Ancient remains of Varanasi which were unearthed at Kashi-Rajghat About four decades ago, could demonstrate that this holy city was inhabited around ninth century BC, and had attained status of a promising urban centre by third century BC. Sarnath, the place of the first sermon of Gautam Buddha, retains archaeological remains from the time of the Maurya king Asoka. But, excavations as Aktha reveal that this settlement had greater antiquity than has been obtained at Kashi-Rajghat. It also reveal the factors which helped make up of Sarnath as the first place for teaching the reaching by Lord Buddha. The first colonization of Kashi region, on account of the excavated findings could be pushed back to about four/five hundred years. This bridged the gap between the antiquity ascertained by ancient texts and earlier archaeological records of Varanasi. Besides the Buddhist Literature is also corroborated by Aktha.
This book adds new chapter to the early history of Varanasi city and Sarnath.
Professor of Archaeological and Ancient Indian History, Dr. (Ms.) Vidula Jayaswal is teaching in Archaeological at the Banaras Hindu University for more than three decades. She has also served the Archaeological Survey of India for a short period (in the capacity of Deputy Superintending Archaeologist) which enhanced her knowledge and experience of major branches of archaeology including administration. Recipient of various scholarships and fellowships, she received specialized training in Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Berkeley.
Professor Jayaswal has not only carrier out a number of archaeological and ethological field studies, but has also been prompt in publishing the results. Author of a dozen books and research monographs, and more than sixty research articles, Professor Jayaswal is known for her original contribution in the studies of Indian prehistory, ethno-archaeology, ethno-art history and interpretation of archaeological remains of the historical period. Besides, she could also infuse scientific temper to the study of archaeology, through some major projects financed by the Ford Foundation and the Department of Science & Technology, of which she has been the principle investigator and coordinator. Her important publications are - The Palaeohistory of India, The Kushana Clay Art, From Quarry to Sculpturing Workshop: A Report on Archaeological Investigations Around Chunar & Varanasi-Sarnath, Royal Temples of Gupta Period Paisra: The Stone Age Settlement of Bihar, An Ethno-archaeological View of Indian Terracottas (the last two in joint authorship). Dr. Jayaswal has also written a series of three text books in Hindi, on prehistory of India, which is widely used, both by the students and teachers in the Hindi belt. Professor Jayaswal has delivered a number of special and Memorial lectures, noteworthy among these is the series of three lectures, which she delivered in the memory of her grandfather Dr. K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute at Patna. This series has been published under the title of Stone Age Hunter-gatherers & their Technologies.
The undisrupted occupation of Kasi region since ancient times till this date, played vital role in the make up of modern Varanasi. Glimpses of its past come through the descriptions of ancient texts and archaeological remains. The information available from the former is fragmentary in nature, while archaeological records, an authentic base fore the reconstruction of the past, are ever growing. The discoveries and findings add and modify the known history. In t he region of our study also, the recent archaeological investigation, as the one at Aktha, has brought to light new evidence which is significant and needs to be added to the history of Varanasi.
Ancient remains of Varanasi which were unearthed at Kasi-Rajghat could demonstrate that this holy city was inhabited around ninth century BC, and had attained status a promising urban centre by third century BC. Sarnath, the place of first sermon of Gautam Buddha, which was located on the northern periphery of this city, is known to have retained archaeological remains from the time of the Maurya King Ashoka. Together these two, contributed to the rich culture make of Kasi region. On accounts of the archaeological remains of these two settlements, Kasi-Rajghat and Sarnath, the stretch of the culture zone of Kasi was taken to be of about at least 5 kilometre radius from the nucleus of the modern city of Varanasi, the pucca mahal locality. Beside, ancient texts and the modern studies on human geography suggest that the large urban set-ups like Varanasi need to be supported by a number of satellite settlements of feeding centres which though small entities occupying peripheral region, remain integral part of the main city complex. It was, therefore, felt necessary to identify and excavate satellite settlements of Varanasi-Sarnath region. In this venture it was possible to discover such sites as Kotwa, Tilmanpur, Asapur and Aktha, which were small rural habitués. That some of these were catering to the needs of the two major settlements, could also be established. But, excavation at Aktha revealed that this settlements could, also be established,. But excavation at Aktha revealed that this settlements had greater antiquity than has been obtained at Kasi-Rajghat. The first colonization of Kasi region, on account of these findings, could be pushed back to about four/five hundred years. This bridged the gap between the antiquity ascertained by ancient texts and earlier archaeological records of Varanasi. Since reference to Varanasi in the Later Vedic Samhita is datable to cira twelfth/thirteenth century BC, while the earlier archaeological levels of Kasi-Rajghat were dated to cira ninth century BC. The finding from Aktha, which is the subject matter of this monograph, add a new chapter to the early history of Varanasi.
Excavations at Aktha also throw light on the make-up of Sarnath, which has contributed immensely to the history and culture of Kasi region. It may be recalled that the earlier archaeological remains identified at Sarnath were those of Mauryan times. But, the Isipattana or the Risipattana concept attached with Sarnath in the Buddhist Literature is indicative of a greater antiquity than is available from the remains at Sarnath. Aktha both in view of Antiquity and the nature of settlement, appears to corroborate the Risipattana concept.
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