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India Today
an hour ago
- Science
- India Today
Buried for 4,500 years: Rajasthan dig uncovers evidence of lost civilisation
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a 4,500-year-old civilisation in Rajasthan, discovering statues, utensils and metal weapons dating back to the Mahabharata era and the Maurya and Shunga dynasties. advertisementDuring the research, ASI identified a spot in Bahaj village in Deeg district, around 40 kilometres from Bharatpur, where some evidence related to ancient civilisation was found. Notably, Bahaj village is a significant spot as it is a part of the Braj region, which also comprises Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. After getting permission from the government, the ASI team started excavation in Bahaj village in January. During the excavation that went on for about six months, ASI officials found statues, utensils and metal weapons dating back to as early as 2,500 BC. advertisement A human skeleton was found during the excavation and was sent to Israel to ascertain how old it was. The statues found in the excavation were sent to the Archaeological Department in Jaipur and some of them were kept in the museum of Deeg Jal Mahal and others. "After getting permission from the government, the department conducted a survey for the excavation that began on January 10. We achieved success during the excavation and it will be continued further. There are chances of finding more evidence of ancient civilisation," said Dr Vinay Gupta, the Director of Archaeological Department, the ASI conducted excavation in Nauh village of Bharatpur tehsil from 1961 to 1963 to collect evidence of ancient civilisation in the area.- Ends(with inputs from Suresh Foujdar in Bharatpur) IN THIS STORY#Rajasthan
Hans India
6 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
10th-century Kannada, Tamil inscriptions; hero stones found in Chamarajanagar farm
Chamarajanagara: A significant archaeological discovery has come to light in Yanagumba village of Chamarajanagar taluk, where 10th-century inscriptions and hero stones (Veeragallu) engraved in both Tamil and Kannada scripts have been found on farmland belonging to a local farmer, Manjunath. Speaking about the find, Manjunath said the inscriptions were discovered buried in his land and its surroundings while farming activities were underway. Notably, the Kannada inscriptions refer to the village as Yeramagumba, while the Tamil inscriptions mention it as Yeramaigumba. Another nearby village, present-day Melur, is referred to as Moluru in the inscriptions, which also reveal that cattle rearing was once prevalent in the region. Dr. Anil Kumar, an epigraphist with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), shared insights on the discovery: 'One inscription records a land grant. Another narrates how a man named Kesanna was killed fighting bravely while trying to stop cattle theft, with a local hero named Kaala of Yeramagumba defending the herd. A Tamil inscription mentions a warrior named Kolan, son of Munivar Kandaachari. Another inscription bears royal symbols such as an umbrella and horse, though the text is partly unclear and will need further study. Tamil epigraphy expert Dr. Balamurugan is also working on these, alongside our team members Nagendra and Gaurav.' The ASI team has begun a detailed examination of the inscriptions and hero stones. The farmer, Manjunath, further revealed that a small Shiva temple, which had long been hidden by fencing and undergrowth, was also uncovered on his land along with the inscriptions. 'These valuable inscriptions and hero stones must be preserved properly. I urge that more research be conducted in our village and surrounding areas to protect this historical heritage,' Manjunath said. Turugolu inscriptions are epigraphs that specifically mention cattle and livestock. They often record incidents of cattle raids, conflicts over cattle, or battles fought to protect them. The newly found hero stones at Yanagumba are classic examples, shedding light on the socio-economic life and valor of local heroes during that period. The discovery is expected to add valuable insights to the history and heritage of Karnataka's border region with Tamil Nadu.
NDTV
7 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
4,500-Year-Old Civilisation In Rajasthan Has Mythical River Saraswati Link
Deeg, Rajasthan: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed evidence of a civilisation dating back 4,500 years in Bahaj village of Deeg district, Rajasthan. The excavation, which began on January 10, 2024, has yielded several significant findings, including a 23-metre-deep paleo-channel which archaeologists are linking to the mythical Saraswati River, which is mentioned in the Rig Veda. This ancient river system likely supported early human settlements and connected Bahaj to the larger Saraswati basin culture. Over 800 artefacts have been unearthed in the excavation, including pottery, the oldest seals of Brahmi script, copper coins, Yajna Kund, Mauryan period sculptures, idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, and tools made of bones. The excavation has revealed evidence of five different periods, including the Harappan post-period, the Mahabharata period, the Mauryan period, the Kushan period and the Gupta period. The recent findings suggest that the Braj region has been a centre of religious, cultural, and historical heritage. The excavation in Bahaj village reached a depth of about 23 meters, marking the deepest excavation ever conducted in Rajasthan to date. ASI site head Pawan Saraswat told NDTV the excavation uncovered an ancient river channel, or paleo channel, potentially linked to the Rigveda's Saraswati River. He said this water system likely supported early human settlements, connecting the Saraswati valley with the Mathura and Braj regions. According to the ASI team, the excavation also revealed Mahabharata-era layers with pottery and havan kunds, featuring rectangular and circular paintings and remains of fire rituals. The pottery matches descriptions of clothing and utensils from the Mahabharata period, officials said. Archaeologists believe that excavations at this site have yielded a statue dating back to 400 BC, which is believed to be the head of the Mauryan Mother Goddess. Mud walls and pillars of the Gupta architectural style, furnaces related to metallurgy, which indicated the use of raw materials of copper and iron. Tools made of bones, including needles, combs and moulds, have been found in this form for the first time in India. Other evidence found in the excavations includes terracotta statues of Shiva-Parvati, which are associated with the Shakti and Bhakti traditions. Conch shell bangles and semi-precious stone beads, which reflect the trade and beauty traditions of that period. More than 15 yajna kunds, which confirm the religious rituals of the Vedic and Uttarvedic periods. Apart from this, a human skeleton has also been found during the excavation, which has been sent to Israel for examination. The excavation offers a new direction to the understanding of the ancient history of not only Rajasthan but also the entire North India. The ASI has submitted a report to the Ministry of Culture, while the area is likely to be declared a National Archaeological Protected Area.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
French museum in Chandannagar reopens with its false ceiling missing as ASI delays restoration
The French Museum in Chandannagar, which had to shut down late last year when its false ceilings collapsed twice, has once again reopened for the public with the ceiling missing, because the Archaeological Survey of India is yet to begin restoration due to lack of funds. But what the museum has got, for the first time, is CCTV cameras — 61 of them in all — given to it by the West Bengal government. The museum is located in a 1740-built structure called Institut de Chandernagor, popularly known as Dupleix House, where Joseph Francois Dupleix lived as the governor-general when Chandannagar was a French colony. The maintenance of the property — which includes a history library and also a wing where French is taught — is the responsibility of the ASI, whereas the functioning comes under the State Government. The first crash happened in October 2024 during the Durga Puja holidays and the second one on November 26, when there were visitors. On both occasions, the artefacts on display had a miraculous escape. Ever since then, ASI officials have been visiting the site and expressing concern; they even considered temporarily shifting the museum to carry out repair work, but no action has been taken so far. No one states it officially but the reason behind this delay is said to be lack of funds. As a result of which, the museum has reopened without repairs. 'We reopened in March 2025, once the false ceiling was fully removed. The artefacts have been placed in more or less their former positions. I wish some repair work was done before the monsoon set in, but we need to keep our activities alive. The number of visitors is quite high these days, sometimes it even touches 200, especially on Sundays,' Basabi Pal, director of the institute since 2022, told The Hindu. While her wait continues for the restoration of the property by the ASI, the State Government was quick enough to agree to her request for CCTV cameras, something the heritage building never had so far. 'Ever since I joined here, I was very keen on having CCTV cameras installed. I sent a proposal to the Department of Higher Education (which is responsible for the teaching of French at the institute) and they agreed! Now we have 61 cameras installed in Dupleix House and we can already see the results. Watchmen are more attentive now and unwanted visitors don't walk in like before,' Dr. Pal said. She said both the Central and State government would do well to come forward to help out in the restoration work and maintenance of artefacts, including the precious Indo-French documents in the library. 'I understand that both the governments are facing a financial crunch, but at least regular visits from higher authorities will be of big help,' the museum director said.
News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
Is Taj Mahal Leaking? ASI Reveals Water Seepage In Main Dome Of UNESCO World Heritage Site
Last Updated: The Taj Mahal faces water seepage in its dome, detected by the ASI at 73 meters. Repairs will take six months due to deteriorated mortar, weakened structures, and rusted iron rods. The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world, is now facing a worrying problem. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has detected a water seepage point in the dome of the Taj Mahal at a height of 73 metres during thermal scanning. According to the sources, the dome is currently encased in scaffolding for ASI to continue the inspection, which is likely to go on for 15 days. After this, experts will start the repair work on the dome, which will take about six months to complete. The sources claimed that the ASI's Light Detection and Ranging investigation of the monument of love revealed three key issues. The mortar between the stones on the main dome of the monument was found to have deteriorated. Additionally, the door and floor of the dome's roof have weakened. Furthermore, the final part mounted on the dome is supported by an iron rod that has eroded due to rusting, leading to the expansion of the surrounding mortar. Taj Mahal's Senior Conservation Assistant, Prince Vajpayee, said that the light detection inspections have nearly been completed. 'Now, physical inspection will be done. In view of the height of the main dome and pinnacle mounted on it at 73 metres, it will take around six months to complete the repair work."
