In a Haryana village, recent discoveries hint at a 3,500-year-old past

Indian Express

2 days ago

Remains of painted grey ware, stamped pottery, moulded bricks and a dome-like construction assumed to be a Buddhist stupa — these discoveries, recovered during an exploration of a Mauryan-era village in Yamunanagar district, suggest that human habitation in the region may date back nearly 3,500 years.
Officials of the Haryana Archaeology and Museums Department said the findings are based on analyses of two reports – the department's on-site exploration report and a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur at Topra Kalan village in Yamunanagar district in January. IIT-Kanpur submitted its findings to the state department in July, said Professor Javed Malik of IIT-Kanpur's Department of Earth Sciences, who had led the GPR survey.
The GPR survey, which aimed to map the site's subsurface features, had revealed the presence of ancient structures and other architectural elements, besides offering insights into the site's historical and archaeological significance.
According to Haryana officials, the survey had revealed buried architectural structures such as walls, platforms and room-like enclosures arranged in multiple orientations. These structures, they said, reach depths of 4-5 metres, indicating a well-organised ancient settlement. The survey also points to a possible dome-like structure, which could be a stupa, and shallow wall formations that are between 0.2 and 0.8 metres deep.
Banani Bhattacharyya, Deputy Director, Haryana Archaeology and Museums Department, tells The Indian Express, 'On the basis of these discoveries during our exploration, we estimate the site dates back to around 1,500 BCE. These findings are highly significant for Haryana in the context of Buddhist sites.'
Topra Kalan village is considered the original location of the Delhi-Topra Ashokan pillar, inscribed with the Mauryan Emperor's moral edicts. The pillar was moved to the national Capital in the 14th century by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
The Haryana archaeology department has been conducting site exploration around Topra Kalan, located around 14 km from Yamunanagar and 90 km from Chandigarh, for nearly two years now. Officials said this exploration was part of an exercise to identify ancient sites and monuments across the state's villages, and to ensure their preservation.
Archaeologist Bhattacharyya says, 'We have not dug up the site since it lies under a village (Topra Kalan). In 2024, we started exploring some nearby areas, including mounds and low-lying places, and found ancient pottery and other cultural materials.'
According to officials, state archaeologists have so far recovered remains of painted grey ware, black-and-red ware, black-on-red ware, black ware, stamped pottery, moulded bricks, beads and other objects.
According to Bhattacharyya, historical references, including those from Sir Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and Hiuen Tsang, a prominent Buddhist scholar, suggest that Topra Kalan may have been a major centre of Buddhist activity back in the day.
Bhattacharyya notes, 'The survey findings underscore the archaeological importance of Topra Kalan, highlighting the potential for further exploration and excavation. The results also reinforce the historical accounts linking this site with Buddhist activity and long-standing habitation.'
On the possibility of an excavation at the site, a senior official added, 'An excavation at this site will pose significant challenges due to the dense population in the area. Relocating the residents will be a complex and sensitive undertaking.'
Bhattacharyya said the locals had told the state team that they had discovered remanants of painted grey ware, red ware and other objects while laying the foundation of their houses. While some of these items were shared with the state officials, the residents expressed their apprehension over being asked to vacate the area for an excavation.
Based on the latest findings, Sidhartha Gauri, co-convener of the Yamunanagar chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), an NGO that aims to protect India's cultural heritage, has proposed the reconstruction of four ancient stupas at the Ashoka Edict Park in Topra Kalan. In January, a 30-foot Ashoka Chakra replica was installed at the 27-acre Ashoka Edicts Park in the village by the state tourism department. The replica was officially recognised as the largest in India by the Limca Book of Records in 2020.
'The latest findings position Topra Kalan not only as a site of archaeological and religious importance, but also as a potential centerpiece in India's emerging Buddhist heritage tourism initiatives,' adds Gauri.
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