In the month of Shravan, a remarkable turn of event took place, that affirms Bharat’s deep civilisational roots. Ancient sculptures which are likely dating back to the Gupta period have been unearthed in the remote village of Phooldari in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. The discovery was made during land levelling work on a farm, prompting swift action by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a team from Jabalpur arrived to study sculptures and document the findings.
The unearthing of the sculptures appeared as local farmer Rajendra Prasad Tiwari has initiated work to level his uneven farmland in Phooldari village of Phoolwari gram panchayat, under Devendranagar tehsil. During the excavation, more than ten stone sculptures surfaced, which makes the villagers to save these precious carvings and well-preserved till team arrived. Realising the historical importance of the sculptures, Tiwari informed the local administration. Acting with commendable speed, the administration reached out to the ASI’s Jabalpur Circle.
Excavations were going in Lalar village of Panna district from March 10, 2024 where ASI has witnessed the centuries old sculptures and stepwell. These sculptures were placed on the platform of Shankar mandir which depicts animal, women and deities.
These earlier findings led the ASI team to conduct a detailed survey of the unearthed artefacts of Phooldari. Within few days an expert team led by Dr. Ritesh Singh, visited the site under the guidance of senior archaeologist Dr. Shivakant Bajpai. The team has captured high-resolution photographs and videos of each sculpture, took field notes for further investigation.
According to Dr. Shivakant Bajpai, “The stylistic features and iconography bear a strong resemblance to Gupta-period sculptures, especially those found in the Nachna Kuthara complex, known for its architectural finesse and spiritual symbolism.” Dr. Ritesh Singh added that a comprehensive report which includes carbon dating analysis, will be prepared within a week and submitted to the Panna District Collector.
Tehsildar Jyoti Singh Rajput, who was present at the site during the ASI survey, confirmed that the team has taken all necessary data and will submit its findings to Collector Suresh Kumar. Local authorities have expressed interest in preserving the site and possibly developing it as a heritage location, depending on the ASI’s final recommendations.
Echoes of Nachna Kuthara Civilization
The Nachna Kuthara region of central India is revered for its ancient stone temples and sculptures from the 4th and 5th centuries CE, an era of Gupta dynasty that marks its cultural resurgence, artistic excellence and reflects the influence of Sanatan Dharma. The Panna sculptures resemble to those of Nachna Kuthara and also indicate that this area might have been part of the sacred geography.
It is likely that this forgotten temple site or spiritual complex get buried due to ignorance and migration in this region, it silently bears the centuries of devotion and artistry.
The discovery in Panna is not merely an archaeological event, it is a call to reconnect with glorious past of Santan Dharma. It’s a peak time when Bharat is reclaiming its narrative and celebrating its ancient wisdom globally, such findings will play a crucial role in awakening civilizational pride.
From the Gupta era to the present day, Bharat has continued to inspire the world through its spiritual and cultural resilience. This discovery once again highlights the need for proactive conservation of India’s civilizational treasures. Many of our sacred temples, stepwells and idol stills remains undocumented or hidden beneath agricultural fields or modern settlements. It is the duty of every citizen and institution to ensure that such priceless remnants of our history to get it preserved for future generations.
This incident is a testament to the fact that India’s ancient heritage still lies buried under layers of modernity, waiting to be rediscovered and celebrated. As Bharat rises again, let such buried truths of our dharmic past to be resurrected and honoured in their rightful place of temples or museums.
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