and
vertically, as also the freshness of majority of the artefacts preclude any long distance transport of the
archaeological material. The presence of both finished tools and debitage is suggestive of local
manufacture of most of the artefacts. However, considering the fact colluvial processes were in
operation when the hominids occupied the landscape, certain amount of intrusion of archaeological
material from the immediate vicinity may not be ruled out.
In the context of the known stratigraphy of the central Narmada basin the Middle Palaeolithic
horizon can be dated to the later part of the late Pleistocene. The climate during this period was
relatively dry. The existing entrenched courses of the Narmada and its tributaries are the results of a
relatively humid phase of the early Holocene. The eroded alluvial landscape around the site is a
consequence of the tributaries adjusting to the mainstream.
Palaeontological investigations for recovering animal fossils were also carried out at Belghat, 2
km east of Devakachar on the left bank of the river Sher, Kondra field near Umaria village, 2 km north of
Devakachar, and Barman Ghat, 30 km northwest of Narsinghpur. Postcranial bones and teeth of
bovids were collected from unstratified context in the gullies at Belghat.
In the Kondra field fossils of bovids, carnivores and elephants were collected along with bivalve
molluscan shells.
At Barman Ghat a rich fossiliferous site was located on the right bank of the Narmada just
behind the PWD Rest House. An almost complete bovid skeleton was found in situ in reddish yellow
silt of the Upper Group. A few astragalus and horn core fragments were recovered from the base of the
sandy pebbly gravel below reddish yellow silt. A large skull, one complete and one incomplete horn
core, two jaws, hip and shoulder girdles, ten vertebrae and some long bone fragments were retrieved
from the yellow silt.
61. EXCAVATION AT ERAN, DISTRICT SAGAR.—Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar,

resumed excavations at Eran under V.D Jha assisted by S.R. Dubey, K.K. Tripathi, Mohar Khan, N.P.
Dubey and P.K. Shukla. The main objectives of the season’s work was to determine the sequence of
Neolithic, Kayatha and Chalcolithic cultures; to determine the exact relationship between the neolithic
and chalcolithic people; and to investigate the deposits of Harappan culture.
Two trenches, ERN-4 and ERN-5 were laid on different mounds. ERN 4, has the maximum
habitational deposition of 7.70 metres whereas in ERN 5 the height is 3.55 metres. ERN 4, containing 200
metre thick protohistoric deposition revealed significant facts. The lowest deposition yielded
76
painted black-and-red and Malwa wares. It was observed that the Ahar culture preceded the Kayatha
culture. The interesting revelation is that the earliest occupants used triangular cake-like object of
terracotta, stone weight and buff ware as well.
Period I A: The ceramic industry of this phase included white painted Black-and-red, Malwa,
fine black-and-grey and coarse black wares. Few grey ware, white-slipped ware, tan ware and buff
ware sherds were also noticed. A few coarse grey ware sherds have paintings in chocolate colour.
The 98 cm thick deposit yielded sling ball, weight, thick disc and pestle of stone; bull figurine,
triangular cake-like object, perforated and unperforated disc and marble of terracotta; bone point;
beads of stone, terracotta and paste; stone blades, crescents and waste flakes. The number of stone
tool is relatively less. It may be mentioned that at Azadnagar also Malwa ware preceded Kayatha
ware. But at Azadnagar no evidence of Ahar culture was noticed in the pre-Kayatha phase.
The black-and-red ware at Eran is painted in white on the exterior only. Row of dots, ladder,
vertical bunds and harp-like motifs are executed with a bold brush. The fabric of painted
black-and-red is medium coarse. Punctured triangular motif were also noticed in a few thick black
ware sherds. Fine black-and-grey ware has resemblance with Malwa in fabric.
Three structural phases encountered in the form of rammed floor of yellow or black clay mixed
with pottery, brick bats and terracotta nodules. One of the floors was littered with animal bones and
charcoal. Hearth with animal bones and ash also noticed in one of the floors.
Period I B: A 92 cm thick deposit of this phase is marked by the introduction of Kayatha lustrous
red, handmade thick black shining ware, black ware and incised ware. There is no evidence of painted
black-and-red, black-and-grey, white-slipped and coarse black wares of the preceding phase but the
Malwa ware and Tan ware continued. Dish-on-stand and channel spouted bowls occur in Malwa
ware. Two sherds of black ware bearing painting executed in white were noticed. Grey ware and
coarse red ware do occur. Burnt chunk of clay with bamboo impression indicated that huts were made of
wattle-and-daub. About 30 cm wide plinth of boulders, broken burnt bricks and pieces of thick jar was
noticed. Two rammed floors were encountered. Parallel sided, truncated, tanged stone blades; pestle
and quern of stone; terracotta figurine of mother goddess, humped bull, disc, dabber, puley-shaped
earstud; copper spearhead; stone, terracotta and paste beads; point and stopper in bone are the notable
finds. Large number of both charred and uncharred bones of fauna suggest that the people were
consuming meat. There is no evidence of iron in this phase but, rough neolithic celt and a ground hammer
stone were found.
Period II: No gap between Period I and II exhibits the peaceful migration of iron-using people of
the latter period. Period II was distinguished by the introduction of iron, NBP, black burnished ware
and punch-marked coin. Grey ware, Malwa ware and Black-and-red ware of the preceding period are
conspicuous by their absence. The black-and-red ware of this period differs from that of Period I in
shape and fabric. Burnt brick structures and rammed floors were noticed. Four post-holes were
encountered on one of the floors.
Notable finds included copper ring, pin, and miniature pot; spearhead, chisel, arrowhead, small
broken sword and dagger of iron; bull figurine, disc, toycart wheel, marble gamesman, earstud and
skin rubber of terracotta; round hammer stone, quern, pestle, unfinished horse figurine; bone point;
77
shell bangle; and beads of terracotta, stone and shell. Period II can be dated between circa 700 BC to
first century AD.
Period III: The ceramic industry included red polished ware and other associated wares. NBP is
absent. Coins of Ramagupta and rulers of the Naga dynasty were found. A broken image of
tirthankara is the first Jaina icon unearthed so far at Eran. Human figurine and other household
objects of terracotta; spearhead; chisel and nails of iron; stone marble and bead; and shell and glass
bangles were also encountered. Burnt brick structures had the roof of tiles. Ring wells were also
noticed. This period is assignable between first century AD and sixth century AD.
Period IV: Evidence of destruction in Period III by fire and invasion has been met with in
excavation. The site was abandoned after sixth century AD and reoccupied sometime during four-
teenth century AD. The cultural material of late medieval period included copper ring, hairpin; iron
arrowhead, knife and nail, spherical ball of lead; miniature pot of soap stone; and bead and marble of
terracotta.
No evidence of Neolithic culture, excepting a rough celt and ground hammer stone has been met
with. It seems that the neolithic deposit was restricted to one of the outer mounds. Of ten stone celts,
five have been encountered from excavation and the remaining have been collected from the surface.
62. EXCAVATION IN THE MAIHAR AREA, DISTRICT SATNA.—J.N. Pandey and J.N. Pal of the Department
of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad resumed exploration and
excavation in the Maihar area of the District Satna with the assistance of H.N. Kar, L.K. Tewari, V.N.
Rai, Rajendra Prasad, V.K. Khattri, D.K. Shukla, M.C. Gupta, Arvind Malviya and Kishori Lal. The
Acheulian site of Maihar I was further excavated. The Middle Palaeolithic site at Maihar II and III
and the late Upper Palaeolithic site at Maihar IV were also selected for excavation. Besides, the river
section of the Lilzi was mapped with a view to understanding relative levels of the Acheulian
occupation and the Gravel I of the river section containing rich Acheulian artefacts some almost in
mint condition. The horizon of the Gravel I was 17 m below the occupation site.
As stated above the excavation at Maihar I was continued and the index squares, SB-1 and SC-1
which could not be fully exposed were taken up upto maximum depth of 1.73 cm and layer 3 and 3A
the artefacts-bearing layers were fully excavated.
Layer 3A in the index squares is composed of yellowish clay containing shale fragments and
unrolled stone blocks. It yielded mint fresh artefacts. Layer 3 is characterized by whitish clay
containing shale fragments and very fresh artefacts. Layer 3 and 3A are dipping southward indicating
slope in that direction during the Acheulian period. Surprisingly enough, at present the slope is
northward. In the index squares most of the artefacts were fashioned on quartzite whereas in other
areas sandstone was also used in a good quantity for manufacturing the artefacts. The artefacts
recovered from these squares included flakes, cores, handaxes and cleavers. A round flat stone disc
with alternate flake scars on the periphery is a significant discovery. It might have been used as game
object.
For understanding the activities of Acheulian people some more areas were exposed horizon-
tally. A 5 x 5 m square area in close proximity of the Index square and divisible into squares A-l to
78
A-5, B-l to B-5, C-l to C-5, D-l to D-5 and E-l to E-5 was selected and excavated upto a depth of 89
cm. Layer 3, the artefact-bearing horizon measured 25 cm in thickness. The excavation exposed fresh
artefacts, mint-fresh big and small flakes and unrolled stone blocks.
Two trenches measuring 5 x 5 m each were also laid out in the south-east corner of the gridded
area for excavation. One trench divided into squares A-31 to A-35, B-31 to B-35, C-31 to C-35 , D-31
to D-35 and E-31 to E-35 was excavated upto a depth of 72 cm divisible into three layers. The layer 3
with a thickness of 30 cm yielded Acheulian artefacts in primary context. One of the important
features of this area was a semi-circular enclosure made by big sized stone blocks. Some stone with
flat top measuring about 1 m in length, 65 cm in width were possibly used as platform for sitting while
the round boulders with pitted surface were used as anvils. One of such stones measured 44 x 38 cm. A
few such boulders have flake scars, indicating that these were used as cores also. The available
evidence suggests that the enclosed area was possibly used for living purposes. Some small retouched
flakes were also found from this enclosed area.
The excavation in squares G-31 to G-35, H-31 to H-35,1-31 to 1-35, J-31 to J-35 and K-31 to
K-35 was also conducted upto a depth of 72 cm and big sized stone blocks as those of squares of A-31
series were exposed. The artefacts in these areas include scrapers, cleavers, handaxes, polyhedron and
discoids in addition to cores and flakes.
The Middle Palaeolithic site of Maihar II is located to the south of Maihar I. It is about 43 cm
above Maihar I. Artefacts made of fine-grained dark reddish and blackish quartzite were scattered at
the site which is partly disturbed by ploughing. In the undisturbed area a square of 5 x 5 m was
gridded into 1 x 1 sq. m unit for plotting the artefacts. A few artefacts made on chert and chalcedony
were also found on the surface. The artefacts included flakes, flake fragments, chunks, discoid cores,
cores, scrapers, retouched flakes, blade fragments and a few cleavers. Though due to the exposed
nature of the area, tools of different facies of stone culture such as Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic
have also been found, the major assemblage pertains to the Middle Palaeolithic period.
As was the case with Maihar II the site of Maihar III also belongs to the Middle Palaeolithic age.
Here also 5 x 5 m area was gridded in 1 x 1 m squares for plotting the artefacts. It is 50 cm below the
main datum that is Maihar I. After plotting the artefacts scattered on the surface a 3 x 3 m area was
excavated to a depth of 62 cm below datum. The excavation revealed about 20 cm thick reddish loamy
deposit covering the Middle Palaeolithic artefacts laying on the weathered surface of shale, and the
excavation revealed that the artefacts on the present surface were not in situ, but these seem to have
shifted from the elevated area lying to the east. But the artefacts on top of weathered shale in
excavated squares are found in situ. The lithic assemblage as those of Maihar II included cores,
discoids, scrapers, flakes, retouched flakes and chunks made of fine grained dark blackish quartzite.
The site of Maihar IV is located on the left bank of a meander of river Lilzi. The surface of the site
is littered with artefacts made of chert, chalcedony and quartzite. An area of 20 x 17 m having
concentration of artefacts was gridded in 1 x 1 m squares for plotting the artefacts to know nature of
distribution and 5 x 4 m area in the centre of the site comprising squares K-9 to K-13, L-9 to L-13,
M-9 to M-13, and N-9 to N-13 was selected for excavation in addition to K-8. These squares yielded 15
cm thick deposit above the weathered shale (bed-rock) divisible into two layers, Layer 1 with a
79
thickness of about 5 cm is composed of fine reddish soil. The layer 2 with a thickness of about 7 cm
has a very rich concentration of artefacts. The artefacts included big sized cores, blades, flakes and
finished tools comprising retouched blades, backed-blades, truncated-blades, scalene triangles, scrap-
pers, drills, etc. Majority of the artefacts are made of chert, some of the tools have also been made on
chalcedony and dark blackish or reddish quartzite.
To sum up, the excavations conducted at Maihar this year confirmed that there is a rich
concentration of the Acheulian artefacts at the site with the evidence of enclosure in the working areas
that the area was constantly visited by the stone age man right from the Lower Palaeolithic to
Mesolithic; and during the Lower Palaeolithic period there was slope southward, though at present the
direction of the slope is reversed; that the available evidence suggests that in Maihar area, there are
primary sites not only with reference to Lower Palaeolithic period but with reference to Middle
Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods as well.
63. EXCAVATION AT NADNER, TEHSIL BUDHNI, DISTRICT SEHORE.—In continuation of last season's
work (1986-87, pp. 56-58) the Prachya Niketan, Centre of Advanced Studies in Indology and
Museology, affiliated to Bhopal University, Bhopal under the direction of C.B. Trivedi, assisted by
Sudhakar Nath Mishra, resumed excavations at NDR-3 across the edge of the mound in the eastern
section with the purpose to know the nature of the defence wall and the moat. The excavations
confirmed the last year's chronology from Period II to Period V.
Period II (circa 700 - 500 BC): The ceramics of this period were analogous to that of the last
year, found in the corresponding periods. Antiquities found included beads, gamesman and terracotta
flesh rubbers.
Period III (circa 500 - 300 BC): This period coincides with Period III A and III B of the last year
and is marked by grand scale conflagration. It is marked by the presence of NBP along with pottery of
the previous period and Ahichchhatra X. type handis and punch-marked copper coins.
Antiquities included terracotta fine burnt red-slipped head-scratchers with nandipada symbols;
copper ring, wire, coils, antimony rods; beads of semiprecious stones of various shapes including
etched beads; tortoise stone pendant showing incisions, all over the body with a hole; iron arrow-
heads, nails, knives, etc.
The presence of rammed floor, large number of roof-tiles with deep finger impressions, some
with perforations depicted intensive architectural activity noticed in the corresponding period in the
last year's excavation.
Period IV (circa 300 - 200 BC): This period is dominated by drab red ware, black-and-red ware,
black-slipped ware. Types are of utilitarian type such as handis, sharpened rim bowls, dishes and
vases. Other objects were gamesmen, terracotta and semiprecious stone beads, discs, lobe-extender,
terracotta amulets and shell bangles.
Like previous period, the structural activity are confined to beaten floor; walls of clay with
bamboo and reed impressions. Coins bearing the legend Bhagilaya in third century BC Brahmi
characters and Kururaya in second century BC characters were also found.
80
Period V {circa 200 BC - AD 200): The ceramics of this period were bowls, high necked vases,
handis, degenerated black-and-red and black-slipped sherds though in restricted number.
Antiquities of this period included gamesman, beads, pendants, crucible, terracotta toys, stone
casket, legged quems of red sandstone, iron arrowheads, amulets of bones and bangles, copper beads,
etc. Besides, copper punch-marked coins and Satavahana coins were also found.
Among the structures mention may be made of a drain of baked bricks (23-5 x 23-5 x 9-5 cm),
marked by finger impressions running north-west to south-west.
MAHARASHTRA
64. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT AHMEDNAGAR.—In the course of village to village survey, S.S.
Parekh of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey noticed antiquarian remains at the following sites:
Sanganmer Kauthe Kamaleshwar Late medieval Siva temple, image of

Lakshmi-Narayana
-do--do-- Kokargaon Late medieval Siva temple, known as
Nirjareshwar built by Sardar of Bajirao II
do- Konchi Fortification wall with two bastions,
ruined Jondhale's building Two
Lohare residential buildings of the late
-do--do- medieval period i.e. Sonarwada
Patilwada
Nannaj Rema ins o f gat eways and t emp le
-do- dedicated to Martand-Bhairava
Nimgaon-Jag Residential building of Trimbak
Dhengale Sardar of Bajirao I, stepped
-do--do- well, Jondhale's residential building
Nimon Late medieval residential building, re-
mains of gateways, Nandi in front of the
Siva temple, potsherds and microliths
Rajapur Vadgaon Late medieval residential building
-do- (Pan) Residential building of Prataprao More,
Siva temple wit h an inscript ion,
Kanifnath temple, temple of Vithoba with
an inscription built in Saka era 1695 (AD
1773) by Abaji Sonar Remains of
Valhe fortification wail and gateways
81
Besides, M. Mahadevaiah of the same Circle also noticed a ruined Hemadpanti temple (thir-
teenth-fourteenth century) and four sar/-stones (sixteenth-seventeenth century) from Jategaon village
in the Jamkhed Taluk.
65. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT AMRAVATI.—Ajit Kumar of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey
during the course of exploration in the submergence area of Shahanoor river project in Taluk
Achalpur/Ellichpur reported the discovery of a mound yielding early historical and medieval pottery
in the village of Morgad and Wadgaon. Pottery was represented by coarse red ware, burnished red-
slipped ware, coarse grey ware and sherds of black and red ware.
In the submergence area of Chargad and Purna river projects both situated in Tehsil Chandur
Bazar he also noticed chalcolithic (?) as well as early historic pottery from a huge mound at village
Parsoda. The ceramic industry was represented by burnished red ware, coarse red ware, micacious red
ware. The shapes were vases and dishes. The rims of the bases have incised concentric lines in
majority of the cases. From the village Surli situated in submergence area of Purna project he also
collected microliths, comprising of fluted cores, blades, bladelets in chalcedony and a few flake tools
like scrapers in chert.
66. EXCAVATIONS AT DAULATABAD, DISTRICT AURANGABAD.— P.N. Kamble, assisted by S.K. Joshi,
M.R. Dhekane, Ajit Kumar, M.Mahadevaiah, S.L. Jadhav, D.N. Sinha, D.T. Asar, D.L. Sirdeshpande,
R.D. Ingle and G.L. Gaikwad of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey carried out excavation at
Daulatabad with the aim to find out the exact living pattern of the people of the transition period in
the thirteenth-fourteenth centuries.
The area, locally called 'High Mound', with the coverage of as many as 44 trenches (each 5 m x
5 m) that were tapped horizontally did yield conspicuously variety of structures that were awesome,
from mud plastering to fine lime-plaster, from normal ground working level to the higher working
floors with flight of steps, from open drainage-system to concealed pattern, from natural open air
toilets to the toilets of privacy and sanitation, from normal domestic life to the busy and din
administrative apartmental environments, from trabeate system of roofing to arcuate system.
The living pattern in regard to settlements of living apartments is gradually seen through the
uncovered structures here that it rises from simplicity to complexity, from poverty to riches and from
diversity to unity. The socio-economic life as seen here through the finds of antiquities and structures
are cordial, integrated and harmonious, with the patterns of the two different ways of life existing side
by side. A Hindu house with all its grace and traditional ritualistic approach to life, is a living symbol
by the side of a Muslim house with non-ritualistic approach to worship and effective equality of social
standard.
While the trench B-8, C-7 and C-8 on the western fringe have yielded the house of a Muslim
pattern with curtain wall for privacy at the entrance, the bath and toilets at a distant apart, uncovering
forth iron rings, tavis, dishes and thick jar pieces. The trench on the middle portion namely C-15 has
yielded evidence of a simple domestic local way of life with grinding stones, chandan pestle stone
and an open door direct to the lane without any curtain walls.
82
The trenches on the south, C-15, D-15, E-15, C-16, D-16, E-16, F-16, C-17, D-17, E-17 and F-17
have thrown light on elegant pattern in planning of a house complex of an affluent person. This
constructional complex activity is more than a mere locale, it is a symbol of Indian way of life, her
culture and religious traditions.
This complex-house, with its orderly planning, superb execution and finish through ashlar
masonry, though all in ruins, with frontal paved courtyard, has a huge drawing hall (sitting room or
congregation hall) with cupboards in the walls, cells, and doors fairly wide to the rooms flanked on
either side; also it has a kitchen room fairly big on its west with devakoshtha, hearths, chandan stone
pestle, huge storage jars embedded in the south-west and south-east corners, earthen lamps for
worshipping, a small brindavan (Tulasi Kund). It, therefore, reflects an infinite variety which has
passed through an essential process of evolution bringing about changes in its form, design, architec-
ture and even concept of local needs.
The trench F-14 and F-15 have yielded a pattern of structural evidence which symbolizes the
class and bureacracy of its owner, who must have occupied a fairly high position in the society. This
house, not only has made a big exposure on its dimensional hall and ancillary rooms with
lime-plastered walls but also has a majestic stairway to lead to either upper storey or to cross over to
the next ancillary building. Here in the walls, cupboard-like cuttings with well plastered surfaces were
noticed. Also sufficient copper coins (both of Indo-Islamic and Hindu rulers), a sword, etc., were
discovered. This house carried bigger space alongwith pomp, show and dignity in the society.
The toilets with the provision of soak-pits (pi. XXVIII) and other ancillary private apartments
spread on its northern edge, in the trench J-15, K-15 etc., were the revelation of privacy and
secludedness of a class Muslim, who projects boldly a bar on free movements of his inmates of
woman folk with purdah system.
Trench H-15, has yielded a toilet of Indo-Islamic period which was well plastered with soak-pits
and outlet drains.
The lane, running through Trench E-12, F-12, G-12, H-12, J-12, K-12 and L-12, is a conspicu-
ously viable layout for traverse that directly lead to the interior enclosure iprakara) spread in trenches
B-9, C-9, D-9, B-10, C-10, D-10, B-ll, C-l 1 and D-ll. This lane flanked on either side by the orderly
residential locales, shows graceful planning with broad space for movement of the inmates of the
locality with non-obstructive fareness for any class or community, and thus leading to social
integration and internal security both running parallel. The locale runs with purposeful enclosure
walls for safety and entrapment, for the society then needed. The trench H-12 prevaled the sanitary
system of Muslim period or toilet of with outlet drain to the west of lane.
The objects found during excavation included copper coins of Hindu and Indo-Islamic rulers;
beads made of carnelian, glass, terracotta, chalcedony; arrowheads; bangles of different type and
colours; a hoard of mud ceramics; China wares; and pestles and grinding stones.
67. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS CHANDRAPUR AND WARDHA.—D.N. Sinha of the Aurangabad Circle of
the Survey, during the course of exploration in the submergence area of Dindora Weir Project noticed
the following antiquarian remains.
83
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 198738—A REVIEW
Hinganghat Sindola Rith Ruined Hemadpanti temple datable to

the thirteenth-fourteenth century, early
historical and medieval pottery
Warora Bakharde Prehistoric site
-do- Keli Dilapidated Siva temple (fifteenth-
sixteenth century AD) on the left bank of
Wunna river
68. EXCAVATION AT MULCHERA, CHAMORSHI, DISTRICT GADCHIROLI.—Excavation at Mauje Mulchera

was taken up by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, under
the general guidance of A.P. Jamkhedkar and K.D. Kawadkar assisted by Verulkar, Bansod and Bhoi.
Mulchera is located 80 km south of the Gadchiroli. Here at two localities trial excavations were
conducted. Locality 1 is near the village Mulchera and Locality 2 is little far from village locally
called Vivekanandpur. At both the localities the domical shaped mounds had been explored earlier by
the Department.
Excavation at Locality 1 revealed a brick-built stupa. Two brick-built walls running in circle, one
within the other and of 65 cm thickness and two walls bisecting these two circular walls were also
exposed. The measurement of the brick was 36 x 18x17 cm. Few black and red ware sherds and a
hexagonal crystal bead were the important finds from this locality.
Trial excavation at Locality 2 revealed a brick structure. The brick size was 60 x 30 x 7 cm. Few
potsherds of red ware were collected.
Both the remains can be assigned between second and fifth century AD.
69. EXPLORATION IN TALUK AMALNER, DISTRICT JALGAON.—D.N. Sinha of the Aurangabad Circle
of the Survey during the course of exploration in the submergence area of the lower Tapti Irrigation
Project noticed a tomb and mosque of late medieval period at Dangri and early historic sites at
Hingona Sin and Jalod; at the former site Jorwe ware was also found.
70. EXPLORATION IN TALUK NII>ANGA, DISTRICT LATURE.—Ajit Kumar of the Aurangabad Circle of
the Survey during the course of exploration of the submergence area of Musalga Irrigation Project
noticed in the village of Sone Sawanga a disturbed mound yielding early historic pottery and
terracotta arecanut-shaped beads and wooden structure of seventeenth-eighteenth century.
71. EXPLORATION IN KUHI TALUK, DISTRICT NAGPUR.—In the course of exploration, Amarendra
Nath assisted by K.P. Rao, S. Pratapchandran and N.K.S. Sharma of the Excavations Branch I, of the
Survey located a number of sites yielding antiquarian remains.
84
EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS'
Adam (21 ° (X)' N; 79° 27' E) a briefly reported early historic site (1975-76, p, 36), locally known as
'Killa' was re-explored. The site encloses remains of earthen rampart, measuring 325 x 325 m with
gateways on the eastern flank; it yielded some chalcolithic pottery of the Tapti valley, such as
fragment of a black-and-red ware bowl with coarse fabric with a distinct chalcolithic red-slip painted in
typical black concentric lines numbering five in between two bands. The other fragment was also of
bowl but with crude internal treatment; however, the exterior shows a distinct red slip with a typical
chalcolithic painted decoration of comb-like design painted over three parallel vertical lines. This has
nearest prototype in Tuljapur Garni, a site in the Puma basin of the Tapti Valley (1984-85, pp. 48-50,
fig. 4).
The pottery of the early historical period is characterized by black-and-red, black-slipped, black
burnished,-red-slipped and micaceous red wares having miniature pots, bowls, storage jars,
lid-cum-bowls and carinated vases (fig. 19). On the surface a silo or a soakage jar, partially exposed,
was noticed. Storage jars were of thick fabric and porous in nature. As usual, it was made up of gritty
substance like sand, mica and some organic material like rice husk, mixed with clay. A few pots and
lids have micaceous slip as a surface treatment.
Graffiti marks were noticed on three Black-and-red ware sherds. Out of the three graffiti marks
found on the potsherds two are identical with a vertical line joined in its midway by two slanting lines on
either side. The graffiti looks like an arrowhead. Similar graffiti was reported from Kaundinyapura and
T. Narsipur (Ancient India', No. 16, symbol 5, pi. IV). The third graffiti has two parallel vertical lines
joined by a horizontal line resembling the mathematical sign 'Pi'. This graffiti can also be compared
to a similar one from Kaundinyapura.
A good number of stool-type or four-legged querns and mullers of cylindrical shape of
Andhra-Satavahana type were noticed scattered on the site; some of these are collected by the
villagers and worshipped as mother goddess, outside the tampan. Four copper coins were also picked
up from the site. Important among them is a Kshatrapa (Nahapana ?) coin. Two coins attributed to
'Abdullah Qutb Shah of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Deccan were issued in AD 1657-58. The fourth
coin was issued by a Bhonsle ruler from Nagpur in the name of the Mughal emperor Ahmad Shah
Bahadur who ruled from AD 1748-54. The coin is popularly known as the 'trishula' type.
About 300 metres north-east of the rampart, was noticed a circular mound probably enclosing a
stupa. A quartzite stone piece (6 x 5 cm) with fine Mauryan type polish on one side; was picked up
from this mound.
Mandhal (20° 57' N; 79° 28' E) another early historical site (1975-76, p. 36; 1976-77, p.39) was
re-explored. A good number of microliths were collected from a small hillock locally known as the
Bongi Hudki. The collection included blades with mid-rib, points, lunates, fluted cores and some
flakes made on chert, chalcedony, agate and jasper as raw material.
At Panchkhedi (20° 54' N; 79° 23' E), two megalithic stone circles with cairn packing were
noticed on the Mandhal-Amboli road on the western outskirts of the village. One of these is better
preserved and is built of quartzite boulders, measuring 16 m in diameter with thick cairti packing. No
cup-marks were noticed on any of these stone circles. The other burial of similar type, half in size but
disturbed, was noticed by the side of this stone circle.
85
An ancient habitational site approximately 100 x 100 m was noticed about half a kilometre
north-west of the village Panchkhedi. The site yielded black-and-red, black-on-red, black-slipped and
black burnished variety of Black-and-red wares. It is quite likely that the megalithic circle, noted
above, may have served as a source for its occurrence. Black-and-red ware mostly consisted of
flat-based lid-cum-bowls with incurved featureless rim. Some of these have externally parallel
grooved lines just above the base. Black-on-red ware revealed parallel lines, mat and wavy designs.
The decorations were noticed only on the external surface. The micaceous ware mostly consisted of
coarse variety storage jars and basins. They have very thick walls and flat base. Mica and sand seem to
have been deliberately mixed to make this ware more coarse and porous. On the basis of surface finds
the site can be tentatively dated to early historic period with distinct megalithic affinity.
72. EXCAVATION ATTER, DISTRICT OSMANABAD.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums,

Government of Maharashtra, conducted excavations at Ter under the general guidance of A.P.
Jamkhedkar and K.D. Kawadkar, assisted by C.S. Sali and G.K. Deshpande.
Ter is situated on both the banks of the river Terna (76° 12' 30" N; 18° 19' 20" E) and is 22 km
north-east of Osmanabad.
Excavation was conducted in survey No. 142/2, 250 m away from the northern bank of the river to
ascertain the nature of an accidentally exposed brick built tank. In all 12 trenches were laid around the
bank.
The tank, measures 12-30 x 12-30 x 2-70 m and is built of burnt bricks with mud mortar and has
two approaches. The brick size is of 1:3:6 ratio. The approaches are provided with steps each at south
and east. Inlets to the tank were provided at different levels throughout the height of the tank. The base is
paved with bricks. On the northern side, an aspidal structure, facing east, built in bricks was found. The
thickness of the wall is 83 cm whereas the diameter is 1 -75 m. It had a compound wall of 83 cm
thickness. The total area of the complex seems to be 14 sq. m. A secondary burial was found 6 m
north-east from the compound wall of the complex under the floor. No associated antiquities were
found along with the burial.
On the.east of the tank few small oval shaped pits were exposed. The pits were filled with ash and
coal. The walls of the pits were burnt red. One of the pits contained two bones having cut-marks and a
stone. In another three potsherds of red ware were found. From the same trench mud palletes and
broken figure of Lajjagauri were found.
On the western side remains of a structure, square in plan, marked with white deposit were
exposed. In this structure a small kunda measuring 55 x 55 x 70 cm, containing 70 bases of bowls,
with flared mouth, of medium fabric red ware were collected. Remains of brick-lined drainage were
also exposed on the western side of the plan. From the plan 352 bases of bowls with flared mouths
and from the drainage 78 bases were collected.
In one of the trenches on the northern side a structure measuring 10-50 x 10-50 m was exposed.
During the course of excavation four types of pottery was retrieved. They include typical red
polished ware, red ware of medium and medium to coarse fabric of thick and thin variety, black and red
ware of the early historical period and coarse black ware.
87
Antiquities collected include beads of semi-precious stones, shell bangles, decorated bone, ivory
pieces, broken stone sculptures, and ivory comb having depiction of a royal couple attended by
female attendants on one side whereas on the other side is the Figure of Lakshmi. Stylistically the
carving can be dated to first century AD.
The excavation revealed a complex of religious structures of first century AD in which a
tirthakunda, an apsidal plan, fire place, offering bowls played an important pan. This was the first
time that a secondary burial from early historical level, showing the continuity of the protohistoric
tradition has been reported.
73. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT OSMANABAD.—D.N. Sinha of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey,
during the course of exploration in the submergence area of the Kajala Irrigation Project, noticed
Hemadpanti temple datable to thineenth-founeenth century at VVagholi and early historical site
having shell bangles, terracotta and stone beads, terracotta mother goddess, pot and jar fragments of
red ware, micaceous red ware and black ware from Waruda.
ORISSA
74. EXCAVATION AT LALITAGIRI, DISTRICT CUTTACK.—In continuation of the previous year's work
{1986-87, pp. 64-67) G.C. Chairley, assisted by B.V. Rao, G.N. Srivastava, J.K. Patnaik, K. Srimani,
S. Dey, S.B. Ganguly of the Bhubaneswar Circle of the Survey resumed excavations at Lalitagiri in
the areas designated as Lalitagiri-2 or apsidal chaityagriha area and Lalitagiri-3.
In the course of digging in Lalitagiri-2, remains of a huge brick-built apsidal chaitya with
projected entrance gate and stone-pavedpradakshiiiapatha were exposed. At the extreme western end
of this chaityagriha a circular stone stupa 3-35 m in diameter having base moulding and stone paved
apron were also exposed (pi. XXIX). The base of the stupa has survived to about 1-50 m only above
plinth level. Three carved stone pillars with sockets were found lying near the stupa indicating that
stone railings were erected around it. Facing east, this chaityagriha measures approximately 22 m in
length and is about 11 -40 m in breadth, the walls being about 3-30 metre thick, leaving an inner width of
4-75 m approximately. The inner floor of the chaityagriha is made of rammed kankar and lime. The
courtyard around the chaityagriha is laid with paved stone slabs, taken from some earlier structure,
on all the sides but for the eastern, which has 80 cm thick flooring made of rammed brick-jelly and
mud.
At few places, digging was done up to deeper levels by cutting into the inner flooring of the
chaityagriha, in which the drum portion of a brick-built stupa of an earlier period was encountered,
suggesting thereby that the upper apsidal chaityagriha was built over the remains of an earlier stupa.
This earlier stupa was enlarged at a later date when the original diameter of 7-60 m was increased to
8-90 m. On plan, it was found that this stupa was connected with an apsidal porch approximately 5 m in
length, reminiscent of the stupa at Guntapalli in Andhra Pradesh.
A stone paved pathway, approximately 10 m in length and 4 m in width, was also exposed, which
perhaps was the approach to this brick stupa. On the southern side of this pathway was found a square
88
pedestal (1-42 x 1-42 m), containing an inscription in Brahmi script of second-third century AD. The
inscription records the completion of the seat (asana) of Adatadamana by Vinaya, a resident of
Vadhamana and his disciple Budhitini, a resident of Aggotisila. On the either side of this stone
pathway were found post-holes, which were probably meant for erecting temporary sheds.
The excavations at the entrance gate of the chaityagriha exposed at a depth of 80 cm from the
plinth level of this structure, the remains of floor made of rammed kankar and lime spread over an
area of about 100 m square. The foundation of the chaityagriha was cut from this level.
The antiquities found during the excavation were the stone images of Buddha, in different
postures, Jambhala and fragments of Buddha image. Two images of Buddha in bhumisparsamudra
datable to eleventh-twelfth century, are fine examples of workmanship. A stone bas relief, datable to
second-third century AD depicting a half medallion (90 cm x 30 cm) was found fixed on the left of the
pathway leading to brick stupa.
The pottery found from the site, almost negligible in number, is confined to dull ware of medium
fabric. The types included handi, bowl and vases. Some of these sherds show incised decoration. A
few red ware sherds were also found in which the main types were straight-sided bowls and fragments
of beak-headed container.
75. EXCAVATIONS AT UDAYGIRI, DISTRICT CUTTACK.—In continuation of previous year's work

(1986-87, p. 67), the Excavation Branch IV of the Survey under the direction of B.K. Sinha, assisted by
K.M. Suresh, N.K. Sinha, P.N. Biswas, P. Biswas, M.P. Singh, R.N. Sahoo and S.K. Bhoi, resumed
excavations at Udaygiri. The stupa and the monastery having been exposed in earlier years, the aim of
this season's work was to expose the enclosure wall of the monastery, traces of which were found in
the year 1985-86; to locate and expose the pathway leading upto the monastery and the gate
complex, if there existed any; to expose the structure, lying in the area between the monastery and the
stupa; and to expose the compound wall of the stupa.
Excavations revealed that the monastery (pi. XXX) was enclosed by a wall made of baked bricks
set in mud mortar. Two types of bricks, handmade and moulded, have been used in the construction of
this enclosure wall; the handmade bricks are larger in size and crude in appearance while the moulded
ones are smaller in size and fine in appearance. The handmade bricks were used in the earlier phase of
construction while the moulded ones were used in the later phases. Four phases of construction
were found, each phase had a separate wall on the eastern side, while on the northern side, the
existing wall of earlier phase was reused and extended southwards (fig. 20).
The wall of Phase I, on the northern slopes of the mound towards its central pan, was partly
exposed. The foundation of the wall had been cut into the natural rock-face and it ran in a line across the
slope. The wall, buiit of handmade bricks, was available upto nine courses in height and upto a length
of 18-3 metres running east-west, with a width of 1-60 metres. On the eastern side, its extent was
traced only to a length of 6 metres. Complete bricks were used in the front and back edge of the wall
while the core was. filled with brickbats.
During Phase II, the total area enclosed was nearly doubled. On the northern side, the existing
wall of earlier phase was extended southwards upto about 22 metres from where it turned southwards,
90
EXPLORATIOt AND EXCAVATIONS
running across the eastern slope of the. mound. The wall of second phase running north-south, on the
eastern side, was traced to a length of about 47-3 metres. The wall is available upto 22 courses at
places, insplte of extensive brick robbing, and its north-eastern and south-eastern corners have been
found. On the southern side, the wall is available upto a length of 2-25 metres beyond which its traces
have been obliterated as a result of brick-robbing. There is a gap of about 4-5 metres in the centre of the
wall on the eastern side in which a gateway was placed and another small one, possibly intended for a
postern gate.
The wall of Phase III, laid on a laterite gravel bed and subjected to extensive brick robbing, is
located about 2-30 metres west of the wall of Phase II. Placed on a higher level, it has been exposed
upto a length of 22 metres only on the eastern side, has a width of 112 metres and is available upto 5
courses.
The wall of Phase IV, again available only on the eastern side, is located about 1 metre west of the
wall of Phase III and is placed at a higher level. Excavations have revealed that after the wall of the
Phase III fell into disuse the existing ground level, on the eastern side was considerably raised by filling
laterite gravel and dumping other materials, over which the wall was built. The wall on its outer side has
a foundation of pebbles and is available upto a length of 40-30 metres. It has four offsets on the inner as
well as the outer sides which increase its\vidth from 1-82 metres to 2-30 metres.
Right in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the monastery existed an opening in the enclosure
wall (Phase II), about 4-5 metres wide marked by two stone blocks kept on either side, through which a
pathway led to the monastery. The pathway had edging of bricks at two places and of stones at one
place. The pathway was of rammed earth mixed with brickbats.
Access to the interior from the enclosure wall, Phase II, was through a gate complex which had
brick steps on its eastern side and a ramp on the western. The northern side of the gateway was
decorated with a combination of mouldings and recesses. In the later phase (III and IV), the steps were
filled with brickbats covering the step into a ramp.
Just before the monastery, a stone gateway was built over the ground, the level of which was
raised by filling laterite gravel. This stone gateway rested on two stone blocks and was decorated with
beautifully carved images interspersed with floral motifs. The gateway, at a later date, was completely
destroyed by vandals; broken architectural members and pieces of sculptures were found littered in
the area around.
On either side of the pathway between the monastery and the stupa, were found areas measuring
41-40 sq. m and 47 sq. m paved with bricks which were possibly used for congregation and assembly
by monks. Besides these paved areas were found bases of two circular brick stupas, portions of 3
square brick stupas, and half a dozen bases of miniature stupas, made of stone blocks. One monolithic
stupa 1 -5 metre in height, was found in situ.
The southern end of the enclosure wall of the monastery was found abutting against the brick
compound wall of the main stupa which was excavated upto a length of 5-30 metres on the western
side and 10-50 metres on the northern side. It shows two phases of construction. In the first phase, the
wall was built up of handmade bricks while in the second phase moulded bricks were used.
Excavations revealed that the entrance of the stupa was from the northern side, where an opening
Q1
existed in the compound wall. In the first phase, a gently ascending ramp gave access to the stupa
while in the second phase, the ramp was replaced by a flight of steps.
In all ninety-five antiquities were found, majority of them being sculptures and architectural
fragments. Other antiquities consisted of iron nails (pi. XXXI A), arrowheads, knife, spearhead,
vegetable cutting knife, rings, terracotta plaques showing the image of Bodhisattva and Buddhist
dharani (pi. XXXI B), baked clay sealing (pi. XXXI C), terracotta beads, gamesman, stone beads,
stone ring and a circular gold pendant. Amongst the sculputres, most important were the images of
Lokesvara, Avalokitesvara and Tara.
The pottery recovered showed both red and grey wares, the fabric ranging from coarse to fine.
The most commonly occuring shapes were the basin with a prominent flanged rim having carinations at
the waist and sprinkler in red, grey and black wares. The other shapes were dish-on-stand, incense
burners, decorated earthen lamps, vases, troughs, bowls, handis, lids of various types and spouted
vessels (fig. 21).
The decoration on the pots included incised, notched and applique designs. A potsherd carrying a
thick red slip was incised with the figure of a galloping horse.
76. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT PURI.—B.K. Sinha of the Excavation Branch IV of the Survey,
assisted by Amarendra Nath and P.N. Biswas, re-examined the neolithic site at Golbai Sasan (20° 01'
45" N: 85° 33' 22" E), situated on the left bank of the river Mandakini, a tributary of the river Daya.
The entire site, spread over an area of over 2000 sq. metres, was thoroughly explored and a good
collection was made. A can track cuts right across the mound exposing sections of the deposit which
is around 5 metres in depth.
The finds consisted of polished stone celts, stone chisel, flakes of fine-grained material and bone
pieces showing secondary work (fig. 22).
The potsherds picked up from the site included handmade pottery associated with neolithic
culture, crude black and red ware, and red ware carrying a thick red slip. A few sherds showed traces of
ochre colour painting on a reddish surface which were post firing. The shapes met with were jars,
handis, bowls, vases, chisel, dish-on-stand, lids and bowls with lug handles (fig. 23).
PUNJAB
77. EXCAVATION AT SANGHOL, DISTRICT LUDHIANA.—In continuation of last year's work (1986-87,
pp. 69-71), the Excavation Branch II of the Survey in collaboration with the Department of Archae
ology and Museums, Government of Punjab, Chandigarh, resumed excavation at Sanghol under the
joint direction of C. Margabandhu of the Headquarters office and J.P. Srivastava of the Excavations
Branch II assisted by S.S. Nayak, A. Jha, R. Krishnaiah, K.K. Sharma, J.S. Dubey, Lai Singh Mamani,
J.S. Bisht, Birbal Sharma, S.K. Sharma, Chander Bhan, Shyam Lai and and D.D. Dogra of the Survey
and Kuldeep Singh Sidhu, Gurudev Singh, Yograj and Hira Singh of the Department of Archaeology
and Museums, Punjab. This season's work had three main objectives to realize. The first was to expose
further the Kushana palatial, religious and residential complex at the Hathiwara Mound (SGL-1).
Secondly to understand the cultural component of the Late-Harappan (Bara) and succeeding cultures
95
of the localities other than those already excavated in the last two seasons and finally to ascertain the
nature of the general planning of the site and the sequence of different periods in detail. For the first
objective the already excavated area at SGL-1 (Hathiwara mound) was further extended horizontally.
For the second, trenches already laid at SGL-6 were extended and trenches were laid at new area at
SGL-13. For the last further excavations were continued at SGL-2 and SGL-9.
Excavations at SGL-1 further exposed the palatial complex on the northern and eastern sides.
The open assembly hall (palatial complex) characterized mainly by burnt-brick (32 x 21 x 5,38 x 24 x
5 cm) floors and also by the brick-built wall was further extended in the same structural phase. It was
uniform in plan in the entire area excavated so far with circular post-holes cut on the brick floor and
was encountered at a depth of 2-52 to 2-60 m. Since the walls were of huge size running in north-south
direction, and further extending, it seems to suggest a fairly large wall with one metre width made of
42 courses of bricks, but its exact nature and features are yet to be determined. During the course of
excavations many later additions of walls were noticed built on the brick floor with re-used bricks. This
palatial area yielded a large number of copper coins, iron objects, beads of semi-precious stones,
number of terracotta, animal and human figurines, toy-cart wheels, ear-studs, seals and sealings, etc.
Another structure situated to the south-east was further extended on sides to understand the
complex in details. It consisted of an elaborate plan with contiguous rectangular and squarish
cistern-like structures built close together by the side of a burnt-brick rectangular platform (pi. XXXII
A) which may possibly be a part of some ritualistic complex (havan kundas). On plan it had two
rectangular enclosures measuring 3-30 m x 1-50—1-70 m towards the north and south of the brick
platform and another two square enclosures measuring 2-50 x 2-60 m towards the west of the
platform, all of them built together. The outer wall on the southern side (exposed so far) measured
5-80 m and had a width of 0-65 m. Similarly the outer wall on the north measured equal length
whereas the width is only 40 cm. It further continues to the west. The bricks measured 32 x 21 x 5 cm
and 3 1 x 2 1 x 5 cm. They were built with two offsets inside at lower levels. The extant height ranges
between 1-10—1-30 m with 22 courses of bricks so far exposed.
All of the burnt brick single course enclosures inside below yielded only ashy material, charcoal,
charred grains and burnt loose earth. However, in the upper portion of this area stray bones of animals
were also found and at one place towards the south-west corner outside the enclosures were having
thick burnt mud plaster over the burnt bricks, inside and on all the four sides.
These structures have been built in continuous series (further portion yet to be excavated)
connected by burnt brick floor pavement at the top and running slopy drains, with provision for
passing out water in the south and western parts of the complex. On the northern portion of the wall on
the rammed floor were also exposed contemporary circular hearths with ash and loose earth (pi.
XXXIII A). The portion is also bounded by a brick wall partly exposed.
This whole complex seems to have been built in two phases. The earlier one was built of
mud-bricks, measuring 35 x23 x 5 cm and subsequent phase was built of burnt bricks of 32 x 23 x 5 cm
generally with mud plaster and also in one case coated with lime plaster at the top of the western
platform in a limited area. Remains of a later burnt brick structure were also noticed over these
96
enclosures in the southern and eastern pans. The north eastern part of this complex (trench ZG 10)
yielded a large number of seals and sealings in Brahmi script of fourth-fifth century AD. Some of
them tentatively read Mahasenapati, Sri dandanyaka, etc. They are oblong or round in shape made of
baked and unbaked clay, depicting in relief (or of intaglio type), standing women, figures of royalty and
nobility, seated lion or couchant bull, head of an elephant, motifs such as dharma-chakra, srivatsa,
vedi, etc. Apart from these antiquities, this complex also yielded a large number of objects ascribable
to the Kushana and later times with a very few and rare pre-Kushana finds.
In continuation of previous year's excavations which have unveiled a house complex and
habitational strata of five structural phases on the southern periphery, trenches were laid to lay bare
the structures in between them. Excavations have exposed a residential complex, separated possibly
by a street, it being a corner house. The trench was dug upto the natural soil reached at a depth of 7-60 m.
The habitational.strata consists of an upper structure built with refused materials, the lower
structures are of mud-bricks, whereas the intermediate stage of buildings belong to the mature
Kushana period mostly made of burnt bricks of varying sizes 33 x 24 x 6 cm, 33 x 21 x 7 cm, 30 x 20
x 5 cm and 23 x 15 x 6 cm a part of the house consists of a kitchen, living room, bathroom, platform
and a side entrance which opens to the bylane. A burnt brick drain was also encountered leading into
the lane. Ceramics found in this area consist of red ware bowls, with incurved rim, dishes with flat base,
sprinkler, vases with long vertical neck, ink-pot type lids, various kinds of jars, etc.
Excavations at SGL-2 brought to light remains from the Late Harappan (Bara) to the Kushana
period. In this season, one of the trenches was excavated upto the natural soil encountered at a depth of
12-65 m. Eight structural phases were noticed in the Late Harappan (Bara) period (Period-I) as
against six phases in the earlier season. The walls were made up of mud, except in phase IV where the
blocks of mud measuring 48 x 40 x 8 cm have been used. Floors of rammed earth made of mud and
kankar mixed, were also noticed in the fifth, sixth and seventh phases of the Late Harappan levels,
but the orientation is slightly shifted towards the northern portion. The eighth phase is represented
only by a mud floor.
Two interesting features of this period are to be emphasized: on the mud floor was found placed in
situ a burnt terracotta object the purpose of which is not clear. Similar evidence has also been
reported from many Harappan sites such as at Banawali, Ropar, Hulas, etc. Signs of burning along
with ash indicate that it was fixed in position, on the floor adjacent to a side wall of the room. In
another room was found on the mud floor a terracotta cone-shaped object and a vase covered by a
stone, all in situ possibly intended for a ritual (pi. XXXIII B).
Important objects of this period includes beads of terracotta, agate and faience, terracotta
bangles, toy-cart wheels and balls.
It was succeeded by a horizon of 40 cm thick deposit which yielded PGW with associated grey
and other wares. Some black-slipped ware and Late Harappan ceramics also continued in this period.
Notable among the objects include terracotta beads, bone styluses, etc.
The next period is characterized by ceramics of black-slipped ware and associated red wares. The
structures were built of large sized mud bricks (36 x 22 x 6 cm) and bumt bricks (33 x 22 x 6 cm) and
97
are mainly pre-Kushana in character. During the Kushana period four structural phases represented by
walls of burnt as well as mud bricks were exposed.
Last year's excavations at SGL-6 revealed the presence of Bara culture followed by the 'overlap
phase' with grey ware of the PGW lineage and black slipped ware and lastly the early historic phase
with structures built of mud and burnt bricks of fairly large size, ascribable to the pre-Kushana times. In
this season no structures ascribable to the Late Harappen times has been encountered. But the
ceramic industry was quite rich. Painted red and red wares were prominent. Faience bangle pieces,
bone stylus, beads of agate, jasper, faience including terracotta animal figurines were found in large
number.
A very significant discovery of this season was a hearth and other structural evidences of the
PGW and black-slipped ware people. Important antiquities are beads of semiprecious stone and
terracotta, glass bangle pieces, etc.
Excavations at SGL-9 continued in this area to confirm the cultural sequence exposed in the last
season. The natural soil was reached at a depth of 18 m. The settlement starts with Late Harappan
culture of which only a mud structure was exposed. There does not seem to have been any extension of
habitation here, later until the settlement expands during the early historic period.
In this period very rich cultural remains have been excavated including structures in mud and
burnt bricks. Nine structural phases of the Kushanas were noticed with burnt bricks, mud, lime and
rammed earth floors (pi. XXXII B). Large quantity of ceramics in various shapes of red ware, painted in
black, miniature vessels, storage jars, large-necked vessels, some with soot and rusticated marks,
spouts, lids, bowls etc., were the domestic outfit found. A rich variety of antiquities of the Kushana
period and later were also recovered. Noteworthy, however, were a few sherds of Harappan variety
consisting of fragmentary goblet, beaker-shaped miniature pots, etc., just above the natural soil, along
with the Bara type ceramic, denoting a cultural contact without any habitational real Harappan
elements.
With a view to know the details of the cultural assemblages of the pre-Kushana period, a trench
was laid in the southern portion of the extensive mound (SGL-13). The earliest level assignable to the
Late Harappan yielded a rich variety of ceramics including the painted and incised designs.
In the next period though the overlap evidence is traceable.black-slipped ware is more distinct. A
mud brick structure was exposed. Antiquities found included terracotta ear-studs, shell beads, ivory and
bone styluses. It was succeeded by the early historic period, with four structural phases, essentially
pre-Kushana in character. The earlier two phases were represented by mud and unbaked brick walls.
In the third and fourth phases both baked and unbaked bricks were used for buildings on an extended
scale. Two house plans one on each side were exposed separated by a line 1-50 m in width. The mud
and burnt and reused bricks measure 32 x 22 x 6 cm, 40 x 30 x 8 cm, 24 x 22 x 6 cm respectively. A
large number of copper coins including the ruler Gondopharnes, seals and sealings having legends in
Brahmi and Kharoshthi are noteworthy.
So far the antiquities are concerned they are quite rich and considerable and the range of varieties is
immense. Among them are human (pis. XXXIV A and XXXV A) and animal figurines (pi. XXXV B)
in terracotta. Varieties of stamps (pi. XXXIV B) of both circular or square, some with handles were
98
found with designs such as geometric, star and flower patterns. Other objects in terracotta included
varieties of wheels of toy cans (pi. XXXVI A), cart frames (pi. XXXVI B), ear-studs or plug (pi.
XXXVII A), weighing balance (pi. XXXVII B), etc. The antiquities also comprise of numerous seals
and sealings, some of them reading Sri Jeebiya, Sri Darasya, Sri Rudrasaramasya, Sri Haridattasya, Sri
Nandikasya in Brahrru characters of the fourth and fifth century AD. On top of these sealings are
depicted couchant bull, bull facing left or right, lion seated on its haunches and other motifs such as
srivatsa, triratna (pi. XXXVII C-D), etc. Seals and sealings bearing Kharoshthi inscriptions are also
not wanting. Copper coins were also found in abundance belonging to Indo-Parthian period, coins of
Gondopharnes and Kushana rulers, specially coin of Vima Kadphises and Vasudeva are noteworthy.
Variety of shell objects included simple and decorated bangles; decorations consist of rope, wavy,
channel, dots, dash and cut designs and together with the columela and core of shell indicate it was a
thriving local industry. Many fine bangles with inlaid spaces (pi. XXXVIII A) show signs of
rivetting by copper bronze nails possibly for continuous use. Bone and ivory objects (pi. XXXVIII B)
are represented by decorated human shaped pendants with perforation at the top for hanging, combs,
circular plaques with geometrical and floral designs, points (pi. XXXIX), knuckle bones, etc. Varieties
of beads are found made of semiprecious stones, shell, faience, paste and terracotta (pi. XL A-B). An
unique shell pendant in sankha has an inverted bell shaped cover attachment on top possibly
soldered to fit in for hanging (pi. XL C).
RAJASTHAN
78. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BHARATPUR.—In the course of village-to-village survey scheme D.N.
Dimri of the Jaipur Circle of the Survey conducted exploration in the Bayana taluk and discovered
the following sites of archaeological interest:
Bayana Chak-Nawali Temple remains of eighteenth century

-do- Dehgaon Historical mound
-do- Kanwar Historical mound, temple of Thakurji
assignable to eighteenth century
-do- Nawali Historical mound
79. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS JAIPUR AND SIKAR.—P.L. Chakravarty and Vijai Kumar of the
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan explored the following sites of
archaeological interest:
District . Site Nature of remains
Jaipur Amarpura Sunga-Kushana

-do- Aman Sar Sunga-Kushana
99
Jaipur Barodiya Ganeshwar Culture

-do-- Barwars Late stone age, Ganeshwar Culture
do-- Bhagawas Ahiran Late stone age
do-- Bhamod Sunga-Kushana
do-- Bheem-ji-ki Doongri Early stone age
do-- Bijak-ki Pahari Early stone age
do-- Chak-Dhanota Nagal Late stone age
do-- Chak-Dhelwavan Ganeshwar Culture
do-- Chak-Kharda Black and red ware
do-- Chak-Muzzafarpur PGW
do-- Chak-Peoplod Sunga-Kushana
do-- Chak-Sanga-ka-was PGW
do-- Chak-Sheo Singhpura PGW
do-- Chatarpura I Late stone age
do-- Chatarpura II Kushana
do-- Chimanpura Ganeshwar Culture
do--d Chith wari Ganeshwar Culture
o--d Dadshahpur Late stone age
o--d Devan Ganeshwar Culture
o--d Dvipura Ganeshwar Culture
o--d Dolaj Sunga-Kushana
o--d Ganeshpura Ganeshwar Culture
o--d Gothnari PGW
o--d Hanuvatpura PGW
o--d Pragpura Kuradot Kushana
o- Vijai Singhpura Sunga-Kushana
Sikar Bhageshwar Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Bhagodha Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Bhagoga Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Chala Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Chapar Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Govindpura Ganeshwar Culture
-clo- Imloha Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Jheer-ki-Chowki Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Jhiloo Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Khobra Road Ganeshwar Culture
-clo- Kokana Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Mabri Ganeshwar Culture
Sikar Mahava Ganeshwar Culture

-do- Mandoli Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Mawnda Sunga-Kushana
-do- Natha-ki-Nagal Ganeshwar Culture
-do- Nijhara Late Stone Age
-do- Puranavas Late Stone Age
-do- Saladipura Ganeshwar Culture
80. EXCAVATION AT GANESHWAR, DISTRICT SIKAR.—In continuation of previous work {1983-84,

pp. 71-72) P.L. Chakfavarty and Vijai Kumar of the Department of Archaeology and Museums,
Government of Rajasthan resumed excavation at Ganeshwar (37° 40' N; 75° 51' 30" E). The
objective was to re-examine the hypothetical sequence of cultures in the lower levels. With this end in
view six trenches Q, R, S, T, U and V were laid on the eastern and central pan of the mound. In
addition two sections of the mound on the south west corner were also carefully scraped in order to
ensure the sequence. Excavation revealed three cultural phases.
Phase I, with a deposit of 30 to 50 cm is represented by a true mesolithic hunting-gathering
settlement. Microliths and animal bones were the main cultural elements of the Phase. The main raw
materials were quartz and chert. Though quartz was used on a larger scale, but the majority of the
finished tools were made of chert. The industry is essentially geometric in character. Its main tool
types are retouched and blunted back blades, obliquely blunted or pen-knife blades, triangles, points,
crescents, trapeze and transverse arrowhead. Scrapers and burins made on flakes occur in very small
numbers. Another distinctive feature of the industry is the complete absence of the crested guiding
ridge technique, a feature that is ubiquitously characteristic of India. It is also to be noted that tools
were manufactured within the settlement as the finished products are always associated with large
quantity of waste material. And every family or social unit must be manufacturing tools for its own
requirement.
Animal bones were profuse and like that of the microlithic industry more common in Phase I. A
feature of the bones from the lowermost levels of this phase is predominance of small bones,
indicating greater exploitation of small game and birds at the beginning of the settlement. Later larger
bones are more frequent. These, unlike the small bones, are often charred and nearly always broken
and were split open for the extraction of marrow. The vast quantity of the bone material recovered
belongs to the wild animals.
Phase II, with a deposit of 40 to 60 cm, is characterized by the introduction of new material traits
and change in economy. The pottery christened as Ganeshwar-Jodhpura Ware occurs in large
quantity. Copper had come to be used for tools and weapons.
The pottery of this phase is partly handmade and partly wheelmade. It is largely made of
micaceous, coarse clay and very inadequately fired, producing dark smoky core. It is highly fragile
and begins to crumble fast after exposure. The surface is treated with a slip of even thickness varying
101
in individual pots. Originally, the surface of the slip was a bright red, but in course of time it had
largely faded away, and present surface colour in most sherds and pots is a dull brown. A small
number of sherds were, however, made of well-levigated fine clay and found well fired with an
ochrish core and are fairly sturdy. The pottery forms include narrow and wide mounted jars, small
squat handis, lota-like carinated vessels of various sizes, shallow pans, bowls of various sizes and
deep basins. A miniature narrow mouthed cylindrical pot was probably used for storing some
precious liquid and an equally miniature bowl-like form found near this pot probably served as a lid for
the latter. Some of the pots were decorated by incised designs like group of straight or wavy lines,
chevrons, herring bone patterns and criss-cross, but none of them is painted, while technologically the
pottery was of medium quality, functionally they cover the entire spectrum of storing, cooking and
eating and drinking vessels.
The copper implements are very few in number which include five arrowheads, three fish-hooks,
one spearhead and an awl. This testifies the introduction of copper at Ganeshwar. Microliths and
animal bones also occur in good number. Evidence of structures consisted of paved floors and circular
hut outlines. Floors were paved with river pebbles and schist slabs quarried from the nearby rocks.
Phase III is characterized by the copper age in fullness of its evolution. The copper implements are
most profuse accounting 99 percent of the total material. These included copper arrowheads, rings,
bangles, spearheads, chisels, balls, celts, etc. This is a very important feature that such a rich find of
copper objects numbering several hundred has been found at a single small site. But equally, to the
point is that the site is near the mines and in association with a distinctive ceramic industry of the
region. The thin blades, arrowheads and fish-hook are also characteristic of Indus sites have not been
found in copper hoard sites of western Uttar Pradesh. The presence of a round terracotta cake of
Ganeshwar is also very important. The principal varieties of Ganeshwar pottery are goblets, beakers,
tumblers, handled bowls, elliptical vases, cylindrical vases, lids, jars, offering stands, dishes, basins and
miscellaneous type of pottery of pre-Harappan affinity.
The archaeological record at this juncture very clearly reflects a slow but steady decline in the
quantity of microliths and animal bones. This is an insight into the process whereby mesolithic
hunter-gatherers adopted their way of life to copper age.
The evidence of Phase III at Ganeshwar has added a new horizon to pre-Harappan copper
technology. The problem of origin and chronology of Copper age in India can be studied in view of
the findings in this phase.
Phase I of Ganeshwar can be dated around 3800 BC while Phase II emerged during 2800 BC.
The Phase III was in existence in 2000 BC and lasted upto several centuries. This study is based on
the basis of C14 study of Jodhpura which has given pottery quite akin to Ganeshwar assemblage.
TAMIL NADU
81. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT CHENGALPATTU.—G. Thirumurthy, of the Madras Circle of the

Survey while carrying out exploration around Madurantakam taluk discovered a potentially important
prehistoric site at the village Orathi. The tools/finds included scrapers, neolithic hand-axes,
102
chisels, etc. Besides these, black ware, red ware, Black-and-red ware assignable to Megalithic period
were also collected.
In the village Kongarai Mampattu, an extensive megalithic burial site represented by
cairn-circles was discovered. The burials have an average diameter of seven metres and are mostly
disturbed.
In addition, a dilapidated Siva temple of the Chola period and Jaina bas-reliefs in village
Anantamangalam, Saivite temples at Vepankaranai, Senaiyaneri, Orathi Kongarai Mampattu and
loose sculpture at Vinapundi, Senaiyaneri and Sirudamur all in Madurantakam taluk were also
noticed.
82. EXCAVATION AT KUDIKADU, DISTRICT SOUTH ARCOT.—The Department of Ancient History and
Archaeology, University of Madras, under the direction of K.V. Raman undertook excavation at
Kudikadu. The site is situated on the east coast of Chidambaram. The mound covering an area of
about 90 acres belongs to the SIPCOT Industrial Complex, rising to a height of 2 to 3-5 m above the
surrounding plain.
Two trenches (KDU-1 and KDU-2) were laid out on two different points of the mound. Both the
cuttings were carried down to the natural soil at a depth of 2-5.m at KDU-1 and 3-2 m at KDU-2.
The whole deposit represented a single cultural period and is characterized by the ceramic
varieties like the Rouletted ware, amphorae pieces (both original and imitated), black-and-red ware,
black ware, red polished ware, red slipped ware and large quantity of coarse red ware. Antiquities
included large number of beads made of glass and various semiprecious stones like jasper, chal-
cedony, agate, quartz, etc; terracotta human figurine, ear ornament, votive lamp, spindle whorl,
gamesman and hopscotch; a copper pendant; and pieces of various iron objects.
In KDU-2, at a depth of 0-47 m, a wall with a width of 0-70 m in east-west direction was exposed. It
consisted of three courses of burnt-bricks. As the wall continued beyond the trench on both the sides its
length and full orientation could be determined after further excavation. The presence of many
incomplete beads on the floor adjacent to this wall suggests that it was probably associated with the
bead making industry. The size of the bricks (35 x 22 x 6 cm) used in this wall is similar to the bricks
found in the excavations conducted in the places like Kaveripattinam, Uraiyur, Kanchipuram and
Appukkallu in Tamil Nadu. In the same trench at a depth of 0-70 m a floor level with post-holes was
also noticed. As evidenced by the discovery of the Rouletted Ware, amphorae pieces, Black-and-red
ware, black ware and plenty of semiprecious stone beads, this site can tentatively be dated to first
century BC to second century AD.
UTTAR PRADESH
83. EXCAVATION AT FATEHPUR SIKRI, DISTRICT AGRA.—In continuation of the last year's work
(1986-87, pp. 73-75) the Agra Circle of the survey, under the direction of Shankar Nath assisted by
P.B.S. Sengar, C.P. Singh, Makrand Prasad, B.B. Sur, Y.K. Sharma, Chiranji Lai resumed excavation
in FPS I and FPS VIII.
103
FPS I : The area situated between the western wall of the so-called stable and the modern
kharanja pathway leading to Hathi Pole was taken up for excavations and revealed remains of a
residential structure which faces north. It consisted of one main room (measuring 5-75 x 3-90 m) and
three attached rooms (measuring 5-80 x 2-50, 5-80 x 2-50 and 3-50 x 2-50 m). These rooms are in a row
and run east to west. The western and central rooms are interconnected through an entrance (1-10 m).
The eastern (3-50 x 2-50 m) is a separate one. A verandah runs along the northern-western and eastern
sides of the main room. The verandah was measured 14 x 3-60 m in all the sides. The room is
provided with seven gates of equal width of 1-10 m. Three of them open on the verandah in
northern, eastern and western sides and remaining two gates of them open on to the each of the two
attached rooms located in southern side. The verandah is measured equal 14 x 3-60 m in all sides. The
platform of this verandah is edged with rectangular stone slabs measuring 2-15 x 0-48 m. The roof of
the verandah probably was supported by the pillars as is evident by the stone pillar base encountered
in situ during excavation. The verandah at the northern side has been provided with a flight of three
steps which seems to have been the main approach to this complex.
The room on the eastern side is rectangular on plan and measured 3-50 x 2-50 m. It faces north
and is provided with 1 • 10 m wide gate and opens on to the small courtyard. The eastern enclosure wall of
this complex has been partly overlapped by the western wall of the so-called stable. It appears to have
been raised at a later stage over the eastern wall of this exposed structure. The walls of this complex
contained niches of different measurements and plastered with lime as confirmed by the presence of
patches of lump plaster on the walls. The walls of the main room are decorated with the design of
rectangular panels. These panels are painted in red and provided with a blue border around them. A
separate decoration made through the graffiti on the plaster of the wall is worth to be noted. The
decoration represent the scenes of boatman sailing boat in the lake, landscapes, fishes, dagger, sword
and anchor, etc.
Eight pillars (75 cm x 55 cm) and a room made of stone and lime mortar attached with the outer
face of the southern side were also exposed. These pillars were probably once carrying the load of
water channel running from the Hathi Pole to the complex of Abdu'l Fazl and Faizi. The room faces
south and is provided with an entrance which contained three seats of latrine and a platform for
keeping the water vessels. The floor of the room has been provided sufficient slope to drain out waste
water through the underground drain. In between the southern wall of the exposed structure and the
platform of existing structure, a small platform (110 x 1-10 m), built of undressed sandstones and
paved with stone slabs was also exposed. A huge earthen basin was found buried within the eastern
edge of this platform. The platform and latrines seem to have been built for the use of the Chowkidar
who lived in the existing structure. A room measuring 3 x 2-65 m was exposed in the courtyard of the
standing structure. The room faces south and is provided with an entrance.
All these structures are built of undressed stone blocks. The thickness of walls and lime plaster
of these structure varies from 1 m to 1-60 m and 3 cm to 9 cm respectively. The floor of these
structures is made of lime concrete base and covered with a thin layer of fine mortar to provide
smooth surface.
Pottery recovered during excavation included red ware and glazed ware. The prominent shapes
are the vases, large dishes, bowls, chilams and carinated handi. Some sherds of red ware bear
stamped decoration.
FPS VIlI : The site is situated 1 km north-west of Jama Masjid and half a kilometre east of
Ajmeri Gate along the northern fringe of the ridge near Hada Mahal. The excavation revealed three
cultural phases of habitation at the site. Phase I is represented by an average deposit of 1-30 m
thickness and is characterized by the occurrence of PGW alongwith associated wares and a few
sherds of black-slipped and black and red wares. The deposit did not yield any structural remains.
Other finds of this phase included terracotta g/wra-shaped beads, bangles, discs, wheels, pendants, lid,
balls, toy can and fragments of animal figurines. It is interesting to note that the upper level of deposit
yielded two indeterminate fragments of iron objects, beads of agate and jasper.
Phase II, of 1 m thick deposit, is distinguished by few pits, sherd of knife-edged bowls, handi
and other variety of Sunga and Kushana affinity. A sherd of red ware bears a legend in Brahmi
characters. The structural activity is marked by the occurrence of a circular fire-pit on the rammed
floor, the top of which was edged with tapering mud bricks. Other finds of the phase included
fragmentary terracotta figurines of human and animal, mould of human head, torso of Vishnu,
toy-cart, beads, balls, bangles, wheel, gamesman, square and rectangular flesh rubber and other stone
objects such as balls, weights, pestle and iron lumps.
Phase III yielded debris of medieval period, marked by structural activities. A covered drain was
also unearthed. Besides, sherds of red and glazed ware were recovered in abundance from the upper
level of the phase. The deposits of lower level show a distinct discontinuity, which suggests that the
site was abandoned for unknown reasons.
84. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ALMORA.—In continuation of the last year's {1986-87, p. 75)
exploration of the Gagas valley, Krishna Kumar Singh and Chander Singh of the Regional Archaeo
logical Unit, Almora, resumed the work under the. guidance of Hem Raj. An ancient temple and
sculptures of Vishnu and Surya assignable to medieval period were located at the village of Chhatgulla.
Sculptures of Vishnu, Uma-Mahesha, Vinadhara Siva, Parvati, Saptamatrika panel and Ganesa, all
datable to tenth-thirteenth century AD were also found at the villages of Kulshbi, Malli-Mirai and
Redgal.
85. EXCAVATION AT JAINAL-NAULA, DISTRICT ALMORA.—The Department of Ancient Indian History,

Culture and Archaeology, Garhwal University, carried out excavation at Jainal-Naula under the
direction of K.P. Nautiyal, assisted by B.M. Khanduri, Vinod Nautiyal, R.C. Bhatt, D.L. Rajput, Y.S.
Farswan, J.S. Rawat, J.S. Negi, K.S. Negi and G.P. Bahuguna.
The excavation conducted at the two places Sanana and Baseri falling in the Jainal-Naula
complex, located at a distance of 10 km northwards of Bhikyasen revealed two types of burials, viz.,
the dolmenoid cist and urn-burial. At Sanana the two cist chambers with east-west orientation
indicated that they were assembled in a rectangular form after a pit was opened out in the gravel
section of the river bed. The situation at Baseri was somewhat different where almost all the cists were
virtually hanging on the river section, that stands roughly 30 m from the present flood plain. This
105
indicated that the river has gone to a great depth reflecting thereby a continuous erosion coupled with a
changing course brought it to the present position.
The details of the chambers indicate that they consist of three to six schist orthostats placed
vertically according to the requirement. As indicated all the chambers were rectangular on plan with a
required number of capstones covering the box-like structure, paaicularly for example in case of a
cist, at least seven capstones were noticed to have been covering the burial chamber from one end to
the other. The cist measured variously from 1-28 m x 0-40 m to 2-1 x 0-54 m and contained dishes and
bowls including miniature bowls invariably deposited at the central axis or at the end of the chamber.
At least 18 pots of various sizes, shapes and fabric were discovered from various chambers. The pots
were characteristically placed inside the chamber on the flat stone slabs.
Most of the pots, broken due to a forceful penetration of underground rootlets, contained a sandy
dark-brown clay along with the mortal remains in the shape of small bits of bones. In one case a femur
bone measuring 11-3 cm along with a tooth kept in a pot was an important discovery. It seems that the
practice of the dead body being excarnated first and then the left-over remains collected and deposited
later in a pot was followed by the inhabitants. Due to an acidic soil, most of the bone remains are
highly disintegrated.
Iron, though very scarce, was available during this time as this is proved by the discovery of two
fragmentary iron pins, nail and a sickle but in the excavation no beads or any other grave goods was
found.
Another characteristic find at Baseri is a group of um-burials. The large-sized handmade jars (50
cm diameter) contained prominent ripple marks on the outer surface. Interestingly at Baseri a dressed
stone dividing wall measuring 5 metre and running north-south was purposely constructed at a later
stage so as to draw a line of demarcation between a group of the three urn-burials and the twin cist
chambers. This suggests that sucli a need was felt as the burial types might have belonged to two
different groups of people. This, however, needs further investigations.
The unique feature of this excavation is the pottery type which is marked by the conspicuous
absence of traditional Black-and-red ware. Instead, it is in the true tradition of the famous PGW
culture of Ganga-Yamuna Doab showing it either grey or red with a grey core, having painted designs
like horizontal, vertical and slanting strokes. In several cases the black rim-band is clearly discernible.
A few red polished ware pots also contained ripple-marks. Most of the shapes of the pots are
characteristically go closely akin to the types found in PGW level as reported from Hastinapur,
Ahichchhatra, Jakhera, Thapli, etc., and other sites where the ware was found displaying prominent
designs in association with a variety of red ware.
This evidence from Sanana and Baseri in Kumaun has thus thrown a challenge before the
archaeologists for it has shown an altogether a new phenomenon of the two different cultural traits
deeply intermingling with each other. Did the inhabitants imbibe certain traits from the PGW people,
or were they contemporary to these people of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab are yet to be ascertained. '
86. EXCAVATION AT SRAVASTI, DISTRICT BAHRAICII.—In continuation of last year's work (1986-87, p.
76) the team under the joint leadership of B.S. Raman and Y. Aboshi, assisted by L.C. Singh, D.K!
106
Ambastha, D.K. Singh, R.S. Rana, S.K. Arora and Kishan Singh of the Survey and M. Yoneda, F.
Tokuda, H. Kurogane, A. Oshita, H.N. Nakamura, Y. Harmatsu, E. Kubo, M. Hayashi and T. Lijima of
the Kansai.University, Suita, Osaka, Japan resumed excavation at Jetavan (Sravasti). The main aim of
the season's digging was to find out the details of the corner wall noticed earlier in the northwestern
area of the mound and its relation with the structure nearby exposed recently and to establish the
antiquity and the cultural sequence of the site.
The mound was divided into seven sub-divisions viz., A, B, C, D, E, F and G.
In area 'A' and 'B' on northwestern fringe of the mound, west of the Gandhakuti shrine, the
corner wall noticed earlier was further exposed to discern a tank of Kushana period. The structure is
rectangular on plan with an enclosure wall and has got three terraces (pi. XLI) of burnt brick
structures. Number of courses exposed so far of the tank 42 with the maximum depth of the tank 2-30
metres from the top of the 1st terrace. A flight of steps was also noticed on the western side to reach the
water level of the tank (pi. XLI I A). The brick sizes used in construction varied (33 x 25 x 6 cm,
3 3 x 2 1 x 6 cm, 48 x 23 x 7 cm and 49 x 24 x 7 cm). The area falling east of the tank revealed a stupa,
almost circular on plan (pi. XLII B) with burnt brick paved square platform and two enclosure walls.
The monastic cells appended to the stupa complex were exposed on three sides i.e., north, south and
west, the construction of which was made in four successive phases corresponding to Kushana,
Gupta, post-Gupta and early medieval periods.
In area 'C following the grid pattern only two quadrants viz., 3 of the square ZF 22 and Qd. 4 of
the square ZE 28 were opened for vertical digging. The area falls on the peripheral zone of the site and
its antiquity goes back to post-Gupta period only. The excavations in area 'D' by the side of the
Chinese temple gate have revealed only a dump deposit.
In area 'E' marked near Anand Bodhi Tree, the structural activities ranging from Kushana to
early Gupta and Gahadavala period were noticed. The area witnessed heavy pit activity. The size of
the bricks exposed from Gupta levels measure 32-5 x 24-5 x 6-5 cm and 35 x 23-5 x 5 cm.The brick
sizes noticed from Kushana level measure 44 x 24 x 8-5 cm and 41 x 23-5 x 8-5 cm.
From area 'F' of the site, a circular well with 72 courses of burnt brick exposed so far, was
encountered in the 1st and 2nd quadrants of the trench YP4. The brick sizes noticed are 30-5 x 25-5 x
4 cm and 30 x 20-5 x 4-5 cm. At a distance of about 30 m westwards a monastic complex of the
Kushana period with a central courtyard like platform and cells in a row, were exposed. In its second
phase (Gupta period) of constructional activity, a temple having central chamber and a verandah in
front, with east-west orientation, were also encountered. Above this were noticed the two arms of a
wall (east-west and north-south) making an enclosure to an indiscriminate structure.
In area 'G' near the nursery of the Horticulture Branch of the Survey, structures of three
successive periods have been encountered, corresponding to Gupta, post-Gupta and the early medi-
eval period. From Gupta levels two burnt brick paved platforms have been noticed. In its successive
phase, a burnt brick shrine with an opening towards west and a votive stupa to its south were
noticed.The early medieval period of the structural remains were represented by two cells with a
courtyard and verandah.
107
The pottery collected from 'A' and 'B' areas are mostly red ware of variant wash and slip and
degenerated black slipped ware of the Kushana period. The fabric ranges from coarse to medium. The
types include vase, carinated handi, bowl of different sizes, lid-cum-bowl, knobbed lid, spout with
strainer back and sprinkler. The subsequent phase of pottery of the Gupta period is mostly red ware. A
few sherds with moulded decoration were also noticed. The fabric ranges from medium to coarse and
treated with vermilion red slip with mica dust on the exterior. The types represented were vase, handi,
bowl, lota, lid-cum-bowl and storage jar, spouts having decoration of makaramukha, varahamukha,
etc. The red ware and the coarse grey ware were continued in post-Gupta and the early medieval
periods. This evidence has been corroborated from pottery finds in other areas, particularly areas 'E'
and 'F'.
Antiquities collected from the excavations are mostly terracotta human and animal figurines,
Naigamesha, inscribed sealing, terracotta bead, sprindle whorl, gamesmen, tile, some of them
grooved, dabber, stamp, mould and terracotta ball, bangles of Kushana, Gupta and post-Gupta
periods. A noteworthy find from the tank is a terracotta seven-headed serpent with thick black slip of
coarser variety. The Gupta period has been marked by typical terracotta figurine (pi. XLIII A), female
figurine with typical head dress, drapery and costumes and humped bull. Among the noteworthy finds,
mention may be made of a terracotta head of Buddha (pi. XLIII B) and two inscribed sealings in early
Brahmi characters of Gupta period (pi. XLIII C) with Prakrit language read as Damesgutakaya. The
representation of mother with child in terracotta has survived in both the Kushana and the Gupta
periods.
The present season's work brought to light four successive cultural deposits at the site. The site
was in continuous occupation from Kushana to early medieval periods (i.e. first century AD to
eleventh-twelfth century AD). The four successive cultural deposits are as under :
Period I : Kushana and late Kushana, circa first to third century AD.
Period II : Gupta, circa fourth to sixth century AD.
Period III : Post-Gupta, circa seventh-ninth century AD.
Period IV : Early medieval upto Gahadavala, circa tenth-twelfth century AD.
87. EXPLORATION IN PINDAR VALLEY, DISTRICT CHAMOLI.—R.K. Srivastava, assisted by B.P.

Badoni and B.B.S. Rawat of the Hill Unit of Pauri Garhwal of Uttar Pradesh State Archaeological
Organization, in the course of exploration, noticed several ancient temples. Among them the Govind
group of temples at Simli near Nandprayag Tehsil is worthy of note and can be assigned to twelfth
century AD. Among the sculptures Harihara, Parvati and Ganesa from Bengoli and Parvati and
Yamuna from Cairoli are important.
88. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ETAWAII.—In the course of his explorations under village-to-village
survey scheme, Suresh Singh of the Agra Circle of the Survey brought to light the following sites of
archaeological interest :
108
Telisil Village/Site Nature of remains

Aheripur Medieval temple
Bharthana
-do- Asai PGW, NBP and red ware
-do- Bakewar Medieval temple
-do- Chakarnagar PGW, NBP and red ware
-do- Lakhna Medieval temple
-do- Mahewa Medieval temple
-do- Mamen PGW, NBP, black-slipped and red ware
-do- Pirthi Rampur Black-slipped ware and red ware
-do- Rataur Medieval temple
-do- Sarsainagar Medieval temple
-do-Eta Ujhani Medieval temple
wah Chakwabuzurg Medieval temple
-do--do--d Dugaoli Medieval temple
o--do- Laungpur Medieval temple
Pachdeora Medieval temple
Umrai Medieval temple
89. EXPLORATION AT HASWA, DISTRICT FATEIIPUR.—Krishna Kumar of the Museums Branch of the
Survey noticed three copper celts and one anklet in a private collection at Allahabad. All the celts are
broken into pieces and two of them bear round indentation marks. These objects were found by the
labourers while digging a pond at Haswa situated at a distance of 6 km, east of the District
Headquarters.
90. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT NAINITAL.—Under the village-to-village survey scheme, Krishna

Kumar Singh of the Regional Archaeological Unit, Almora explored 190 villages in the vicinity of
Pyuda, Betalghat and Bhawali and brought to light sculptures of Vishnu, dancing Siva, Ganesa,
Parvati, Mahisasuramardini and Lakshmi-Narayana ranging in date from the tenth to thirteenth
century from Pyuda, Damyanti, Rawat and Naukuchia-tal and an image of twentytwo-armed Durga
datable to ninth century AD from Amel near Betalghat.
91. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT PITHORAGARH.—In continuation of previous year's work (1986-87,

p. 83) Hem Raj of the Regional Archaeological Unit of the State Archaeological Organization,
Almora, resumed exploration in Tehsil Champawat and about ninety villages in the vicinity of
Barakot, a block headquarters, and brought to light two stone images of Vishnu belonging to medieval
period at Pamda and Kakad, three monolithic votive pillars bearing inscriptions in Devanagari and
carvings of various figurines at Barakot, remains of an ancient temple site near Kalakot.
109
92. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT SULTANPUR.—Indu Prakash of the Lucknow Circle of the Survey,
discovered a mound at Naraini in the Amethi Tehsil. The mound has yielded pottery ranging from
NBP to medieval red ware.
WEST BENGAL
93. Exploration in District Bankura.—In the course of village to village purvey, T.J. Chakraborty
of the Calcutta Circle of the Survey discovered the following sites of archaeological interest:
P.S. Village/Site Nature of remains
Kotulpur -do--do--do--do- Bagrol Late medieval temple

Deshra Late medieval temple
-do- Ganti Late medieval Siva temple
Jalitha Late medieval Siva temple
94. EXCAVATIONS AT Madanmohanpur Late medieval Durga temple and Rasa
KOTASUR, DISTRICT mancha
BIRBHUM.—The Department of Shironmanipur Late medieval Siva temple
Ancient Indian History,
Culture and Archaeology, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, under the direction of N.C. Ghosh and Arun
Nag, assisted by Kapil Muni resumed excavation at Kotasur with a view to establish the sequence of
cultures broadly indicated in the previous season's repon (1986-87, pp. 95-96). The excavations were
confined only in two trenches within the fortified area. The first trench, measuring 3 m x 5 m, was
an extension of the previous year's trench laid on the northern part of the mound. The third trench,
measuring 3 m x 3 m was laid on the southern slopes of the hump marked by a modern Siva temple
on it. The cultural accumulation is divisible into five broad periods.
Period I is distinguished by the NBP and other associated wares. The NBP, however, appears at
the site when the thickness of the initial deposit reached 30 cm above the natural soil. The ware is
inferior in quality and limited in quantity in comparison to the specimens from the sites in the middle
Ganga plains from this level. Indeterminate iron objects and beads of terracotta were recovered.
Except a couple of rammed floor levels of mud the evidence of structures is absent.
Period II is marked by the presence of fragments of moulded terracotta female figurines,
ascribable to Sunga craftsmanship. The typical bowls and other types mainly in plain red ware from
this level are also comparable with the shapes from the identical horizon in other sites.
The structural remains are mainly represented by a few floor levels with post-holes.
Period III is represented by red ware often treated with thick bright red slip. The pottery types
include bowls, basins, ring-handle, pans, vases and jars. Two baked brick walls of one and half course in
width from this level in the limited area of the excavation are noteworthy. On the basis of pottery and
antiquities the Period IV may be dated to fourth to eighth century AD. The deposit contains silt
110
and sand in appreciable measure suggesting a prolonged stagnation of water. Period V was badly
spoiled by brick robbing. The depredation is so extensive that nothing worthwhile was recovered
from the above two cuttings.
A few punch-marked coins were found from the disturbed horizon, nearly 30 cm below the
eroded surface of the trench laid on the northern face of the mound marked by a modern Siva temple on
the top. At least two coins bear representation of boat/ship besides, sun and six-armed symbols.
95. EXCAVATIONS AT MANOALKOT, DISTRICT BURDWAN.—In continuation of the last season's work
(1986-87, pp. 96-98) the excavation at Mangalkot was resumed by the Department of Archaeology,
Calcutta University, under the direction of Amita Ray, assisted by Samir K. Mukherjee, MallarMitra,
A. Datta, B. Chatterjee, P. Ghosh, N.C. Das and D.K. Chakravarty. The main objectives of this year's
work were to ascertain the position of iron in the Chalcolithic period with a view to determining the
cultural phases of the chalcolithic occupation ; to reconfirm the transitional phase between the
chalcolithic and the so-called Maurya-Sungd period which was brought to light during the last year's
excavation; and to determine the interconnection between structural activities with the successive
cultural periods. Accordingly, three trenches were laid on two mounds namely Viramadityer Dhibi
and Madrasa Danga in trenches-C'6 and IX 3 in MGKT-1 and trench-A'l in MGKT-2 series.
Digging revealed six cultural periods, viz., Chalcolithic (1200-700 BC approximately), Transi-
tional (700-300 BC), Sunga (300 BC-first century BC), Kushana (first-third century AD), Gupta
(fourth-sixth century AD) and post-Gupta (sixth-seventh century AD) and period ranging in date from
the eighth to the eighteenth century AD (fig. 24).
Excavation in the trenches IX 3 (layers 8,9 and 9A) and A' 1 (layers 9 and 10) brought to light two
metre thick deposit of Chalcolithic period (on an average depth 4-50 m below surface), revealing a large
quantity of black-and-red ware, shapes of which are lipped bowls, dish-on-stands, channel-spouted
bowls, vessels and basins with perforations, carinated bowls, rimless bowls, jars, basins and handis.
Besides, black-slipped, red-slipped, cream-slipped, chocolate, dark-red, dark-brown, ochre-red and
black-mat-red and grey, and huge amount of pale-brown pottery for various domestic uses have been
found in the assemblage. Painted pottery is frequent, showing geometric designs in white on black and
black-on-red and red-on-cream. Some designs made by grooving and incised decorations, have also
been noticed. Other finds included terracotta discs; bangles in terracotta and copper; beads of
semiprecious stones, terracotta and copper; fragments of copper, including a fish-hook and lumps; and
iron slags along with a new undifferentiated iron objects. It may be mentioned that the use of iron has
been noticed in the lowest habitational layer, almost on the virgin soil, and thus periodising the entire
cultural period as I, not I and II as was done last year on the basis of the occurrence of iron. The tool-kit
comprises a profuse number of bone points, blades, daggers and scrapers and a knife made of tortoise
shell besides a microlithic core with flaking marks. Other notable antiquities are one terracotta figure
with applique decoration, terracotta game objects and net-sinkers, patches of rammed mud floors in
two successive layers have been laid bare in 1X3 and one floor in A'l with fire-pits. The total
habitational deposit in both the trenches consisted of two primary layers.
Ill
Period II (trench 1X3, layer 7; trench A' 1, layer 8) representing the transitional phase, is marked
by a habitational deposit of 60 cm, yielding black-polished ware, grey ware, brown ware, ochre-red
colour, including a red-slipped terracotta figure of the ageless type. The earlier bone industry together
with some amount of black-and-red ware and ochre-red and grey coloured pottery continued in this
phase. This period has been confirmed as a period of transition as evidenced by the overlap between
the new ceramic industry and the earlier black-and-red ware and associated pottery and tool-kits.
Period III, with a maximum depth of 1 m in trench IX 3, layer 6, is characterized on the one hand by
the absence of black-and-red ware, and on the other by the occurrence of a few pieces of the thick
variety of NBP sherds and black-slipped, grey brown-coloured and mat-red wares. The finely
polished black-slipped ware has been found in the shapes of bowls with slightly convex body (pi.
XLIV A). Noteworthy among other finds are cast coins of square and circular varieties; copper locket;
bangles of copper and terracotta; beads of semiprecious stones and terracotta; one terracotta mould;
two terracotta figurines (pi. XLIV B) depicting a Vrikshaka figure and panchachuda yakshini of the
typical Sunga characters and few pieces of decorated flesh-rubbers. A floor made of rammed earth
and sherds has been traced in IX 3, on the top of layer 6.
Period IV, having a maximum depth of 2 m in trench A'l, layers 5 and 5A and 1-54 m in trench IX
3, layers 5 and 4, is marked by a spurt in structural activity of well-burnt bricks (24 x 26 x 6 cm; 38 x 28
x 5 cm; 40 x 27 x 7 cm), and is divisible into two phases. This division has been done on the basis of
floor made of rammed brick jelly, mixed with sand, potsherds and clay. A floor composed of brickbats,
sand, clay, rammed brick jelly and potsherds having a thickness of 10 cm has been found as a ceiling
layer above the well in layer 5A. The most interesting structure of layer 5A (A' 1) is a massive well (pi.
XLV A). This structure on excavation was found to be well preserved brick well with inner diameter
measuring 85 cm and outer as 1-85 m. The well has been excavated to a depth of eight courses
without reaching the bottom. The average size of the brick used in the well is 26 x 24 x 6 cm. The
principal ceramic industry is a fine well-fired hardy red ware of thick and thin fabric. The forms
represented in this ware are known Kushana types like the big and small pans with handles with
punched designs, vases with affixed short cylindrical spout, sprinklers, incense-burners, high necked
surahis, big shallow bowls with upturned flat thick rims, footed bowls of various sizes with intumed
rims (pi. XLVI A). The design repertoire consists of bands, incised and stamped designs and wavy
pattern on the rim. The period is characterized by various kinds of copper objects like ring, snake
shaped bangles, finger rings, bowls, ear-ring, antimony rods and a needle; iron nails; beads of glass,
stone and terracotta; net-sinkers; finely-polished pestle stories; and a few terracotta figurines of both
solid types and moulded ones representing figures (pi. XLVI B) of the typical Kushana stylistic
affiliation (IX 3, layer 4; A' 1, layer 5 and 5A; C 6, layer 4). Layer 4 in trench C 6 has laid bare a
round hollow head characterized by open eyes, parted lips, lit with a peculiar demonic smile. Cast
copper coins continued to occur in this period. This period laid bare in Trench IX 3, layer 4, a 8 cm
thick deposit of charred rice of finer quality. The period may be ascribed to the Kushana phase.
Period V, belonging to the Gupta period, is characterized by the occurrence of red, buff,
grey-black and cream wares with slip and wash, typical of the Gupta time (pi. XLVI C). The deposit
varies in depth ranging form 1 m (IX 3, layer 3 and 3A) to 1-10 m (C 6, layer 3; A'l, layer 4). The
period
113
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987S8—A REVIEW
shows widespread structural activities (pi. XLV B). The houses were built of bricks differing in sizes
oetween 18 x 24 x 8 cm, 35 x 25 x 5 cm and 24 x 26 x 6 cm. At least one trench provides an interesting
clue regarding structural work. The bricks are found to have been laid in clay mortar, over a
foundation of broken bricks. The top of the floor was then made of rammed mud, broken potsherds and
lime (trench IX 3, layer 3). The discovery of huge-sized nails found in this level clearly indicates their
use for constructional purposes. Noteworthy finds of this period are one terracotta figure and a number
of inscribed seals and sealings. The most popular symbols are purna-kumbha, a tree with a kumbha, a
woman standing akimbo and two cast coins one from trench IX 3, layer 3. The evidence of several
unfinished beads, flaked stones and finished beads in semiprecious stone, glass, crystal found in this
level implies local manufacture.
Period VI (layer 2 in all the trenches) is represented by a few floors of mud and brick-bats. It
reveals a large number of red.brown, grey and black wares. Accumulated materials show varied types
of pots which include bowls, basins, handis, vessels, vases, shallow dishes of various sizes and
shapes. Other objects of this period are terracotta figurines, bangles, net-sinkers, beads of varied
shapes in terracotta and stone. The period has revealed two pieces of Muslim coins, one coin of the
East India Company and a few pieces of porcelain.
Exploratory digging was taken up at a place called Aral, revealing a 4-80 m thick deposit
belonging entirely to Muslim occupation. The period is characterized by glazed ware, red-slipped
ware, a few pieces of porcelain and black-slipped shallow dishes with painting in white.
The trial trench laid at Kogram on the opposite bank of the Kunur has revealed a deposit
containing materials of the post-Gupta period. The pottery which was mainly of red colour shows
different types of utilitarian objects. The other objects include beads of stone and terracotta and
terracotta figures of the timeless variety.
96. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT MIDNAPUR.—In the course of village to village survey, Santanu Maiti
of the Calcutta Circle of the Survey, discovered the following sites :
PS- Village/Site Nature of remains
Bhagbanpur Arjun Nagar Temple assignable to late eighteenth

century
-do-Egra Shimulia Temples and image of Tara
Aklabad Image of Vishnu datable to eleventh
-do- century
Kasba Temple datable to thirteenth century
97. EXCAVATION AT
BALLALDHIPI, DISTRICT NADIA.—In continuation of the previous year's work
(1986-87, pp. 99-100) the Calcutta Circle of the Survey under S.S. Biswas, assisted by D.J. Das, T.J.
Chakraborty, S.K. Kundu, S.K. Ghosh, P. Das and B.N. Chatterjee, resumed excavation at Ballaldhipi
with the aim to expose the entire outer wall on the eastern side of the temple complex; to find out the
114
entrance to the temple complex from the habitational (east) side; and to expose the main entrance of
the temple complex on the western side. The compound wall of the temple complex on the eastern
side were fully exposed and an entrance have been traced. However, the main entrance of the western
side of the temple could not be traced due to extreme erosion of the river. The central chamber was
exposed, and the excavation encountered another floor which was constructed with big size bricks
(35 x 25 x 5 cm) which appear to be of earlier period. However, we could not find any evidence from
which the religious nature of the temple could be ascertained.
115
II. EPIGRAPHY
SANSKR1TIC AND DRAVIDIC INSCRIPTIONS'
ANDHRA PRADESH
1. KALYANI CHALUKYA INSCRIPTION, HEMAVATI, DISTRICT ANANTAPUR.—This inscription is in Kannada

language and characters and belongs to the reign of Tribhuvanamalla Vira-Somcsvaradeva (Somesvara
IV) and is dated Saka 1107 (AD 1186). It refers to the king's feudatory Mahamandalesvara
Bhogadeva-Cholamaharaja as governing from Hencheru (modem Hemavati) and contains the eulogy
of the Jaina saint Padmaprabha Maladharideva, the disciple Viranandi Siddhantachakravarti belong
ing to Desi gana.
2. COPPER-PLATES, CHAMARRU, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—These undated copper-plates issued by Sri

Jayasingha- Vallabha I (AD 640-670) of the Chalukyan lineage who bore the title Sarvasiddhi register
the gift of the village Vilenti as in the Natavati vishaya situated on the northern bank of the river
Krishnabenna as an agrahara to the brahmana Svamisarman of Koisasa-gotra. The record is in
Sanskrit language and engraved in Telugu-Kannada characters.
3. TELUGU INSCRIPTION, VINUKONDA, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—This inscription, inTelugu language and

characters, is engraved on a naga slab kept outside the Ranganayakasvami temple in the village.
Dated Saka 1319 (AD 1397), it.states that Jakaya Proliseti caused the excavation of a tank and raised
a garden for the merit of his father Jakki-seti and mother Limgasani and of the kolalvarv
4. VIJAYANAGARA INSCRIPTION, VINUKONDA, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—This inscription, in Telugu lan

guage and characters, is engraved on a slab built into the P.W.D. building. Dated Saka 1483 (AD
1561), it refers to the rule of the Vijayanagara king Sadasivadeva-maharaya and to the dharmasasana
issued to Kondappa, grandson of Rayana Bhaskaruni Annamaraja of Vasishtha-gorra, Asvalayana
suira and Rik sakha, by Kumara Kondarajayyadeva, son of Venkatesvara and grandson of-
Mahamandalesvara Ramaraju Peda Kondrajayya, belonging to Soma vamsa, Axreya-gotra, Apastamba
sutra and Yajus sakha. It seems to register the gift of eka-bhoga villages, temple yllages in sima,
vrittikshetra in the agrahara, dry lands, wet lands and gardens in the amara-vumbali villages along
with other privileges as sarvamanya by Kondrajayya to the deity Ragunayaka consecreted in the
temple of Vitthalesvara at Vinukonda, on the bank of Tungabhadra, on the occasion of lunar eclipse.
'Information from: K.V. Ramesh, assisted by Madhav N. Katti, M.D.Sampath, S.P. Tewari, C.R. Srinivasan, S.
Subramonia Iyer, N. Nanjunda Swamy, Vcnkatesha, CAP. Sastri, D.M. Nagaraju, S. Nagarjuna, S. Swaminathan of the
Epigraphy Branch of the Survey, Mysore, who found, examined and reported nearly one hundred and fifty inscriptions of
which the important ones are noticed here excepting item nos. 2 and 11 from Archaeological Museum, Amaravati 7-10
and 12-13 from the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra. Pradesh, 14-16 and 18 from
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Kamataka and 25-34 from State Archaeology, Government of
Manipur.
116
EPIGRAPHY
5. INSCRIPTION OF RECHERLA CHIEF, ANASAGAR, DISTRICT KHAMMAM.—This Telugu inscription,

engraved on a stone kept in front of the Mutyalamma temple, is dated Saka 1144 (AD 1222) and refers
to the rule of mahamandalika Recherla Kataya. It also registers the grant of one mattar of land each
to the temple of Ramanathadeva, Adikesvaradeva and Mahesvaradeva constructed along with a tank
at Rudrasamudram by Govimdamamchidevisetti.
6. INSCRIPTION OF RECHERLA CHEF, NELAKONDAPALLI, DISTRICT KHAMMAM.—This inscription, in

Telugu and Sanskrit languages a^nd Telugu characters, is engraved on a slab kept in front of
Kattalammacheruvu. It is dated Saka 1164 (AD 1242) and registers the gift of two maruturus of land
at Bollasamudram to the temple of Prolakamma at Kondapalli by Recherla pasayita Ganap&ti-raddi,
a mahamandalesvara of Kakatiya Ganapati. It also registers a gift of 20 modalu for securing
ornaments and articles of worship and rice for food-offerings to the goddesses Prolakamma and
Marakamma. Proleboya is referred to as the composer of the inscription.
7. INSCRIPTION, PIPRI, DISTRICT MEDAK.—The inscription records the grant of the revenue income
from siddaya to a priest named Ikeya by the Prabhumukhyas of the grama headed by Avocharavutu.
It is datable to tenth century AD.
8. INSCRIPTION, NAGIREDDI-PALLE, DISTRICT NALGONDA.—The inscription is in Kannada script and

language and records the gift of 50 manors of land, measured by the rajamana, by one named
Bureyarasa, son of the lady Vijayakabbe of Pulakaturu. It is datable to eleventh century AD.
9. INSCRIPTION, HANUMASAMUDRAPET, DISTRICT NELLORE.—Dated Saka 1165 and belonging to the

Telugu-Choda king Trikalatideva, the inscription records the achievements of the king. It mentions
the measuring rod called Jana of Atmakuru and also gives several terms regarding tenancy.
10. Two KALYANI-CHALUKYA INSCRIPTIONS, DURKU BANSWADA, DISTRICT NIZAMABAD.—One of them

in Kannada verse, belongs to the time of Tailapa II of the Kalyani-Chalukya dynasty. It records the
gift of an agrahara to the family preceptor Chandrasi. Another record belonging to the Kalyani
Chalukya king Tribhuvanamalla is dated Chalukya-Vikrama 44 (AD 1119) and registers the gift of
land by the mandalikas to Gondabhatta of Abduda on the occasion of Uttarayana Sankranti by the
queen Piriya Ketaladevi of Kalachuri dynasty.
Another record, dated Saka 1147 and belonging to the time of Kakatiya Ganapatideva, is in
Kannada language and characters. It registers the gift of land to God, Madesvara, at Devarahalli and
also to the maintenance of matha attached to the temple by the subordinate Pentamala Rudranayaka
ruling from Potalakereya.
11. FOUR SETS OF COPPER-PLATK INSCRIPTIONS, DUDDUKURU, DISTRICT PRAKASAM.—Of the four sets,
two belong to early Chalukyas of Vengi and the remaining two to the early Pallavas. All of them are
in Sanskrit language and characters.
117
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-8&-A REVIEW
One of the two Chalukyan grants in three plates was issued in his second regnal year (AD 682) by
Sarvalokasraya Maharaja, identifiable with Mangi Yuvaraja (AD 681-705) who bore the titles
Sarvalokasraya and Vijayasiddhi. It registers the grant of two pieces of land measuring forty
nivartanas in the village Petcherukuru situated in the Karmarashtra to two Brahmanas named
Golasarman of Kaundinya-gerra and Vinayasarman of Bharadvaja-go/ra.
The second set, which also consists of three plates, was issued by Sri Sarvalokasraya Sri
Vishnuvardhana Maharajadhiraja Paramesvara Bhattaraka,*who is identifiable with Vishnuvardhana
IV who also bore the title Sri Vishmasiddhi and ruled over Vengi between AD 771 and 806. It registers
the grant of the village Senavurabu included in the Pallirashtra-Vfa/iaya to the Brahmana named
Yajnamandatredibhatta-sarman of Axreya-gotra and Apastamba-sufra on the occasion of solar eclipse.
The third set records the grant of some pieces of land in the village Ikshugrama situated in
Karmarashtra to a certain Brahmana, name not clear, by Maharaja Sri Vishnu-gopavarman of the
Pallava lineage and Bharadvaja-gorra, son of Maharaja Simhavarman and grandson of
Vishnugopavarman. The grant is dated in the seventh regnal year of the king and on the tenth day of the
bright fortnight of the month of Margasirsha. The weekday was Budhavara with Rohini nakshatra.
The fourth set records the gift of 2008 nivartanas of land as brahmadeya in the village
Peruvatukuru situated in Karmarashtra by Maharaja Sri Mahendra Vikarmavarman, son of Maharaja
Sri Simhavishnu-varman and grandson of Simhavarman of the Pallava lineage and Bharadvaja-gof ra.
The donors of the gift were 93 brahmanas of different gotras and charanas who were well-versed in
one or more Vedas and Vedangas, Itihas, Puranas and Dharma Sutras. It is dated in the 23rd regnal year
of the king, on tht fifth day_of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitrai the week day being Monday
and nakshatra Rohini.
12. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTION, PALLESANKARAPPALLE, DISTRICT RANGA REDDY.—The inscription

is in Halekannada script and language and records the gift of land to the god (Degula) of Prutuvipuri
of Chedipa village. It is assignable to the tenth century AD.
13. INSCRIPTION, KASIM KOTA, DISTRICT VISHAKHAPATNAM.—Belonging to the time of Velanati

chief Prithivesvara (Saka 1114=AD 1192), the inscription records the gift of wet land to the god
Janardana of Munumgupaka by Narasayanayaka of Dimiti, the chief of Prithvesvara for the merit of
Jayama, queen mother of Kulottunga Prithvesvara..
KARNATAKA
14. COPPER-PLATE INSCRIPTIONS, ANEGUNDI, DISTRICT BELLARY.—A set of eight copper-plates was
unearthed in a field near the gate 'Kadebagilu' at Anegundi (pi. XLVII). Five plates are in good
condition and three plates are broken. The record can be dated to twelfth-thirteenth century and is in
Kannada characters. It contains an abridged version of 'Girija Kalyana' describing the marriage of
Siva and Parvati and of the story of Amritamanthana.
118
EPIGRAPHY
15. VIJAYANAGARA INSCRIPHON, BUKKASAGARA, DISTRICT BELLARY.—Belonging to the reign of

Krishnadevaraya, this Kannada inscrintion records the gift of land to Prabhakara Bhatta in Bukkasagara.
16. VIJAYANAGARA INSCRIPTION, BALAVADDIGERI, DHARMASAGARA, DISTRICT BELLARY.—Belonging to

the reign of Krishnadevaraya, this Telugu inscription is dated AD 1517 and registers the grant of
village 'Dharmasagara' to Sakapati Nayaka.
17. NOLAMBA INSCRIPTION, NANDI, DISTRICT KOLAR.—This inscription, in Kannada language and
characters, is engraved on a slab set up to the north of the prakara in the Bhoganandisvara temple in
the village. It refers to the rule of Nolambadhiraja and registers a grant to Divyasaktipanditadeva by
Mayda-gamunda, the padamula and the twelve gamundas. The grant consisted of seven khandugas
of paddy field purchased by payment of gold from the holdings of the original tenant Puliyanna in
Nandiyavarana, the village Tondapatturu and a tank.
18. HOYSALA INSCRIPTION, MURUKANAIMLLI, DISTRICT MANDYA.—Belonging to the reign of Hoysala

Vishnuvardhana, this Kannada inscription is dated in Saka 1052 Sadharana Samvatsara Pusya Su 13
(AD 1130) and records the grant of land to the temple by Muddanna, son of Rachasetti and
Muddamma.
19. RASHTRAKUTA INSCRIPTION, KALMALA, DISTRICT RAICHUR.—This inscription, engraved on a slab

set up in front of the Bhogesvara jemple in the village, is in Kannada language and characters. Dated
Saka 861 (AD 939), it refers itself to the reign of Rashtrakuta Kannaradeva (i.e. Krishna III) and
registers a gift of 34 mattars of land, measured by rajamana, to the deity Mallikarjunadeva by [Chu]
ttaransaru and Pittabbe, on the occasion of Uttarayana-sankranti. The gift appears to have been
entrusted to Kalmaleyaditya-bhatara. The record also mentions Devarasibhatara and Ganga-Rachyaya.
20. KANNADA INSCRIPTION, ISUR, DISTRICT SHIMOGA.—This inscription in Kannada language and
characters of the ninth century, is engraved on a pillar found in this village. It seems to state that
Arasar Bo|Po?J dakojari got this temple converted into a Vishnu temple and granted one-sixth share
of Konegeri village to this temple. The remaining portion was endowed for the services of the deities
Mahadeva and Vishnu.
21. CHALUKYA INSCRIPTION, MALLENAHALLI, DISTRICT SHIMOGA.—Of the two inscriptions engraved
in Kannada language and characters of about the seventh-eighth century AD, on a pillar found in the
village, the first record mentions Dosiyara as the governor of the province of Banavasi-twelve thousand
under Kirtivarman's rule and record the gift of uncultivable and cultivable lands as well as gosasa by
Devaman, who obviously belonged to a family called Vichchira (See J.E.SJ., Vol. XIV, pp. 73-75).
The second record refers to the rule of Chalukya king Kirttivarmma-maharaja under whom
Dosi-Sinavtara was governing the Banavasi-twelve thousand province. Bichchara-vasa is stated to
have granted uncultivable and cultivable lands from the village Devagi and also a tank, for the
maintenance of the temple Sri Karigudi.
119
22. KANNADA INSCRIPTION, MAIXENAHALLI, DISTRICT SHIMOGA.—This inscription, in Kannada

language and characters of about the eighth century AD and found engraved on a rectangular stone
mentions Marakke-arasa as the ruler of the nadu and Kesugallara Siriyamma as the administrator of
the uru. It also refers to a certain Alamara-Gangeya of Madera family and a Bichchara-Parggalan (See
J.E.S.I., Vol. XIV, pp. 74-76).
MADHYA PRADESH
23. THREE INSCRIPTIONS, JEERAN, DISTRICT MANDASAUR.—Engraved on two beams and on a pillar
in Bhanatiket-ki-Chhatri, these inscriptions are in Sanskrit language and Nagari characters. The first
record, dated Vikrama 1063 (AD 1006), records the gift of a pillar (mahadhara-stambha) in the
edifice of the Sun god by Maharajnve Saravvadevi, the wife of mahasamantadhipaii Vigrahapala,
who belonged to the Guhila family, who was an emigrant from Nagahrada-sthana and who was
administering Devahulika-b/m&n and the daughter of mahasamantadhipati Vasanta, for the reduction
of demerits {karmakshaya).
The second record, dated Vikrama 1066 (AD 1009), records the gift of a pillar
(mahadhara-stambha) by maharajni Jujuka, the wife of mahasamantadhipati Vigrahapala of the
Guhila family and the daughter of mahasamantadhipati Devaina who belonged to the solar family,
who was an emigrant from Bharakachchha, for the Sun god, for the reduction of demerit
(karmakshaya).
Another record, bearing the same date, records the gift of the beam (mahadhara-patta) by the
queen Jujuka referred to above. Mahasamantadhipati Vatsaraja, referred to as the grandfather of
queen Jujuka, is described as offering perpetual obeisance.
MAHARASHTRA
24. KANNADA INSCRIPTION, BHINGOLI, DISTRICT LATUR.—This incomplete inscription (pi. XLVITJ. A),
in Kannada language and characters, is engraved on a slab fixed at the entrance of Hanumanji-mandir.
It is dated in the second regnal year (AD 1176-77) of the Kalachuri king Sankaradeva and refers to
the rule of Kesimaya-dandanayaka over Homnoduru seven to a half division. The latter is credited
with epithets like Lala-Kamnnada-samdhivigrahi, Bhattara-niyogadhipati, etc.
MANIPUR
25. INSCRIPTION, KUMBI, DISTRICT BISHENPUR.—This inscription, in archaic Meitai script and
language, records the name of king Pamhaipa.
26. CHIBU INSCRIPTION, TONJANG, DISTRICT CHURACHANDPUR.—This inscription, in Assamese/

Bengali script and Manipur language, records the victory of king Chandrakirti over the rebel chiefs
of Lushai in AD 1872. It refers to the subjugation of 112 villages and capturing of 4 Lushai chiefs in
the course of an expedition led by Souwaijamcha Balaram Singh Major and Kangabam ChaThangal
120
EPIGRAPHY
Major assisted by one British officer. A mythical unicom animal is also found engraved on the lower
part of the inscribed stone. A pair of big foot prints on a large stone slab is lying just in front of the
inscribed stone.
27. INSCRIPTION, ANDRO, DISTRICT IMPIIAL.—This inscription, dated in Saka 1?44 (AD 1822) and
in archaic Meitei script and language, is the royal edict of the king Ching-Khomlel Pamheipa
Nongpok Wairang Lamlokpa (king Jadu Singh). It also refers to the administration of Andro village
located on the eastern pan of his domain.
28. INSCRIPTION, KONTHOUJAM, DISTRICT IMPHAL.—This inscription in -archaic Meitei script and
language records names of king Khagingamba and Charairongba.
29. HKISNAM LAIREMMA INSCRIPTIONS, IMPHAL, DISTRICT IMPHAL.—Dated in Chandrabda era 1040
(AD 1819) the first inscription, in archaic Meitei script and language, records the inauguration of the
temple- of Heisham Lairembi (family deity of Heisnam clan) by Meithingu Chinglen Nongtarel
Khompa (Maharaja Gambhir Singh). The second inscription, dated Saka 1765 (AD 1844) and in
archaic Meitei script and language records the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of
the temple of Heisnam Lairembi (the family deity of Heisnam clan) by Lairel Nonglel Seltreng Manik
Khomba (Maharaja Narasingh).
30. LEISHANGKHONG INSCRIPTION, WANGOI, DISTRICT IMPHAL.—This inscription is written in both

archaic Meitei and Bengali script and records the inauguration of the market place known as Mayang
Ngamba Keithel by Maharaja Birachandra Singh, Nongpok Wairang Pamheiba (Maharaja Marjit) in
Saka 1741 (AD 1819). The text was composed by Lairikyengba Shridananda and Parshuttama.
31. INSCRIPTION OF MAHARAJA CHOURAJIT, AWANG KHUL, DISTRICT TAMENGLONG.—Dated in

Chandrabda 1025 (AD 1825) and in Assamese/Bengali script and Meitei language, it records the
name of Maharaja Chourajit as Shri Jukta Manipureswar Chourajit Maharaja Meidingu Nongpok
Wairang Pamheipa.
32. INSCRIPTION, NUNGBA, DISTOICTTAMENGLONG.—This inscription in (probably) Kabui language

is composed of five lines.
33. INSCRIPTIONS, KAKCHING KHOUNOU, DISTRICT THOUBAL.—These two stone inscriptions are in
archaic Meitei script and language and record the names of some important persons of the locality.
34. INSCRIPTIONS, NINGEL, DISTRICT THOUBAL.—Of the two stone inscriptions, the first one, dated
in Saka 1665 (AD 1743) is in the archaic Meitei script and language. It records the villages on the
eastern part of the domain of king Garibaniwaj (AD 1709-48) and the names of the village chief and
many high ranking officials. It also states the grave consequences that the surrounding hill tribes
121
might suffer if they harassed, tortured and raided the villages and villagers under the protection of the
King Garibaniwaj. The text was composed by Yimnam Arei and Yaosom Kasom, and Saikhom
Sangkoi was the engraver.
The second inscription in Meitei language and Assamese/Bengali characters is dated AD 1814.
It records the name of King Marjit (AD 18.13-19) and some of his officials.
TAMIL NADU
35. KONGU-CHOLA INSCRIPTION; SEVUR, DISTRICT COIMBATORE.—This inscription, engraved on the

east wall of the ardha-mandapa of the Kapalisvara temple, is in Tamil language and characters
(pi. XLVI1I B). Dated in the twentieth year (AD 1226-27) of the reign of the Kongu-Chola king
Virarajendra, it registers the grant of a Kalanju of gold for the twilight lamp to the deity Aludiayar
Tirukkapalisuramudaiyar by Araiyan Valli, servant-maid of the queen Vanavan Mukkorkilanadigal.
Alvan Tirunattan, a temple servant, is stated to have received the gift and undertaken to maintain the
lamp perpetually.
36. CHOLA COPPER-PLATE CHARTER, ESALAM, DISTRICT SOUTH ARCOT.—This copper-plate charter,
originally from the village Esalam, and now preserved in the Directorate of Archaeology, Madras, is
in Sanskrit and Tamil languages and Grantha and Tamil characters. Dated in he twenty-fourth year
(AD 1035-36) of the reign of the Chola king Rajendrachola I, it gives the genealogy of the Chola
dynasty. It also refers to the gilding of the Chidambaram temple by Aditya I with the gold brought
from the Kongu country. It mentions the construction of the famous Brihadisvara temple atThanjavur
by Rajaraja I and the temple at Gangaikondacholapuram by Rajendrachola I. It records that the taxes
collected from the village Vikramacholanallur are to be assigned to the temple of Tiruviramesvaram-
udaiyar at Rajaraja-chaturvedimangalam. The prasasti was composed by the poet Narayana, son of
Sankara, a resident of Parsva-grama. The engraver was Ulagalandachola alias Vasudeva, son of Kari.
37. CHOLA INSCRIPTION, KIU\PPALUNUR, DISTRICT TIRUCHCHIRAPPALLI.—This inscription, in Tamil

language and characters, is engraved on the north wall of the central shrine of the Tiruvalanduraiyar
temple. Dated in the ninth year(AD 915-16) of the reign of the Chola king Parakesarivarman, it states
that an official, Kavisiyan Nakkan Marapiran alias Nambiyaruran of Mangalam in Mangalanadu, on
the orders of his chief Pal uvettaraiar Maravan Kandan, supervised the construction of theTiruvalandurai
temple in stone at Sirupaluvur. It also records the gift of 20 sheep by Nakkan Marapiran for the curd
and rice offerings to be^made during the three sandhis to the deity Tiruvalandurai Mahadeva.
UTTAR PRADESH
38. SALANKAYANA INSCRIPTION, ALLAHABAD, DISTRICT ALLAHABAD.—This inscription, originally

from Kausambi, District Allahabad, and now preserved in the Municipal Museum, Allahabad, is
engraved on a circular stone. The language is a mixture of Prakrit and Sanskrit. The script employed
122
EPIGRAPHY
for writing twice one and the same text in two lines is in pre-Gupta characters of the second century
AD. It refers to the Kulaka of Bhutila, the amatya of Salankayana, his son Payevila(?) and his son's
wife Samayika (See J.E.S.I., Vol. XIV, pp. 95-98).
ARABIC AND PERSIAN INSCRIPTIONS1
ANDHRA PRADESH
1. PERSIAN EPITAPH, KAULAS, DISTRICT NEAMABAD.—A Persian record found from the bastion of
the fort records the construction of darwaza of the bastion by Khasim Ghulam AH.
. BIHAR
2. INSCRIPTION OF THE SULTANS OF BENGAL, BAMAI, DISTRICT JAHANABAD.—This badly damaged

epigraph of Nasiru'd-Dunya Wa'd-Din Abu'l-Muzaffar Nusrat Shah, records the construction of a
mosque in AH 934 (AD 1527-28).
3. EPITAPHS, CHEWARA, DISTRICT MONGHYR.—Of the three epitaphs, the first refers to the death of
a learned man named Taimu'llah in AH (AD 1815-16). It also records that the deceased was born in
AH 1150 (AD 1737-38) and he was descended from His Holiness Imam Baqir and belonged to the
educated Sayyid family of Tirrnidh. The deceased had acquired knowledge in the science of Islamic
learning in the period of thirty years and got proficiency. He was favourite of the king of his time. He
thereafter engaged himself in teaching the Tafsir (Commentary on the Qur'an), Figh (Jurisprudence)
and Hadith (Traditions). His son ShujaV d-Din got the inscriptional slab prepared (inscribed) in AH
1236 corresponding to Fasli 1229 (AD 1821) at the capital city of Shahjahanabad (Delhi) where he
was holding the post of Sadarat. It further states that his brother Muhammad Yahya son of Taimu'llah
who was in the judiciary also died the same year (i.e. AD 1821) and was buried near the grave of his
father.
The second epitaph records the demise of Shuja'u'd-Din *Ali Ridvi (son of Taimu'llah) in AH
1821-22. It also contains Persian verses which were perhaps composed by the deceased himself.
The third epitaph pertains to a lady who was a scion of the Mughal family of Delhi. The
deceased, Nawwab Giti Ara Begam who died in AH 1256 (AD 1840-41) was the daughther of
Nawwab Rib'atu'-Nisa Begam and grand-daughter of the Delhi emperor Shah 'Alam Badshah (AD
1759-88). She was born and brought up in the Red Fort (at Delhi). It further states that as she was
married to Sayyid Shuja'u'd-Din 'Ali Khan Bahadur Ridvi, and was (after her death) buried here.
'Information from: N.M. Ganam, assisted by M.F. Khan, S.S. Hussain, M.Y.Quddusi, M.I. Quddusi and G.S.
Kh waja, of the Epigraphy Branch of the Survey, Nagpur. Two hundred and thirty inscriptions were copied, examined and
reported during the year under review out of which important on<*s are noticed here excepting item no. 1 from Department
of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
123
4. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT PATNA.—An inscription from Patna records that the
tomb of Imam Humam was constructed by Karimu'llah in AH 1179 (AD 1765-66). The metrical text
was composed by 'Ishqi. An epitaph from the same place records the death of Muhammadi Baig
which occured in AH 1218 (AD 1803). Another epitaph from the same place also records the death
of a lady named Bi 'Aziman in AH 1232 (AD 1817). An inscription from Phulwari Sharif, states that
a mosque inside the Khanqah (Hospice) of Pir Mujib which v/askaccha built in AH 1131 (AD 1718-
19) was rebuilt in masonry in AH 1239 (AD 1823-24). An inscription from Danapur, records the
construction of a mosque in AH 1244 (AD 1828-29), by a lady named Saliha. An inscription in a
mudgar (i.e. a club) from the Museum at Patna which is dated AH 1288 (AD 1871-72), contains the
name of its owner as Nayakji Bahadur.
An epigraph from Patna, records that Gauhar Begam constructed the lofty edifice (i.e. a mosque
on which it appears) in AH 1289 (AD 1872-73). Its metrical text was composed by Nikhat. Another
inscription from the same place, written by Muhammad 'AH Khan, records the construction of a
mosque in AH 1290 (AD 1873-74). Yet another inscription from Patna, refers to the renovation of a
ruined mosque in AH 1291 (AD 1874) by Sayyid Lutf 'Ali. Its metrical text was composed by
Furqati.
GUJARAT
5. INSCRIPTION, AHMEDABAD, DISTRICT AHMEDABAD.—This inscription states that at the tomb of

Shaikh Alahbad, the construction of a mosque which was commenced by the deceased Ghazi
Muhammad was completed through the efforts of his younger brother Jan Muhammad in AH 1063
(AD 1652-53). The chronogram was composed by Hadi.
6. INSCRIPTION OF FIRUZ SHAH TUGHLUQ, KHAMBHAT (CAMBAY), DISTRICT KHEDA.—This inscription

of Sultan Firuz Shah of the Tughluq dynasty, dated the 1st of Dhi'l Qa'da, AH 762 (AD 1361) is in
Persian prose (pi. XLIX A). It records the successful expedition to Jajnagar (Orissa) accomplished by
Sultan Firuz Shah.
The inscription also furnishes other interesting information viz., on the hunting of wild elephants
by the Sultan and their capture, on the character of the Rai of Jajnagar, his flight with his few persons on
the approach of the royal army and offering his submission thereafter. It also mentions Jagannath
temple and about some of the images which were carried away to Delhi.
The record mentions that the Sultan had first marched against Lakhnauti (i.e. Gaur) in AH 759
(AD 1358) and on his return from there, had halted at Junapur (i.e. the present Jaunpur) which he had
founded in the name of Muhammad bin Tughluq (his real name was Fakhru'd-Din Juna). From
Jaunpur, the Sultan set out for Jajnagar on the 20th of Dhi'l Qa'da, AH 761 (2nd October, AD 1360).
The inscription further mentions that no other Muslim Sultan had accomplished such a task and
captured such a large number of wild elephants.
This inscription also mentions in the concluding lines, Maliku'sh-Sharq Malik Na'ib-i-Barbak
Ibrahim Sultani who may have set up this inscriptional slab in commemoration at this important port
town of Cambay.
124
EPIGRAPHY
KARNATAKA
7. INSCRIPTION OF 'ADIL SHAMS OF BIJAPUR, ATHNI, DISTRICT BELGAUM.—This epigraph of

Muhammad 'Adil Shah, records the construction of an edifice (i.e. a step-well on which it appears)
under the supervision of Lanku (?) (son of) Pusu, the Sar Hawaladar in AH 1059 (AD 1649) during
the muqasa-ship of Ikhlas Khan II.
8. INSCRIPTION, KIIAROSHI, DISTRICT BELGAUM.—This inscription states that the 'Idgah was com
pleted in AH 1272 (AD 1855) by Muhammad son of late Maichdum Patel, an inhabitant of Karvish
(the find spot of the inscription).
9. INSCRIPTION OF THE 'ADIL SHAHIS OF BIJAPUR, TORGAL, DISTRICT BELGAUM.—Of the two inscrip
tions, one belongs to the reign of Ibrahim 'Adil Shah I. It records the completion evidently of bastion
(on which it appears) in Shuhur Sana 935 (AH 941/AD 1535) by Isma'il son of 'Abdu'1-Aziz Khurd
Sala (of younger age i.e. junior). The other badly damaged inscription of Ibrahim Adil Shah II,
records the construction of a bastion called lBurj-i-Husaini' in Shuhur sana 984 corresponding to AH
991 (AD 1583) by Khan-i-Azam Ibrahim Khan.
MADHYA PRADESH
10. INSCRIPTION OF THE SURS, SHEOPUR, DISTRICT MORENA.—This interesting record of Islam Shah
states that Masnad-i-Ali Mansur Khan, obtained martyrdom in the battle fought, against the Khichis
at Gogur in AH 960 (AD 1553). It also records that his tomb was constructed in AH 961 (AD 1553-
54) at the instance of Pir 'AH (son of) Mirak Sur. It also mentions Parsu or Barsu as master artist
(Mahir).
11. MUGHAL INSCRIPTION, SHEOPUR, DISTRICT MORENA.—This inscription of Jahangir is badly

damaged and crudely executed. It forms the text of a royal order advising the Hakims (governors),
the Mutasaddis (administrators) and the Pargana Sheopur that certain taxes were remitted and that
they should not harass the people on account of this.
12. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTION, DISTRICT SHIVPURI.—An epitaph from Narwar, records the death
in AH 1188 (AD 1774-75) of Muhammad Sharif who is mentioned as the physician of the aged. A
damaged record on a gun, states that the cannon named Top-i-Jawahar, belonging to the government
of Bakhshiu'l-Mamalik, Nawwab Najibu'd-Daula Dabita Khan who manfactured it under the super
vision of Rao Rawan (chief of the chiefs) Qutabu'd-Din. The names of the two gunners mentioned
in the text are Mir' Abdu'1-Baqi and Fadl-'Ali. As the inscription is damaged, the date of its
manufacture is lost but palaeographically the record balongs to the eighteenth century.
13.MUGHAL INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT SHIVPURI.—A badly damaged record of Akbar was found at
Kolaras. It mentions Tahawwur Khan, the governor of the Sarkar of the fort of Narwar. Its purport
125
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88-A REVIEW
is not clear. Another epigraph of Shahjahan from Ranod, records the construction of mosque, a well
and market by Ni'mat Khan in AH 1066 (AD 1655-56).
Four inscription of Aurangzeb have been found in the district. Out of four epigrapphs of
Aurangzeb from Ranod, one states the construction of a mosque for the sake of 'Allah in AH 1085
(AD 1674) by Dadan (?) son of Da'ud, son of Hasan, the weaver (Nurbaf). Another record, from the
same place, mentions that Shaikh Pir Shah and Shaikh Muzaffar, sons of Shaikh 'AH, built an edifice
(i.e. a mosque on which it appears) in AH 1088 (AD 1677). An epigraph from the same place dated in
the forty-first regnal year of Aurangzeb corresponding AH 1108 (AD 1697), records the construction
of mosque by Jahangir, the cow butcher. Another record from Narwar, states that a mosque was
constructed by His Holiness Shah Ma'ruf Kulabi in AH 1088 (AD 1678). It also mentions Ibrahim as
the scribe and Lachhu as the stonecutter.
Of the two records of the later Mughal emperors from Ranod, the one recording the construction of
mosque by Pir Khan was earlier noticed (ARE., 1961-62, Appendix D, No. 78). On re-examination, it
was found to contain the date in chronogram as AH 1155 (AD 1742) in twenty-fourth regnal year
evidently of Muhammad Shah and not of Shah ' Alam II. Another record, states that a Chabutara was
constructed during the sijjadeship of Shah Matin in the third regnal year of Ahmad Shan, corresponding
to AH 1163 (AD 1750). Its text was composed by Sayyid Ahmad. It also mentions Prithi as the
stone-cutter.
14. INSCRIPTION OF THE SURS, DAULATABAD, DISTRICT SHIVPURI.—This historically important

inscription of Islam Shah Sur states that Daulat Khan had constructed a mosque in the valley on the
bank of river Sind (Kali Sind) in AH 957 (AD 1550-51); its text was composed and inscribed by
Naziri Shattari.
MAHARASHTRA
15. EPIGRAPHS, MANORUI. PIR, DISTRICT A KOLA.—Two epigraphs of identical purport record the
construction of the new enclosure (of the Dargah of the saint Shah Amanu'llah) and a pleasing garden
in AH 1306 (AD 1888-89), by 'Ainu'd-Din, the sajjada. The builder is mentioned in the text as the
great grandson of Shah Aman disciple of Shah Amanu'llah. Its metrical text was composed by
'Abdu's-Samad.
16. MUGHAL INSCRIPTION, ACHALPUR, DISTRICT AMRAVATI.—An epigraph of Shah 'Alam II on the
Dula gate, states that a gate called the Rahman gate was constructed by the grace of Shah Rahman
Ghazi of exalted dignity, in AH 1180 (AD 1766-67).
17. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT BULDHANA.—Of the two inscriptions, one from Rasulpur
records the construction of a mosque in AH 1057 (AD 1647-48) by one Malik Hasan. The other one
from Malkapur, Raja Nanrvant of exalted dignity, constructed a well and a wonderful garden in AH
1204 (AD 1798-90).
126
EPIGRAPHY
RAJASTHAN
18. INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT BUNDI.—Of the two inscriptions, one from Nainwa, states that the
auspicious tomb of Miran Sayyid Salar with a four-walled enclosure was completed in AH 1058
corresponding to VS 1705 (AD 1648), by Muhammad Shah, son of Piru, rangrez, nilagar (dyer and
indigo colour-maker) when Raja Sri Nahar Khan Solanki was the Jagirdar. The second one, dated AH
1094 (AD 1682-83) from Bundi, refers to the construction of a mosque. The name of the builder is
not specified.
19. INSCRIPTION OF THE SULTANS OF MALWA, NAINWA, DISTRICT BUNDI.—Dated AH 870 (AD 1465),
the epigraph records that when (Prince) 'Alau'd-Din was in (charge of) Ranthambhor, Nainwa was
conquered and a mosque in place of a temple was constructed inside the fort by Shaikh 'Abdu'llah,
the Shahna of the pargana Nainwa.
20. INSCRIPTION, KHATOLI, DISTRICT KOTA.—This epigraph states that Jama'iyat, son of Bhikan
Khan, an inhabitant of Jhalatala, situated in the Bhusawar, district of Bharatpur was a jagirdar in the
time of Maharao Raja Ram Singhji, the chief of Bundi and held the rank of one thousand five hundred
and thirty. He was a man of position possessing the elephant and the palanquin; he also received
honour and respect from the rulers of Jaipur and Jodhpur. It further states that he had come to this
place (i.e. Khatoli) to pay his respect to Maharaja Bhairon Singhji and according to the Divine decree,
he expired here in VS 1914 corresponding to AH 1274 (AD 1857-58).
21 MUGHAL INSCRIPTION, NAHARGARH, DISTRICT KOTA.—This epigraph of Aurangzeb states that a

fort was constructed in AH 1090 (AD 1679) by Qutbu'd-Din, son of Nahar Dil, Rajput of the Rathod
clan and named this fort and the place as Nahargarh.
22. INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT SAWAI MADHOPUR.—Of the two inscriptions, the first from Sherpur
records the construction of a mosque in AH 1100 (AD 1688-89) by Nizamu'd-Din 'Ali. The second
record from Khandar mentions the name Muhammad Husain Khan, thanadar of Khandar and a native
of (name not legible) in the district of Mazaffar Nagar and Munshi Muhammad Isma'il, the muharrir
(clerk) of the thana. It also contains the date AH 1290 (AD 1873-74) which is probably that of the
construction of an 'Idgah on which it appears.
23. INSCRIPTIONS, CHHAN, DISTRICT SAWAI MADHOPUR.—Fragments of inscriptions containing

religious texts assignable on palaeographical grounds to not later than thirteenth century and remark
able for their florid Naskh style of calligraphy were found at Chhan, the medieval Jhain near
Ranthambhor.
24. INSCRIFIION OF THE LODIS, KHANDAR, DISTRICT SAWAI MADHOPUR.—Belonging to the reign of
Ibrahim Lodi and dated AH 928 (AD 1522), this historically important inscription states that a
mosque was constructed by Masnad-i-'Ali Zafar Khan at the instance and under the supervision of
127
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987S8—A REVIEW
his son Shaikh Hasan. Zafar Khan is described in the text as the conquerer of Khandar fort. The text
which is in Persian verse and prose was composed by Ahmad 'Isa and inscribed by 'Abdu's-Sattar,
son of 'Abdu'1-Haq, the Khatib (i.e., preacher). It also mentions Ahmad Gada'i (?) as the Shahna
(Superintendent).
25. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS, TODA BHIM, DISTRICT SAWAI MADHOPUR.—Of the two inscrip
tions, the first on a tomb containing religious verses, is dated AH 980 (AD 1572). The second
inscription is one more record of Mir Muhammad Ma'sum Nami, celebrated nobleman and litterateur
of Akbar's court. The epigraph also states that he had reached this place in AH 1013 (AD 1604-05)
on his return from the ambassadorial assignment to Iraq (i.e. Iran).
26. EPITAPH, TONK, DISTRICT TONK.—This known epitaph, dated AH 791 (AD 1389), originally
from Hindaun, was noticed earlier (ARE, 1955-56, No. D, p. 168). On its re-examination, it was found
to contain the name of the husband of the deceased lady (name not given) as Sarkhail Turmati, and
not Bir Khan Turmati. Also the day of the month of Sha'ban is mentioned as twentieth and not sixth.
27. INCRIPTIONS OF THE MAMI.UKS, TONK, DISTRICT TONK.—This is a damaged but an important
record reported to have been brought from Nagaur. This damaged record belongs to the reign of
(Nasiru'd-Din) Mahmud Shah son of Sultan Nasir Amiru'l-Mu'minin (title of Sultan Iltutmish). It is
dated AH 655 (AD 1257) and records the construction of a mosque by Aibak a's-Sanai (?) during the
governorship of Amir Siphasalar (name lost but the person is very likely Balban who had his iqta*
of Nagaur during this time).
TAMIL NADU
28. INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT DHARMAPURI.—Of the two inscriptions, the first one in Persian verse
from Krishnagiri, records the construction of a lofty mosque by Babu, son of 'Abdu'r-Razzaq Khan,
the Hawaladar in AH 1149 (AD 1736-37). The second, which is an epitaph in Urdu from Rayakottai,
records the death in AH 1269 (AD 1852) of Shaikh Adam.
29. EPIGRAPH, SALEM, DISTRICT SALEM.—This epigraph records the construction of a mosque
called Masjid-i-'Ali in AH 1178 (AD 1764-65). Its metrical text was composed by Sabzwari.
UTTAR PRADESH
30. INSCRIPTION, MAI.LAWAN, DISTRICT HARDOI.—This epigraph states that Muhammad Bakhsh by
spending his own amount, constructed a mosque in AH 1238 (AD 1822-23).
31. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIFI IONS, DISTRICT UNNAO.—Of the three inscriptions from Safipur, the
first states that this edifice (i.e. a porched entrance) in front of the tomb of Makhdum Shah Safi was
128
EPIGRAPHY
constructed by Muhammad 'Ali in AH 1147 (AD 1734-35). The second inscription, dated AH 1195
(AD 1780-81), records the construction of a mosque by Shah Fahmu'llah, the spiritual guide of
Maulavi Fadl-i-Azirh.The third record which is dated AH 1249 (AD 1833-34), states that Haji Barkat
laid the foundation of a mosque with sincerity of heart. Its text was composed by Aslam. Another
inscription from Bangarmau, records the construction of a mosque by Imam Bakhsh in AH 1255 (AD
1839-40). According to an inscription from Nawabganj, a Sara, a market (ganj), a mosque, a wall and a
garden were constructed by Nawwab Aminu'd-Daula (Imaded Husain Khan 'Umdatu'1-Mulk) in AH
1260 (AD 1844-45).
32. INSCRIPTIONS OF THE NAWWABS OF AWADH, DISTRICT UNNAO.—An epigraph from Safipur, states
that a mosque was constructed at Safipur in AH 1202 (AD 1787-88) in the reign of Asaf (i.e. Asafu'd-
Daula) by 'Azim Khan. According to another inscription from Asiwan, a beautiful mosque was
constructed in the time of Abu'l-Muzaffar Shah-i-zaman Mu'izu'd Din (i.e. Ghaziu'd-Dih Haidar) by
Ghulam 'Ali Khan, man of virtues, in AH 1237 (AD 1821-22).
WEST BENGAL
33. INSCRIPTIONS OF THE SULTANS OF BENGAL, DISTRICT MALDA.—Eight inscriptions of the Bengal
Sultans were brought to light. An epigraph from'Mahdipur, records the construction of a mosque by
Nasiru'd-Dunya-wa'd-Din Abu'l-Muzaffar Mahmud Shah I, in AH 863 (AD 1458-59). Another
damaged fragmentary inscription of the same king, from the same place records some construction.
An outstanding find among the new inscriptions of Bengal Sultans is the records of Sultan
Barbak Shah found on a mosque at Mahdipur. This epigraph, is largely identical in purport and
executed almost in the same calligraphical style as that of the famous inscription of this Sultan, now
exhibited in the University Museum of Philadelphia in U.S.A. and which is known as one of the best
•calligraphical specimens of the inscriptions of the Bengal Sultans. This is unfortunately fragmentary
and consists of only the lower line of its two-lines inscription and is divided into sixteen vertical
compartments. The epigraph, in Arabic verse and Persian prose, states that during the reign of the
Shah, the asylum of the world, Ruknu'd-Dunya wa'd-Din Abu'l-Muzaffar Sultan Barbak Shah, a
magnificent gate called the Middle gate (Miyana Dar) for the judiciary and treasury was constructed in
AH 871 (AD 1466-67).
There is yet another fragmentary epigraph from Mahdipur recording some consruction. The
name of the reigning king is lost. Only the last letter 'Kaf of the king's name with the word 'Shah'
followed by the phrase meaning 'May Allah perpetuate his kingdom and sovereignty' are extant. If
the letter 'Kaf is taken as the final letter of the work Barbak, in that case the reigning king is Barbak
Shah.
An inscription, now in the B.T. college of Malda town but reported to have been brought from
Pichli Gangarampur, belongs to the reign of Shamsu'd-Dunya wa'd-Din Abu'l-Mazaffar Yusuf Shah,
son of Barbak Shah a's-Sultan, son of Mahmud Shah a's-Sultan and is dated AH 881 (AD 1476). The
important aspect of this beautiful inscription is that the record was inscribed by Kada (or Gada)
129
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY l987-$&-A REVIEW
Badshah who also composed Persian verses of the text. Unfortunately, as the slab is fragmentary, its
exact purport cannot be made oui, though it is quite likely that the record was meant for some building
only.
At Mahdipur again was found a record which belongs to another Bengal Sultan Fath Shah who
ruled from AD 1481 to 1486. The epigraph is fragmentary and consequently is undated. The extant
text executed in beautiful Naskh, contains five verses in Persian in praise of the king.
A new inscription (pi. XLIX B) found at Shujapur, belongs o the reign of Sultan 'Alau'-Din
Husain Shah. This record in Arabic, dated AH 922 (AD 1516-17) and remarkable for its well executed
calligraphy in Tughra, records the construction of a Jami1 mosque by Ni'mat Khan.
A new inscription of Sultan Nasiru'd-Dunya wa'd-Din Abu'l-Muzaffar Nusrat Shah, now in
Malda Museum, is reported to have been brought from Gaur in recent times. The inscription which is
also remarkable for its beautiful Naskh in Tughra, records the construction of a gateway of the Jami'
mosque in AH 930 (AD 1523-24).
130
III. NUMISMATICS AND TREASURE TROVE'
ANDHRA PRADESH
1. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS. STATE MUSEUM, HYDERABAD.—A treasure-trove comprising gold

ornaments and coins of gold, silver, copper and potin was received by the State Museum from various
districts of the State. These coins belong to Satavahanas, Sultans of Delhi, Bahmanis, Kakatiyas,
Mughals, Vijayanagar, Asaf Jahi, British and Indian Native States.
GUJARAT
2. METAL IMAGES AND DHUPIYA, SHIYAWADA, DISTRICT AHMEDABAD.—A hoard of Jaina metal images
and one Dhupiya was recovered as treasure-trove during the course of digging under draught relief
work at Shiyawada (Taluk Sanad). Some of the images are inscribed.
3. SULTANATE COINS, CHHARA, DISTRICT AMRELI.—Three hundred and ten coins alloyed with silver
and five gold coins were found as treasure-trove from Kodinar taluk. These coins include the issues
of Muhammad Tughluq, Alau'd-din Khalji and Firuz Tughluq dated from AD 1296 to AD 1316.
4. STONE SCULPTURES, JUNA SOJA, DISTRICT BANASKANTHA.—During the course of digging in the
field, stone sculptures were found as treasure trove.
5. ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS AND SCULPTURES, BHUTIYA VASANA, DISTRICT MAIIESANA.—Architec

tural remains and images of god and goddess, apsaras, in sandstone and white marble, were found
during the course of digging of a well from Patan taluk which range in date from circa tenth century
to thirteenth century AD.
6. KSHATRAPA COINS, KANPAR, DISTRICT RAJKOT.—A hoard of copper and other base metal coins
of the Kshatrapa period was found as treasure trove from Jasdan taluk.
7. STONE SCULPTURES, HIMATNAGAR, DISTRICT SABARAKANTHA.—Stone Jaina sculptures were col

lected as treasure trove from District Sabarkantha.
KARNATAKA
8. SILVER COINS, NANDABAVI IN ATHANI TALUK, DISTRICT BELGAUM.—Sixty-two silver and rupee
coins issued by George V and George VI were collected.
'Information from : 1, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh; 2-7, Director of Archaeology,
Gujarat; 8-13, Director of Archaeology and Museums, Karnataka; 15, Commissioner, Gwalior Division, INTACH;
14-20, Director, Archaeology and Museums. Bhc/al, Madhya Pradesh; 21-26, Director of Archaeology and Museums,
Rajasthan; and 27, Director, Government Museum, Madras.
131
9. GOLD AND COPPER COINS, SOVENAHALLI, DISTRICT BELLARY.—Nineteen coins belonging to the
reign of Krishnadevaraya, Achyutaraya, Sripratapachyutraya, Tirumalaraya and Sadasivaraya of
Vijayanagara were collected from Taluk Sandur. Two coins are without any figure or legend. Ol the
three copper coins, one each belongs to Krishnaraja Wadiyar of Mysore, king George V and the East
India Company.
10. SILVER AND COPPER COINS, MATTAVARA, DISTRICT CHIKKAMAGALUR.—Sixty-three coins issued by
Queen Victoria and Emperor Edward VII were reported.
11. GOLD COINS, KIRUMANI, DISTRICT KOLAR.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums,
Karnataka, acquired fifty-one gold coins called the 'Kanthiraya Phanams' as treasure trove.
12. SILVER COINS, RAMACHANDRAPURA, DISTRICT KOLAR.—A treasure-trove of nine hundred and
eighty-nine silver coins of the British period was acquired by the Department of Archaeology and
Museums, Karnataka.
13. GOLD COINS, HULIDEVARABANA, DISTRICT SHIMOGA.—A treasure-trove of four Vijayanagara

gold coins, three silver pieces and one gold piece was discovered.
MADHYA PRADESH
14. SILVER COINS, DISTRICT CHHINDWARA.—Twenty-nine silver circular coins, locket and bangles
were found at Chhindwara. The hoard includes twenty-two coins of Ahmad Shah and seven coins of
the Queen Victoria.
15. COPPER COINS, CHEEMA, DISTRICT DATIA.—A hoard of one thousand and eighty-two copper
coins of the Naga rulers was discovered.
16. COPPER AND SILVER COINS, DISTRICT DHAR.—Seventy-two copper and gilded coins were found
from District Dhar. The hoard includes copper coins of Shivaji Rao Holkar, Madhav Rao Scindia,
Jivaji Rao Scindia, East India Company and the British monarchs. A hoard of nine silver circular
coins was also found from the same district of which two coins of Aurangzeb, one of Azam Shah, two
of Farukhsiyar and four coins of Muhammad Shah.
17. SILVER COINS, DISTRICT INDORE.—One hundred and ninety-one silver circular coins of Queen
Victoria were found.
18. SILVER COINS, DISTRICT JABALPUR.—Of the sixty silver circular coins found from Jabalpur
district fifty-eight coins bear the name of the Kalachuri ruler Gangeyadeva and two of Chandela ruler
Madana Varma.
132
NUMISMATICS AND TREASURE TROVE
19. COPPER COINS, DISTRICT KHARGAON.—Thirty-eight circular copper coins of Ahilya Bai Holkar
were found.
20. SILVF.R COINS, DISTRICT VIDISIIA.—Seventy-three silver circular coins of Mughal ruler Shah
Alain II was reported.
RAJASTHAN
21. SILVER COINS, PATODI, DISTRICT BARMER.—The Government Museum, Jodhpur, acquired
treasure-trove of fifteen silver coins of the State period from village Patodi.
22. SILVF.R COINS, SAMADARI, DISTRICT BARMER.—A hoard of two-hundred and ninety-nine silver
coins were found from village Samadari as treasure trove.
23. MISCI-LLANEOUS COINS, VIRATNAGAR, DISTRICT JAIPUR.—Eight copper coins of the State period
from Viratnagar were brought to light.
24. SILVER COINS, KADIHEDA, DISTRICT KOTA.—The Government Museum, Kota, acquired a
treasure-trove of seventy-four silver coins of the British period.
25. COPPER COINS, KURADJIAN, DISTRICT SIKAR.—One late Kushana copper coin was acquired by
the Depanment of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan, from village Kuradhan.
26. MUGHAL COINS, GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, UDAEPUR.—Fourteen silver coins of Akbar were
handed over to the Government Museum, by the Hindustan Zinc Limited, Udaipur.
TAMIL NADU
27. MISCI-LLANI-OUS OBJECTS, GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, MADRAS.—The Museum acquired various

items as treasure trove from different places in Tamil Nadu. These include temple umbrellas of metal,
copper vessels, bells, smaller vessels and bronze images of Somaskanda, Chandrasekhara, Ganesa,
Thirugnanasambandha, Ambal.Tripurantaka, Parvati, etc., and stone sculptures of Vishnu, Sridevi
and Bhudevi. Two wooden boxes with ancient carvings, two bronze images and ten palm leaf
manuscripts in Tamil and Telugu script were received as gifts to the museum. Nine hundred and
thiny-three south Indian Phanams (inferior gold) received as a treasure trove items from various parts
of the State were also added to the collection.
133
IV. OTHER IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES
ANDHRA PRADESH
1. INSCRIPTIONS, LEPAKSHI, DISTRICT ANANTAPUR.—A.P. Sagar of the Hyderabad Circle of the

Survey noticed fragments of early Telugu inscriptions on a masonry stone while dismantling barri
cade wall of a small shrine.
2. TEMPLE, HAMMALAMADUGU MANDAL, DISTRICT CUDDAPAH.—The Department of Archaeology

and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, noticed a Siva temple assignable to eleventh century
on the banks of the river Pennar near Pathasugamanchipalli.
3. TELUGU INSCRIPTION, KETAVARAM, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—D. Hanumantha Rao of the Hyderabad

Circle of the Survey noticed an inscription of Vijayanagara period fixed at the old ferry point at
Ketavaram, 5 km south-west of Chetyala Village.
4. INSCRIPTIONS, KOLLUR, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—D. Hanumantha Rao of the Hyderabad Circle of the
Survey noticed six inscriptions. Of these one is irr Brahmi characters of fifth-sixth century engraved
on entrance steps of the enclosure wall of the Ramesvara temple complex while the other four are in
Telugu characters of twelfth-seventeenth century inscribed on a slate rock in front of the temple. The
fifth is in Arabic characters engraved on the plaster of the interior walls in the Qutb Shahi mosque.
5. ANCIENT SITES, TEMPLES, SCULPTURES AND INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT MAHBUBNAGAR.—The Depart

ment of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, surveyed the submergence area
falling under the scheme of construction of a reservoir on the Peddavagu near Sangambanda in
Maktal taluk and located Middle Palaeolithic, Neolithic and early historical sites; temple dedicated
to Ramalingesvara, assignable to twelfth century; loose sculptures of Vinayaka, Siva and Jaina
tirthankara ; and architectural members and inscriptions belonging to the Chalukyas of Kalyana.
6. ROCK BRUISINGS AND NEOLITHIC SITE, DISTRICT VIJAYAWADA.—The Department of Archaeology

and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, located rock-bruising of protohistoric period at
Magalarajapuram hill in Vijayawada town and a neolithic site was also located.
7. ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS, SCULPTURES AND INSCRIPTIONS, DISTRICT WEST GODAVARI.—The Depart

ment of Arachaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, found in the village of Peddi
Gonapavaram in Jeelugumilli mandala architectural remains, inscribed pillars and sculptures belong
ing to thirteenth-fourteenth century AD.
134
OTHER IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES
GUJARAT
8. SCULPTURES, DANTA, DISTRICT BANASKANTHA.—The Department of Archaeology, Government

of Gujarat, inspected and identified a hoard of sculptures confiscated by Javadkhan Sindhi, PSI of
Danta from different sites. The image of Ganesa in schist datable to seventh century and white marble
apsara, assignable to twelfth century deserve special mention.
9. BRAIIMI INSCRIPTION, POMALPADA, DISTRICT BIIARUCH.—Vilas Jadav of the Vadodara Circle of

the Survey discovered fragmentary stone inscription.
10. MONOLITHIC FIGURE, CHADVA, DISTRICT JUNAGADH.—The Western Circle of the Department of
Archaeology, Government of Gujarat, located a huge monolithic figure of elephant assignable to
twelfth century.
11. INSCRIPTION, KHAMBHAT, DISTRICT KHEDA.—The Department of Archaeology, Government of

Gujarat found a Persian inscription dated to AD 1360 from Khambhat town now preserved in the
PWD office.
12. SCULPTURES, PATAN, DISTRICT MAHESANA.—In the course of desilting work of Rani-ki-Vav,
Vadodara Circle of the Survey collected two sculptures, one of tirthankara in bronze (16 x 10 cm)
and the other (42 x 28 x 6 cm) of Rani Udayamati (pi. L A) in white marble. Besides, a fragmentary
inscription in Sanskrit language (pi. LB) was found from Patan.
13. LOOSE SCULPTURES, PILUWADA, DISTRICT MAHESANA.—In the course of village-to-village

survey, Department of Archaeology. Government of Gujarat, discovered some loose sculptures.
Notable among them are the image of Surya and Mahishamardini assignable to twelfth century AD.
14. SCULPTURES, DISTRICT VADODARA.—In the course of village-to-village survey scheme in the
taluk of Dabhoi, the Department of Archaeology, Government of Gujarat, discovered two images of
Siva dated to eleventh century at Naranpura and Vadaj.
15. SCULPTURAL AND ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS, TAJPURA, DISTRICT VADODARA.—S. Ananda Sastry,
S.V.P. Halakatti and Vilas Jadhav of the Vadodara Circle of the Survey located loose sculptural and
architectural remains of medieval period, near Tajpura village.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
16. SCULPTURAL AND ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS AND POTTERY, AMBOA, DISTRICT SIRMOUR.—The
Department of Language and Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh, discovered number of loose
architectural and sculptural remains of a temple and potsherds from a mound near the village.
135
17. FRAGMENTARY SCULPTURES AND ARCHITECTURAL PIECES, BYAS, DISTRICT SIRMOUR.—In the course
of preliminary survey of the District, the Department of Language and Culture, Government of
Himachal Pradesh, located a large number of fragmentary sculptures and architectural pieces at the
site.
18. ANTIQUARIAN REMAINS, MIRPUR KOTLA, DISTRICT SIRMOUR.—The Department of Language and
Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh, located a ancient mound and collected potsherds, stone
sculptures, ruined walls, etc. at Mirpur Kotla.
19. SCULPTURES AND TEMPLE, PURUWALA, AMBIWALA, DISTRICT SIRMOUR.—The Department of

Language and Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh, noticed an ancient temple dedicated to
goddess Kali and few sculptures from the site.
20. REMAINS OF STRUCTURES AND POTSHERDS, SADAR, DISTRICT SIRMOUR.—Remains of dressed

stone structures and potsherds were found by the Department of Language and Culture, Government
of Himachal Pradesh.
21. TEMPLE REMAINS AND STONE SCULPTURES, SIRMORITAL, DISTRICT SIRMOUR.—Remains of temple
assignable to ninth century and pieces of stone sculptures were located by the Department of
Language and Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
22. TERRACOTTA SEALINGS, COPPER COIN AND SCULPTURES, PARIHASPORA, DISTRICT BARAMULLA.—In
the course of laying out garden around the ancient remains, R.K. Sapru of the Horticulture Branch
of the Survey encountered two terracotta sealings (11 x 5-5 cm and 11 x 4-7 cm) with stamped
impression of stupa in low relief on both the sides and a circular copper coin, both datable to eighth
century AD. The coin has a mutilated figure of king dressed and seated in ardhaparyankasana on the
obverse and standing human figure with royal garments holding unidentified object in left hand on
the reverse.
Besides, the Srinagar Circle of the Survey also salvaged from the debris twenty-eight sculptural
pieces. On stylistic ground these sculptural pieces can be dated to eighth century AD.
23. EARLY MEDIEVAL TEMPLE, CHHATRAL, DISTRICT PUNCH.—R.C. Aggarwal, S.N. Jaiswal, S.N.
Kesarwani and Puran Singh of the Srinagar Circle of the Survey located remains of an early medieval
temple. On plan it consists of a garbhagriha and mukha-mandapa and it also contains trefoiled niche
forpar.vva-deities.
24. EARLY MEDIEVAL SCULPTURES, BADAMIBAGH, DISTRICT SRINAGAR.—In the course of exploration
in Badamibagh area, S.N. Kesarwani, L.P. Thapliyal, R.N. Kaw and S.N. Kanna of the Srinagar Circle
136
of the Survey noticed a group of seven rare Brahmanical and Buddhist sculptures (pi. LI) and two
Siva-lingas near the Pandrethan temple. Noteworthy among them are a Vaishnavite male deity, Siva,
Lokesvara, Buddha and lower part of a colossal image of Buddha. These images are datable to
sixth-seventh century AD.
25. STONE SCULPTURES AND COPPER COINS, NARANAG, DISTRICT SRINAGAR.—In the course of conser
vation work, Srinagar Circle of the Survey discovered seven stone sculptures and three copper coins.
Notable among the sculptures are a torso of Vaikuntha Vishnu (52-2 x 21 x 10-5 cm), assignable to
eighth-ninth century AD; badly damaged bust of Siva (28 x 5 x 1 cm) datable to eighth-ninth century
AD; head of Bhairava (27 x 22 x 12 cm) datable to eighth-ninth century AD; Ganesa (12 x 10 x 5 cm)
of tenth century AD; defaced figure of Ardhanarisvara (46 x 37 x 18 cm) datable to ninth century AD;
and bust of Vaikuntha Vishnu (30 x 21 x 11 cm), all in stone.
26. EARLY MEDIEVAL TEMPLE, THIUN (HARI THUNE), DISTRICT SRINAGAR.—S.N. Kesarwani, S.N.
Kanna and Bharat Bhushan Kaul of the Srinagar Circle of the Survey located remains of a temple
which has a iri-raiha garbhagriha and mukha-mandapa on plan. On stylistic ground it can be dated
to eighth century AD.
MADHYA PRADESH
27. ANCIENT TEMPLE, CHHOTADANGAR, DISTRICT BASTAR.—R.R. Singh and N.K. Pathak of the
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, unearthed remains of
temple and sculptures of Kakatiya period.
28. MEDIEVAL SCULPTURES, JAGADALPUR, DISTRICT BASTAR.—B.L. Nagarch of the Temple Survey
Project, Northern Region of the Survey noticed an ashtadfiatu image of eight armed Mahishamardini,
locally known as Manikyesvari Devi and two stone images of standing Bhairava and dancing Siva
in the Mavali Devi temple in Rajawada Chowk at Jagadalpur. Besides, he also noticed stone images
of standing Bhairava, Siva-Parvati seated on bull, standing Surya and Ganesa, fragmentary Navagraha
panel, seated Bhairavi, kept in the Collectorate office, Jagadalpur.
29. COPPER CELT, DISTRICT BHIND.—R.P. Choudhury of the Department of Archaeology and
Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, collected a copper celt belonging to Chalcolithic period.
30. ANCIENT SCULPTURES, TALAGAON, DISTRICT BILASPUR.—Plan of an early medieval temple on a

raised jagati having sanctum, pillared mandapa was unearthed by G.L. Raikwar, Rahul Kumar Singh,
A.P. Singh and C.L. Gupta under the supervision of K.K. Chakravarty and V.K. Bajpai of the
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, at the temple-complex
of Jethani and Deorani. An unique life-size stone sculpture identified as that of Rudra Pasupati
(pi. LII A) was also found alongwith some other sculptures of Sakta p'antheon, which are in terms of
style and features are post-Gupta.
137
31. MEDIEVAL TEMPLES, DISTRICT DIIAR.—B.L. Nagarch of the Temple Survey Project, Northern
Region of the Survey located the ruins of a medieval Brahmanical temple at Vasavi. Noteworthy
among them are an image of standing Ganesa and a ceiling stone slab carved with a full-blown lotus.
R.S. Garg of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh,
also discovered a rock-cut temple at the above referred site.
32. TEMPLES AND SCULPTURES, BUDHI MANDU, DISTRICT DHAR.—R.S. Garg of the Department of
Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh reported the discovery1 of plans of
Pratihara and Paramara temples and Brahmanical sculptures from Budhi Mandu.
33. STEP-WELL, CULNA, DISTRICT DIIAR.—Joseph of the Bhopal Circle of the Survey noticed a step
well belonging to the Paramara period.
34. MEDIEVAL SCULPTURES, DIIARAMPURI, DISTRICT DIIAR.—A colossal image of a bearded sage or
king locally known as Chintamani Deva standing in anjalimudra has been discovered from Jina-
Mohalla at Dharampuri by B.L. Nagarch of the Temple Survey Project, Northern Region of the
Survey. The image is flanked on either side by standing female attendant and a dagger is tied to his
belt.
35. STONE AGE SITES, CHANDERI, DISTRICT GUNA.—Krishna Kumar of Museums Branch of the
Survey located two stone age sites near Chanderi. The early stone age tool types included handaxes,
choppers, etc. of coarse grained quartzite from the bed of Angra Khar near Singhpur village. In the
adjoining hillock, Siddha-Baba-ki-Pahari are some rock-shelters, which have been recently converted
into Brahmanical shrines. Middle stone agevtools such as handaxes, flake blades and scrapers were
also collected from a factory site on the top of hill, Malmal Pahar near a locality called Malan Khoh.
Some rock-shelters were also noticed in the vicinity.
36. GROUP OF TEMPLES, BADKESHVARA, HARSUD, DISTRICT HOSHANGAUAD.—P.K. Mishra of the

Bhopal Circle of the Survey noticed remains of a group of temples belonging to Paramara period near
Badkashvara on the bank of the Narmada.
37. MEDIEVAL SCULPTURES, DISTRICT KHARGONE.—B.L. Nagarch of the Temple Survey Project,
Northern Region of the Survey discovered Brahmanical sculptures such as seated Brahmi, Mahesvari,
Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Aindri and Virabhadra kept on the platform of Baghesvari Mata temple
at Bonn and ten aimed Chamunda seated in lalitasana on a corpse (pi. LII B), eight armed dancing
Chamunda and standing Sita-Rama near the Hirai Mata temple, Hirapur.
38. SCULPTURE, DISTRICT MORENA.—L.P. Pandey of the Department of Archaeology and Muse
ums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, discovered sculptures of Jaina pantheon like Tirthankaras,
138
Ambika, etc., and Saiva sculptures at Dubkhund in course of debris clearance. These sculptures are
assignable to circa ninth-tenth century.
3 9 . CllALCOLlTIIIC SITE AND RUINED STRUCTURES, KOTWAR, DISTRICT MORENA.—A chalcolithic site
and ruined structures, ring wells, etc. were noticed by P.K. Mishra of the Bhopal Circle of the Survey.
40. IMAGE OF BUDDHA, NACHNA, DISTRICT PANNA.—An image of Buddha, seated in padmasana
and in dharamachakra-pravanana-mudra was noticed by B.L. Nagarch of the Temple Survey
Project, Northern Region of the Survey. Both the hands of the figure have been chopped off. On the
pedestal is carved a wheel flanked on either side by a deer. The sculpture is assignable to sixth century
AD.
41. MEDIEVAL SCULPTURES, RAJGARH, DISTRICT RAJGARH.—B.L. Nagarch of the Temple Survey
Project, Northern Region of the Survey noticed medieval sculptures of ten-armed dancing Ganesa,
eight-armed dancing Bhairava, two Asvinikumaras standing in tribhanga and fragmentary Ashtavasu
panel showing six of the eight Vasus each standing in tribhanga and carrying a kamandalu by his left
hand.
42. SCULPTURE AND MOUND, DISTRICT SARGUJA.—An unique image of Vaikuntha was discovered
from Deepadih temple complex by the team of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums,
Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Besides, Vinod Joshi of the same Department also noticed an ancient mound at the top of the
Ramgarh hills. The surface collection included early historical pottery, coins, beads, terracotta
figurines of Sunga-Kushana period.
43. BRAHMANICAL SCULPTURES, DISTRICT SHAHDOL.—A.L. Pathak of the Department of Archaeo

logy and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, carried out debris clearance at Antra, a Sakta
centre of the Kalachuri period and collected Brahmanical sculptures from the site.
44. REMAINS OF STUPAS, JAFER KHEDA, DISTRICT VIDISHA.—C. Krishna of the Department of
Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, located remains of a group of stupas
at Jafer Kheda, 40 km north-west of Vidisha, Berasia road, opposite hill tract facing Udayagiri hill.
45. MEDIEVAL STONE SCULPTURES, UDAIPUR, DISTRICT VIDISHA.—B.L. Nagarch of the Temple
Survey Project, Northern Region of the Survey discovered sculptures of Brahmanical and Jaina
pantheon. Among them mention may be made of Anantasayi Vishnu and standing Ganesa, kept in the
compound of Hajariya temple and an image of four-armed seated Ganesa fixed on the western wall
of Bada Darwaza at Udaipur and a Jaina tirthankara seated in padmasana in dhyana-mudra at
Natha Mohalla.
139
MAHARASHTRA
46. INSCRIPTIONS, VADGAON, DISTRICT AHMEDNAGAR.—The Aurangabad Circle of the Survey

found two inscriptions in Devanagari script engraved in the Siva and Vithoba temples. The inscription
is dated Saka 1695 (AD 1773) engraved in the Vithoba temple built by Abaji Sonar.
47. MEDIEVAL MOUND AND LOOSE SCULPTURES, DEHIKIIEL, DISTRICT AKOLA.—Ajit Kumar of the
Aurangabad Circle of the Survey noticed a huge mound yielding burnished red, red-slipped and grey
wares and architectural fragments, broken loose sculptures of Ganesa, Durga and yonipitha, etc.,
datable to fifteenth-sixteenth century.
48. LOOSE SCULPTURES, ELLICHPUR FORT, DISTRICT AMARAVATI.—Ajit Kumar of the Aurangabad
Circle of the Survey noticed loose sculptures of Durga, Krishna, four-armed Vishnu, Nandi and
architectural members datable to thirteenth-fourteenth century AD and seated images of Gorakhnatha
assignable to seventeenth-eighteenth century AD.
49. ROCK-CUT CAVE, RETALWADI IN TALUK SOEGAON, DISTRICT AURANGABAD.—RN. Kamble of the
Aurangabad Circle of the Survey noticed rock-cut cave at Betalwadi.
50. ROCK-CUT CAVES, DHARKUND BANOTI WADI, TALUK SOEGAON, DISTRICT AURANGABAD.—RN.
Kamble of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey located rock-cut caves near Banoti village.
51. MEDIEVAL TEMPLES AND SCULPTURES, PANGAON, DISTRICT LATUR.—Ajit Kumar of the Aurangabad
Circle of the Survey noticed a temple and loose sculptures at Pangaon. On plan the temple has a
mukha-mandapa, mandapa, antarala and a sanctum and detached mandapa in front. Among notable
sculptures mention may be made of chaturbhuja Narasimha, Uma-Mahesvara, four-armed Durga and
eight-armed Narasimha in black basalt. On stylistic ground, the sculptures and temple are datable to
thirteenth-fourteenth century AD.
52. MEDIEVAL TEMPLE AND SCULPTURES, MANJRAM, DISTRICT NANDED.—Ajit Kumar of the Aurangabad
Circle of the Survey noticed a temple and loose sculptures of four-armed Vishnu, nandi, Vishnu in
stone, all assignable to thirteenth-fourteenth century AD.
53. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS, RAIGAD, DISTRICT RAIGAD.— In the course of desilting of the
Gangasagar tank, N.N. Sinha of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey unearthed number of objects
including armour, copper coins, belonging to Shivaji; copper coins with Persian legends; brass and
copper pots; iron rings; cannon balls of stone and iron; architectural fragments; wooden objects and
glazed wares.
While exploring the submergence area of Shilar Project in Karjat taluk, Ajit Kumar of the same
Circle also noticed early historical mound yielding brick structures and red ware pottery.
140
54. LOOSE SCULPTURES AND SATI STONE, RAJAPUR TALUK, DISTRICT RATNAGDU.—While exploring the
submergence area of Arjuna Irrigation Project, M. Mahadeviah of the Aurangabad Circle of the
Survey discovered two sculptures of Mahishamardini and jaft'-stones assignable to sixteenth-seven
teenth and eighteenth century AD respectively.
55. TEMPLES, HERO-STONES AND LOOSE SCULPTURES, PARU, DISTRICT SATARA.—M.R. Dhekane of the
Aurangabad Circle of the Survey noticed two ruined Hemadpanti temples and loose sculptures of
standing Siva, Ganesa and Naga figures, hero-stones, twenty-six in number and.typical flag-pillar, all
assignable to thirteenth-fourteenth century.
56. SCULPTURES, DHABIL, DISTRICT SINDHUDURGA.—M. Mahadeviah of the Aurgangabad Circle of

the Survey, in the course of exploration in the submergence area of Saramabala Irrigation Project in
Sawantwadi taluk noticed stone images of Mahishamardini and a Lakulisa datable to. eighteenth
century AD.
57. TEMPLE AND HERO-AND-SATI-STONES, KHANDALI, DISTRICT SOLAPUR.—M.R. Dhekane of the

Aurangabad Circle of the Survey noticed a ruined temple and hero- and san'-stones, all assignable to
fourteenth-fifteenth century AD.
58. STONE AGE TOOLS, DISTRICT YEVATMAL.—While exploring the submergence areas of Hiwara,
Mangali and Nawargaon Tank Projects, M. Mahadeviah of the Aurangabad Circle of the Survey
collected middle palaeolithic tools at Palegaon in Moregaon taluk and middle palaeolithic tools,
historical and medieval pottery, loose sculptures of Gaja-Lakshmi, Uma-Mahesvara, yonipitha, four-
armed Vishnu, etc. at Nawargaon taluk.
Ajit Kumar of the same Circle also collected microliths from Chopdoh. The tool types included
fluted cores and blades, made of chalcedony.
MANIPUR
59. ASH MOUND, NINGEL, DISTRICT THOUBAL.—The Department of Archaeology, Government of

Manipur, in the course of exploration reported the discovery of a huge ash-mound. Besides, potsherds
with carved paddle, cord marks, a piece of brass vessel and other objects were also found.
MIZORAM
60. ANCIENT CAVES, ZOTE, DISTRICT AIZAWL.—The Department of Education and Human Re
sources, Government of Mizoram, located six caves, locally known as Mura Puk around Zote village
about 16 km east of Aizawl.
141
RAJASTHAN
61. INSCRIBED PILLAR, SAWAI MADHOPUR, DISTRICT BHARATPUR.—B.M.S. Parmar of the Department
of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan, discovered a yupa-pillar inscribed in
Brahmi characters of third century AD.
62. PAINTED ROCK-SHELTERS, DISTRICT BHILWARA.—Jagat Narayana of the Department of History,

Government College, Kota, discovered and located number of painted rock-shelter at Bhimlat,
Gopichand ka-Chhaja, Khoki Hathi-tat, Jharian, Jognimata, Medaki-Mahadeva and Menal.
63.TEMPI.ES, RAWATBHATA, DISTRICT CHITTAURGARH.—O.P. Sharma of the Department of Archae-

ology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan, noticed three nagara style temples, dedicated to
Mahadeva, Vishnu and Lakshmi, all datable to eighteenth century AD.
64. SATI-SLABS FROM DISTRICT CHURU.—Kishan Lai of the Government Museum, Bikaner, of the
Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan noticed sari-stone slabs at
Chapar and an image of Ganesa in the Tehsil Sujangarh and Changoi in Tehsil Taranagar. The slabs
range in date from VS 1311 to 1724. The slab from Changoi bears an inscription mentioning the sati
of two wives Bhatiyani and Kachawahi of Banmali Das, who happened to be the son of Maharaja
Karan Singh, one of the rulers of Bikaner and it is dated 1724, Margshirsha, Shukla 13.
65. BRONZE IMAGES, GORU, DISTRICT NAGAUR.—S.N. Sinha of the Department of Archaeology and
Museums, Government of Rajasthan, discovered ten bronze images of Jaina tirthankaras, datable to
tenth-eleventh century AD.
66. MURALS, DISTRICT PALI.—In the course of Survey Prakash Bapna of the Department of
Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan, noticed murals having Ramayana, Mahabharata
and Jaina themes belonging to eighteenth-nineteenth century at Achalgarh, Adorn, Badli, Balunda,
Boya, Chundawal, Ghanerao, Jaitaran, Palariya, Rohit, Salesar, Sewadi and Sewariya.
TAMIL NADU
67. MEGALITIIIC SITE, DISTRICT PUDUKKOTTAL— D. Dayalan of the Madras Circle of the Survey
located an extensive megalithic site at Odiyamangalam and Kalayepalle.
68. ROCK-PAINTINGS, TIRUMAYAM, DISTRICT PUDUKKOTTAI.—D. Dayalan of the Madras Circle of the
Survey, during explorations discovered paintings on a boulder within the fortification walls at
Tirumayam. The paintings, executed on the lower part of the boulder in red ochre depicting hunting
scenes. On stylistic basis it can be dated to the beginning of the Christian era.
142
69. INSCRIBED HERO-STONE, DISTRICT THANJAVUR.—An inscribed hero-stone was discovered by D.

Dayalan of the Madras Circle of the Survey near the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. The
inscription states that one Porpiraman of Kilvelur sacrificed his life while'defending the village. On
palaeographic ground it can be assigned to AD 850-950.
UTTAR PRADESH
70. POTTERY AND SCULPTURES, FATEIIPUR SIKRI, DISTRICT AGRA.—C.P. Singh and Makrand Prasad
of the Agra Circle of the Survey discovered the sites yielding PGW and red ware at Sultanganj and
sculptures of Hamsa from the field near Dak Bungalow at Fatehpur Sikri.
71. POTTERY I-KOM IRADAT NAGAR, DISTRICT AGRA.—C.P. Singh of the Agra Circle of the Survey
picked up potsherds of black and red ware and PGW from the mound known as Sarhwarah in the
vicinity of Iradat Nagar.
72. SCUIJTURE, MARMARA, DISTRICT ETAH.—C.P. Singh of the Agra Circle of the Survey collected
an metal image of Venugopala, assignable to sixteenth-seventeenth century AD.
73. FRAGMENTARY BRICK INSCRIPTION, ERICH, DISTRICT JHANSI.—Three-lined fragmentary brick

inscription was found by Om Prakash Lai Srivastava, Government Museum, Jhansi. The inscription
reads (sa) tanika (sva) senapaii dasarnadhipaii mula...(D) sarnaswaran Vasisthiputra Asadha.
Palaeographically it can be assigned to second century AD.
74. MEDIEVAL sire AND SCULPTURE, ATA, DISTRICT LUCKNOW.—Girish Chandra Singh of U.P. State
Archaeological Organization discovered site yielding knobbed lids, knife-edged bowls, terracotta
bangles and red ware of medieval period from a small mound. He also noticed a beautiful seated stone
image of Parsvanatha and other architectural pieces belonging to ninth century AD.
75. BRICK TEMPLE REMAINS AND SCULPTURES, BIRAPURA, DISTRICT LUCKNOW.—Rakesh Tiwari of
U.P. State Archaeological Organization located temples, sites and sculptures belonging to early
medieval period. The sites are locally known as Chaturbhuja Baba, Mandhaka maharani, Devara,
Thakura and Chabutara Janaki Charana Baba. Doorjambs, Uttaranga mandaraka, etc., and several
sculptures were also noticed. Besides, medieval sculptures and pottery were also located.
76. REMAINS OF TEMPLES AND SCULPTURES, PANCHAMUKHI PAHARA, DISTRICT MIRZAPUR.—Girish

Chandra Singh of the U.P. State Archaeological Organization noticed architectural remains and
sculptures including Kalyariasundara, Parvati, Uma-Mahesvara, Ganesa, Ganga, Kartikeya, Vishnu,
Surya, etc., ranging in date from early to late medieval period.
77. INSCRIBED IMAGE, JARIGIGARH, DISTRICT RAE BARELI.—Girish Chandra Singh of the U.P. State
143
Archaeological Organization discovered a sthanaka stone image of Rsabhanatha. The pedestal bears
inscription in late medieval Nagari script.
78. ANCIHNT SITE, THMPU-: AND SCULPTURES, DISTRICT SULTANPUR.—Girish Chandra Singh of the
U.P. State Archaeological Organization discovered sites yielding black slipped and red wares and
three brick temple remains and number of early and late medieval sculptures at Narahi and an early
late medieval stone image of Surya in samabhanga pose from Vikahara.
79. BRICK TEMPLE REMAINS, SARAWA, DISTRICT VARANASI.—Remains of brick temple and stone
sculptures of Kubera and Ganesa belonging to early medieval period were discovered by Girish
Chandra Singh of the U.P. State Archaeological Organization.
144
V. RADIOCARBON DATES1
Radiocarbon dates2 measured from archaeological and Quaternary samples are presented in the
following pages. All the dates are based on 5730±40 years, half-life value of radiocarbon and are
uncorrected for 14C/12C variation. 1950 is the base year for converting the dates into AD/BC. The sites3 are
arranged Statewise and alphabetically.
GUJARAT
I. ARABIAN SEA OFF SAURASHTRA COAST
i. PRL-1307. Quaternary 4270±120

Sediment cores from 60-70 cm depth, (2320 BC)
Site Station No. 3943
ii. PRL-1308. Quaternary 5770±140

Site Station No. 3943.
iii. PRL-1314. Quaternary 4860±100

Site Station No. 3952
ARABIAN SEA OFF KARNATAKA COAST
i. PRL-1322. Marine sediment Sediment 4810 ±110

cores, 36% CaCO3, depth 10-15 cm. (2860 BC)
Sample no. 1, CA.
ii. PRL-1323. Marine sediment Sediment +450

cores, 36% CaCO3, depth 40-45 cm. 12910 -430
Sample No. 2, CA. (10960 BC)
'Contributed by D.P. Agrawal, Shccla Kusumgar and M. Yadav of the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.
2
For further details of the samples the submitting organizations may be contacted.
3
Sample submitted by : 1, N.I.O., Dona Paula, Goa; 2, Department of Marine Geology, Mangalore University,
Mangalore; 3, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra; 4, University of Madras, Madras; 5, School of Geography,
University of Oxford; 6, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Easten Region,
Jabalpur; 7, NGRI, Hyderabad; 8, Archaeological Survey of India, Purana Qila, New Delhi; 9, Hindustan Zinc Ltd.,
P.O. Zawar Mines, Udaipur ; 10, Department of Epigraphy, Tamil University, Thanjavur; and 11, Department of
Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu.
145
iii. PRL-1325. Marine sediment +360

17630 -310
Sediment cores, 36% CaCO3,
depth 7.0-75 cm. (15680 BC)
Sample No. 3, CA.
iv. PRL-1326. Marine sediment +1230

26120 -1070
(24170 BC)
depth 95-100 cm. Sample
No. 4, CA.
v. PRL-1327. Marine sediment +2680

29990 -2020
(28040 BC)
depth 115-129 cm. Sample
No. 5, CA.
HARYANA
3. BALU, DISTRICT JIND
i. PRL-985. Harappan Culture 239O±11O

Charcoal form Trench Q5, (440 BC)
layer 5, depth 0.60 m,
Sample No. 2.
ii. PRL-989. Harappan Culture 335O±15O

Charcoal from Trench Q6, (1400 BC)
layer 11, depth 1.30 m,
Sample No. 6.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
4. SI-MTHAN, DISTRICT ANANTNAG
i. PRL-959. Period III (Indo-Greek), 1780±130

Charcoal from layer 23, Sample (AD 170)
No. SMN-81/CC-9.
ii. PRL-946. Period II (NBP), 1940±120

Charcoal from layer 32, (AD 10)
Sample No. SMN-91/CC-17.
146
RADIOCARBON DATES
5. KOLAHOI GLACIER
PRL-1122.Wood 840±90
Wood protruding from till, (AD 1110)
Sample No. Kolahoi 4.
MADHYA PRADESH
6. KAKRAHTA, DISTRICT JABALPUR
i. PRL-1054. Maurya-Sunga, Charcoal 2380±120

from Trench KRT-I, Layer 11, depth (430 BC)
2.33 m below surface. Sample No. 15.
ii. PRL-1051. Maurya-Sunga, Charcoal

from Trench KRT-1, Layer 10, depth 2950±120
1.96 m below surface. Sample No. 9 (1000 BC)
MEGHALAYA
7. MENDIPATHAR, DISTRICT EAST GARO HILLS
i. PRL-1027. Prehistoric earthquake

Dry wood from 3-30 m, depth below surface
Sample No. 4.1. 1110±100
(AD 840)
PUNJAB
8. SANGHOL, DISTRICT LUDHIANA
i. PRL-1269. Early Kushana Level, 2130±140

Charcoal from Trench BX-1, (180 BC)
Layer 24, depth 5.45 m. Sample
No. SGL/CC-4
ii. PRL-127-1. Kushana period, 1600±120

Charcoal from Trench BX-1, (AD 350)
Layer 20, depth 4.70-m. Sample
No. SGL/CC-6.
147
iii. PRL-1274. Kushana period, 2570±110

Charcoal from Trench D-3, (620 BC)
Layer 15, depth 2-14 m.
Sample No. SGL/CC-9.
iv. PRL-1277. Kushana period, 2310+120

Charcoal from Trench XB2 360 BC)
Layer 8, depth 3.45 m.
Sample No. SGL/CC-13.
RAJASTHAN
9. ZAWAR MALA MINE, DISTRICT UDAIPUR
i. PRL-934. Ancient Mining, 750±130

Charcoal from old working, (AD 1200)
reduced level 540 m. Sample
No. ZM/7.
TAMIL NADU
10. VALLAM, DISTRICT THANJAVUR
PRL-1111. Black-and-Red Ware, 2420±120

Charcoal from Trench VIM-1, Layer (470 BC)
9, depth 2.10—2.15 m. Sample
No. 6.
ii. PRL-1110. Black-and-Red Ware, 2920±140

Charcoal from Trench VLM-1, Layer (970 BC)
9, depth 2.0 m below surface, Sample
No. 5.
iii. PRL-1109. Black-and-Red Ware, 2980±l10

Charcoal from Trench VLM-1, Layer (1030 BC)
No.4.
iv. PRL-1108. Early historic period, 1340±100

Charcoal from Trench VLM-1, Layer (AD 610)
No. 3:
148
RADIOCARBON DATES
11. ALAGANKULAM, DISTRICT RAMANATHAPURAM
i. PRL-1296.Period-II, 2150±110
Charcoal from Trench AGM-2, Layer (200 BC)
2, depth 1.40 m below surface. Sample
No. 1.
ii. PRL-1297. Period-II, 2210±110

No. 2.
iii. PRL-1298. Period-II, 2310±130

No. 3.
iv. PRL-1299. Period-III, 2330±110

No. 4.
149
VI. PALAEOBOTANICAL AND POLLEN ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATIONS1
KARNATAKA
1. HALLUR, DISTRICT DHARWAR.—Palaeobotanical investigations on the plant remains recovered

during 1976 season’s excavations at Hallur brought to light six wild and cultivated plant species from
transitional levels between neolithic and megalithic cultures. The plant species include rice (Oryza
sativa Linn.), lablab bean (Dolichos lablab Linn.), horse gram (Dolichos biflorus Linn.), black gram
Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcrek, and Indian jujube (Zizyphus cf.
jujuba Lamk.). The plant remains are dated to 1000 BC on ceramic grounds.
MAHARASHTRA
2. MAHURZARI AND RAIPUR, DISTRICT NAGPUR.—Pollen analysis of eight samples occurring in

association with copper objects recovered during the course of excavation at the megalithic site of
Mahurzari and Raipur were studied with a view to assess the supposed role of copper salts in the
preservation of pollen and spores. In all the samples, fungal spores were predominantly found
whereas there is near absence of pollen. Besides microfossils, all the samples were analyzed for
determining the percentage of copper salts. Soil samples adhering to the copper objects contain 0.2
to 6.5 percent copper and the control samples from the stone circles (but not adhering to the copper
objects) contain 0.023 to 0.027 percent copper.
In view of the antifungal and anti-bacterial property of copper salts (especially copper sulphate),
one would expect better preservation of the microfossils in the soil samples adhering to the copper
objects. Interestingly, it was observed that the microfossils, especially pollen are absent in the
samples. Analysis of pollen was made irrespective of whether they were adhering to the copper
objects or not. This seems to be due to the fact that the soil samples had probably become deficient in
pollen before coming into contact with the copper objects.
UTTAR PRADESH
3. LAL QILA, DISTRICT BULANDSHAHAR.—The plant remains recovered during the course of
excavation at Lal Qila were analyzed. The investigation revealed the presence of barley (Hordeum-
vulgara Linn.), husk of rice (Oryza cf. sativa Linn.), wheat (Triticum cf. sphaerococcumers and
Triticum of. aestivum Linn.), cucurbitaceous seed, broken portion of a seed coat and indeterminate
seed.
1
Contributed by: 1-4 and 7, M.D. Kajale and B.C.Deotare of the Deccan College, Postgraduate and Research
Institute, Pune; and 5-6, K.S. Saraswat, D.C. Saini, N.K. Sharma and Chanchala of the Birbal Sahni Institute of
Palacobotany, Lucknow.
150
PALAEOBOTANICAL AND POLLEN ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATIONS
4. ATRANJIKHERA, DISTRICT ETAH.—The samples from Atranjikhera revealed the presence of rice
husk (Oryza cf. Sativa Linn.) from Kushana to post-Kushana levels and two pieces of uncarbonized
weed seeds (tentatively diagnosed as Tribulus sp.) from the Kushana to post-Kushana levels.
5. NARHAN, DISTRICT GORAKHPUR.—Analytical studies of the plant remains from Narhan (26° 19'
N; 83° 24' E) have added considerable information on the past crop economy and the vegetation
growing around the site during 1000-200 BC.
The plant remains collected from different cultural horizons at Narhan are as under:
A. PERIOD I (BLACK & RED WARE PHASE : 1000 - 800 BC):

(i) Crops : Rice (Oryza sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum sphaerococcum, T.
aestivum and T. compactum), kodon-millet (Paspaluni scrobiculatum), pearl-millet or bajra
(Pennisetum typhoides), chick-pea or gram (Cicer arietinum), common-pea (Pisum sativum
var. arvense), green-gram or mung (Vigna radiata), horse-gram (Dolichos biflorus), grass-pea
(Lathyrus sativus), lentil oxmasoor (Lens culinaris), aconitebean or moth (Vigna-aconitifolia),
field-Brassica (Brassica juncea), sesame or til (Sesamum indicum) and lin- seed or flax
(Linum usitatissimum).
(ii) Weeds & wild seeds : Fimbristylis tetragona, F. dichotoma, F. tenuicula, Rhynchospora
liookeri, Cyperus sp., Eleocharis sp., Dactyloctenium aegyptium.Andropogon sp., Pancium
sp., Cenchrus ciliaris, Poa sp., Echinochloa crusgalli, Polygonum barbatum, Rumex
detatus, Lolium, temidentum, Amaranthus sp., Chenopodiwn album, Cucumis sp., Trianthema
portulacastrum, Ipomoea pestigridis, Oldenlandia dichotoma, Argemone mexicana,
Rhynchosia minima, Trigonella occulta, Vicia sativa, lndigofera sp., Desmodium sp.,
Lathy rus aphaca, Cleome viscosa, Sida sp., Malvestrum Coromandelianum and Commelina
benghalensis.
(iii) Edible fruits: Jujube or ber (Zizyphus nummularia), grape, possibly raisin or currants (Vitis
vinifera), date (Phoenix dactylifera) and jack-fruit or katahal (Artocarpus heterophyllus).
(iv) Fibre : ramie (Boehmeria nivea) used for fishing thread.
(vi) Wood Charcoals: Dhak (Butea monosperma), karanj (Derris indica), dhera (Diospyros
montana), mahua (Madhuca indica), mango (Mangifera indica), babul or khair (Acacia sp.),
mulberry or shahtoot (Morus alba), holy basil or tulasi (Ocimum cf. Sanctum), arni or
Ganiyari (Premna mucronata), sal (Shorea robusta), kuchla (Strychnos nux-vomica), imli
(Tamarindus indica), Jhau (Tamarix dioica), teak or sagaun (Tectona grandis), siris (Albizia
lebbeck/A. procera), gurch or giloi (Tinospora cordifolia) and bamboo.
B. PERIOD II (BLACK-SLIPPED WARE PHASE : 800 - 600 BC):
(i) Crops: Among the carbonized grains rice, barley, field-pea and green-gram were of the
same kind as found from Period I. However, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a new find
from this phase.
151

Indian Archaeology 1987-88 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Indian Archaeology 1987-88 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Indian Archaeology 1987-88 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1987-88

PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL

Price :Rs. 250.00

I. Explorations and Excavations ........................................................................................................... 1

XII. Archaeological Gardens .......................................................................................................... 227

1. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ADILABAD.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums of the

2. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ANANTAPUR.—About 1800 villages were surveyed in the district by

3. EXCAVATIONS AT MALLIPADU, DISTRICT GUNTUR.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums,

4. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT GUNTUR.—D. Hanumantha Rao of the Hyderabad Circle of the

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Guntur Mallavaram Early historical

5. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KARIMNAGAR.—Detailed taphonomical and morphological study of

6. EXCAVATION AT NELAKONDAPALU, DISTRICT KHAMMAM.—With a view to exposing completely the

7. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KHAMMAM.—Explorations conducted by the Department of Archae-

8. EXCAVATION AT TAKKELAPADU, DISTRICT KRISHNA.—The Department of Archaeology and Muse-

9. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT KRISHNA.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Andhra

10. EXPLORATIONS IN DISTRICT MAHBUBNAGAR.—A survey of four villages, Garlapalle, Ujjili,

16. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS NELLORE AND SRIKAKULAM.—The Department of Archaeology and

17. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT PRAKASAM.—In the course of village-to-village survey, P. Sitarama

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Kanigiri Ambavaram Early historical pottery (late phase) and

19. EXCAVATIONS AT THOTLAKONDA, DISTRICT VISHAKHAPATNAM.—Excavations at Thotlakonda by

20. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT VISHAKHAPATNAM.—In the course of exploration, D. Hanumantha

22. EXCAVATION AT AMBARI, DISTRICT GUWAHATI.—In continuation to the earlier excavations

23. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BHAGALPUR.—In the course of village-to-village survey, K.P.

28. EXCAVATION AT RAJMAHAL, JHIMJHIMIA-KALISTHAN, DISTRICT SAHEBGANJ.—Under the general

District Taluk Village

Bharuch Nandod Jior

31. EXCAVATION AT SHIKARPUR (VALMIYO TIMBO), DISTRICT KUTCH.—Excavations were taken up by

33. EXPLORATIONS IN DISTRICTS MAHESANA AND VADODARA.—The Department of Archaeology of

35. EXCAVATIONS AT KUNTASI, DISTRICT RAJKOT.—Excavations at Kuntasi in Maliya Taluk were

Taluk Site/Villages Nature of remains

Nizar Adad Medieval habitation mound

37. EXCAVATION AT NAGWADA, DISTRICT SURENDRANAGAR.—In continuation of previous season’s

38. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS BHIWANI AND HISSAR.—The Indo-French Archaeological Expedition

The sequence of cultures is now as follows :

Village/site Nature of remains

Atah Siva temple

42. EXCAVATIONS AT THANESAR, DISTRICT KURUKSHETRA.—With a view to imparting field training to

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Mande (Haveli) Chak Katro Early and late medieval pottery

Taluk VillagelSite Nature of remains

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Kalakot Deolian (Bhandar) Late medieval fortress, tank and baoli

46. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT BELLARY.—During the course of village-to-village survey, W.V.S.

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Sandur Anthapura Siva temple (circa seventeenth century),

K. Veerabhadra Rao, HanumanthappaTelagu, M. Loganathan, T.P. Balakrishna Unnithan, J. Ranganath

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Mulbagal Avani Habitation mound (100m x 50 m) with

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Mulbagal Balla Inscribed hero-stones Ruined

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Shikaripur Agrahara Sculptures of Later Chalukyan style

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains

Shikaripur Bisalahalli Inscribed hero-stones (twelfth century)

Taluk Village/Site Nature of remains