Book Title: Jainism in Bihar
Author(s): P C Roy Choudhary
Publisher: P C Roy Choudhary Patna

Previous | Next

Page 114
________________ the work was continued by Dr. Spooner in 1912 who like Dr. Bloch brought to light a large numer of terracotta figurines, pieces of pottery and inscribed seals, among which one clay seal is ascribed to the Mauryan Period. The number of vessels and potsherds unearthed at Vaisali is very large. They are mostly of the same type as recovered from Pataliputra and modern Patna. Overlaps of pottery types from one stratum to another enable us to suggest continuous occupation of the place of excavation for many centuries. This theory holds good in the case of Vaisali as well where overlapping of pottery types is a common feature. There each stratum produced varieties of potsherds and vessels besides other minor antiquities. The vessels found at Vaisali are mostly red wares with red slip. Fragments having leaf design showing admixture of mica flakes and decorated with "rain drop" pattern are interesting specimens of this collection. The use of mica in earthern wares to impart lustrous surface may be common in those days as articles found in Pataliputra or Patna also show the same characteristic. Some of the fragments have been found to be ornamented and decorated in high relief. There are specimens which are decorated with incised lines and geometrical design. There are also some yellow, green, brown, grey and black polished potsherds such as the beautiful fragment of glazed dish the upper surface of which shows pattern of radiating rays with border. Its colour is yellow ground with green and brown lines having plain light yellow colour for the outer surface. There are fragments which have blue, black gale. Some of the grave wares have black slip and are highly polished. There are dishes which have a painted base and rim. Some of the types of pottery found in different strata may be briefly mentioned as follows: 1. Among the wares jar is very common. It has a light body with thin walls and no well designed neck. 98

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140