Samipya 1991 Vol 08 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 17

Visod...An Archaeological Site
Ravi Hajarnis *
Village Visood is in the Hasotha taluka of the Bharuch District. It is on the left bank of the river Narmada. It's nearest village is Katpor about 6 kms. to the east of Visod. Katpor is connected by bus-route from Hasotha to Kantiajal.
River Narmada is famous in Puranas and history. It connects Malwa and Gujarat by river route. As such it has played an important role in the history and culture of Gujarat. The famous ancient port Bharukaccha that is modern Bharuch is on its right bank about 25 km. from the gulf of Cambay. It is well known that the Harappan sites of Saurashtra and site of Kanewal of the same period near Cambay are all geographically situated either on the bank of rivers or near sea. Particularly Kanewal is not far by sea from the mouth of river Narmada. Therefore, it is a strong belief that some Harappan sites might be existing around the mouth of Narmada and along its course. Keeping this in mind under the leadership of the author, southern circle Surat, of the State Deparment of Archaeology had undertaken an extensive programme for exploring South Gujarat and particularly river Narmada and Kim.
The later Harappan sites of Bhagatrao, Mahegam, Hashanpur etc. were already excavated. Therefore, archaeological potentialities of this region were thought to be rich. The site of Visod was discovered during exploration programme. The site had revealed following pottery types :
1. Burnished Red Ware
2. Burnished Black Ware
3. Red slipped ware
4. Glaze wares of various colours like yellow, green, blue etc.
Antiquities like chank bangles and one punch marked coin (?) also recovered from the site. And so, it was thought that this site may contain earlier habitation also. Hence it was planned to test this site by a preliminary scrapping. And scrapping work was undertaken.
Visod is an archaeological, mound without human habitation at present, except a shrine of Goddess Khodiyarmata, the caste Goddess of the local Kolies who are seafarers and fisherman traditionally. The site is 1.5 km. to the north-west of the village. It is about 200 meters towards the south of the left bank of the river Narmada.
x Head, Publication Branch, Department of Archaeology, Gujarat State, Ahmedabad Visod...an Archaeological Site ]
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