Khana-Mihirer Dhipi — Attraction in West Bengal

CHANDRAKETUGARH Situated in the district of North 24 parganas in the state of West Bengal, Chandraketugarh represents reminiscence of a multicultural site and an important urban centre. The chronology of Chandraketugarh can be traced back to 5th Century BC. The pre Mayuryan period (C.600-300BC) was followed by Mayuryan period (...C.300-185BC), then the Shunga (C.185BC-50AD); the Kushana (C.50-300AD); the Gupta (C.300-500AD); the Post Gupta (C.500-750AD) and the Pala-Sena (C.750-1250AD) period. However, the most flourishing period of the site was between C.200BC to C.200AD. Being in the abyss of oblivion for a long period, Chandraketugarh was discovered in the early years of 20th century when road building activity.The excavations at Chandraketugarh was mainly conducted at the mound known as Khana-Mihirer-Dhipi in the northern sector of the city and revealed a massive burnt-brick temple complex. The name Khana-Mihirer-Dhipi is probably associated with the great astrologers Khana and Mihira. Three pre-temple earlier periods have been found in Khana-Mihirer-Dhipi , the earliest going back to a level yielding NBP ware and Punch-marked and Cast-copper coins. Beginning from the opening session of 1957-58 till 1965-66 in the report of each year in the IAR, the stupendous temple at Khana-Mihirer-Dhipi has been stated to be of the Gupta period with renovations carried out in later periods. But then in 1967-68, the final year, it was stated that “A tentative date of circa 7th -8th century AD is postulated for the earliest phase.

The mound known as Chandraketugarh or SinghaDarwaza had a high wall with a rampart and a moat, remains of which can be seen till now. Chandraketugarh and adjacent areas have produced an array of artefacts mostly belonging to the Shunga-Kushana period. The terracotta art of the site is most famous for it’s detailed workmanship and artistic execution. These include mould-made plaques delineating human male and female figures (In the form of Yaksha; Yakshi; Kubera; Gana; Aditi Uttanpad or Lajja-Gouri or the Birth-giving mother etc.); the tales of Panchatantra; the Jataka etc. There are also narrative plaques which depict processions, music and dance, people at work and homely scenes. Animal motifs are found in both plaques and figurines. Clay made toycart with a hollow space to accommodate axle and wheels have been found. A large number of erotic plaques delineating various postures of “MAITHUNA”, sometimes in pair or in group and also with animals were found in this area. According to Dr. Enamul Haque (Academic Director-the International Centre for Study of Bengal Art-Banani-Dhaka-Bangladesh), the plaques are of pre Buddhist period and earlier to the sculptures of Khajuraho or Konark. A large number of plaques describe the postures of coition narrated in the “Kamasutra” of Vatsayana. Though it is believed that Vatsayana wrote his “Kamasutra” at least centuries later. Some scholars believe that Vatsayana either visited this place several times or had his residence in “Gangeya-Banga”. A large number of potteries that includes black-polished ware, black ware, grey ware, red ware, buff ware and chocolate ware were found. Silver punch-marked coins and uninscribed cast-copper coins have been found from the site along with billion punch-marked coins with boat symbols.

Other than these, the site has yielded a large number of beads of semi-Precious stones like Agate; Carnelian; Quartz-crystal; Garnet; Amethyst and Jasper etc. Many bone objects like awls; stylus; arrowheads etc. and a few iron and copper elements were also found. Nevertheless, some wooden objects also sustained almost in intact. (N.B.-The collection of State )

Copy From Gautam...

This place has the India's easternmost archeological proofs (Terracotta) of Sunga dynasty of 2200-2100 YBP (Years Before Present) ie. 2nd-1st century BCE (Before Current Era) in Anga, the present West Bengal. Two images are famous :- Royal family; woman with child. of Chandraketugarh, Sunga Dynasty. প্রত্নতাত্ত্বিক প্রমাণ স্বরূপ চন্দ্রকেতুগড়ে, সুঙ্গা রাজবংশের পোড়ামাটির মূর্তি পাওয়া গেছে যা কম করে 2200-2100 বছর আগের অর্থাৎ খ্রীষ্টপূর্ব দ্বিতীয় থেকে প্রথম শতাব্দীর। এই প্রমাণ ভারতের একেবারে পূর্বপ্রান্তে অবস্থিত। এর সংরক্ষণ আমাদের প্রত‍্যেকের দায়িত্ব। Chandraketugarh is thought to be a part of the ancient kingdom Gangaridai that was first described by Ptolemy. The history of Chandraketugarh dates back to almost the 3rd century BCE, during the pre-Mauryan era. Artefacts suggest that the site was continuously inhabited and flourished through the Shunga-Kushana period, onwards through the Gupta period and finally into the Pala-Sena period. Archaeological studies suggest that Chandraketugarh was an important town and a port city. It had a high encircling wall complete with a rampart and moat. The residents were involved in various crafts and mercantile activities. Although the religious inclinations of the people are unclear, hints of the beginning of some future cults can be seen in the artefacts. Some of the potteries carry inscriptions in Kharoshthi and Brahmi scripts.Chandraketugarh features many examples of terracotta art, displaying an unusual degree of precision and craftsmanship. These plaques are comparable to those found at other better-known sites such as Kaushambi and Ahichhatra. The terracotta plaques from these sites often carry similar motifs executed in nearly identical fashion. This similarity suggests an established communication link and common cultural heritage among these sites. Finds include Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) relics, later wares dated from about 400 BCE to 100 BCE and approximately contemporary with the Maurya period, as well as from the more recent Kushanas and Gupta periods. A large number of silver punch-marked coins and a few gold coins have been unearthed from Chandraketugarh, including a gold coin of Chandragupta-Kumardevi. A large number of semi-precious stone beads were also found here, along with items made of ivory and bone. Even a few wooden objects...

Words of Rangan Datta - In 1907 a young Bengali archaeologist made an extensive survey of the Berachampa region near Barasat. He submitted a report and suggested an extensive excavation. A decade and half later the he made history by excavating the ruins of Mohenjo daro. Yes its Rakhal Das Bandyopadhyay!!! But sadly the mound of Chandraketugarh still lies unexcavated even after a century after its discovery.

Located just about 5o km from Calcutta (Kolkata) the twin mounds of Khana Mihir and Chandraketugarh are located at Barchampa, near Barasat and can be comfortably covered in a day trip from Kolkata (Calcutta).

Khana Mihir er Dhipi the mound named after the legendary mathematicians is located just off the Barachampa More {crossing). Luckily this mound has been excavated by the Archaeological Department of the Calcutta University in 1956. It reveled a temple belonging to the...