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Ahichchhatra: Difference between revisions
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| built = | | built = c. 1500 BCE | ||
| abandoned = | | abandoned = | ||
| epochs = <!-- actually displays as "Periods" --> | | epochs = <!-- actually displays as "Periods" --> | ||
| cultures = [[Gupta Empire]] | | cultures = [[Ochre Coloured Pottery culture]], [[Black and red ware]], [[Painted Grey Ware culture]], [[Gupta Empire]] | ||
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[[File:Goddess Ganga. Delhi National Museum ni01-11.jpg|thumb|upright=1|[[Gupta art|Gupta]] [[terracotta]] of the personified [[Ganges]], 5th-6th century CE, [[National Museum, New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Harle |first1=James C. |title=The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-06217-5 |page=117 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LwcBVvdqyBkC&pg=PA117 |language=en}}</ref>]] | [[File:Goddess Ganga. Delhi National Museum ni01-11.jpg|thumb|upright=1|[[Gupta art|Gupta]] [[terracotta]] of the personified [[Ganges]], 5th-6th century CE, [[National Museum, New Delhi]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Harle |first1=James C. |title=The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-06217-5 |page=117 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LwcBVvdqyBkC&pg=PA117 |language=en}}</ref>]] | ||
'''Ahichchhatra''' (or '''Ahichatra''', ''Ahi-Kshetra''), near the modern [[Ramnagar, Bareilly|Ramnagar]] village in [[Aonla, Uttar Pradesh|Aonla tehsil]], [[Bareilly district]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], India, was the ancient [[Capital (political)|capital]] of Northern [[Panchala]], a northern Indian kingdom mentioned in the [[Mahabharata]].<ref name=Malik>{{Cite book |last=Malik |first=Dr Malti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bMg-DAAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PA12 |title=History of India |date=2016 |publisher=New Saraswati House India Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-81-7335-498-4 | | '''Ahichchhatra''' (or '''Ahichatra''', ''Ahi-Kshetra''), near the modern [[Ramnagar, Bareilly|Ramnagar]] village in [[Aonla, Uttar Pradesh|Aonla tehsil]], [[Bareilly district]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], India, was the ancient [[Capital (political)|capital]] of Northern [[Panchala]], a northern Indian kingdom mentioned in the [[Mahabharata]].<ref name=Malik>{{Cite book |last=Malik |first=Dr Malti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bMg-DAAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PA12 |title=History of India |date=2016 |publisher=New Saraswati House India Pvt Ltd |isbn=978-81-7335-498-4 |pages=51–54 |language=en}}</ref> [[Kampilya]] was the capital of the southern Panchala. | ||
Most of the city was half a mile north-east of the modern village, with a large mound, popularly called the fort, two miles west of this. Several significant finds of sculpture, in both stone and (especially) [[terracotta]] of the early centuries CE, have been made at the site and are now in various museums. Excavations have uncovered nine strata, the lowest from before the 3rd century BCE and the latest from the 11th century CE.<ref>Kala, p. xv</ref> | Most of the city was half a mile north-east of the modern village, with a large mound, popularly called the fort, two miles west of this. Several significant finds of sculpture, in both stone and (especially) [[terracotta]] of the early centuries CE, have been made at the site and are now in various museums. Excavations have uncovered nine strata, the lowest from before the 3rd century BCE and the latest from the 11th century CE.<ref>Kala, p. xv</ref> | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Its history reaches back to late [[Vedic]] times, at which time it was capital of the Panchala kingdom. The name is written '''Ahikshetras''' as well as '''Ahi-chhatra''', but the local legend of Adi Raja and the Naga, who formed a canopy over his head, when asleep, shows that the later is the correct form. The fort is said to have been built by Adi Raja | Its history reaches back to late [[Vedic]] times, at which time it was capital of the Panchala kingdom. The name is written '''Ahikshetras''' as well as '''Ahi-chhatra''', but the local legend of Adi Raja and the Naga, who formed a canopy over his head, when asleep, shows that the later is the correct form. The fort is said to have been built by Adi Raja, whose future elevation sovereignty was foretold by [[Drona]], when he found him sleeping under the guardianship of a serpent with expended hood. The fort is also called '''Adikot'''.{{sfn|Subodh Kapoor|2002|pp=17-19}} | ||
[[File:Panchalas of Adhichhatra.jpg|thumb|Coin of the Panchalas of Ahichhatra (75-50 BCE)<br>'''Obv''' [[Indra]] seated facing on pedestal, holding bifurcated object.<br>'''Rev'''. ''Idramitrasa'' in [[Brahmi]], Panchala symbols.]] | |||
[[File:I38 12karshapana Panchala MACW4540 1ar (8486500958).jpg|thumb|A bronze currency of ½ [[karshapana]] of King Indramitra (ca 75-50 BC?) Of Ahichatra of Panchala. '''Obv:''' A inside a rectangle, a line of 3 symbols, under the name of the king. '''Rev:''' Indra standing on a pedestal without pillars. '''Dimensions:''' 15 mm. '''Weight:''' 4.18 g.]] | |||
[[File:Coin-of-Achyuta.jpg|thumb|Coin of Achyuta, the last Panchala king, showing an 8-spoked wheel and the king's name: Achyu.]] | |||
The last independent ruler of Ahichatra was [[Achyuta of Panchala|Achyuta Naga]], who was defeated by [[Samudragupta]], after which Panchala was annexed into the [[Gupta Empire]].<ref>Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.473</ref> The coins of Achyuta found from Ahichatra have a wheel of eight spokes on the reverse and the legend ''Achyu'' on the obverse.<ref>Lahiri, B. (1974). ''Indigenous States of Northern India (Circa 200 B.C. to 320 A.D.) '', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.182</ref> | |||
== Archaeology == | == Archaeology == | ||
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== Jain tradition == | == Jain tradition == | ||
Ahikshetra is an important religious place for the followers of [[Jainism]] in India. Jain literatures cites this as a place where [[Parshvanatha]] attained [[Kevala Jnana]] <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jainteerth.com/uttar-pradesh-u-p-jain-teerth/shri-ahichchhatra-parshvanath-atishaya-kshetra-ramnagar/|title=Shri Ahichchhatra Parshvanath Atishaya Kshetra, Ramnagar {{!}} JainTeerth.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-22}}</ref> | Ahikshetra is an important religious place for the followers of [[Jainism]] in India.{{dubious|date=June 2021}} Jain literatures cites this as a place where [[Parshvanatha]] attained [[Kevala Jnana]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jainteerth.com/uttar-pradesh-u-p-jain-teerth/shri-ahichchhatra-parshvanath-atishaya-kshetra-ramnagar/|title=Shri Ahichchhatra Parshvanath Atishaya Kshetra, Ramnagar {{!}} JainTeerth.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-22}}</ref> | ||
==Means of approach== | ==Means of approach== | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{ | {{commons category}} | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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[[Category:Places in the Mahabharata]] | [[Category:Places in the Mahabharata]] | ||
[[Category:Former populated places in India]] | [[Category:Former populated places in India]] | ||
[[Category:Jainism]] | [[Category:History of Jainism]] | ||
[[Category:Jain temples and tirthas]] | [[Category:Jain temples and tirthas]] | ||
[[Category:Indo-Aryan archaeological sites]] | [[Category:Indo-Aryan archaeological sites]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:14, 28 June 2021
 One of the large mounds at Ahichchhatra. | |
  Ahichchhatra Shown within South Asia  Ahichchhatra Ahichchhatra (Uttar Pradesh) | |
| Location | Uttar Pradesh, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°22′16″N 79°08′10″E / 28.371°N 79.136°ECoordinates: 28°22′16″N 79°08′10″E / 28.371°N 79.136°E |
| Type | Temples |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 1500 BCE |
| Cultures | Ochre Coloured Pottery culture, Black and red ware, Painted Grey Ware culture, Gupta Empire |
Ahichchhatra (or Ahichatra, Ahi-Kshetra), near the modern Ramnagar village in Aonla tehsil, Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh, India, was the ancient capital of Northern Panchala, a northern Indian kingdom mentioned in the Mahabharata.[2] Kampilya was the capital of the southern Panchala.
Most of the city was half a mile north-east of the modern village, with a large mound, popularly called the fort, two miles west of this. Several significant finds of sculpture, in both stone and (especially) terracotta of the early centuries CE, have been made at the site and are now in various museums. Excavations have uncovered nine strata, the lowest from before the 3rd century BCE and the latest from the 11th century CE.[3]
The city appears to have reached its height during the period of the Gupta Empire. The region lacks sources of good stone and was a centre for making Indian pottery at various periods, and in the early CE the temples were decorated with unusually large terracotta relief panels and sculptures, many of very high quality.[4]
Names[edit]
The word Ahi means snake or Naga in Sanskrit. Nagas were a group of ancient people who worshiped serpents. The word khsetra means region in Sanskrit. This implies that Ahi-kshetra was a region of Nagas.
Ahikshetra is mentioned as Shankavai Samkhyavati in Vividhatirthakalpa.[5]
History[edit]
Its history reaches back to late Vedic times, at which time it was capital of the Panchala kingdom. The name is written Ahikshetras as well as Ahi-chhatra, but the local legend of Adi Raja and the Naga, who formed a canopy over his head, when asleep, shows that the later is the correct form. The fort is said to have been built by Adi Raja, whose future elevation sovereignty was foretold by Drona, when he found him sleeping under the guardianship of a serpent with expended hood. The fort is also called Adikot.[6]
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The last independent ruler of Ahichatra was Achyuta Naga, who was defeated by Samudragupta, after which Panchala was annexed into the Gupta Empire.[7] The coins of Achyuta found from Ahichatra have a wheel of eight spokes on the reverse and the legend Achyu on the obverse.[8]
Archaeology[edit]
The site was briefly explored by Sir Alexander Cunningham in 1871, and then excavated by the ASI from 1940 for "about five years".[9] The excavations found brick fortifications and continuity of occupation from a period before 600 BCE to 1100 CE.[10] During the first excavations in 1940–44, the Painted Gray Ware pottery were found at the earliest level. Ruins of this city could be identified from the remote sensing imagery of IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites. The ruins reveal that the city had a triangular shape. Recent excavations in Ahichchhatra showed it was first inhabited by the middle of the second millennium BC with Ochre Coloured Pottery culture people, followed by Black and Red Ware culture. Around 1000 BC, it reached at least 40 hectares of area, making it one of the largest Painted Grey Ware culture sites. Evidence of construction of early fortifications were discovered around 1000 BC indicating first urban development.[11][12] Near Ahichchhatra, 2 km to its west there is a big pond which is said to trace its ancestry to the time of Mahabharata. The pond, located in the village of Jagannathpur is said to have been made by the pandavas at the time of their forest dwelling (vanvas).
In the early Gupta period a section of the city set aside for pottery contained very large firing pits, some 10 or 12 feet deep.[13]
Jain tradition[edit]
Ahikshetra is an important religious place for the followers of Jainism in India.[dubious ] Jain literatures cites this as a place where Parshvanatha attained Kevala Jnana[14]
Means of approach[edit]
From the Revati Bahoda Khera Station on Chandosi – Bareilly Line, vehicle of Kshetra and other vehicles are available. Road: - Buses are available from Delhi, Meerut, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kasganj & Badaun. Train: - Trains are available from Delhi, Bareilly, Agra, Muradabad, Aligarh to Revati Bahoda Khera Station and vehicles are all time available for Ramnagar from Revati Bahoda Khera Station. Airport: - Delhi 250 km
Nearby Places[edit]
Nainital – 180 km Hastinapur Atishaya Kshetra – 200 km Kampilji Atishaya Kshetra – 180 km Manglayatan (Aligarh) – 180 km Bareilly – 55 km
Sculpture from Ahichchhatra[edit]
Stone Buddha, c. 1st Century CE, Kushan Period
Sandstone Shiva, 3rd century
Terracotta architectural panel with Goddess, Gupta period, 5th century
Gupta period terracotta Yamuna, pair to the Ganga above
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Notes[edit]
- ↑ Harle, James C. The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Yale University Press. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-300-06217-5.
- ↑ Malik, Dr Malti (2016). History of India. New Saraswati House India Pvt Ltd. pp. 51–54. ISBN 978-81-7335-498-4.
- ↑ Kala, p. xv
- ↑ Majumdar, 429-430
- ↑ Subodh Kapoor 2002, p. 16.
- ↑ Subodh Kapoor 2002, pp. 17-19.
- ↑ Raychaudhuri, H.C. (1972). Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.473
- ↑ Lahiri, B. (1974). Indigenous States of Northern India (Circa 200 B.C. to 320 A.D.) , Calcutta: University of Calcutta, p.182
- ↑ Kala, p. xv
- ↑ Lahiri, Bela (1972). Indigenous States of Northern India (Circa 200 B.C. to 320 A.D.), Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp.170-88
- ↑ "What Lies Beneath".
- ↑ http://www.educationtimes.com/article/290/20130917201309171524062507304cdb3/What-Lies-Beneath.html What lies Beneath, B. R. Mani 2013
- ↑ Majumdar, 430
- ↑ "Shri Ahichchhatra Parshvanath Atishaya Kshetra, Ramnagar | JainTeerth.com". Retrieved 22 December 2019.
References[edit]
- Kala, Satish Chandra, Terracottas in the Allahabad Museum, p. xv, Abhinav Publications, 1980, ISBN 0391022342, 9780391022348, google books
- Kapoor, Subodh, ed. (2002), Encyclopaedia of Ancient Indian Geography, vol. 1, Cosmo Publications, ISBN 81-7755-298-8
- Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra, Vakataka - Gupta Age Circa 200-550 A.D., 1986, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., ISBN 8120800265, 9788120800267, google books