INDIAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY

Vol-11 Number- 2 April 2026
Chief Editor: Vijay Kumar
Publisher: National Trust for Promotion of Knowledge, Lucknow
Mode of Publication: Online (e-Journal)

1. Recently Discovered Prehistoric Site at Musakhari Locality-II on the Rocky Outcrop of Upper Baitarani Valley, Keonjhar District, Northern Odisha: A Preliminary Observation

Author: Dr. Nishikanta Dwibedi, Rajashree Puhan and Rajesh Kumar Bagarti

This article by Dr. Nishikanta Dwibedi, Rajashree Puhan and Rajesh Kumar Bagarti is the result of the survey around village of Musakhari, Patana block of Keonjhar district Odisha. It falls in upper Baitarani valley. The most interesting aspect of the lithic assemblage recovered from this site is the predominance of Levallois elements, such as prepared cores, discoidal cores, points, scrapers of different varieties, and flakes, found associated with the Microlithic tool assemblage, which includes cores, flakes, and a very few blades and bladelets. All the artefacts recovered from the site are made on quartzite, dolerite, and silicified cryptocrystalline rocks, which were imported probably from the Baitarani and Sita river valleys. In the upper Baitarani valley, dolerite is utilized alongside quartzite where as in other parts of state artefacts are made from medium to fine-grained quartzite.

2. Human transition from prehistoric and early historic phase in Rajagala Maha-lena cave of Sri Lanka

Author: E. G. J. Suranga, K. M. A. Kapukotuwa, G. Ranasinghe, M.D.I.K. Abeynayake, Vasant Shinde and Nilesh Jadhav

This research paper by E. G. J. Suranga, K. M. A. Kapukotuwa, G. Ranasinghe, M.D.I.K. Abeynayake, Vasant Shinde and Nilesh Jadhav is about archaeological research in the Rajagala Mahalena (ML) Cave Ampara district, eastern province in Sri Lanka. The region is well- known for its rich cultural heritage, with previous investigators identifying “Mesolithic” and “early historic” activities in the cave. Preliminary investigations revealed that prehistoric human activities took place in the natural cave of the area before the third century BC. Accordingly, from 2016 to 2019, cave called Maha Lena was excavated for further investigation. Excavations in 2018 and 2019 revealed a large number of prehistoric artifacts. Among these are stone tools, bone tools, animal bones and botanical remains. Rock shelter test excavations have indicated stone artifact assemblages, containing dated micro lithic assemblages of 7400BP. Faunal and botanical remains have been recorded from ML, denoting the prevalence of climatic conditions similar to those of the present. The evidence of rock-cut activity and structural remains testify that Buddhist monks occupied this cave in the Early Historical period. The archaeological evidence in the Rajagala indicates that the region can contribute substantive information about prehistory-early history transition.

3. Animal Remains from the Chalcolithic Contexts at Hetapatti, Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh

Author: P. P. Joglekar, V.D. Misra, J. N. Pal and M.C. Gupta

This article by P. P. Joglekar, V.D. Misra, J. N. Pal and M.C. Gupta is about the multicultural site of Hetapatti located on the left bank of the River Ganga in the Prayagraj (erstwhile Allahabad) district was excavated by the Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad. The entire faunal material (n= 1237) was studied using standard archaeo-zoological methods. The excavations revealed the presence of the antiquities of Neolithic, Chalcolithic, NBPW and Kushan periods. This paper focuses only on the material recovered from the Chalcolithic contexts (n = 637). The identified species from the Chalcolithic contexts include domestic mammals (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, ass, and pig), wild mammals (gaur, nilgai, spotted deer, Sambar deer, barking deer, wild pig, pygmy hog, blackbuck, four-horned antelope, gazelle, mongoose, porcupine, squirrel, and hare), and several non-mammals. The non-mammalian species include the domestic fowl, common crane, Ganges softshell turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, freshwater catfishes, freshwater bivalve and a marine gastropod species (Turbinella pyrum). The nature of the faunal material is similar to that found at Jhusi, though a few species differ at the two sites.

4. Miniature Paintings Kept in State Museum Lucknow, U.P., Part - I

Author: Vijay Kumar, A. K. Singh and Al Shaz Fatmi

This article by Vijay Kumar, A. K. Singh and Al Shaz Fatmi have studied 876 paintings from the collection of miniature paintings kept in State museum Lucknow, U.P. in this article. The study covers 39 schools of miniature paintings of India namely Banaras, Basohli, Bikaner, Bilaspur, Chamba, Deccan, Delhi, Dilwara, Garhwal, Guler, Hydrabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kangra, Kashmir, Kishangarh, Kullu, Mandi, Mankot, Marwar, Mewar, Modern, Mughal, Nagaur, Nathdwara, Nepal, Pahari, Rajasthani, Sabar, Satara, Shimla Hill, Sholapur, Sikh, Sirohi, South India, Timurid, Tanjore and Udaipur. There are 105 Raga, Ragini and Ragaputra paintings, 7 Nayikabhed paintings, 1 Barahmasha painting, 60 paintings of Kings, Princes, Princesses and noblemen, 29 paintings of religious figures, large number of mythological scenes inspired from Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana, Perso-Arabic Calligraphy artworks, Manuscripts, erotic paintings and paintings on miscellaneous subjects. The most important aspect of this study is the study of flora and fauna shown in the paintings. A large number of exotic and indigenous flora have been identified

5. Timurid Legacy and Mughal Sovereignty: Strategies of Conquest and Legitimacy

Author: Hamid Amin

This article by Hamid Amin examines the strategies of conquest and the adaptation of Timurid traditions by the Mughals in India. Both Timur and Babur gained power by forging strategic alliances with rival factions, later defeating them to consolidate their authority. Instead of eliminating opposition, they integrated former rivals into their administration, ensuring stability and control. These methods, developed in Central Asia, proved effective in the Indian subcontinent, allowing the Mughals to establish a durable empire. The study also explores the legitimacy of Timurid and Mughal rule, highlighting how rulers justified their authority through hereditary claims, divine mandates, and cultural symbolism. Timur, lacking direct Chinggisid ancestry, ruled through puppet Khans to gain Mongol acceptance, whereas Babur emphasized his descent from both Timur and Chinggis Khan to assert his legitimacy in India. Akbar further refined this strategy by adopting millennial and saintly attributes, portraying himself as a divine sovereign and spiritual guide. By integrating Central Asian military strategies with Persianate and Islamic political ideologies, the Mughals established a unique model of sovereignty. Their rule was not only based on military might but also on a deeply embedded cultural and religious framework that legitimized their authority, ensuring the stability of their empire.

6. Mahabharata on Temple Walls: A Simple Visual Interpretation of a Complex Literary Work

Author: Dr. Bikas Karmakar

This article by Dr. Bikas Karmakar is about The Mahabharata, the great epic of India, stands as a testament to Indian cultural values, transcending the limitations of time, place, and language. The epic has constantly inspired various forms of artistic expression over the ages. The wall decorations of the terracotta temples of West Bengal can be considered as one of the finest examples in this context. Representations of scenes from the epic embellish the walls of the terracotta temples of West Bengal. It has been observed that, in contrast to the extensive depictions of the Ramayana, terracotta artisans paid relatively less attention to visually representing the events of Mahabharata. The study intends to ascertain the underlying reason for this issue. Furthermore, the study aspires to conduct a thorough analysis of the portrayals of the Mahabharata by exploring the thematic interpretations, narrative framework, and character development employed by the terracotta artisan. The study also attempts to comprehend the impact of Kashidasi Mahabharata, a popular and influential Bengali translation of the Mahabharata, on the concerned portrayals. The primary data for the research comprises the Mahabharata representations that are found in the temples. The Prose English translations of the Mahabharata by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa have been followed while identifying and explaining the portrayals. However, in certain instances, quotations from the Kashidasi Mahabharata are mentioned while describing the plaques. The study concludes that these portrayals could be considered as a significant visual archive in which artisans have skillfully translated a complex literary work into an easily comprehensible visual narrative.

7. Portrayal of Manipuri Community and Its Intangible Cultural Heritage in Bangladesh

Author: Rashedul Alam Prodip

This article by Rashedul Alam Prodip is about the Manipuri community, also known as the Meitei, is one of the significant ethnic groups in Bangladesh. Originating from the Indian state of Manipur, they migrated to Bangladesh during the Manipuri-Burma war and settled mainly in the Sylhet division. Despite assimilation into the broader Bangladeshi culture, the Manipuris have maintained their distinct cultural practices, language, and traditions. The Manipuri community in Bangladesh is a vibrant tapestry of culture, tradition, and history that deserves our attention and appreciation. Rich in intangible cultural heritage, this community offers a unique glimpse into the customs, art forms, and practices that have been passed down through generations. This paper explores the rich cultural heritage of the Manipuri community in Bangladesh, focusing on their intangible cultural assets. Manipuri people, specially residing in the Sylhet region, have preserved a unique cultural identity through their language, traditional practices, and artistic expressions. This study aims to highlight the significance of their intangible cultural heritage and the efforts to sustain it amidst modern challenges.