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PaulYule/Wolfgang Böhler
Sisupalgarh:An Early Historic Fortress in Coastal Orissa and its Cousins1
Summary state was pitifully small. Entire archaeo-
logical periods were unrepresented or
Renowned in the context ofAshokan In- documented in such a way, often in mere site
dia (4th century BCE), Sisupalgarh, the lists, that the character of a given site or
largest early historic fortress in the east- period remained hopelessly intangible.Woe-
ern part of the Subcontinent (with excep- fully lacking were maps, plans, and photos of
tion of Pataliputra, present-day Patna), any kind. But in an age of the GPS (Global
plays a role in virtually all discussions a- Positioning System) and advanced surveying
bout this period. Its symmetrical plan and techniques, such weaknesses readily can be
great size (130ha, 1190m x 1150m mea- remedied.
sured at the top of the glacis) reveal an Carried out long ago in 1948 and briefly
architectural ideal for its day. SouthAsia the following year, the excavation of Sisupal-
experts usually discuss it as an example garh was to remedy partially the undeveloped
of defensive early historic architecture, state of archaeology in eastern India. Its ex-
largely omitting any relation to predeces- cavator, B.B. Lal, was strongly influenced and
sors, relatives, or successors. Recent re- supported by Sir MortimerWheeler, as the
search conducted by a team from the Uni- excavation report bespeaks in its form, style,
versity of Kiel, Utkal University in Bhu- thoroughness, and simple excellence.The ex-
baneshwar and the University ofApplied cavation report remains for all purposes the
Sciences in Mainz has rekindled the re- first mention and treatment of the site.
search largely of the 1940s, revealing the
uniqueness of iuplgarh and its role in the
eastern part of the India.To our know-
ledge this is the first application of this
kind of scanning in the archaeology of the
Subcontinent.
Introduction
Without a doubt, the eastern coastal Oris-
sa is the economic, historic and cultural
centre of the region especially vis à vis
the interior. But was this always so, or
was it a development from the medieval
period onward?Ateam centred at the
University of Kiel challenged the per-
ceived subaltern role attributed to west-
ern Orissa from the iron age into early
medieval history by virtue of a series of
1Agrant from the German Research Society (SPP1066) made this
attributes such as the distribution and size
study possible. Project patron was H. Kulke of the University of
of early historic fortifications (Fig. 1). De- Kiel.We thank M. Brandtner for information at various points.The
authors also should like to thank B.K. Rath, director of the Orissa
spite Orissa's broad area (two thirds that
StateArchaeology, for his support over the years.Avote of thanks
of present-day Germany), until recently goes to theArchaeological Survey of India and the StateArchaeol-
ogy Orissa for their help. Published in Beiträge zur allgemeinen und
the number of archaeological sites in this
vergleichendenArchäologie 24, 2004, 15-29.
16 Paul Yule/Wolfgang Böhler
Fig. 1. Early historic ruined forts in Orissa.
Early Historic Forts in Orissa
all its merit, given the fewness of SouthAsian
archaeologists and indologists with a
In fact, Sisupalgarh (Fig. 2) devolved from
reading knowledge of German, this study
a long line of defensive architecture which
went on essentially unheeded.
archaeologists have only begun to trace
While at first glance, the Sisupalgarh fort-
back, and none too soon as Indias archae-
ress seems the only one of importance in the
ological monuments come under increas-
area, in fact it is by no means unique. Its
ing pressure by an ever-expanding popula-
slightly smaller relative at Jaugada (ancient
tion. In the face of attrition, the question
Samapa) in the Ganjam District, some 170 km
arises about local rights, duties, and real
possibilities with regard to "their" cultural
property. In the late 1960s an excellent
study attempted the contexting of Sisupal-
2 D. Schlingloff 1967; idem 1970. F.R.Allchin 1995, 222-273. Even
garh with contemporary settlements and here one reads disconcertedly that regarding early historic fortifica-
tions, "...but so far no comparative study has been made of them" (p.
fortificatory architecture, as well as with
223.).
reference to relevant ancient texts. But for
Sisupalgarh:An Early Historic Fortress in Coastal Orissa and its Cousins 17
2237500
C
A
B
2237000
D
2236500
2236000
379500 380000 380500 391000
AHabitationArea, SPI
BTrench through rampart, SPII
C Excavated gateway, SPIV
D Site of monolithic columns
Fig. 2. Plan of Sisupalgarh fortress, Dist. Kurda (after Lal 1949 +
GPS data, 2003,University of Kiel Expedition; UTM 45Q 380251e,
2236983n (20°13’57”N; 85°50’56.6”E)
18 Paul Yule/Wolfgang Böhler
Fig. 3. Plan of Jaugada/Samapa fortress (GPS-assisted plan: D. Modarressi,T.
Rosarius, P.Yule; University of Kiel Expedition, 2002-2003; UTM 45Q
0272181E/2160244N).
Sisupalgarh:An Early Historic Fortress in Coastal Orissa and its Cousins 19
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60m
8 outside inside
5 Jgd. prof.
north rampart
Bdm prof. 1 Spg prof. Rdn. prof. 2
north-east rampart west rampart north-north-west rampart
0m
Fig. 4. Profiles of the Jaugada, Sisupalgarh, Radhanagar, and Badmal glacis superimposed on
each other.
to the south-west, is noted for its version ment was not intended for this kind of mea-
ofAshokas rock edicts. On inscriptional suring, but gives a surprisingly good two-
and archaeological grounds, the two seem dimensional plan at least of large fortifica-
to have developed at about the same time. tions.The vertical data are of no real use in
The similarity between the plan of Sisu- such magnitudes. Since the gates are smaller
palgarh and that of Jaugada (80 ha, 900m and more complicated, here we took a reading
x 1050m, exterior) is such that they are every 3m. Jaugadas preservation is best on its
indistinguishable, except to the trained eye west side and worst on the now inhabited
(Fig. 3). Similar are the quadrangular south-eastern and eastern sides. Remains of
shape, two entrances on each of the four the antique moat are still visible in spots out-
glacis, and their orientation, tipped a little side the glacis.Those of the eight gates still
clockwise of north.The profiles of the gla- exist to varying degrees.Aside from theASI’s
cis resemble each other in their preserved protective building around theAshokan rock
form, the higher interior than exterior, and inscription, no other preservation measures
their similarity in size (Fig. 4). But, as pre- took place. In 1956 the glacis reportedly mea-
served, the glacis at Jaugada are broader sured 23m x 4.75m extant maximal width to
and flatter. height (Fig. 4). Recent measurements exceed
To illuminate the history of early his- these figures with a maximum of 45m x 6m
toric fortifications we turn to Jaugada, on the surface, naturally in its weathered and
where in the 19th century J.D. Beglar des- eroded state. Originally, the glacis was both
cribed the rampart, moat, towers which all narrower and higher than today; its size being
were still clearly visible. Debala Mitra ex- a matter of interpretation.
cavated certain points there in 1956 for the Some 50 km north-east of Bhubaneshwar
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 3. in the Jajpur Dist. lies a third contemporary
Without drawings, these descriptions of ruined rampart (80ha, 780m x 1040m) of
the site are difficult to comprehend let which Radanagarh village occupies the north-
alone visualize. Her now collapsed trench
appears to have lain east of the eastern
gate in the northern glacis.While about
4 J.D. Beglar 1882 [1970] 112. Excavation report: D. Mitra 1957,
40% of the quadrangular rampart are ob- 30-31, pls.40-44.
literated, with careful study they are still
5 We thank B.K. Rath and H. von Stietencron for this oral informa-
discernable. Farmers have planed off the tion. Regarding this site see also J. Mishra 2000, 507-550, also for
further sources.
rampart, turning much of it into a thresh-
ing surface for their main crop: rice.To
map this slowly disappearing site and oth-
ers like it, we paced the inner and outer
perimeter of the glacis three times, taking
a readings with a hand-held GPS on its
height and width every 30m.This instru-
20 Paul Yule/Wolfgang Böhler
entrance ?
entrance ?
profile 2
profile 1
2294500
profile 3
village
2294000
entrance ?
road
reconstructed
proven
water
414000 414500 415000
Fig. 5. Plan of Radhanagarh Early Historic fortress,Dist. Jajpur(GPS-assisted plan:
M. Blumenroth, D. Modarressi,T. Rosarius, P.Yule; University of Kiel Expedition,
2002-2003; UTM 45Q 414050E/2294950N;22°44’50”n; 86°10’39”).
Sisupalgarh:An Early Historic Fortress in Coastal Orissa and its Cousins 21
Fig. 6. Plan of Badmal fort (GPS-assisted plan: P. Behera, M. Blumenroth,T. Rosarius, P.Yule; University of Kiel,
2002; UTM 44Q 194586E/ 2336718N).
western corner (Fig. 5). K.S. Behera, prior
Turning to the north-west, in mid 2002 P.K.
to retirement from the Utkal University,
Behera of the Sambalpur University discov-
was the first to mention this site publicly,
ered yet another fort at Badmal (4 ha, 180m x
in the local newspaper in the mid 1980s 4.
220m) in the Sambalpur Dist. and made three
The irregular ground plan differs from
small trenches near the glacis (Fig. 6). On the
that of Mauryan Jaugada. Unfortunately,
basis of radiocarbon and the pottery from
its south-west corner is completely des-
these trenches, which are under study, the site
troyed. Despite the erosion of the glacis,
was first built in the iron age and continued in
in the north they still stand prominantly.
use into the early historic period 5, making it
Unusual is that the interior and exterior
the earliest known fort of its type. Badmals
of the glacis are of nearly the same
four fenestrated sides, were strengthened by a
height.Till now, this large fortified settle-
ment has hardly been discussed in the
context of early historic building founda- 5 Radiocarbon calibrated assays:
1 Badmal trench BDMII Stratum -125cm b.s.
tions. Diagnostic finds suggest a dating in ó1 standard deviation 799-766BCE KIA20153
the 1stcenturies BCE/CE, postdating that 2 Badmal trench BDMII Stratum -115cm b.s.
ó1 standard deviation 799-766BCE KIA20154
for the main building phases in Sisupal- 3 Badmal trench BDMII Stratum -50cm b.s.
ó1 standard deviation 640-588BCE KIA20155
garh and Jaugada. But within 6 km of the
The stratigraphy between the glacis and the trenches will be investi-
site at Languri lies a largeAshokan stupa gated in the near future. Organic material that came into being be-
tween 750 and 400 cal BC accumulates usually the same 14C content.
which suggests a possible importance for
Adating 750-400 BCE is possible. Our first two determinations pre-
the site en grosduring the Mauryan Period. date this and require further study.
22 Paul Yule/Wolfgang Böhler
Fig. 7. Plan of Kharligarh fortress, Dist. Balangir (GPS-assisted plan; P.Yule; UTM 45Q 764600E/2264500N).
flanking defensive trench, best visible on Thus, there seem to be two main early
the western side.Typically with such early historic fort types in India: those formed
forts, the interior is elevated relative to the in river meanders (Kharligarh, Jamsara-
exterior (Fig. 4). P.K. Behera proposes a garh) as well as anthropogenic ones quad-
dating from the 2 n d century BCE to the 4th ratic in plan.Those of Kharligarh type,
century CE for Badmal on the strength of date to different points in early historic
surface finds and those from test trenches. India. Badmal, which represents the earl-
In 2000 and 2001 by means of photos iest of the second type, dates well into the
and GPS-plots we began the mapping of iron age by virtue of carbon dating. Others
the little-known 600+m long, 28ha Kharli- include Narla/Asurgarh, Sisupalgarh, Jau-
garh fort in Dist. Balangir, which in fact gada, and Mahasthan (Bangladesh). Radh-
turns out to be the largest early historic fort- anagar belongs in a class of its own.
ress known in western Orissa (Fig. 7). But
for this, it is typical in SouthAsia at this
time in its heavy reliance on the topography
(the terrain and river) for defensive pur-
poses, such as neighbouringVidi (Besna-
gar, Madhya Pradesh).
Sisupalgarh:An Early Historic Fortress in Coastal Orissa and its Cousins 23
Sisupalgarh the Fortress an ones built from the 16th century onward,
In light of the foregoing research, one may seems a most unlikely form.Today the bor-
turn in greater detail to Sisupalgarh, which ders of fields especially on the north-western
illuminates and is illuminated by contem- and north-eastern corners parallel the ancient
porary forts.While most writers address glacis. Several of the borders of the plots
the symmetry of the eight city gates, closer may be fossils reflecting the positions of the
scrutiny reveals differences in their indiv- moats.The interior was not densely inhabit-
idual size, shape, and details of construc- ed, but rather it also was possible to culti-
tion.The western gate of the northern gla- vate, graze and carry out functions in a low-
cis appears to be the largest of all. But as population environment.
year for year the encroaching rice paddies Aside from the moat, other features are
increase in size, it and the other gates so lacking in the context, as known from the
decrease in size.Anewly measured plan of original excavation report, which certainly
the excavated gate in the western glacis existed, including galleries, merlons, towers,
shows the fortifications to be somewhat a- and/or uppermost fortifications, which can
symmetrical in plan. be simulated with the help of a computer.At
The moat was certainly not the present- its historic apex, the city defenses measured
day Gangua Nala in its present form.This some 35m width and 16m in height.Two
strands of information illuminate the ques-
stream meanders around Sisupalgarh, and
tion of the reliability of the simulation: First,
anciently fed as well as drained the moat.
other excavated early historic forts and se-
For a moat to be an effective defense, it
condly, theArthastra as the main textual
should be simple and afford attackers no
source.The size and shape of the glacis of
protection from defending archers.Turning
Sisiupalgarh have been compared to other
to a handbook for administrators, the origi-
early historic fortifications in India, whereby
nal version of which was written in the 4th
presumably also widespread is a stone wall
century BCE, theArthashastra, a chapter on
without a glacis, as at Rajagrha6 . Moreover, re-
fortificatory architecture prescribed triple
garding the original appearance of the forti-
defensive trenchs should measure 25.20m,
fications, we must consider the oft-cited des-
21.60m and 18.00m (= together 64.8m),
cription of Megasthenes, ambassador of Sel-
not archaeologically verifiable for early
eukos Nicator, in reference to the wooden
historic SouthAsia fortifications. Further-
fortifications of Pataliputra (present-day Pat-
more, their depth should come to between
na), once the largest city in the world, which
1/2 and 3/4 of the breadth.The moats are to
were excavated in the early 20th century.This
be lined with gravel or bricks.They are to
certainly contradicts the ban on wood for
be fed from (spring-)water, or are to be
fortifications suggested in theArthashastra.
filled and drained with water from a river.
Conceivably wood was used for the upper
Lotus and crocodiles give the final touch.
part of the fortification.
Again theArthastra, the earth displaced
The excavations at Sisupalgarh included
from the moats served as the material for
a city gate, the glacis and a part of the settle-
the glacis, which was tamped by elephants ment.Afurther area designated "D", while
and cattle.Atop this glacis a brick or stone
wall was erected twice as high as wide.
Apublished aerial photo in the preliminar-
y report shows the shape and size of the gla-
cis and that of the Gangua Nala, also enab-
ling a first glance at the defenses.Azig zag
water course on the southern and south-east-
ern sides, which has been proffered as a rem- 6 D. Schlingloff 1967: 53, fig. 11, citing Rjagaha as typical. R.E.M.
Wheeler 1948: 93 fig. 2 for the plan and section drawings.
nant of the moat, vaguely similar to Europe-
24 Paul Yule/Wolfgang Böhler
Fig. 8. Sisupalgarh, isometric reconstruction of the northernpratoligate type of the western rampart (SPIV).
still can be readily identified there.Three
photographed, thereafter was never serious-
computer simulations successively built on
ly investigated.The northern gate of the
each other which culminated in the final
western glacis at iuplgarh has been com-
version shown Fig. 8 and in animation1.avi
pared with other early historic examples,
on the accompanying CD.An early roofed
and in relation to the descriptions in theAr-
version of the gate was corrected to be op-
thashastra, reveals a rather good correspon-
en. Later, the gate was drawn with hemicir-
dence with the written source.As the weak-
cular "monkey head" merlons and then its
est point in the fortification, both the attack-
upper reaches were rendered as painted
ers and defenders focussed attention to the
white.According to theArthashastra, the
gates.They must both successfully serve as
gate should be recessed behind the line of
a platform from which the archers could
the glacis and have a square rather than an
hold the enemy far at bay and also be de-
long chamber, as actually exists at Sravasti.
fenseable at close quarters. Kautiliya’s des-
cription of an ideal gate can be simulated
despite certain problems in the dimensions
which gave (Fig. 8).The gate at Sisupal-
garh differs in its form from that which 7 The colour of the wall on rampart according to a text by Kalidasa
in which he compares fortifications with a snow-capped mountain.
Kautiliya described, but the various termini Personal communication D. Schlingloff 12.08.2003.