Vol-9 Number-1 January 2024
Chief Editor: Vijay Kumar
Publisher: National Trust for Promotion of Knowledge, Lucknow
Mode of Publication: Online (e-Journal)
Eran, located in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, is a significant proto-historic site in Central India. Excavated by Professor K. D. Bajpai and the author, this article provides a detailed account of the proto-historic pottery uncovered during the excavations. The study focuses on both painted and incised decorative motifs found on the pottery, offering valuable insights into the artistic and cultural expressions of the time. The pottery assemblage from Eran shows strong similarities with those found at other proto-historic sites across Central India, indicating cultural connections and regional stylistic trends. Notably, the pottery from Eran represents a regional variant of the ceramic tradition identified at the type site of Kayatha, thus contributing to a broader understanding of proto-historic ceramic cultures in the region
This article by Nikita Mahajani investigates the significance of Dhenugal stones rectangular vertical stones featuring carvings of a cow and calf used historically in Maharashtra to demarcate the boundaries of donated villages and lands. Symbolically, the cow represents the king and the calf symbolizes the subjects, illustrating the ruler’s protective role over his people. The study analyzes four newly discovered Dhenugal stones from Raigad district, focusing on their iconography and the epigraphical inscriptions they bear. The paper highlights the need for further research into the artistic and administrative roles of these stones, offering insights into regional governance, symbolic representation, and land grant traditions in medieval Maharashtra.
This article by Raj Kumar Rate and Dr. Shilpa Goel explores the hero stone tradition of Kalahandi district in southwestern Odisha, a region historically known as “the Pot of Art.” Once part of the ancient Taitilakajanapada and later the Atavika territory during the Mauryan period, Kalahandi holds a rich legacy of commemorative stone monuments. The study focuses on hero stones memorial sculptures erected to honor individuals for their bravery and sacrifice, often found in battlefield contexts. These sculptures typically depict a warrior holding a sword and shield, along with symbolic motifs such as the sun, crescent moon, and a female palm adorned with bangles. The article analyzes the form, iconography, and stylistic evolution of these stones, using both primary fieldwork and secondary sources, and highlights their political and socio-religious significance. This work fills a major research gap in the study of Odisha’s hero stone tradition.
This article by Vijay Kumar presents a detailed account of 170 ancient Ayodhya coins recovered from the Shravasti district of Uttar Pradesh, currently held in two private collections. The first collection consists of 96 coins, including 38 attributed to Satyamitra, 19 to Ayumitra, 2 to Agnimitra, 1 to Indramitra, and 36 with illegible legends. The second collection comprises 74 coins, of which 43 belong to Satyamitra, 19 to Ayumitra, and 12 are unreadable due to worn inscriptions. The study contributes to the growing numismatic evidence of regional dynasties in ancient northern India and provides insights into the political and monetary history associated with Ayodhya.
This article by Vijay Kumar presents a comprehensive catalogue of 354 stone sculptures housed in the Government Museum, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The sculptures span a broad chronological range from the 1st century B.C. to the 20th century A.D., reflecting the artistic, religious, and cultural evolution of the Mathura region over two millennia. The collection includes sculptures from nearly every century, with a notable concentration 189 pieces dating to the 2nd century A.D., highlighting the artistic flourishing during the Kushan period. The catalogue also includes a variety of sculptures from later historical periods, offering valuable insight into the stylistic and iconographic transitions in Indian art. This detailed record contributes to the documentation and understanding of Mathura’s rich sculptural heritage.
This article by Vijay Kumar and Amit Rai Jain provides an analysis of 44 punch-marked coins recovered from the Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh, currently housed at the Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baghpat. Of the total, 34 coins were successfully classified using the numismatic framework developed by P. L. Gupta and T. R. Hardaker, while 10 coins remained unclassified due to indistinct or unidentifiable symbols. The identified coins include one from Series I, one from Series II, four from Series III, one from Series IV.B, eighteen from Series IV.D, six from Series V.A, and three from Series VI.D. The study contributes to the broader understanding of ancient Indian monetary systems and regional coin circulation patterns.
This article by Vijay Kumar and Amit Rai Jain presents a detailed study of 100 punch-marked coins discovered in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, currently preserved at the Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. Using the classification system developed by P. L. Gupta and T. R. Hardaker, 63 of the coins were successfully categorized into established series, while 37 coins remained unclassified due to the partial or unclear identification of their symbols. The classified coins include two from Series IV.B, three from Series IV.D, ten from Series V.A, seven from Series VI.A, thirty-nine from Series VI.B, and two from Series VII. This study contributes to the growing body of numismatic data and enhances understanding of the distribution and typology of early Indian punch-marked coins.
This article by Dr. Dilip Kumar Kushwaha and Amit Kumar presents a site catchment analysis of the protohistoric site of Balu, located in the Kaithal district of Haryana, a significant trading center among Harappan sites in the region. Excavations at Balu have revealed evidence of three cultural phases: Early Harappan, Mature Harappan, and Late Harappan. The study focuses on analyzing the raw materials and resources within a 10-kilometer radius of the site to understand the environmental factors that influenced its location and sustained its inhabitants. By examining material sources, the paper sheds light on the subsistence strategies, resource exploitation, and trade contacts of the Harappan people. It also explores the inter-site and intra-site relationships, offering valuable insights into the socio-economic organization of the settlement within its environmental context.
This article by Dr. Subodha Mendaly explores the raw materials used in the manufacture of prehistoric stone tools in the Middle Brahmani Valley, Odisha. By examining nineteen prehistoric sites, the study provides insights into the cognitive abilities, raw material selection strategies, and lithic technological organization of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities. Despite the identification of numerous prehistoric sites across Odisha, detailed studies on raw material availability and usage have been lacking. This research addresses that gap by classifying five distinct types of raw materials,Quartz, Quartzite, Banded Hematite Red Jasper (BHRJ), Opal, and Chertused in tool-making, with Opal identified as the most commonly used material. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of prehistoric lifeways and technological behavior in eastern India.
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