Archaeological Excavations in Central India: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

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Central India comprising the present states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is one of the richest regions of the country which is well-known for its archaeological wealth. Forming the heartland of India, it has been the ampitheatre of Prehistory, Protohistory and History. During all these periods, it has been the land through which have passed political and cultural currents from north to south, east to west and vice-versa. To determine the precise nature of cultures of different periods, to provide missing links in Indian history and to establish them on firm chronology, archaeological excavations have been conducted here for the past more than a century. Summarised findings of these excavations have been published in different Annual Reports and Journals which themselves have become a rare commodity now. The number of detailed Excavation Reports published so far may be counted on fingers only. Under these circumstances, for the teachers, research scholars, students, explorers and excavators who need these Reports for their study, exploration and excavation work, it has become extremely difficult to locate the information required readily. The present work has been pre- pared to precisely fulfil this long-felt need of the researchers. This monograph will prove to be a source book of ready reference for them.

DR R.K. SHARMA (b. 1932) Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jabalpur retired in 1992. Subsequently he was Visiting Professor in the University of Sagar, Principal Investigator of a Major UGC Project and is currently Senior Research Fellow of the ICHR
His prestigious publications include Madhya Pradesh Ke Puratattua Ka Sandarbha Granth (Bhopal, 1974). The Temple of Chaunsatha Yogini at Bheraghat (Delhi, 1978) Art of the Paramaras of Malwa (Ed.) (Delhi, 1979). The Kalachuris and Their Times (Delhi, 1980), Indian Archaeology-New Perspectives (Ed) (Delhi, 1982). Archaeology of Bhopal Region (Delhi, 1980), Rock Art of India (Assoc. Ed.) (Delhi, 1983). Vajapeya Essays on Evolution of Indian Art and Culture (Prof KD Bajpai Fel. Vol.) (Ed.) (Delhi 1987), Studies in Shell Script (Ed) (Delhi, 1990), Art of the Kalachuris (Ed) (Bhopal, 1991), Excavations of Kakrehta (Delhi, 1992), Krsna Smrti (Prof. K.D. Bajpai Comm. Vol.) (Ed.) (Delhi, 1995). Prehistoric Art in India (Dr. S.K. Pandey Fel. Vol) (Ed.) (Delhi, 1996), Kalachuri Rajvansh Aur Unka Yug 2 vols. (Delhi, 2000), Encyclopaedia of Art Archaeology and Literature in Central India 2 vols. (Delhi 2000), Jaina Philosophy, Art & Culture 2 vols. (Ed.) and Tribal History of Central India 3 vols. (Delhi 2002).
DR. OM PRAKASH MISHA (b. 1954) M.A. in Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology from Gorakhpur University, did his PG. Diploma in Museology from Bhopal University and obtained Doctorate from the same University in 1984. He had the privilege of working in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. He also participated in excavations at Besnagar, Veerapuram, Dangawoda, Nandur, Piplyalorka, Atudkhas, Sarangpur Ninnore and Kalyanpura. He is the author of Mothergodderse, in Central India, (1985), Iconography of the Saptamatrikas. As associate Editor Puratan Vol. 6,7,8,9.10 & 11 of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museumns Other Edited books in which he was associated are Dangawada Excavations, Art of the Kalachuris, Shaiva Catalogue, Khojuraha in perspectives, Bounteous Tree Treasure of Indian Art and Culture, etc He is a member of many leamed societies and is a fellow of Royal Asiatic Society of London. At present D: Misra is holding the charge of Epigraphist in the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums. Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.

Central India comprising the present states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is one of the richest regions of the country which is well- has been the ampitheatre of Prehistory, Protohistory and History During all these periods, it has been the land through which have passed political and cultural currents from north to south, east to west and vice versa. To determine the precise nature of cultures of different periods, to provide missing links in India history and to establish them on firm chronology, archaeological excavations have been conducted here for the past more than a century Summarised findings of these excavations have been published in different Annual Reports and Journals which themselves have become a rare commodity now. The number of detailed Excavations Reports published so far may be counted on fingers only. Under these circumstances, for the teachers, research scholars, students, explorers and excavators who need these Reports for their study, exploration and excavation work, it has become extremely difficult to locate the information required readily The present work has been prepared to precisely fulfil this long-felt want of the researchers. We are convinced that this monograph will prove to be a source book of ready reference for them.
To facilitate research workers, the archaeologically excavated sites of Central India have been classified into three categories viz. Prehistoric sites, Protohistoric sites and Historic sites discussed in chapters II, III and IV respectively. These are preceded by an Archaeological Background of the region described in Chapter I The Cultural Sequence of the excavated Chalcolithic sites of M.P. has been detailed in a tabular form in Chapter III. Appendix 1 provides the Radio-carbon dates obtained in different excavations conducted in Central India. A list of Ostrich egg shell sites has been given in Appendix II. A Select Bibliography has been provided at the end.
In preparing this monography, all the detailed Reports as well as short accounts of excavations published by various agencies viz, the Archaeological Survey of India. the State Department of Archaeology. Departments of Archaeology of the Different Universities and Research Institutes have been taken into account. We acknowledge our thanks to the authors and publishers of various Reports, particularly those of the Archaeological Survey of India: the Deccan College, Pune: M.S. University of Baroda; the University of Allahabad; the H.S. Gour University,Sagar, Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur. A.P.S. University, Rewa, Jiwaji University, Gwalior and the Department of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, M.P., Bhopal. The detailed or short Reports of excavations conducted and published by these agencies have been extensively used in preparation of this work and we owe our indebtedness to the authorities of these agencies.
Our thanks are due to Sri Krishan Mittal, Mittal Publications, New Delhi who have taken up the publication of this work at a short notice.