INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1979-80 -A REVIEW EDITED BY DEBALA MITRA Director General Archaeological Survey of India ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI 1983 Cover : Sringaverpur, excavated tank 1983 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Price : Rs. 65.00 PRINTED AT NABA MUDRAN PRIVATE LTD., CALCUTTA, 700004 PREFACE This annual Review, like its predecessors, incorporates matter on archaeological activities in the country during the year 1979-80. As usual, the matter has come from various sources and I gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of those whose contributions have been utilized here. Evident as it is, a vast mass of material had to be handled, sorted, compiled and edited, and in the course of this exercise a few inaccuracies may have crept in for which I must apologize. In the earlier issue of the Review, viz., 1978-79, the matter under Explorations and Excava- tions was presented in a different manner than that of the earlier issues. According to this new arrangement, two sub-sections—one for village-to-village surveys of antiquarian remains and the other for explorations and other problem-oriented surveys—were introduced. Likewise, a section under excavations had two sub-divisions: national projects and major excavations; and other excavations. This scheme of detailed classification may have its merits but the readers seem to face slight inconvenience in culling his facts, as he has to go through at least four sub- sections which deal with the activities in a particular State. Considering this we have reverted to the earlier arrangement of classifying the activities concerning explorations and excavations under each State. Our hope to wipe out the arrears have not been fulfilled and I do not like to list out the problems besetting us in making the Indian Archaeology—-A Review uptodate. We, however, hope that with the cooperation of our contributors we will soon be able to remove all backlog. I take this Opportunity of thanking my colleagues in the Survey, particularly those in the Publications Section, for the cooperation that has been extended in bringing out this issue. New Delhi 6 April, 1982 DEBALA MITRA CONTENTS PAGE I. Explorations and Excavations 1 Andhra Pradesh, 1; Assam, 11; Bihar, 12; Goa, Daman and Diu, 15; Gujarat, 16; Haryana, 29; Jammu and Kashmir, 32; Karnataka, 33; Kerala, 34; Madhya Pradesh, 36; Maharashtra, 55; Meghalaya, 59; Orissa, 60; Punjab, 60; Rajasthan, 62; Tamil Nadu, 68; Uttar Pradesh, 71; West Bengal, 83 II, Epigraphy Sanskritic and Dravidic inscriptions, 84 84 Andhra Pradesh, 84; Assam, 84; Gujarat, 84; Karnataka, 85; Madhya Pradesh, 87; Maharashtra, 87; Rajasthan, 88; Tamil Nadu, 88; Uttar Pradesh, 90; West Bengal, 91 Arabic and Persian inscriptions, 90 Andhra Pradesh, 91; Delhi, 92; Gujarat, 92; Haryana, 93; Karnataka, 93; Madhya Pradesh, 93; Maharashtra, 93; Uttar Pradesh, 94 III. Numismatics and Treasure Trove Andhra Pradesh, 95; Delhi, 95; Gujarat, 95; Madhya Pradesh, 96; Maharashtra, 97; 95 99 Rajasthan, 98 IV. Other Important Discoveries ... Andhra Pradesh, 99; Dadra and Nagar Haveli, 99; Gujarat, 99; Haryana, 101; Jammu and Kashmir, 101; Karnataka, 101; Madhya Pradesh, 102; Maharashtra, 103; Orissa, 104; Punjab, 110 105; Rajasthan, 105; Tamil Nadu, 105; Uttar Pradesh, 108; West Bengal, 108 V. Radiocarbon Dates Jammu and Kashmir, 110; Rajasthan, 111; Uttar Pradesh, 112 113 VI. Palaeobotanical and Pollen Analytical lnvestigations ... .., ... ,., ... Jammu and Kashmir, 113; Maharashtra, 113; Uttar Pradesh, 114 115 VII. Museums ... 120 VIII. Architectural Survey of Temples Northern Region, 120 Southern Region, 121 125 IX. Preservation of Monuments ... ... ... ... ... ... Monuments of National Importance, 125 Central Circle, 125; Delhi Circle, 128; Eastern Circle, 128; Mid-Eastern Circle, 130; Mid-Southern Circle, 132; Northern Circle, 134; North-Western Circle, 136; Southern Circle, 141; South-Eastern Circle, 145; South-Western Circle, 146; Western Circle, 146 Monuments maintained by the States, 150 Delhi, 150; Gujarat, 150; Haryana, 151; Karnataka, 152; Madhya Pradesh, 152; Mahara shtra, 153; Orissa, 153 154 X. Archaeological Chemistry ,., ... ... ... ... ... ... Treatment of Monuments and Paintings, 154 Andhra Pradesh, 154; Delhi, 154; Gujarat, 155; Karnataka, 155; Madhya Pradesh, 156; Maharashtra, 157; Orissa, 158; Rajasthan, 158; Tamil Nadu, 159; Uttar Pradesh, 159 Treatment of Excavated Objects and Museum Exhibits, 159 Research and Analysis, 161 XL Archaeological Gardens Andhra Pradesh, 164; Bihar, 164; Delhi, 164; Goa Daman and Diu, 165; Himachal Pradesh, 165; Jammu 164 and Kashmir, 165; Karnataka, 165; Madhya Pradesh, 166; Maharashtra, 166; Orissa, 166; Rajasthan, 167; Uttar Pradesh, 167 XII. Publications Publications of the Survey, 169 Other Publications, 169 169 INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1979-80 —A REVIEW I. EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS ANDHRA PRADESH 1. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT ANANTAPUR.—In the course of exploration, Shri D. Hanumantha Rao of the South-Eastern Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India1 discovered an ancient site at the northern foot of a hill, locally known as Akkamma-konda, in the revenue limits of Vontimidda in Kalyanadurga Taluk, yielding antiquities ranging from the neolithic to medieval period. In its vicinity was found a cluster of megalithic stone-circles having huge granitic slabs for circle stones and cairn packing. 2. EXCAVATION AT NANDALUR, DISTRICT CUDDAPAH.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, conducted excavation at the Buddhist site called Lanjakanumalagutta, near Nandalur. Excavation in Site II revealed at different levels on the hillock ten stupas built on terraced platforms. Among the row of stupas, oriented east-west, the larger ones appear to be of earlier phase and the smaller ones or votive stupas protected by revetment walls, are of a later phase. The site seems to have flourished from about the second century B.C. to third-fourth century A.D. 3. EXCAVATION AT RAJAHMUNDRY, DISTRICT EAST GODAVARI.—The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, carried out a small-scale excava tion with a view to establishing the cultural sequence of Rajahmundry on the eastern bank of the liver Godavari. Excavation revealed that the earliest habitational deposit belonged to the second-fourth century A.D., yielding structural remains such, as stupa and a wall of a monastery built of baked bricks of the sizes 55 x22 x7 and 45x22 x 7 cm (22 x 9 x 3 and 18 x9 x 3 in respectively) and pottery represented by red polished ware and Arretine Ware. The succeeding level, represented by 80 cm thick deposit, did not yield any brick structure. However, three bronze figures—a female holding a parrot and accompanied by an attendant, Hanuman in anjali-mudra and a bull—and an image of Ganesa in stone were recovered from this level. The succeeding level was represented by 70 cm thick deposit datable to the twelfth-thirteenth century A.D. The remains of a shrine, with two cells (2*3 X 1'7 m internally), built of baked bricks (size: 30 x20 x 7 cm) with walls of 2-3 in thickness were encountered in the level which is followed by yet another stratum yielding the remains of a shrine, besides a few iron cannon and stone balls. As the latest level of the site belongs to eighteenth century A.D., it may be assumed that the site was occupied from second century to eighteenth century A.D. 4. EXPLORATION IN. DISTRICT KRISHNA.—The South-Eastern Circle of the Survey, in the course of exploration, noticed black-and-red ware and early historical pottery at Dachavaram, xThe Archaeological Survey of India is referred to in the following pages as the 'Survey'. 1 INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1979-80—A REVIEW Damuluru, Kankata, Mukkoller and Valamaunadu, vestiges of Stone Age culture and pottery at Medrametha and remains of a neolithic culture on a granite hill near Saunak. Shri G. L. N. Sastry of the above mentioned Circle, in the course of exploration, noticed the following sites of archaeological interest. District Taluk Village/site Cultural assemblage Krishna Bandar Amudalapalle Medieval -do- -do- Arthamur Early historical and medieval pottery and sculptures -do- -do- Devarapalle Early historical and medieval -do- -do- Kanu.ru Medieval pottery, sculptures and inscription -do- -do- Kara Agraharam Medieval pottery and sculptures -do- -do- Korlapadu Early historical -do- -do- Kruttivennu Medieval pottery and sculptures -do- -do- Kummalapudi Early historical and medieval -do- -do- Laksmipuram Early historical and medieval -do- -do- Muttarasu-kona Early historical -do- -do- Nagavaram Early historical and medieval -do- -do- Pedana Medieval sculptures -do- -do- Tavisepudi Late medieval pottery and inscriptions -do- -do- Uppalakalavagunta Early historical pottery, medieval .sculptures and inscriptions -do- -do- Urivi Early historical and medieval -do- -do- Majeru Medieval -do- -do- Nidumolu Neolithic and early historical -do- Kaikaluru Peda Tummidi Early historical and medieval pottery and sculptures -do- Nandigama Anigandlapadu Early historical and medieval pottery, sculptures and inscriptions -do- -do- Damuluru Early historical and medieval pottery, and sculptures -do- -do- Doddadevarapadu Early historical and medieval pottery, and sculptures -do- -do- Jayanthi Medieval pottery and sculptures -do- -do- Kanchala Early historical -do- -do- Magallu Early historical and medieval pottery and inscriptions -do- -do- Ramireddipalle Early historical and medieval pottery and minor antiquities -do- -do- Veerlapadu Early historical 5. EXCAVATION AT SATANIKOTA, DISTRICT KURNOOL.—The Excavations Branch (I) of the Survey, Nagpur, resumed (Indian Archaeology 1978-79—A Review, pp. 35)* excavation at 1This publication is referred to in the following pages by the year only. 2 EXPLORATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS Satanikota, under the direction of Shri N. G. Ghosh, assisted by Dr H, N. Singh and Sarvashri H. P. Sinha, D. K. Ambastha, K. Ismail, S. K. Mittra, Mohinder Singh, N. G. Banerjee, S. V, Sutaone, P. M. Bhope, K. M. Girhe, R. K. Dwivedi, R. K.. Roy, M, U. Qureshi, Pyare Singh, B. K. Rudra and A. U. Ganar, with a view to exposing some of the megalithic burials situated nearly 2-5 km east of the village and scattered in an area of 10 hectares in three clusters, namely A, B and G, along the right bank of the river Tungabhadra, Prior to the advent of the megalithic people, the site had been occupied by the Stone Age man as is evident from the occurrence of the tools belonging to the Middle Palaeolithic and Mesolithic ages in the High Level Gravel occurring at an elevation of 24 m above the present bed level of the river Tungabhadra. The gravel laterally (north-south) spreads ■ 500 m at the site, and its longitudinal extent could be traced roughly over a distance of 25 km to the east of the site, Excavation at the highest contour revealed one metre thick deposit of gravel lying unconformably on the weathered and undulated limestone bed-rock. The artefacts -were recovered from the High Level Gravel up to a depth of 25-30 cm in a diminishing frequency. The gravel seems to be the earliest Quaternary deposit in the area, and it is obvious that the Stone Age man much after the formation of the gravel had appeared on the scene attracted mainly by an easy availability of raw materials such as quartzite, chert, jasper and agate in convenient sizes in the form of pebbles for manufacturing tools. The Middle Palaeolithic tools are represented by scrapers of various types viz., side, thumb-nail, hollow, convex, concave, apart from points, of various types, awls and borers. The tools are mostly on quartzite, chert occupying the second place. The Mesolithic tools are also found from the surface as well as excavation along with the Middle Palaeolithic tools. The tools recovered from the excavation belong either to a disturbed or to a re-deposited stratum. The tool types comprise mostly long blades, points, crescentic points and lunates made on chert, chalcedony, agate and quartz. A number of fluted cores and flakes having crested ridge are also noticed. A large number of waste flakes found from the area indicate it to be factory site. Out of twenty-nine megalithic burials which escaped disturbance due to reclamation of land for cultivation, only eight, representing three different types viz., (I) cist with passage, further divisible into sub-types A and B, (II) pit-circle with sub-types A and B, and (III) cist-circle, were excavated. TYPE I is represented by cist with passage (pi. I A). The orthostats of the cist are arranged in such a manner that each orthostat projects laterally at one end from the other, forming clockwise or contra-clockwise svastika on plan and thus preventing internal collapse of the orthostats. The passage leading to a port-hole in the southern orthostat is flanked by two slabs and closed in front by another, fixed vertically in the ground. Externally, the cist and the passage are surrounded by cairn packing made up of earth and slab pieces. In turn, the cairn packing is encircled by a low wall of multiple-coursed dressed or semi-dressed slab pieces. Finally, the whole structure is surrounded by river-borne packing of pebble, thereby appearing like a hemispherical low mound. Occasionally, megaliths of this type have low platforms built of slab pieces, externally abutting the circle on different directions. Invariably the capstones are missing. Sub-type A is represented by simple cist with passage but the cist and passage of the Sub-type B are transepted. Among the excavated megaliths, Type I A is represented by Megaliths A I, A III and B XVII and Type I B by Megalith A II. - Megalith A I.—The orthostats arranged in contra-clockwise svastika in plan form a cist measuring 1.9 x 1.8 m internally and longer axis being oriented north-south. The cist is paved with a floor-slab at a maximum depth of 1 .55 m. A port-hole (60 cm diameter) is provided in the eastern half of the southern orthostat at a height of 75 cm from the floor. The passage, paved 3