An ancient Temples and Caves Found in the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Reserve

  • Sept. 29, 2022, 11:42 a.m.

The Archaeological Survey of India has found ancient caves and temples, remains of Buddhist structures and mural inscriptions bearing names of cities like Mathura and Kaushambi in old scripts during its recent exploration at Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday.

An ASI team covered nearly 170 sq km falling in the area of the famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve that is not accessible to the public during the over a month-long exploration of the region, which it undertook for the first time since 1938, they said.

During the exercise held from May 20-June 27, the ASI's Jabalpur Circle also reported many ancient sculptures, including large monolithic ones of various avatars of Lord Vishnu like 'Varaha' and 'Matsya', and "board games made in natural caves," officials said.

During a media interaction at the ASI headquarters in New Delhi, Superintending Archaeologist of the Jabalpur Circle, S K Bajpai, who led the team, shared details and images from the exploration.

"This is the first time ASI has explored Bandhavgah since the 1938 exploration by archaeologist N P Chakravarti. Many structures there were documented. We reported and documented more structures, including ancient caves, temples, Buddhist remains, maths, sculptures, water bodies, and mural inscriptions in old scripts like Brahmi and Nagari, "Mr. Bajpai said.

Other agencies have done some exploration in the intervening period, though, he added. Special permission was taken from the forest authorities to explore the area in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, he said, adding that he "encountered a tiger and elephants" during the job, but "cave gave us shelter".

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, home to the majestic big cats, is located about 500 km from the state capital, Bhopal. For me, the most startling finding is the remains of the Buddhist structures in the region where a Hindu dynasty ruled. "It suggests religious harmony, but who built these Buddhist structures is not known yet," the ASI official said.

A votive stupa and a Buddhist pillar fragment containing miniature stupa carving, which roughly date back to the 2nd–3rd century AD, have been documented as part of this exploration, according to information shared by the ASI. But what is also very noteworthy is the names of old cities like Mathura and Kaushambi, located in Uttar Pradesh, found in ancient inscriptions we have documented, Bajpai said.

"The names of these cities located far away from Bandhavgarh suggest that there were trading ties and people from other cities may have donated something, but again, it is a matter of conjecture," another senior ASI official said.

He said coins belonging to the Mughal-era and Sharqi dynasties of the Jaunpur Sultanate have also been found.

Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy later tweeted about the findings from Bandhavgarh.

"In Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve, remarkable archaeological remains are unravelled by @ASIGoI. 26 temples, 26 caves, 2 monasteries, 2 votive stupas, 24 inscriptions, 46 sculptures, other scattered remains and 19 water structures are recorded. The Varah here is one of the largest, "he tweeted and shared a few pictures.

The ASI also shared pictures of the explored site and tweeted: "An ASI team covered nearly 170 sq km in the area of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve over a month-long exploration of the region, which was undertaken for the first time since 1938."

ASI officials said a total of 35 temples have been documented, nine earlier and 26 temples or remains of temples of the Kalachuri period in the latest exploration.

Of the caves, 26 are newly documented, dating to the 2nd century BC–5th century AD period and mostly Buddhist in nature, while 50 were reported earlier, he added.

Two new Shaiva maths of the Kalachuri period (9th–11th century AD) and two new stupas have also been documented, officials said. Also, remains of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism like chaitya-shaped doors and cells containing stone beds have also come to light, they said.

Besides, 46 new sculptures were also documented, and 10 were already reported prior to this exploration this year.

The ASI said twenty-four Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 2nd–5th centuries AD have been documented, the ASI said. Mathura's name was mentioned in Brahmi script, Mr. Bajpai said, adding that inscriptions are also in Nagari and Shankhalipi.

Besides, the names of Mathura and Kaushambi, Pavata (Parvata), Vejabharada, and Sepatanaairikaa are also mentioned in various inscriptions. The names of important kings mentioned in the old inscriptions include Maharaja Shri Bhimsena, Maharaja Pothasiri, and Maharaja Bhattadeva, the ASI said.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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