INDIAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY

Vol-10 Number-3 July 2025
Chief Editor: Vijay Kumar
Publisher: National Trust for Promotion of Knowledge, Lucknow
Mode of Publication: Online (e-Journal)

1. Y-Haplogroup of different castes of India

Author: Niraj rai

This article by Niraj rai gives the overall frequency of different haplogroups in different castes of India. The castes taken up in this study are as follows Baiswar, Rajoria, Bundelkhandi( It is not a single caste but the term is used for people living in Bundelkhand), Asur, Kond, Korku, Ojha, Panika, Kumaoni Brahmin,Kumaoni Thakur, Banjara, Agnikula, Kamsali, Adiyan, Noniya, Hajam, Shia, Pal, Sonr, Gandla, Ediga, Panika, Yadava, Kamboj, Nadar, Gowli, Pallar, Mudaliyar, Konda Kamkara, Rajgond and Perika.

2. Identification of Ring Currency of OCP Culture

Author: Vijay Kumar, Amit Rai Jain, D. V. Sharma & V.N. Prabhakar

This article by Vijay Kumar, Amit Rai Jain, D. V. Sharma & V.N. Prabhakar gives the details of the hoard of 282 rings/spirals was found buried in the form of 13 bunches and 18 assorted items in Gohana, district Panipat, Haryana. These types of rings are associated with OCP (Ochre Coloured Pottery) culture. Many times these have been found with copper hoards also which were made by people belonging to this culture and have been found all over northern and western India. This was ring currency. It is clear that OCP weight system was not inspired from any foreign or Harappan weight system. The weight system being followed by people belonging to Ochre Colored Pottery culture was indigenous. It is mention in classical texts namely Śārṅgadhara Saṁhitā and Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayam of Vagabhatt. Even now, this ancient system is being followed by practiceners of Ayurveda and gold smiths etc. These Ayurvedic doctors use Ratti, Māṣak, Śāṇa, Kol, Karṣa, Shukti, Pal, Prasriti and Kudav (Table no. 2) and goldsmiths use Ratti and Karṣa (Tola). The weight of one Karṣa ring money gave the name of Karṣapan and its fractions to the later period coinage.

3. Seals and Sealings Kept in the Collection of Aditya Kumar Agarwal, Prayagraj - Uttar Pradesh

Author: Vijay Kumar, Alok Ranjan and Aditya Agarwal

This article by Vijay Kumar, Alok Ranjan and Aditya Agarwal is the catalogue of 208 seals, sealings and moulds kept in the collection of Aditya Kumar Agarwal, Prayagraj - Uttar Pradesh. These antiquities were collected by his father Shri Suresh Chandra Agarwal. These have mainly been collected from Kaushambi and some of these were recovered Bhita and Kaushambi. This collection has 23 Royal sealings which through light on some Magh kings. The moulds for making blanks of punch marked coins, uninscribed cast copper coins and Gupta coins makes it clear that mints were located at the important city.

4. Archaeology at Prāgbodhi Mountain/ Dungeshwari Hill

Author: Dr. Amit Ranjan

In this article, Dr. Amit Ranjan explored Prāgbodhi Mountain/Mora hill/ Dungeshwari hill in district Gaya, Bihar situated to the East of river Falgu. The earlier name of the hill, based on Fa hien and Hiuen Tsang’s accounts, is Pragbodhi Hill. The situation and geographical landscape mentioned by them match is the position of Mora Hill. The image of goddess is placed inside Dungeshwari cave situated on the hill dated to the ninth-tenth centuries. There are seven Stupa and monastery on the hill built by King Asoka, which were made of stone and other objects. Later, during Kushana times, it was covered with bricks. The author has suggested conservation and excavation at different places and has suggested possible sites of stupa and monastery.

5. Brick Temples in the Middle Ganga Plains

Author: Prof. Amar Singh

This article by Prof. Amar Singh traces the history of previous works done on brick temples of Nothern-India. Than he discusses the evolution of brick temples of Northern-India. The earliest brick temples of Mauryan period were excavated at Bairat, Jaipur Rajastan and Sarnath Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. These shrines had circular or apsidal plan. An apsidal shrine of Sunga period was excavated from Sarnath. One Sunga period Naga temple was discovered in the excavations of Sonkh (District Mathura). He discusses the architecture of brick temples of Gupta period located at Bhitargaon, Mahabodhi Temple of Bodh Gaya, Terraced brick temple of Pawaya, Gwalior and Ahichchhatra district Bareilly U.P. Chaukhandi stupa Sarnath district Varanasi, Punchayatan temples of Sarnath district Varanasi, Nalanda district Bihar and Maniyar Math at Rajgir, Bihar and later Gupta period Lakshamana Temple, Sirpur, Raipur, Chattisgarh. He also discusses the Pratihar period temples of Sarhan Bujurg, Dhamana Khurd, Nibiya Khera , Kurari Bahua and Thithaura. He also discusses the architecture of the medieval temples of Kalayat, Tenduli, Karapan and Nasirabad.

6. Exploring Women's Position in Ancient Kashmir: Unveiling Historical Perspectives and Social Realities

Author: Dr. Arif Ahmad Dar

This paper by Dr. Arif Ahmad Dar delves into the position of women in ancient Kashmiri society, drawing upon historical, cultural, and religious aspects. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it examines various factors shaping women's roles, including socio-religious influences, as well as societal structures and legal frameworks. Utilizing textual sources, artistic depictions, and archaeological evidence, the study sheds light on the complexities of women's lives, exploring both the freedoms and constraints they experienced. By unravelling the intricate tapestry of ancient Kashmiri society, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of women's status in the region, offering insights into their roles, agency, and contributions to cultural and social dynamics.

7. Vedagiriswarar Temple at Thirukazhukundram: A Chronicle of Sacred Space and Dynastic Patronage.

Author: H. Selva Kumar

This article by H. Selva Kumar is about the Vedagiriswarar Temple at Thirukazhukundram @
Tirukalukundram, discrtrict Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, stands as one of South India’s
most venerated centres of Śaiva worship and pilgrimage. It is situated atop a hill and is having the
sacred tank Śaṅgu Tīrtham nearby, the complex has long been hailed as the “Kailāsa of the South”.
The sacred hill of Tirukkazhukundram, crowned by the Vedagirisvara temple and complemented
by the Bhaktavatsalesvara shrine at its foothill, preserves one of the richest epigraphical and
architectural records in Tamil Nadu. From period of Pallavas beginnings in the 7th century to that of
Pandyas and repairs sin the 13th, the site embodies the continuous interplay of dynastic patronage,
temple expansion, and Saiva devotion. The temple follows a regular schedule of daily worship.
Different festivals are celebrated throughout the year.

8. External Trade of Manipur during the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century

Author: y Dr. Sanjoy Ahanthem, Dr. Yaiphaba Ninghtoujam and Dr. Rajkumar Jackson

This article by Dr. Sanjoy Ahanthem, Dr. Yaiphaba Ninghtoujam and Dr. Rajkumar Jackson is about the kingdom of Manipur was isolated and self-sufficient is respect of her basic needs for most part of her long recorded history. Apart from short periods under Burmese tutelage in the latter 18th and early 19th century, she remained in low-level equilibrium unperturbed by the outside world. The 19th century brought far-reaching changes in the economy of Manipur. Contact with the British led to the opening of her economy by engaging in external trade and commerce with both the east and west. However, in the beginning of the century the volume as well as the composition of trade was limited. Before 1891 her export consisted of primary products and livestock like cattle, buffalo and pony. But post 1891, apart from cattle, forest products and rice became the main export items. In terms of import , apart from betel nuts which was in high demand, goods which were needed as the economy changed, like mineral produce, metals and other goods became the primary items demanded. These changes undermined self- sufficient village economy which had been in existence for century’s altogether. Traditional village based industries like handloom and handicrafts, salt, metal among others decreased. The emerging contours of external trade also resulted in the emergence of a trading class of outsiders at the cost of the natives.