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The Archaeological Surveys of India team has unearthed another treasure from Indian soil. It is a surprising discovery that Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve in Madhya Pradesh has 26 temples, 26 caverns, two monasteries, two votive stupas, 24 inscriptions, 46 statues, numerous dispersed ruins, and 19 water structures. The discovery was made under the reigns of Bhimsena, Maharaja Pothasiri, and Maharaja Bhattadeva. According to ASI, the locations identified in the inscriptions are Kaushami, Mathura, Pavata (Parvata), Vejabharada, & Sapatanaairika.
On Wednesday, information on the discoveries was released. According to the organisation, the recently found ancient artefacts have opened a “new era in the history of Baghelkhand.” The name Baghelkhand, which was also referred to as Dahala between the sixth and the twelfth centuries, is used to describe the northeastern parts of MP and the southeastern of UP
Key Takeaways
- The ASI’s Jabalpur Circles also discovered several ancient artworks during the operation, notably gigantic monolithic statues of Lord Vishnu’s various avatars, including “Varaha” and “Matsya,” & “board games built-in natural caverns,” according to authorities.
- During a media conference at the ASI offices, the team’s leader, Superintending Archaeologist of a Jabalpur Circle, S K Bajpai, gave information and pictures from the exploration.
- “Since archaeologist N P Chakravarti’s 1938 excavation of Bandhavgarh, ASI has never investigated the site. Several constructions were recorded.
- More buildings, including historic caverns, temples, Buddhist relics, math, carvings, water features, and mural inscriptions in ancient scripts like Nagari and Brahmi, were reported and recorded by our team, “added Bajpai.
- But he said other organisations had abducted some research throughout the interim.
- He said that he “experienced a tiger & elephants” while working, but rather that “caves afforded us protection” and that he had special clearance from the forest officials to investigate the region in MP Umaria district.
- The beautiful big cats’ habitat, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, is around 500 miles from Bhopal, the state’s capital.
What is discovered?
Thirty-five temples in all have been identified, including 26 or remnants of temples from the Kalachuri era, in addition to the nine older temples. The caverns are predominantly Buddhist in character and date from the second century BC to the fifth century AD. Of the caves, only 26 have been previously recorded.
Additionally, two new stupas & two new Shaiva mathematics from the Kalachuri period (9th–11th century AD) have been identified. In addition, there are remnants of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism, including rooms with stone beds and doorways in the form of chaityas.
During the excavation, a votive stupa, and a piece of a Buddhist pillar with carvings on tiny stupas that are thought to date from the second to third century AD, were discovered. Additionally, coins from the Mughal period and thus the Sharqi period of the Jaunpur Sultanate have been discovered.
More specifics
Over many months, an ASI team explored the area for the first time since 1938, covering about 170 sq. km that lie inside the boundaries of a Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The ASI Jabalpur Circle carried out the exploration. The drill took place between May 20 and Jun 27. The crew claimed to have discovered numerous antique artworks, notably enormous monolithic statues of Lord Vishnu’s many incarnations, notably “Varaha” & “Matsya,” as well as “board games constructed in natural caverns.”
The exploration’s leader, S K Bajpai, reported finding several buildings comprising historic caverns, monasteries, Buddhist relics, math, statues, water features, and mural inscriptions in ancient languages like Nagari and Brahmi.
Importance of the discovery
The Buddhist temples still standing in the area are a significant advancement. It was discovered in a region governed by a Hindu dynasty. This hints at interfaith harmony. Whoever constructed those Buddhist temples is still a mystery, which generates more inquiries and expands the field of study.
The old writings have discovered the names of historic cities such as Vrindavan and Kaushambi in UP. From Madhya Pradesh, these locations are pretty far apart. As a result, the investigation sheds light on the community’s trading and other connections. Along with writings in Associated facilities and Shankhalipi, Mathura’s name was written in Brahmi script.
Reserve for Tigers in Bandhavgarh
Spectacular large cats may be seen in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. It is around 500 kilometres from Bhopal, the capital. It is situated in the eastern Satpura hill region of the Umaria & Katni districts. Bandhav means “brother” in mythology, while Garh signifies “fort” in Hindi.
The Tiger Reserve is renowned for its diverse mix of herbivores & thriving tiger populations. This region is exceptional in terms of its biodiversity since it has hills, valleys, rivers, wetlands, and grasslands supporting different plant life. Apart from the tiger, up to 34 types of animals, over 260 species of birds, and 70 varieties of butterflies have been recognised.
On Wed, Bajpai revealed information on the remarkable remnants, adding that archaeologist NP Chakravarti had an earlier investigation in the region in 1938. “Many artefacts were discovered and adequately recorded. More buildings, such as historic caverns, Buddhist relics, statues, monasteries, water features, and mural writings in ancient scripts like Brahmi and Nagari, were discovered and recorded by our crews, the official added. He said that coins from the Mughal and Sharqi dynasties of the Jaunpur Sultanate were also discovered.
According to ASI authorities, a total of thirty-five monuments have been identified, including 26 temples or remnants of temples from the Kalachuri era that were discovered in the most recent research. He said, “Of the caverns, 26 are recently recorded, ranging to the 2nd to fifth century AD period, and most are Buddhist. According to authorities, two new Shaiva mathematics from the Kalachuri era (9th to 11th century AD) and two additional stupas were recorded.
