Remnants from the Mahabharata and Maurya periods have been found in Vejha village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed artefacts dating back over 2,500 years during excavations on a mound in the village.
Among the findings are bronze tools, coins, and the head of a statue from the Mauryan era, along with sculptures of the Ashwini Kumars from the Shunga period and implements made of bones. Fragments of pottery from the Mahabharata era and other artefacts have also been discovered during the excavation process.
To prevent the leakage of specific information, the ASI team has maintained distance from media personnel and villagers of the nearby village, refraining from appearing in front of cameras to showcase or discuss their findings. The excavation involves digging two wells, each approximately 30 feet deep, where ancient brick walls and pottery fragments have been discovered.
Initiated back in January, this excavation marks a significant milestone, coming after a gap of 50 years of extensive excavation work in the Braj region. The discoveries made during this excavation are highly remarkable and distinct from previous efforts, sparking astonishment among the people of the surrounding areas, particularly in the Deeg district.
One notable find includes bone tools from the Shunga period, along with clay seals depicting deities riding elephants and painted greyware pottery dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation (1100 and 800 BCE). Additionally, a rare terracotta pipe from the Mauryan era and a terracotta figurine of a mother goddess have been unearthed. Burnt bricks found at a 45-degree angle to the wall, possibly from the Mauryan period, have also been discovered.
The excavation site, situated in the Deeg district of present-day Rajasthan, was once part of the Govardhan Hill. This area is also part of the 84-kos Parikrama circuit, a sacred pilgrimage of about 250-270 km among Hindus. The observation of these ancient remnants has attracted people from far and wide, generating significant interest and activity in the region.
Notably, the ASI has resumed excavations in the Braj region, focusing on Govardhan Hill, an area steeped in religious and historical significance. The excavation, part of the government’s broader agenda to explore India’s ancient roots, has attracted attention for its potential to shed light on Mathura’s ancient culture.
One of the most prominent excavations, Bhojshala, situated in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, holds immense historical significance as it was originally a temple dedicated to Saraswati, constructed by King Bhoja in the 11th century. Over the years, various archaeological investigations and research have affirmed the existence of Hindu temple ruins within the Bhojshala complex. Despite being referred to as a mosque, evidence such as Paramara-style pillars bearing Hindu sculptures and architectural remnants of temples from the Paramar period indicates its Hindu origins. Currently, under the direction of Prof. Alok Tripathi and a team of archaeologists, thorough examinations of inscriptions and scientific excavations are underway to uncover the true antiquity and identity of Bhojshala.
In 2022-23, ASI sanctioned excavations at 51 sites nationwide to unearth ancient cultures. In Benwa village, Sikar, Rajasthan, pottery shards dating back to possibly the early Harappan civilisation (3300 BCE to 1300 BCE) were discovered. Meanwhile, excavation aims to uncover evidence from the ‘Mahabharata period’ (estimated 900 BCE to 1000 BCE) in Delhi’s Purana Qila complex, as per veteran archaeologist BB Lal.
In 2021, archaeologists discovered eleven mounds in total at Rakhigarhi, which have been named RGR-1 to RGR-11. Until then, Mohenjo Daro, which covers 300 hectares, was considered the largest Harappan metropolis in south Asia. The Rakhigarhi site ranks among one of the “five iconic sites” declared by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her budget speech in February 2020.
