Mahabharata Era Evidence found at Purana Qila:
In June 2023, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) announced that it had found evidence of human activity dating back to the Mahabharata era at Purana Qila, an archaeological site in Delhi, India. The evidence includes Painted Grey Ware (PGW) sherds, which are a type of pottery that was commonly used in the Gangetic Plain during the 11th and 12th centuries BCE. The discovery of PGW sherds at Purana Qila suggests that the site may have been inhabited during the Mahabharata period, which is traditionally dated to the 10th century BCE.
The ASI has been excavating at Purana Qila since 2018. The current excavation season is focused on a mound that is located near the western gate of the fort. The mound is believed to be the site of an ancient settlement. During the excavation, the ASI has also found evidence of other periods of occupation, including the Mauryan period (322-185 BCE), the Gupta period (320-550 CE), and the Rajput period (10th-16th centuries CE).
The discovery of PGW sherds at Purana Qila is significant because it provides further evidence of the Mahabharata’s historical basis. The Mahabharata is one of the most important epics in Indian history. It tells the story of a great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two branches of the Kuru clan. The epic is believed to have been composed over a long period of time, beginning in the 10th century BCE.
The discovery of PGW sherds at Purana Qila suggests that the Mahabharata’s story may be based on real events that took place during the 11th and 12th centuries BCE. The discovery also provides further evidence of the extent of human activity in the Gangetic Plain during this period.
The ASI is continuing to excavate the site at Purana Qila. It is hoped that further excavations will reveal more evidence of human activity dating back to the Mahabharata era. This could provide important insights into the history of Delhi and the Gangetic plains during this time period.
Here are some additional details about the evidence that was found:
- The PGW sherds were found in a layer of soil that is below a Mauryan-era stepwell. This suggests that the settlement at Purana Qila may have been founded before the Mauryan period, which began in the 4th century BCE.
- The PGW sherds were found in association with other artifacts, such as stone tools and terracotta figurines. This suggests that the settlement at Purana Qila was a thriving community.
- The ASI is also conducting carbon dating tests on the PGW sherds. This will help to determine the exact age of the settlement.
The discovery of evidence of human activity dating back to the Mahabharata era at Purana Qila is an exciting development. It is hoped that further excavations will reveal more about the history of this important site.
ASI Panel Discovers Evidence of Mahabharata era, how this will change history?
The discovery of evidence related to the Mahabharata at Purana Qila has the potential to change our understanding of Indian history in a number of ways.
- It could provide physical proof of the existence of the Pandavas and Kauravas. The Mahabharata is an epic poem that tells the story of a great war between two families, the Pandavas and Kauravas. The poem is considered to be one of the greatest works of literature in the world, but it has long been debated whether or not the events it describes actually happened. The discovery of physical evidence at Purana Qila could provide the first concrete proof that the Pandavas and Kauravas were real people and that the war they fought was not just a myth.
- It could help us to better understand the timeline of Indian history. The Mahabharata is traditionally dated to the 9th or 10th century BC, but there is no consensus on this date. The discovery of evidence at Purana Qila could help us to narrow down the timeline of the Mahabharata and to better understand the context in which it was written.
- It could shed light on the culture and society of ancient India. The Mahabharata provides a wealth of information about the culture and society of ancient India. The discovery of evidence at Purana Qila could help us to corroborate the information in the poem and to learn more about the lives of people in ancient India.
Here are some additional thoughts on how the discovery could change history:
- It could lead to a renewed interest in the Mahabharata and other Indian epics.
- It could inspire new research into the history of India.
- It could help to promote understanding and tolerance between different cultures.
Overall, the discovery of evidence related to the Mahabharata at Purana Qila is a significant event. It provides physical evidence to support the existence of the Mahabharata, it could help to date the Mahabharata more precisely, and it could shed light on the culture and society of ancient India. Further research is needed to fully understand the significance of this discovery, but it is clear that it has the potential to change our understanding of Indian history. Read in Hindi
