indian archaeology

317 Pages·2016·43.72 MB·English

INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY

2011-12 – A REVIEW
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 2011-12
- A REVIEW

Chief Editor

Dr. Rakesh Tewari
DIRECTOR GENERAL

Editors

Dr. D.N. Dimri Dr.Sangeeta Chakraborty
DIRECTOR (PUBLICATIONS) ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDING ARCHAEOLOGIST

PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
JANPATH, NEW DELHI-110011

2016
Illustrations

Front Back

Picture 1 Picture 1
Picture 4

Picture 2

Picture 5

Picture 3

Front Cover: 1 and 2, General view of the Citadel along with a well, Khirsara, Gujarat, 3,
Inscribed stone slab, Bayana Fort, Rajasthan, 4 and 5, Krishna chandraji Temple, Kalna,
West Bengal, during and after chemical preservation

Back Cover: Bust of the Buddha (obverse and reverse sides) from Excavation at
Uppugunduru, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh.

©
2016
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Price :`......../-

Printed at:........................................................

CONTENTS

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

Andhra Pradesh, 1; Arunachal Pradesh, 2; Bihar, 4;
Gujarat, 5; Haryana, 25; Jharkhand, 27; Kerala, 31;
Madhya Pradesh, 37; Maharashtra, 43; Manipur, 56;
Mizoram, 60; Odisha, 66; Punjab, 72; Rajasthan, 81;
Tamilnadu, 83; Uttarakhand, 84; Uttar Pradesh, 89;
West Bengal, 105

II. Epigraphy ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. …… 121

Sanskritic and Dravidic Inscriptions, 121
Andhra Pradesh, 121; Karnataka, 121; Odisha, 124;
Tamilnadu, 124; Uttar Pradesh, 128
Arabic and Persian Inscriptions, 132; Gujarat, 132;
Rajasthan, 132; Uttar Pradesh, 133

III. Palaeobotanical and Pollen Analytical Investigations …… …… ……. 136
Uttar Pradesh, 136

IV. Other Important Discoveries ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. 137
Karnataka, 137; Rajasthan, 137; Uttara Khand, 137

V. Museums …… …… ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. …….. 139

VI. Architectural Survey ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. ……. …….. 142

Temple Survey, Northern Region, 142

VII. Preservation of Monuments ...…. …… ……. ……. …… ……. 147

Monuments of National Importance, 147
Bangalore Circle, 147; Bhopal Circle, 148;
Bhubaneshwar Circle, 153; Chandigarh Circle, 155;
Chennai Circle, 166; Dehradun Circle, 168;
Delhi Circle, 169; Dharwar Circle, 173; Goa Circle, 177;

Guwahati Circle, 177; Hyderabad Circle, 187;
Jaipur Circle, 195; Kolkata Circle, 196;
Mumbai Circle, 209; Raipur Circle, 223;
Srinagar Circle, 234; Thrissur Circle, 240;
Vadodara Circle, 245

VIII. Archaeological Chemistry ...…. …… ……. ……. …… ……. 257

Treatment of Monuments and Paintings…257
Andhra Pradesh, 257; Assam, 259; Bihar, 260; Delhi, 260;
Goa, 264; Gujarat, 264; Haryana, 265; Himachal Pradesh, 266;
Karnataka, 267; Kerala, 268; Madhya Pradesh, 270; Maharashtra, 278;
Odisha, 280; Punjab, 281; Rajasthan, 282; Tamilnadu 283;
Uttara Khand, 285; Uttar Pradesh, 286; West Bengal, 287

Treatment of Excavated Objects and Museum Exhibits, 288
Monitoring of Air Pollution, 288; Research and Analysis, 295

IX. Archaeological Gardens ……...…. …… ……. ……. …… ……. ……. 296

X. Publications …..… …...…. …… ……. ……. …… ……. ……. 309

Publications of the Survey, 309
Other Publications, 309
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 2011-12 – A REVIEW

1. EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS

one inner and another outer walls. The
ANDHRA PRADESH
thickness of the extant outer wall measures

about 16m, while the inner one is 8m thick,
1. EXCAVATION AT UPPUGUNDURU, DISTRICT
with floor space, measuring between 1.8 to
PRAKASAM
2.1m.
The Hyderabad Circle, of the Archaeological The western end of this structure is highly
Survey of India1, under the direction of disturbed and brought to light a brick wall
R.Krishnaiah, assisted by D.Kannababu, Ch. belonging to the Early Historic times. A row of
Babji Rao, T. Chenchu Ratnam, A.Suresh, three in situ fragmented storage vessels were
V.Kanaka Raju, N.Subba Rao, Ch. Vijayanand, encountered here.
P.Srinivas, Gopala Rao, carried out scientific To its south, lime plastered dual brick tanks,
clearance-cum-excavation work at the measuring approximately 1.25m x 1.05m and
disturbed ancient mound Uppugunduru 0.7m x 0.94m with 0.30m wall thickness, have
(15040’48”;80012’25”) in the revenue limits of been unearthed. The former tank has 1.18m
Chinaganjam, with a view to expose the depth, whereas the latter shows 0.75m depth.
Buddhist Establishment, which was thoroughly Its south-western portion is damaged, hitherto,
damaged due to agricultural activities and it is the most intact structure exposed at the
vandalism, as the mound is under private site.
ownership. Segment of a lime plastered brick drain,
The exposition work started after the removal measuring about 2.4m in length and 0.28m in
of rank vegetation, uncovered the remains of a base thickness, has also been exposed. Its total
large monastic complex, mainly concentrated length could not be ascertained, as its, western
in the northern part of the mound. Traces of extent is lost.
two parallel walls, running in east-west
orientation, having approximately 2m thickness The probe has also traced out a rectangular
on the northern side and connected by 2m x 1m structure; approximately measuring 10m x 8m,
wall, at irregular intervals, which are mostly having 2m thick wall on the southern side and
missing or robbed, evidently suggest that these nearly 0.50m thick on the northern side, within
remains were part of a northern row of it, a pair of two walls in the north- south
monastic cells, constructed of lime stone orientation, has also been exposed. It is lined
rubble. The irregular evidences of exposed parallel to the main walls on the east and the
structural remains revealed that the east-west western sides. The north- eastern and south-
oriented wall had about 22m length (could be western part of the wall got either missing or
an enclosure wall) and further supported by damaged.

1

1. Archaeological Survey of India is referred to in the following pages as the ‘Survey’ only.
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 2011-2012 – A REVIEW

In addition, important structural remnants of assisted by Kh. Menaka, Jitumani Das and
rubble stone votive stupa with six courses Nabajit Deori, conducted archaeological

measuring about 3.6m in height have also been explorations in the Tawang and West Kameng

unfolded in course of the clearance work. Districts and brought to light the following

Thus, the exposed and available structural archaeological sites:

remains that came up through the exposition The site Zemithang, District Tawang

work are partial and devoid of any complete (27°41’.894”; 91°42’.929”) is located about 94

shape, and as a result, the nature of construction km north of the Tawang District Headquarters,

co uld not be established. where a Buddhist Stupa of larger dimension,

Ho wever, the ceramic assemblage surfaced locally known as Gorsam Chorten was noticed,

fro m the site is predominantly red ware and the which is believed to have been constructed by a

sh apes met with include vase, storage jar, local Monpa Monk, named Lama Pardar,

ha ndi, basin, bowl, lid, sprinkler, lota, finial and imitating the model of thirteenth century
earthen lamp of the Early Historic period in Bodhinath Stupa of Nepal.

medium to coarse fabric. Apart from plain

variety, incised and appliqué decorated pottery The Gorsam or Gorcham Chorten remained the

has also been found during the exposition work. largest among all the stupas of north eastern India

and attained a height of 27m from the ground

The other important finds include fragmentary level. It is constructed of dressed stone with a lime

limestone bust of the Buddha, few sculptural plaster and consisted of a large cylindrical dome
fra gments, beads and coins. Altogether, five (measuring about 16 m in diameter and 49.5m
co ins (four lead and one copper) are reported circumferences), stand ing on a four terraced drum
fro m the surface collection and single lead coin or medhi. On the lower most terraces, four
is retrieved from the clearance work. Besides, miniature stupas are raised on the four corners.
on e stone celt, a stone disc and shell fragments The base of the medh i is square on plan and each
we re collected from the surface as well as from side measures 43.2m in length, the lower
the exposition work. Couples of tiny limestone circumambulatory path is enclosed by a holy
fra gments, containing Brahmi scripts of wheel vedika. The stupa can be entered from the
Sa tavahana and Ikshvaku Periods, akin to four cardinal directions.

Nagarjunakonda palaeography, remained the

added significant discoveries. A numbers of images of various Buddhist deities

have been placed around the lower part of the

anda (dome) in the niches. The dome can be

ARUNACHAL PRADESH reached through a flight of steps having

ornamental railing in all directions. There is a
2. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS TAWANG AND WEST circumambulation path, paved around the giant

KAMENG
Chorten. The dome is surmounted by a square

A team from the Guwahati Circle, of the harmika with a spire of thirteen tiers in a

S urvey, in collaboration with the Directorate of pyramidal order, and topped by a chamber which
R esearch, Government of Arunachal Pradesh is covered with glass panes, making a

under the guidance of S.S Gupta of the Survey, chhatravali.
2
EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS

PLATE 1

A B

C

A, Zemithang: rock engraving of the Buddha; B-C, Tak Tsang: cupmarks and rock engraving.

3
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 2011-2012 – A REVIEW

On the outskirts of Zemithang, along the road Below the figure, an inscription is carved in

leading to Lumla, a Buddha figure engraved Bhoti script, adorating Lord Buddha. Few

within a circle, on a fallen rock, is noticed patches in blue and green colours are noticed

(Pl.1A). He is shown seated on a lotus pedestal, around the Buddha figure, which appears to be of

w earing a drapery. His right hand is in later addition.
b humisparsamudra, whereas the left one is
k ept on the lap, probably holding a bowl and Shergao n, lies at an altitude of nearly 1828m
t wo male devotees are carved on either side of above the MSL, is a small township of West
t he central image, near the pedestal. His head is Kameng District, located around 60km west of

marked with elongated ear lobes, curly hairs Bomdila, near the River Valley of Dibblo. On the

and usanisa on top and a halo is carved behind bank of the river, twelve numbers of well-

the head.Below the figure, an inscription of one dressed limestone menhirs have been reported

l ine (in Bhoti script) is found which appears to placed at a distance of 1m to 5m from each other.
b e in veneration of Lord Buddha. These menhirs measure from 1.65m to 0.47m in
A bout 50km west of Tawang District length, 0.53m to 0.18m in width and 0.17m to
H eadquarters, another site named Tak Tsang, 0.2m in thickness. All the menhirs are
i n the same district, is noticed at an altitude of rectangular with truncated top and raised upright;

nearly 3657m above the mean sea level (MSL). sometimes they are noticed inclining towards the

It is well-known for the seventh century built left.

monastery called Tak Tsang Gompha or Tiger

In the same cluster, a Mane, (a miniature
C ave, where Guru Padmasambhaba is believed
religious hut) closed from outside, is raised over
t o have performed meditation. The area around
T ak Tsang Cave yielded archaeological a platform, the podium measures about 0.62m in
height, 1.52m in width and 4.13m in length.
remains. At Tak Tsang Gompha, an outcrop,
Made of limestone slab, the Mane, having a
appears to be an elephant’s head, is exposed on

wagon vaulted roof, is rectangular in plan and
the slope of the hill, leading to Tak Tsang Chu

measures about 3.5 m in length, 1.64 m in height
and depicts fifty numbers of cupmarks or

and 1.3m in width. The walls of the hut (Mane)
c upules (Pl.1B) in eleven rows, running from
are found veneered with inscribed stone slabs in
l eft to right, measuring about 5.20m in length,
Bhoti scripts.
0 .5m to 0.15m in width and 0.3m to 0.15m in
d epth. Each row has three to seven
BIHAR

cupmarks.There are no corroborative evidences

in assigning their age, but these cupmarks or
3. EXPLORATION IN PATNA, DISTRICT PATNA
cupules are believed to be an ancient sign of

human activities.
The Excavation Branch III, Patna, of the Survey,
O n a cliff of rock, at Tak Tsang, a Buddha
under the direction of Arvin Manjul, assisted by
f igure is carved seated on a lotus pedestal, in
J.K.Tiwari, Ashish Kumar, Neetesh Saxena,
m editation posture, with a halo behind the head
D.Kumar, O. P. Pandey discovered the following
( Pl.1C). The whole figure is engraved within a
antiquarian remains at different locations:
circle and measures nearly 0.50m in length,

4 0.30m and 0.30m in width.