Archaeological Sources of Uttarakhand History
Archaeological Sources of Uttarakhand History
Archaeological Sources of Uttarakhand History
Archaeological Sources of Uttarakhand History : Uttarakhand, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The region finds mention in various mythological texts and has been an important cultural and political center in different periods of history. However, systematic archaeological excavations and studies in Uttarakhand have been limited. Yet, the archaeological remains found here provide valuable evidence regarding the early settlements and cultures in this region.
This article comprehensively covers the archaeological sources that give insights into the history of Uttarakhand. It is divided into the following sections:
Prehistoric Rock Art
The rock shelters and cave paintings found at various sites in Uttarakhand provide evidence of human habitation in this region since the Upper Paleolithic age. Some of the key sites are:
Lakhu Udyar: Located in the Pithoragarh district, this rock shelter contains paintings depicting human and animal figures belonging to the Mesolithic period.
Saim Khet: Discovered near the Saryu river valley in the Chamoli district, this site has about 40 paintings of human and animal figures from the Mesolithic age.
Mana: Situated near Badrinath in Chamoli district, the cave paintings found here are estimated to be 10,000 years old and represent the Mesolithic period. Common motifs include figures of men, animals and geometric symbols.
Patal Bhuvaneshwar: This limestone cave near Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district has paintings from the Chalcolithic period, showing religious motifs and hunting scenes.
These cave/rock paintings and engravings provide evidence of the lifestyle and belief systems of the prehistoric communities inhabiting this region.
Stone Age Tools and Artifacts
Various stone age tools and artifacts have been discovered from archaeological sites in different parts of Uttarakhand. These include:
Handaxes and Cleavers: Large, oval shaped, bifacially flaked tools found in the Soan valley near Dehradun. These belong to the Lower Paleolithic age.
Blades and Burins: Smaller flake tools displaying parallel working edges have been found at Hathibarkala and other sites. These represent the Middle Paleolithic culture.
Microliths: Tiny stone tools, primarily geometric forms like lunates, triangles and trapezes, often used as composite tools. These signal the arrival of the Mesolithic age.
Ring stones: Perforated disc-shaped objects made of stone, found at various sites. Thought to have been used as weights for digging sticks or decorative/ritual items.
Quartz artifacts: Crude chopper-like tools as well as finished microlithic tools made of quartz have been discovered at many sites in Uttarakhand.
These stone age artifacts establish the antiquity of human settlement in this region since the Lower Paleolithic period. The tool typology also enables tracing cultural continuity and changes over time.
Megalithic Remains
Megalithic sites containing burial monuments built of large stone slabs have been found at various places in Uttarakhand. These date from around 1000 BCE to the early centuries CE and signify the presence of an Iron Age culture distinct from the Ganges valley megalithic complex. Some major sites are:
Champawat district: Megalithic stone circles and cairn circles found in the Lohaghat and Pancheshwar area. Pottery and iron artifacts were also excavated.
Pithoragarh district: Remains of megalithic stone circles excavated from Dantakali, Jipti, Sor and other sites in the Dharchula subdivision.
These megalithic monuments were built by proto-historic communities possibly belonging to the Khasa tribe. The mortuary remains indicate certain burial rituals and afterlife beliefs.
Historical Temples and Sculptures
Several ruined temple complexes and sculptural remains belonging to the early medieval period have been found at important sites like Jageshwar and Baijnath in the Almora district and Devidhura in Champawat district.
The sculpted panels depict various Hindu deities, scenes from myths and legends as well as historical characters like the Katyuri kings. Stylistically, these sculptures were influenced by contemporary Gupta and post-Gupta art.
Inscriptions found on some sculptures as well as on independent stone slabs and copper plates also provide useful information regarding the ruling dynasties and personages of that period in Uttarakhand.
Findings at Excavated Sites
While systematic excavations have been few, the explorations and excavations done by archaeologists like M.P Joshi, J.S. Kharakwal and others have provided glimpses into Uttarakhand’s history:
Dwarahat: The excavation of this site in Almora district brought to light remains of a medieval temple complex and palace along with sculptures and other artifacts.
Jageshwar: Remains of an early medieval temple with sculptural panels were exposed during excavation at this important religious site in Almora district.
Ranikhet: Excavation in the Kalika temple complex area revealed structures and antiquities belonging to the medieval period.
Haat Kalika: Excavated remains of a medieval Shiva temple and artifacts were found at this pilgrimage site near Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district.
These excavations have provided concrete archaeological evidence regarding the cultural developments in Uttarakhand between the 6th to 12th centuries CE.
Findings from Explorations
Several archaeologically important sites have been discovered during explorations in different parts of Uttarakhand. Though scientific excavation has not happened at these places, the surface remains provide clues to the region’s history. Some key exploratory discoveries are:
Naugarh Fort: Located near Doti in Uttarkashi district, this remote fort site has remains of buildings and sculptures belonging to the early medieval Katyuri dynasty.
Devalgarh: Situated near Guptakashi in Rudraprayag district, surface remains at this site indicate it to be an early medieval fort and temple complex.
Pabo: The remains of an ancient temple and sculptures were found at this site near Dewal in Chamoli district. It is thought to date to the Katyuri period.
Though only exploratory in nature, these discoveries clearly establish that Uttarakhand was not isolated from the socio-cultural developments taking place in north India in the early medieval period.
Findings from Private Collections
Many sculptures, coins and copper plate inscriptions discovered accidentally or acquired illegally from archaeological sites in Uttarakhand have made their way into private collections. Though the exact provenance is obscure, these antiquities provide useful supplementary data regarding the region’s history.
The iconographic style of the sculptures, paleographic features of the writings on the copper plates and numismatic evidence from the coins – all help in dating these antiquities and linking them to particular ruling powers.
Conclusion to Archaeological Sources of Uttarakhand History
Despite the remote, inaccessible terrain and lack of systematic archaeological research, the discoveries made in Uttarakhand spanning the prehistoric, proto-historic and early medieval periods provide ample evidence of human habitation and socio-cultural developments in this region through millennia.
The archaeological remains not only establish cultural parallels and connections with contemporaneous cultures in the Indo-Gangetic plain but also demonstrate the emergence of distinct ethnic groups and regional polities in the Uttarakhand Himalayas since very early times.
Clearly, there is immense scope for further archaeological excavations and inter-disciplinary research in unraveling the rich history of Uttarakhand hidden under its soil.
FAQs on Archaeological Sources of Uttarakhand History
What are the main archaeological sources for Uttarakhand’s history?
The archaeological sources include stone tools, rock paintings, ruins of forts and temples, sculptures, inscriptions on stones, copper plates, coins etc.
What kind of literary sources are available for studying Uttarakhand’s history?
The literary sources include local legends, folk tales, ballads as well as Sanskrit and regional texts composed by scholars over the centuries.
What accounts of foreign travelers tell us about old Uttarakhand?
The travelogues and accounts of Chinese, Greek, Arabic, Persian travelers provide information about the society, economy and politics of Uttarakhand in ancient times.
