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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
ASI finds ancient river channel linked to Saraswati in Bharatpur
Jaipur: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a dried-up river channel beneath Bahaj village in Deeg district — believed by many scholars to be linked to the mythical Saraswati River. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The excavation, carried out between April 2024 and May 2025, is hailed as the second-largest archaeological excavation in Rajasthan's history. What excites historians and archaeologists most is that the site offers a vivid window into ancient settlements that thrived between 3500 BC and 1000 BC. Most of the discoveries date back to the Kushan, Magadha, and Sunga dynasties. Among the standout discoveries is a 23-metre-deep palaeo-channel — a buried ancient riverbed, the first such finding in Indian archaeological history. "This ancient river system nourished early human settlements and connects Bahaj to the larger Saraswati basin culture," said Vinay Gupta, superintending archaeologist, ASI Jaipur, in his presentation at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) recently. Gupta described the palaeo-channel as an "unprecedented discovery confirming ancient water systems supported civilisation here". Further digging revealed residential structures with earthen posts, trenches with stratified walls, furnaces, and a variety of iron and copper artefacts. Microlithic tools — small stone implements — suggest that the settlement's roots stretch into the pre-Holocene era. "The discovery of furnaces and metal objects clearly indicates the inhabitants' advanced knowledge of metallurgy," Gupta said at the antiquity exhibition held in Deeg in May 2025. What makes Bahaj even more remarkable are the spiritual relics unearthed: 15 Yajna Kundas (sacrificial pits), votive tanks dedicated to Shakti worship, and terracotta images of Shiva and Parvati, dating back to at least 1000 BCE, pushing back the antiquity of these traditions by centuries. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Archaeologists also found four unbaked sealings, two inscribed with Brahmi letters — considered the earliest datable Brahmi script evidence on the subcontinent. In addition, large-scale Yajna Kundas from the Mahajanapada period were discovered, filled with sandy soil and miniature pots holding uninscribed copper coins. This could challenge existing timelines on the origins of Indian coinage. The excavation also points to Bahaj's rich craft heritage: evidence of bone tool industries, semi-precious bead-making, and shell bangle production, highlighting the region's economic vibrancy across ages. Experts believe that Bahaj — located within Surasena Janapada region of ancient India, of which Mathura was a key centre — could prove vital in reshaping our understanding of India's early history. "The Bahaj excavation has the potential to rewrite key chapters of India's early history — from food production to the origins of Sanatana Dharma and early trade practices. Bahaj offers it all," Gupta concluded in the paper. Bahaj village, located about 50 km from Mathura, holds significant archaeological importance. Earlier, similar ancient discoveries were made at 3-4 sites in the region, but this is the largest so far, according to the ASI. ASI has submitted a detailed report to the Union ministry of Culture, which will decide the next steps for the site's future.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Chargesheet filed by CBI in ₹16-cr fraud case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet in connection with a ₹16-crore bank fraud involving Punjab Lightning Industries Limited, Industrial Area, Phase 2, Mohali. The case was registered on June 27, 2024. The trial is set to begin in a special CBI court in Chandigarh from June 4. According to the chargesheet, company directors Vinay Gupta and Urvashi Gupta obtained a loan of about ₹16 crore from Punjab National Bank for commercial purposes, but the amount was diverted to repay personal expenses and loans of other companies, owned by the accused. The fraud was uncovered when the bank conducted an internal investigation as the company had defaulted on payments. After an audit to verify the stock of the company's unit, the bank found out that there was neither any production nor any raw material or finished material in the factory in Mohali. The factory had been closed for several months. In the audit, it was revealed that Vinay Gupta had bought a house in Sector 15-A, Chandigarh, registered in the name of his son. It was found that he also bought another property in Sector 11. The internal report stated the accused wilfully defaulted following which a complaint was filed with the CBI. Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and relevant sections under the Prevention of Corruption Act were slapped, officials said.
