Jain Journal 1995 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXX, No. 1. JULY 1995 age down to the modern age through pre-historic in a regular sequence in view of the fact that Ochre Colour Pottery (O.C.P.) has also been found. The excavations also indicate that this settlement existed right from the stone age and continues to exist in view of the O.C.P. ; B & R. (Black & Red); P. G. W.; N. B. P. (Northern Black Polished) Pottery; Kushan period pottery and others have been found in proper strata, Expert archaeologists have tested and examined these findings as well as the ten antiquities. Thus this site has become of great interest to the archaeologist for further work. The site is likly to throw enough light on the so called dark period and fill up the gap in our cultural sequence.
In the surveys and excavations conducted at the site, a large number of fragements of stone sculpture and architectural remains of temples have been found, of which Jaina iconographic items carved to 10th to 12th centuries are of importance. At one particular site in the area remains of a Jaina temple alone have been found, that is, parts of Sikhar of the temple pillars, Kichaka (piller supports) door - sills, figurines of various Yakshas & Yakshinis as also part of Trithankar idols. Other important specimens found in the survey and explorations include (1) an arm of a goddess carrying a mango bunch, (2) an arm of a goddess holding a baby in her lap, these two can well be described as arms of the Shasan Devi Ambikā, of Tīrthankar Neminātha (3) a Yaksha head carved during 1st century, (4) a pedestal showing the sitting pose (in meditation) called Padmāsan of a Yogin and a bullock mark underneath showing that the image was that of Tirthankar Ādi Nāth. (5) A similar part of a yogin standing in meditation with 'deer' mark on the pedestal depicting the image as that of Shānti Nātha, (6) & (7) Two numbers of Tirthankar heads, (8) a nude human figure without the head depicting a Tirthankar in standing posture or Khadgāsan and (9) A pañchāyatan Shiva Linga - This has been installed in one of the Shiva Temples nearby.
Excavation in and around various buildings in the area reveal that some structures did exist at the site over which the existing buildings have been built. The buildings and structures revealed by the excavation are in perfect harmony with the orientation of the hillock. It is also found that some existing buildings like Rang Mahal, Chistis residential complex called Kachahri, Doctor's house, Sukhtal, Baoli, Jahangiri Place, Hathi pol, etc., are in the same orientation. Excavations carried out, in and around the Diwan-e-Am (which building incidentally is not in the same alignment) by the Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University has revealed the existence of other buildings underneath the Diwan-e-Am at a depth of about 2 meters following the same