ARCHAEOLOGY
 

The Archaeological Survey of India continued its activities in the various fields like Excavations and Explorations, Preservation of Monuments, Chemical Preservation, Epigraphy, Museums, Architectural Survey of Temples and Gardens and Publications, besides the work of Preservation of Monuments and Explorations, in, Afghanistan.

Explorations and Excavations

During the year, a number of sites were explored and discovered in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and West Bengal, which cover various periods extending from the Early Stone Age to the, medieval times.

An outstanding discovery of the year was a set of Rock Edicts of the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in a rock-shelter at Panguraria in Budhni Tehsil, Direct Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. The inscription, which is partially damaged, was discovered while the party of Survey officials was exploring the prehistoric caves and other sites on the southern fringes of the Vindhyan hills, overlooking the Narmada river. Extensive rubble-built Buddhist remains, Chaityas and Stupas were also found nearby indicating some kind of Buddhist establishment. At Talpura, near Budhni, were also, found some painted rock-shelters and Buddhist remains.

During the year, excavations were conducted by the Survey at eight important sites viz., at Piprahwa, District Basti and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Antichak, District Bhagalpur, in Bihar, and Bhagwanpura, District Kurukshetra, in Haryana, Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, Veerbhadra in District Rishikesh, in Uttar Pradesh, Tamluk, in District Midnapur, in West Bengal and Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu.

Excavations at Mathura, were continued with a view to (a) examining the actual nature of habitation at Dhulkot vis-a-vis the historical evidence and (b) assessing the nature of settlement of the Saka-Kushan period at the site. The excavation. established the existence of a mud fortification around the ancient city, datable to the third century B.C. However, during the Saka-Kushan Period, the mud fortification seems to have been reused, repaired and enlarged. The surviving traces of the fortification indicate that it had an irregular crescentic shape with the Yamuna

151

152

flanking the chord side on the ease. The area enclosed by the fortification is over seven sq. kms.

The habitation area was found to be much disturbed due to water erosion, pits and dumps of later periods including those of modern times. However, a cultural sequence, divisible into three periods, beginning with the period in which fine grey ware was in use and terminating with the Saka-Kushan period, was unfolded.

The first phase or period of occupation at Mathura on the basis of excavations in different habitational areas, was characterized by the use of plain grey, black-slipped and red wares, besides the well- known Northern Black Polished ware. The principal building material was mud and mud-bricks. In some of the pits,, which were cut into the floors, were found fragments of animal bones, ash, terracotta figurines, beads and complete posts and dishes, Terracotta figurines, mostly of elephants, in grey colour, stylized birds and deities like the Mother Goddess, were also associated with these levels, besides beads and moulds, bone points and a few seal, sealings and coins.

The Saka-Kushan Period was marked by the structural remains of mud and baked bricks, ovens, floors, etc., and, a variety of pottery- types like sprinklers, incense-burners, basins, bowls, spouted jars and vases, plain and decorated with stamped designs. The other finds comprised ivory objects, beads of semi-precious stones, Kushan coins, a few seals and sealings, terracotta. bird-shaped rattle, bearing auspicious symbols, terracotta figurines including the fine representation of a yakshi in the art-tradition of Mathura. Moulded pottery, especially a sherd embossed with a female figure, perhaps Ganga, ascribable to circa fifth century, is an attractive piece.

At Kankali Tila, the site of the ancient Jaina stupa, an impres- sive tank-complex (9.1 x 8.1) of baked bricks showing at least two structural phases, was exposed. The tank, which was cut into the natural soil to, a depth of 3.96 m. is rectangular plan and has a ramp on the, eastern side and, oblong ancillary compartments on the northern and southern sides. On the north wall or the tank was found a stone-channel evidently for the purpose of filling it. A significant find obtained from this tank was an inscription of the fifth regnal year of Kanishka. referring to a gift by one Vishakhamitra. A few fragmentary sculptures of the Jain Tirthankaras of the Saka-Kushan period and a stone plaque depicting Mahishasuramardini were also found in the tank.

Work was also started at the Ambrish Tila at mathura and a few ancient sealings, terracotta figurines, floors of latter periods and pottery were unearthed.

153

Excavations at Piprahwa in District Basti, Uttar Pradesh, brought to light the remains of a Buddhist monastery and about forty terracotta sealings bearing the legend 'On Devaputravihare Kapilvastu Bhikshu Sanghasvya' in Brahmi script of the Kushan Period point to the prospects of the ancient Kapilvastu in the neighbourhood. Remains of a monastic establishment near the stupa were also brought to light.

During the course of further excavations at an adjacent mound known as Ganwaria, two massive baked brick structural complexes with impressive entrances to the east were exposed. The larger structure- complex has twenty-six rooms with four galleries. and the smaller one has twenty-one rooms built around a central courtyard. The smaller rooms in the north-eastern and southwestern corners of the smaller complex had some interesting. features. Access to the rooms was provided through another smaller room opening in the central courtyard. A terracotta head of Buddha, a decorated terracotta horse, beads of semi-precious stones and silver punch-marked coins are the other important finds from the excavation.

A brick stupa, 65.5, m in diameter, built in three stages,, with. the pradakshina-patha, railings and, gateways was unearthed at Bakrur, in District Gaya, Bihar,' belonging initially to the first-second century B.C. with later vestiges.

Excavations at Anti-chak identified with the ancient university- site of Vikramsila, in District Bhagalpur, Bihar, had already brought to light the remains of a massive stupa with two terraces belonging to the Pala Period. The last season's excavation exposed a massive three-metre wide boundary-wall and a number of shrines to the north of the stupa besides the remains, of a gateway. Among these, the find of a bronze image of Vajrapani is remarkable. The whole structure- complex seems to have been destroyed by a fire as indicated by the ashy deposits.

Excavations have been taken up at Bhagwanpur, District Kurukshetra, Haryana, where a sequence of two cultures, the, Late Harappan followed by the Painted Grey Ware has been found. The excavations are still in progress.

Excavations are in progress at megalithic site in Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu. Small-scale excavation was also undertaken at Tamluk, District Midnapur, West Bengal which yielded remains of a hiterto- unknown protohistoric culture.

Preservation of monuments (including chemical preservation) and gardens

During the year under report, a country-wide drive for the preservation of monuments was launched in collaboration with the State Governments and Central agencies like the Archaeologi-

154

cal Survey of India, All India Radio, D.A.V.P. etc. Special mention should be made of the fact that many schools and colleges have adopted monuments in their localities, with a pledge that they will keep them clean with fostering care. Guided tours of monuments for school and college students have been organised to instill in the latter a pride in their cultural heritage. National Service Camps rave also been organised near selected monuments in various parts of the country add, the young participants in these camps are, motivated to attend to. the improvement of the surroundings and the cleaning of the monuments.

The Survey continued to give attention to the monuments and sites under its control. Structural repairs were carried out to monuments like the Avantisvami temple at Avantipur in Kashmir temples at Puri, Hurnayun's Tomb, Red Fort, Jantar Mantar and some other monuments, in Delhi and the Taj at Agra. Conservation of a R.R. masonry retaining wall on the right side of the Orissa, Buddhist monastery at Antichak, Bihar, Siva temple at Bhojpur, Tambekarwada at Vadodara, and the Churches at Goa, are in progress. Special repairs to monuments were carried out at various places throughout the length and breadth of the country. The gardens around the monuments and sites were also attended to and maintained properly.

Chemical cleaning and preservation of paintings, sculptures, etc., were carried out at Ajanta, Elora, Elephanta, Karla, Bhaja, Thanjavur, Kanchipuram and other sites. A special unit has been formed to take up the preservation of the paintings in the Bagh Caves.

Preservation of monuments outside India

The Survey continued the work of Preservation of the 'Big Buddha' at Bamiyan, Afghanistan. In order to drain out the water melted from the snow, that was otherwise flowing on the facade of the niche of the. image, a series of drains, were constructed at the top. The passage, to the gallery at the top had a tin Shade which has been replaced by one of R.C.C. The construction of a R. R. masonry retaining wall on the right side of the facade has been taken up to fill up the breach, on the east wall. The work is in progress. An R. C. C. cantilever has been provided to support the overhanging portions of the right knee of the Buddha image. Chemical treatment of the plastered surface of the walls and ceilings of the shrines was also taken up, which has brought out the details of the scroll-work and various other features of decoration in stucco. Filletting of the broken edges of stucco was also done.

155

Extensive repair works were also taken up at the shrine of Khwaza Parsa at Balkh, Afghanistan by the Survey'. The entire cost of structural preservation is being borne by the Government of India. During this year, the cracks and fissures on the ceilings of the front vestibule have been repaired. The facade and the two minars on its either side which have ornamental tiles have been built giving bondage in old work and plastered with gutch. The dome, which had developed vertical cracks, was strengthened by giving additional support from inside. For this purpose, three, arches were erected from inside along the intrados of the dome, suitably bonding them with the dome. The two bastions at the rear were repaired and made watertight.

Expedition outside India

A team of archaeologists from the Survey visited Afghanistan with a view to exploring ancient sites and remains in the Farah region. Two sites, Qala-i-Faraidun (Shahr-i-Kuhna) to the north of the modern city of Farah, and Kafer Qala (Kala-Kahzad), about 20 km, south-east of Farah, were located. Both the sites have medieval fortifications, but the remains at Qala-i-Faraidun seem to go back to pre-Islamic times.

The party also explored some areas along the Arghandab river, besides revisiting old sites.

Preliminary arrangements for starting the excavation at Begram, were also finalized after exploring the area which, consists of both the lower city and a fortified upper city.

Epigraphy

All the Sanskritic and Dravidian inscriptions collected in 1974- 75 were examined, listed and reviewed. The material has now been made ready for compilation. About 250 inscriptions, were examined and listed for inclusion in the Annual Report. Transcripts of the inscriptions since found missing were prepared and were under examination. Arrangements were made to have new inscriptions copied from Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. Illustrative material of about 150 photographs for Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Vol. VI was prepared.

Architectural survey of temples

Architectural Survey of some Chola-Vijayanagar temples in Tamil Nadu, Hoysala and early Ganga temples in Karnataka was carried out. Among the temples surveyed are the Valisvara temple at Valikandapuram District Tiruchiraplli, the Jalakanthesavra temple at Vendavasi, District North Arcot, the Somesvara and the Chennakesava temples at Harnahalli, District Hassan, the Hariharesvara temple at Harihar the Isvara temple at Anekonda

156

both in District Chitaldrug, the Kailsesvara temple at Honnudike, District Tumkur, and the Kallesvara temple at Asandi, District Madurai, the Mahimalesvara temple at Erode, District Coimbatore and the "Siva temple at Perangiyur, District South Arcot, apart from some Jain monuments in District Coimbatore.

Publications

The following publications were brought out during the year:-

A. Guide Books (English)

Khajuraho, Sanchi, Mandu, Old Goa, Rajgir, Udaigiri and Khandagiri, and Delhi and its Neighbourhood

B. Guide Books (Hindi)

Sanchi and Rajgir.

C. Excavation Report

Nagarjunakonda, Part I.

D. Indian Archaeology-1971-72-A Review, South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. XCIII, Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy 1968-69, Epigraphia Indica-Arabic & Persian Supplement, 1970

The following are in various stages of printing

Guide to Konark, Lothal Excavation Report, Silahara Inscriptions, under the series. Corpus Inscriptionum Indi- carum, Paramara Inscriptions, under the series Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, An Architectural Survey of Temples of Kerala, Indian Archaeology-1966-67-A Review Epigraphia Indica, Volume XXXVIII-Pts V, VI land VII and Volume XXXVII pt. VII Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy for the years 1967-68, 1969-70, 1970-71 and 1971-72. South Indian Inscriptions Vol. XXII and Vol. XXIII Index to the Annual Report on

South Indian Epigraphy 1936-1966.

Picture-Postcards-Belur.