Lok Sabha Question No. 197 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-08
Subject: Archaeological Excavation in Madhya Pradesh
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *197

TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.3.2021

## ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION IN MADHYA PRADESH

- *197.   SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of places across the country where archaeological excavation work is being carried out;
- (b) the outcome of the said work along with the State-wise details thereof including Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) whether  there  are  many  ancient  temples  of  Gupta  period  in  Mahakoshal  region  of Madhya Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether some relics like sculptures, columns, utensils and other artifacts  have  been  recovered  during  excavation  work  carried  out  recently  near Chaunsath  Yogini  Temple  in  Jabalpur  which  shows  that  there  was  an  organized/ systematic  settlement  at  the  said  place  during  the  Stone  Age  till  12th  and  13th Centuries; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM

(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

to

- (e)

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY PART (A) TO (E) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *197 FOR 8.3.2021

- (a) The excavations carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India at present is
- & at Annexure I.

(b)

- (c) Following  three  temples  of  Gupta  period  in  Mahakoshal  region  of  Madhya Pradesh are protected by the ASI:
- i. Temple of Somnath and ruins of several temples, district Katani,
- ii. Ruined temple near the sources of  the Ken river, district Katani
- iii. The  whole  site  of  Kankali  Devi  Temple  including  the  Devi  temple  and Ruined temple close to them, district Katani
- (d) Yes, Sir.
- (e) ASI  is  carrying  out  excavation  at  archaeological  site  of  Tewar,  located  at  a distance  of  nearly  8  km  from  Chaunsath  Yogini  Temple  Bhedaghat.  The artifactual  findings  mainly  includes  sandstone  sculptures  and  architectural fragments, brick remains, copper coins and rings, terracotta ( amlaka shaped), glass and stone beads, terracotta and glass bangles, iron implements, sling balls and hopscotch. The architectural findings mainly consist of a brick wall and  sandstone  columns  which  are  yet  to  be  exposed  fully  as  the  project  is ongoing.

## ANNEXURE - I

## TABLE SHOWING ONGOING EXCAVATION PROGRAMME BY ASI DURING THE CURRENT FIELD SEASON (OCTOBER TO SEPTEMBER) 2020-21 AND OUTCOME

|   Sl No | Name of the site                                   | Outcome/Objective of Excavation on the site                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|---------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Kalibangan, district Hanumangarh, Rajasthan        | The project basically aimed at preservation of the site through filling of excavated trenches and rain gullies, and excavation outside the fortified area. During the course of excavation, common antiquities like terracotta bangle pieces, steatite beads and sling balls are recovered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|       2 | Eran, district Sagar, Madhya Pradesh               | Objective of the proposed work is to know and confirm the stratigraphy of the sites starting from Palaeolithic to 12 th CE and the details of town planning as well as settlement patterns of different periods and phases. During the excavation remains of a stone foundation of a structure has exposed and artifactual findings includes copper coin, arrow head, terracotta disc, sling ball, lamp stand, spouted vessels, red slip ware and other pottery, bone, etc.                                                                                                                                                |
|       3 | Tewar (Tripuri), district Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh | Objective of the proposed work is to know the stratigraphy of the ancient site starting from Mesolithic to 12 th CE and the settlement patterns of once capital of Kalchuri dynasty 8 th to 12 th CE. During the course of excavation many antiquities are found viz., remains of sculptures, hopscotch, terracotta balls, Iron nails, copper coins Terracotta beads, implements of Iron and terracotta figurine, in ceramics red ware, black ware, red| slipped ware with shapes of handi, bowl, spouted pot, small pot, big jar, etc.; structural remains consist of brick wall and structure of sandstone columns. |
|       4 | Sitagarha, district Hazaribag, Jharkhand           | Buddhist site of Early Medieval period dated to 9 th to 11 th cen. CE; findings includes structural stupa complex made of brick, fragment of Buddha image, panel of miniature Buddha images, fragment of plaque depicting Jataka story, fragment of Chhatravali, miniature stupa made out of black schist, disjoined piece of temple, plain stone slabs along with hopscotch and wheel, iron nail, stone sling ball, terracotta dabber, spindle whorls, bead, etc.                                                                                                                                                         |
|       5 | Langudi Hills, district Jajpur, Odisha             | Early historical period; findings include brick wall & structure, circular stupa, ceramics consists of black and grey ware; antiquities includes terracotta sling ball and pendant, hopscotch, iron arrow-head, chisel and stone medallion triangular seal of ivory with Brahmi characters, etc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|       6 | Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat                | Continuous occupation from 3 rd cen. BCE onwards to modern times; excavation carried out at different locations at the site such as Sharmistha lake, Amba ghat, etc. excavation findings include various ceramics type along with artifacts viz., shell bangle, cowrie, beads, pendant, hopscotch and wheel, iron nail, stone sling ball, bone dice, coin, terracotta gamesman, etc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|       7 | Halebidu, district Hassan, Karnataka               | The excavation has revealed remains of a Jain basadi (Jain Temple). The important antiquarian includes plumb bob (soapstone), polisher (stone), toy cart wheel (stone), areca-nut shaped bead (terracotta), hop-scotch (fashioned out of pot sherd), etc. Many sculptures and architectural part of the shikara were also recovered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

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