Why in the News?
A Ground Penetrating Radar survey in Topra Kalan, Haryana, has uncovered signs of a 1,500 BCE settlement, with painted grey ware (PGW), stamped pottery, moulded bricks, and a possible Buddhist stupa.
About Topra Kalan Excavation:
- Agencies: Haryana Archaeology and Museums Department with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
- Method: Ground Penetrating Radar survey in January 2025 to map subsurface features without extensive digging.
- Purpose: Assess archaeological significance and preserve ancient heritage sites in Haryana.
- Location: Topra Kalan, Yamunanagar district — believed to be the original site of the Delhi-Topra Ashokan pillar moved by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century.
- Estimated Age: ~1,500 BCE, indicating continuous habitation and possible Buddhist presence.
Key Findings:
- Structures: Buried walls, platforms, and room-like enclosures at 4–5 m depth.
- Religious Feature: Dome-like structure possibly a Buddhist stupa.
- Material Culture: Painted grey ware, black-and-red ware, black-on-red ware, black ware, stamped pottery, moulded bricks, beads.
- Discovery Sources: Both official surveys and artifacts unearthed by locals during construction.
- Historical Links: Accounts by Sir Alexander Cunningham and Hiuen Tsang identify the site as a Buddhist centre.
| [UPSC 2024] Consider the following information:
Archaeological Site :: State :: Description 1. Chandraketugarh : Odisha : Trading Port town 2. Inamgaon : Maharashtra : Chalcolithic site 3. Mangadu : Kerala : Megalithic site 4. Salihundam : Andhra Pradesh : Rock-cut cave shrines In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched? Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 3 and 4 (d) 1 and 4 |
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