Excavations at Pakkakot (2010-11 to 2015-16)

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The present monograph embodies a detailed account of the archaeological excavations carried out during 2010-11 to 2015-16 by the Banaras Hindu University under the direction of the author at the ancient settlement of Pakkäkot situated on the choti saryu (Tons) river in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. Five field seasons of excavation have revealed the existence of continuous human habitation from about 5 millennium B.C.E. to 15" century C.E. without having a cultural break. This long period of human civilization has exposed six periods of cultural levels, each having distinct characteristics with pottery and Antiquities.

In general the excavation has contributed in sum the features of Urban life in all aspects which in a way represent for the Middle Ganga Plain's cultural stratigraphy. The first period beginning from the earliest Neolithic, followed by Chalcolithic, and further succeeding NBP culture and developing into a township with Kushana Habitation extending to second century C.E. and later with the characteristics of rich cultural elements otherwise called - "Gupta" traditions extending upto the fifth century C.E. Further habitation continues upto the medieval period with some distinct features but the site was not fully occupied limited to some portion datable to 15" century C.E. This is confirmed by the findings of the glazed ceramics and the use of lakhauri bricks.

The fact that Pakkakot was situated on a major trade route and was connected with the Ganga flowing nearby with its tributary Chhoti Saryu (Tons), clearly indicate the settlement had the facility of using the river for the purposes of transport having a wharf and landing facilities for trading activities and facilitating the riverine communication. This evidence is unique and reporting for the first time.

The excavations has revealed major discoveries affiliated to Buddhist traditions in the form of: Monastery and a Chaityagriha built in brick exposing complete details. All these structural and cultural aspects resulted in making Pakkākot an important urban canter of Middle Ganga plain.

It is hoped that this excavation will work as a model and give further impetus to new researches for understanding the Archaeology of the Ganga plains.

Dr. Sita Ram Dubey, former Professor, Head & Co- ordinator, Centre of Advanced Studies, department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology and Inter Cultural Studies Centre. Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi is a scholar in the field of Indological studies. He has participated and presented research papers in many national and international seminars. Dr. Dubey has organised many national and international seminars, did exploration work at various sites of north India and has been director of the excavation of the Pakkakot district Ballia, U.P.

Dr. Dubey has more than 100 research papers to his credit and has authored and edited several books, few of them being- Bauddha Sangha Ka Prarambhika Vikasa; Bauddha Dharma :Vividha Paksha; Pakkakot: Some new archaeological dimensions of mid Ganga Plain; Bauddha Yugina Bharata; Samsamayika Itihasa Lekhana - Pravidhi evam Pravrittiyan.

Dr. Dubey has immaculate command over literary and archaeological evidence finding. Currently he is working on a Research Project entitled "Uninterrupted Flow of Kashi in the Light of Inscriptions" from Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi.

Dr. Santosh Kumar Singh (b. 1969) presently is Assistant Professor in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology. Devendra Post Graduate College, Bethara Road, Ballia (Jananayak Chandrashekhar University, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh) He received his early education in Ballia and obtained his Masters degree from Poorvanchal University in 1992. He joined research in the Department of AIHC and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University in 1993 and completed his Ph.D. with a fellowship on the subject- Urbanization in North India (600-1200 A.D.). Further, he also obtained two year Advanced P.G. Diploma in Archaeology from the same University in 1998. He is a recipient of several awards and carried out a Post-doctoral research with a fellowship from ICHR. Dr. Singh activity engaged in field research and participated in a number of excavations some of which include Waina, Ballia (1994), Imlidih Khurd, Gorakhpur (1995), Bhunadih, Ballia (1996), Khairadih, Ballia (1997). Chaukhandi, Varanasi (1998), Dholavira, Kutch, Gujurat (1999), Agiabir, Mirzapur (1999-2001), Anai, Varanasi (2005). Alamgirpur, Meerut (2008), Bulandkhera, Gautam Budh Nagar (2008) and Pakkakot, Ballia (2010-11-2015-16). Further, he was also associated with the explorations of Chandauli, Sonbhadra-Sidhi for time to time. Dr. Singh has published many research papers in National and International journals and attended a number of National and International Conferences and Seminars. His publications include "Uttar Bharat Mein Nagaron Ka Vikas (600-1200 A.D.)"(2004), "Excavations at Khairadih (1996-97)" (2003-04), "Urbanization of the Middle Ganga Plain: An Archaeological Perspective" (2010). "Settlement Pattern Urban Growth and Craft Technology in North India: An Archaeological Perspective" (2012). "Ancient Ballia: An Archaeological Gazetteer" (in press). Further he has also published nearly 125 papers in various research journals including Special Volumes in Archaeology and History and Indian Culture. He has also made significant contributions specially in the archaeology of Middle Ganga Plains with several citations in the academic spheres.

Promotion of historical research, archaeological explorations and excavations along with the publication of the works of scholars are the primary objectives of the "Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University." As a part of this program of rehabilitating and reorienting ancient learning and scholarship, the department has published a series of historical research works and excavation reports from time to time. This humble service to the world of scholarship and learning would bear fruit in the fullness of time. We have, therefore, great pleasure in offering this report entitled "Excavations at Pakkakot (2010-11 to 2015-16)" to the world of scholars with the hope that it will enrich their knowledge of ancient history and open new vistas in archaeological research and history-writing.

We would like to avail this opportunity to express our gratefulness and thanks for our colleagues, friends and well-wishers who have variously helped us in the field operations as well as the preparation of the report. Our grateful special thanks are due to the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, Govt. of India, New Delhi, for granting permission for archaeological excavations at Pakkakot as also for giving generous financial assistance. We would like to express our gratefulness and thanks from core of our heart to Honourable Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain, Vice Chancellor, the Registrar and the Finance Officer, Banaras Hindu University for providing encouragement and administrative support.