Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 99

PART II
METALLIC PERIOD Copper Age
That there was a distinct copper age in the prehistoric period of the history of Orissa is proved by the discovery of stray specimens. The oldest specimen was discovered in the Balasore district near the find-spot of a grant of king Purshottam (1470 to 1497 A. D.) of the Sürya dynasty.5 This implement is a shouldered axe,1 The next discovery was also a battle axe having a large round cutting edge ending in two well-marked shoulders. It was found near Sildah in Jhatibani Pargana in the Medinipur district.2
The other discoveries were recorded in 1916. Several copper axes were discovered in Bhagra Pir village on the bank of river Gulpha in Mayurbhanj area by Cobilen Ramsay—then Political Agent there. Most noteworthy fact about these axes is that they are very thin. In addition to the cutting edge, which is larger than a semi-circle, there is another semi-circular projection on the top which is connected with the former by a narrow neck. The largest specimen measures 18} inches in length and 15% inches in breadth, while others are 10 by 84 inches and 101 by 7 inches. These are most noteworthy battle-axes because of a particularly different type.3
The last and the latest finds include a celt from 5. H. O., I, pp. 40.41. 1. I. A., Vol. I, 1872, pp. 35.5-66 and plate.
See also C. J. Brown, Ind. Mus. Cat., p. 142 ; Anderson, Cat. of Arch. Coll. in the Ind. Mus., Vol. II, 1883, pp. 485-6; V. A.
Smith, 1. A., Vol. XXXIV, 1905, p. 232, 3. JBORS, II, pp. 386-7, Fig. 1-3.
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