Report On Archaeological Investigations

Report on Archaeological Investigations in Girija River
Valley,DistrictsAurangabadandJalna,Maharashtra
MadanSinghChouhan ,TejasGarge ,KishorChalwadi1andAmolKulkarni2

1
. Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad Circle, Aurangabad, Maharashtra,

India(Email:circleaur.asi@gmail.com)
2. History Museum, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad,
Maharashtra,India
1
Received:14August2015;Accepted:08September2015;Revised:18October2015
Heritage:JournalofMultidisciplinaryStudiesinArchaeology3(2015):128162
Abstract: ThearcheologicalexplorationsinGirijarivervalleyinAurangabaddistrictofMaharashtra
wereinitiatedasapartofvillagetovillagesurveyschemebyArchaeologicalSurveyofIndia.Thisriver
valley falls within transit area between Ellora and Ajanta Caves, hence explorations were designed to
know more about contemporary habitation deposits and archaeological potential of the area. The
archaeological survey of Girija River is significant as it has brought to light as many as 39 sites to
historical map of the area for the first time. A continuity of human habitation from terminal phase of
Pleistocene till late medieval period is brought to light in present study. Further existence and role of
nonurbansettlementsinthehistoryoftheregionisalsohighlighted.
Keywords:Mythology,Legend,Geography,Geology,Soil,History,Exploration
Introduction
TheGirijaRiverrisesintheMhaismalhillsinAurangabaddistrictofMaharashtra,and
after an eastward course of about 80 km, meets the Purna river near Pimpalgoan in
district Jalna (Fig.1). This area is known for its historical vibrancy and creation of
magnificentarchitecturalmanifestationsinformofrockcutcavesandfortsofmedieval
period.SincetheareacoveredbytheGirijarivervalleyservesasatransitareabetween
Ellora and Ajanta Caves, it was essential to know more about contemporary
habitational deposits. Hence the exploration aimed at recognizing fullscale
archaeological potential of the area, were taken up by recording location of
archaeological settlements, involving study of the environmental matrix around
archaeological sites, settlement patterns through the time and evaluation of
relationshipbetweenculturalgraphandenvironmentofthearea.
GeographicalExtentandEnvironment
Aurangabad is a part of the Deccan plateau, slopping southeastward from the
Sahayadri range (Western Ghats). This area is comprised with northward flowing
Chouhanetal.2015:128162
tributaries of the Tapi and Godavari drainage namely Khelna, Shivana, Dudhana,
Purna, Girija, Lahuki, Sukhna and Kham. The district is divided into the following
geographicalregionsthePurnaGodavaribasin,thenorthernpiedmontslopesandthe
Ajanta Plateau. The western edge of the Ajanta plateau flanking the Shivna basin
encompassestheEllora(Verul)caves.
Figure1:LocationofArchaeologicalsitesreportedfromexploration(201415)in
Girijarivervalley
TheBaiamuhalhillsrange,passingalongTakliandKanhar,connectstheAurangabad
hills with the Gaotala ghats to the north, and forms the principal watershed for the
numerous tributaries (including Girija) of the Purna. The hills of the range are lofty,
averaging from 600 to 700 feet above the plains near Takli; but the highest are tothe
west Kanhar, where the Surpanath hill (3,517 feet above the level of the sea) is 1,082
feet above Kanhar, and 1,173 above Aurangabad. The ghatcrossing from Kanhar
towardsAjanta,dividesthevalleyoftheGirijafromthatofthePurnaandArjna.The
banks of the Girija river are rugged; its flow is perennial; and it receives numerous
streams from the hills that bound it to the north and south (Aurangabad District
Gazetteer,2006).
The semi arid climate is characterized by a hot summer and general dryness
throughout the year except during the southwest monsoon season. Here the cold
season starts from December to February followed by the hot season from March to
May. The period from June to September constitutes the southwest monsoon season
whileOctoberandNovemberformsthepostmonsoonseason.
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ISSN23475463Heritage:JournalofMultidisciplinaryStudiesinArchaeology3:2015
GeologyandSoils
There are two kinds of superficial formations, one consisting of upland soil derived
from the decompositionof the rocks onthe spot, peculiar to the hilly region, andthe
otheralluvialsoil,depositedbywater,belongingtotheplainsandtothehollowsinthe
valleysofrivers.Theyarevariouslycomposed,accordingtotherocksfromwhichthey
are derived, and are sometimes of a heavy rich aluminous character, or consist of a
lightandfertileloam.Blacksoilsoccasionallyoccur,restingeitheroncalcareousbeds
or on partially decomposed globular basalt. In the river valleys lower down, a light
brownkankaryalluviumistheprevailingsoil.Theblacksoilisgenerallyderivedfrom
basalt;anditscompositionandcolourvaryaccordingtotheproportionsofiron,lime,
magnesia, and the amount of organic matter that it contains. These, and the grayish
and brownish varieties, are very absorbent and retentive of moisture, and are
exceedingly fertile. The black cotton soil expands and contracts to an unusual extent
under the respective influence of moisture and dryness. During the rains it is
exceedinglymuddy;andinthehotweatheritiscoveredwithcracksandholes.Near
Bhokardan and Jalna the soil is sometimes very calcareous, generally poor, and
abounds with efflorescence of soda. The wells too, are often brackish. Sometimes the
soilisofareddishbrowncolour.TheGirijarivervalleycontainsveryadhesiveblack
soil,shallowandfullofbasalticboulders.
MythologyandLegends
GirijadeviisanothernameofGoddessParvati;consortofthelordShiva.Accordingto
alegendwhileplayingdiceShivalostagametoParvatiwhichwasrare.Thesculptural
panels from ElloradepictingShiva and Parvati playing thegame of dices often show
ShivawinningthegameandParvatitryingtogetoffinfrustration.Hereafterlosinga
gameShivareachedahillwithoutinformingParvatiabouthiswhereaboutandstarted
performingpenance.HencethehillisknownasMaheshMal(Maheshplateau).Parvati
appeared in the form of a tribal girl known as Girija. As soon Shiva opened his eyes
after penance he saw this beautiful tribal woman and proposed her to marry. She
agreed upon only condition that Shiva will never get angry in future. Then she
returned back in the form of Parvati to surprise of Shiva. This event is supposed to
have taken at a place near a small stream now known as River Girija. A shrine of
Girijamata is seen near this stream locally known as Gaondari. According to another
legend a sage known as Yogiraj Bharati performed hard penance and in reward
Girijamata(Parvati)appearedbeforehim.Herequestedhertocomewithhimasboon.
Sheagreeduponintheconditionthatshewillfollowhimwhilewalkingandheshall
notlookback.Thesagecouldnotkeephiswordandhelookedbackwhilewalkingin
the forest, so the goddess settled on the same place. At present this place is marked
withanothershineofGirijamata.TheoldtemplebuiltinstoneisnowreplacedinRCC.
Remainsoftheoriginalstonetempleareseennearbytheshrine.
HistoricalBackground
TheGodavaribasinisinhabitedsincetheLowerPalaeolithicphaseofStoneAge.The
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evidences of Lower Palaeolithic tools are reported in the river bed of Godavari,
Pravara, Gangapur and Nevasa etc. The most important discovery in Aurangabad
district was the occurrence of the Middle Palaeolithic sites in the old river bed of
Godavari dating around 40,000 B.P. Upper Palaeolithic, a last phase of Palaeolithic
culture have been found in Pitalkhora, Akhatwada, Manjlegaon, Mungi, Rahegaon,
RakshasabuvanandEllora,inAurangabadDistrict.TherichcollectionsofMicrolithic
assemblagerepresentingMesolithicculturearealsoreportedinthisarea(Sali,1990).
The strategic location of Aurangabad as entry point in ancient Dakshinapatha was the
mainreasonwhythisregionwitnessedtheriseandfallofseveraldynastiesformany
centuries. The district has a long and uninterrupted history since the Satvahana
dynasty ruled this area from 230 B.C.to 230 A.D. evidences from Paithan capital city
andBhokardantradecentrementionedinThePeriplusoftheErythraeanSea(Wilfred
H.Schoff,1951:195).
The Vakataka dynasty succeeded the Satvahanas in the Deccan around mid3rd
century A.D. The Vakatakas were known as great patrons of arts, architecture and
literature. The Chalukyas of Badami who ruled large parts of southern and central
IndiasucceededthemightyVakatakasintheDeccan.InthewesternDeccan,theriseof
theRashtrakutasinthemiddleofthe8thcenturyA.D.eclipsedtheChalukyasofBadami
before being revived by their descendants, the Western Chalukyas, in the late
10thcenturyA.D.
The Seuna or Yadavas of Deogiri (8501334 A.D.) initially ruled as feudatories of the
Western Chalukyas then in the middle of the 12thcentury A.D., they declared
independence and ruled from Deogiri (presentday Daulatabad Fort in Aurangabad
district,Maharashtra).Yadavarulersretainedtheircapitaluntil1296whenAlauddin
Khilji defeated Ramachandradeva, and reduced him as his vassal. Qutbuddin
Mubarak Shah Khilji made a successful campaign against Deogiri and annexed the
same to the Delhi Sultanate, by quick succession of political events; the area was
wrestledfromtheImperialauthorityandtheTughluq,BahamaniandNizamshahasof
Ahemadnagarrulers till the area was taken over by the Mughals In 1633. For ashort
period it was under thecontrol of theMarathas before theNizams of Hyderabad took
controlofitin1724AD(DistrictGazetteerAurangabad,1884).
PreviousArchaeologicalInvestigations
The site of Paal, TehasilFulambri, District Aurangabad was explored by Sh. Ajit
KumarandSh.M.MhadevaihaofArchaeologicalSurveyofIndia,AurangabadCircle
andafewantiquities(Pl.3)andacopperplatehasbeenreported(IndianArchaeology
A Review, 198687: 120). The presence of marine shell bangles and debitage indicate
thatPalwasinvolvedinmanufacturingandlongdistancetrade.
ThesiteofBhokardanistheonlynearestexcavatedsitesituatedonthebankofKhelna
river13kmtothenorthofconfluenceofPurnaandGirijarivers.Ithasbeenidentified
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withtheancientcityofBhokardanorBhogavardhana.MarkandeyaPurana,refersitas
aprosperoustradingcityinDakshinapath/Dandakaranyaarea,locatedonthetrade
route fromPratisthana then capital city ofSatvahanas to Ujjain in the central India.
BhokardanwastheoneoftherichestcityinSatavahanaperiod.RecordsfromBharhut
andSanchi mention receiving donations from inhabitants of this city for their
construction. The two ancient mounds discovered here by Sh. M. N. Deshpande in
1958 were subsequently, excavated by a joint team of Marathwada and Nagpur
University in 197374. In the excavation, Period Ia was identified as
earlySatvahanaperiod, Period Ib as late Satavahana period and Period II as post
Satavahanaperiod.
MethodologyAppliedandExplorationsUndertaken
Under the village to village scheme the sites were explored under the methodology
including with available geographical data, study of toposheets and google earth
imageries. A physical survey was taken up during February March, 2015 of villages
falling on the both banks of Girija river were inspected and antiquarian remains
reportedwerebroughttorecord.Thedetailsofwhichareasfollows:
Mhaismal(N200431.56;E751144.50)TehsilKhultabad,DistrictAurangabad
Mhaismalislocatedatthedistanceof12kmtowardsnorthofkhultabad.Microlithsare
reported in the vicinity of old Girija Mata temple locally known as Gaondari. It is
locatedoneasternmarginoftheplateaufacingthevalley.Anothertemplededicated
toGirijaMataoflatemedievalperiodhasbeennowentirelyconvertedintoamodern
shrine.
Takli,TehsilKhultabad,DistrictAurangabad
Takli is situated at the distance of 9.5 km to the northwest of Khultabad on the left
bank of Girija river. Nearby the village are following remains of archaeological
potential.
HanumanTemple(N200415.2E0751425.3)
AComplexknownasHanumanTempleislocatedtothenorthernedgeofthevillage.
It has adharamshala anda templededicated toHanumanainside the premise built in
nineteenthcentury(1869).Dharamshalaisrectangularonplanfacingsouth.Itconsistsof
cellsinnorthsouthorientation.Onthebackside(northside)thereexistsatempleof
HanumannowconvertedintoanewRCCstructure.
Fortification Gateways There are remains of two ancient gateways found in the
village.
Gateway1(N200412.3E0751426.5)
The original fortification to the village consists of two gateways; one on the south is
still standing and is used as office of Grampanchayat. A colossal gateway is built in
combination of stone and brick masonry. A semiround arched gateway has a
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nagarkhana on the upper floor now converted into grampanchayat office. The gateway
waserectedinthe18thcenturybyalocalRajaShamrajBahadurRajavant.
Gateway2(N200402.9E0751425.3)
Onthesouthsideofthevillagehasangatewaybuiltinstonemasonry.Onlytwoside
wallsofthegatewayarestillinexistencewhiletheupperpartandmainentrancehas
now disappeared. Due to in dilapidated condition its main entrance wall and upper
structureweredismantledin1971bytheGrampanchayat.
RemainsofoldKacheriBuilding(N200406.2E0751428.1)
TheremainsofoldKacheribuildingbuiltinbricksmasonryhasnowconvertedintoa
modern temple. The original structure is contemporary to the fortification wall and
gatesasstatedabove.
HabitationDeposit/Garhi(N200405.4E0751425.6)
RaisedportionhavingaccumulationofolderhabitationdepositsknownasGarhiwas
noticed amid the village. It is now surrounded by modern constructions. Pottery
including black ware and red ware of late medieval period is reported from this
location. Potsherds are too small to identify its original shape and purpose. A glass
banglefragmentinblackcolourandtriangularsectionreportedfromTakaliindicates
thepresenceofBahamaniandAsafjahi(latemedieval)periodshere.
RemainsofShivaTemple(N200417.1E0751325.8)
TheremainsofShivatemplewerenoticedatadistanceof2.5kmfromtheTaklivillage
towards west on the way to Mhaismal. The remains includes a large yonipitha
measuring 1.35cm in length and 1.12 cm in dia, fragmentary lintel carved with
miniature shikhara, fragmentary kapota and carved horizontal stone blocks having
sockets. These architectural members are found scattered in the adjoining agriculture
field.
Devlana Budruk (N200402.7 E751612.5) Tehsil Khultabad, District

Aurangabad
DevlanaBudrukislocatedtowardsnortheastsideofKhultabadatthedistanceof12.2
kmontheleftbankoftheGirijariver.Architecturalmembersofearlymedievaltemple
arereportedfromhereandtheyaremostlyintheformoffragmentsincludingpartof
Chhadya, door frame and other decorative stones with simple moldings. They are
stackedatthesideofnewlyconstructedtempleontheleftbankofriverGirija.
Devlana Khurd (N 2003 56.9 E 07516 32.4) Tehsil Khultabad, District

Aurangabad
DevlanaKhurdissituatedatthedistanceof13.4kmtowardsnortheastofKhultabad
ontherightbankofGirijariver.Therearefourlatemedievalresidentialbuildingson
high platforms built in stone and brick masonry with decorative wooden doors. The
use of large stone blocks in the plinth, construction of elevation in bricks in later age
anddecorativewoodencraftsmanshiparestillsurvivinghere.
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Vadhod Kanhoba (N 2005 05.0 E 07518 37.5) Tehsil Khultabad, District

Aurangabad
VadudKanhobaislocatedatthedistanceof15.7kmtowardsnortheastofKhultabad.
A Garhi (fortress) is located approximately 1.30 km to the north side of village. A
rectangularshapedhighrisingwallmeasuring48mlongand16mwidthand6mhigh
isstillinextantontherightbankoftheriver.OriginallytheGarhiwasconstructedon
high platform with well chiselled huge stone blocks (Fig. 2). The superstructure and
upper part of the walls have vanished now. A highly disturbed habitation mound
probably of medieval period is found as indicated by pottery and bangle fragments
reported fromthe surface collection. In thepottery, the applicationof jet black slip is
noticed; application of red slip is also noticed on few potsherds. Potsherds are too
smalltoidentifyitsoriginalshapeandpurpose.Fragmentsofglassbanglesofdifferent
colours like yellow design on black bangle, and fragments of violet bangle having
triangular and circular sections respectively are reported of varying thickness, either
verythinortoothick(minimum0.4cm,maximum1.1).Thistypeofbanglesisoneof
the important features of Bahamani period. Along with bangle pieces, one quartzite
coreandstonetoolflakearealsoreportedfromVadhodKanhoba.
Figure2:VadoodKanhoba
Shelgaon(N200557.2E0752105.9)TehsilKhultabad,DistrictAurangabad
A few fragmentary stone sculptures of folkish style are reported from the vicinity of
newlyconstructedHanumantempleinthevillage.
Dongargaon,TehsilKhultabad,DistrictAurangabad
DongargaonislocatedtowardsnortheastofKhultabadatthedistanceof25.5kmon
theleftbankoftheGirijariver.Itisalmost4.5kmawayfromtheriverbanktowards
thenorth.Theantiquarianremainsfoundnearbythevillageare;
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HabitationMound(N200859.3E0752218.6)
A habitation mound is reported from the village limits nearby a School (Fig. 3). The
site is located to north of school extending east west for about 450 m x 300 m. The
remainshereincludesfoundationofastructuresbuiltinrandomrubblemasonryand
mud mortar. Other antiquities are pottery including red and grey ware and bangle
fragments. The site is disturbed as often dug by villagers for the want of hidden
treasure.Thestructuresbuiltinrubblemasonryseemtohavebeendestroyedforstone
reuse.Thewholesurfaceofthemoundisstrewnwithpotsherds(Figs.4&5).
Figure3:Dongargaon
Figure4:Dongargaon
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Figure5:Pottery,Dongargaon
Asindicatedbythepotteryfoundonthesurface,thesitewasunderoccupationduring
historical and medieval period. Black and red ware potteries of early historical
(Satavahana) period and Medieval (Bahamani) are reported from this site. In the
pottery, the application of red slip, jet black slip, brown slip is noticed here. The
commonshapesofthepotteryarestoragejars,bowlsandglobularpots.Decorationsin
theformofstamp,grooveinsidelinesareverycommononthispottery(Fig.6).
Somestoneobjectslikebrokenmullar,apearshapedstoneobjectwithfourdentslike
depressionsoneachface,rotaryquernwerealsoreportedfromthesurface.Fragments
ofglassbanglesinblackcolourwithcircularsectionofBahamaniperiodarereported
fromsitealongwithanimalboneandthreequartzcoresandsixstoneflakes(Length:
2.14.6cms,Width:1.12.1cms,thickness:0.41.2cms).
136
Figure6:Pottery,Dongargaon
137
LooseSculptures(N200900.0E0752216.2)
Some loose sculptures of Yadava period are stacked and placed under a banyan tree
behind the Zila Parishand School slightly away from the reported habitation deposit.
Architectural members including ceiling fragments, pillars fragments and loose
sculpturesarereportedfromherewhichonceformedthepartofatemplehere.These
sculpturesare:
Unidendifiedfigurine(Height:52cm,Width:46cm.):Oneunidentifiedhumanfigurine
isfoundwithbrokenhead,handsandaleg.Theimageisshownseatedhavingleftleg
foldedandrightlegmutilated.
Ganesh (Height: 72 cm. width: 46 cm.): The four armed deity is shown seated in
lalitasanaholding battleaxeor parshu in upper right, unidentified object in the lower
rightandladdusinlowerlefthand.Theupperleftarmofthedeityisalsounidentified.
The ornaments arenotvisible due to thickapplication ofvermillion over thesurface.
On pedestal, his mount; mouse has depicted near his feet. Stylistically image can be
assignedto13thcenturyAD.
UmaMaheshwaronNandi(Height:62cm.width48cm.):TheimageofUmaMaheshwar
is shown seated on standing Nandi; a celestial mount of lord Shiva where Parvati is
shownseatedbehindhim.Shivaslefthandisplacedonthebackofhershoulderwhile
hisrightfoldedhandcomesonthestomach.GoddessputsherrightarmacrossShivas
shoulderwhilelefthandismutilated.Botharewithtwohandedbadlycoveredwitha
patinaofVermilion.Stylisticallyimagecanbeassignedto13thcenturyAD.
UmaMaheshwar(Height:76cm,width:47cm):UmaMaheshwaraisshownseatedon
Nandi.GoddessisseatedontheleftthighofShiva.Theyembraceeachotherashisleft
arm is placed around her breast and she puts her right arm across Shivas shoulder.
Shiva is shown four armed and Parvati with two arms. Shivas upper right hand is
brokenwhilelowerrighthandisontherightleg.Stylisticallyimagecanbeassignedto
13thcenturyAD.
Dancers(Height:75cm.width:42cm.):Thepresentpanelisabeautifulcompositionof
threerhythmicallycomposedmaledancers.Thissculptureisuniqueinthesensethat
threefiguresjointeachotherwiththeirlowerbackandbenttheirleginpeculiarpose.
Onthefrontfigurineisflankedbytwomoredancerswhoshareahandandalegwith
maindancer.Acloseviewoflowerhalfshowsthatapairoflegsbehindlegsinfront
joinseachotherasifthecentralfigureisstandingonhistoes.Thesidefiguressharing
a hand and a leg stand in a more comfortable tribhanga dance posture while main
figurineindvibhangamudra.Theghungarus(bells)placedonfourlegssharedbythree
malefigurinesandhandposturesindicatetheiridentityasdancers.Besideselaborate
tying of ghungarus the male figures are minimally ornamented with armlets and
bangles. A grinning face of the man standing on left of the main figure is clearly
noticeable.Inallpresentpanelsremainspecialduetouniquethoughtofcomposition
anditsfineexecution(Fig.7).
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Figure7:Dancers,Dongargaon
Uma maheshwar (Height: 60 cm. width: 46 cm.): The image is identified as Umasahit
Shiva, and description is almost identical to images mentioned as above except here
Shivaholdstridentinupperrighthandandlowerrightisonhisrightleg.
UmaMaheshwar (Height: 60 cm. width: 45 cm.): This image is almost identical to the
images as mentioned above. Many of the sculptures and architectural members are
nowappliedwithvermillion.
139
Besidethatothersculpturesincludefragmentofceilings,imageofNandiandabroken
panelofbharwahakascatterednearbythisplace.
BhawaniTemple(N200901.9E0752213.9)
AtemplededicatedtogoddessknownasBhawaniMandirislocatedtothewestofthe
mound near foothill near a modern Shiva temple (Fig. 8). It is built with blocks of
stonesbelongingtoancienttemplenowrearrangedintheformofasmallrectangular
shrine. The original temple seems to have been constructed in Yadava period. The
hugeblocksofbasaltareusedinmasonryandelegantsculpturesareembeddedonthe
outer walls of the shrine. On the basis of style it can be assigned to 11th 12th century
AD,howeveritwerelateronaltered.Mostofthemarecarvedinhighreliefspecially
damsels or apsaras in dancing postures. A panel of male dancers with drums is also
notable.AmongdivinitiesfiguresofVishnuandGaneshaarecommon.Auniquepanel
consistingoffivestandingbullsfacingviewersandapairofbullsbeingdeployedbya
manforploughingisdepictedtotheupperrightsideonthefrontwall.Itiscarvedin
low relief notable for rare depiction of ploughing scene and rhythmic composition of
thefigures(Fig.9).ThecentralfigureintheshrineisprobablyofVishnubutitisbeing
worshipedasgoddessBhawani.
Figure8:BhawaniTemple,Dongargaon
Pimpalgaon,TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Pimpalgaonislocatedatadistanceof5.8kmtowardsnortheastofPhulambrionthe
rightbankofriverGirija.
MicrolithicDeposit(N200711.8E0752358.9)
Few microlithic tools are reported from the village limits of Pimpalgoan on a terrace
locatedtothesoutheastofthevillageatthedistanceof535mascrowflies.Theterrace
formed at theright bank of the river is composed ofsediments deposited over basalt
formations by fluvial action consists of silt, sand, calcareous elements and few agate
nodules.Stoneflakesofdifferentshapesandsize(length:1.23.3cm,width:0.91.7
cm,thickness:0.20.6cm,weight:0.4403.190grms)andfewcores(length:2.25.4
140
cm,width:1.63.7cm,thickness0.52cm,weight:3.19032.940grms)arereported.
Themainrawmaterialusedhereischalcedonyandafewtoolsmadeoncrystalquartz
arealsoreported.
Figure9:PloughingScene,Dongargaon
HabitationDeposit(N200723.7E0752343.4)
AhabitationdepositwasnoticedrightsideofthePimpalgaonvillagewhichoverlooks
therivermeanderasaraisedmound.Openspacesbetweenmodernhousesinpresent
village have yielded with pottery of Bahamani/ Nizamshahi/ Mughal period
characteristics. Some of the structures locally known as Wadas (Havelies) are also
identified as fortress of late medieval period in the village along with circular brick
wells. Mouldings, projections, use of black colour for bricks and use of designs in
terracottaarenoteworthyinbrickbuildingsbuiltinlatemedievalperiod(Fig.10).The
potteryreportedfromhereisessentiallyblackandredware.Theapplicationofbrown
slipisnotedonpotsherds.
LooseSculptures(N200722.2E0752344.2)
Few fragments of sculptures and architectural members of early medieval period
includingakirtimukhaarereportednearShivatemplebuiltontheleftbankoftheriver.
Five Samadhis (memorials) of 19th century, built in stone masonry are also found
adjoiningtothetemple.
Mhasla(N200651.6E0752430.1)TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
MhaslaislocatedtothenorthofPhulambriatthedistanceof3.2kmontherightbank
oftheGirijariver.Themaximumhabitationdepositnoticedhereisaround5mabove
the surrounding ground level. At present, modern houses have encroached upon the
entiremound.Culturalmaterialfromhabitationmoundindicatesitsmedievalperiod
(BahamanitoAsafjahi).Potteryfoundonthesurfaceandfromtheexposedsectionsis
black and redware. Decorative patterns and tool impression is noted on therim and
body portion on potsherd. The application of jet black slip is noted on one of the
potsherd.Fewpotsherdsarewellfired,fewaremediumandsomeofthemareillfired.
AterracottaslingballisreportedfromMhasala.
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Figure10:DecorationsonbrickPimpalgoan
Paal,TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Paal is located towards northeast at the distance of 6.9 km of Phulambri Tehsil in
AurangabaddistrictontheleftbankoftheGirijariver.Theantiquarianremainsfound
nearbythevillageinclude:
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ShivaTemple(N200816.1E0752704.2)
Atempleconsistingofagarbhagriha,antarala,andaclosedpillaredmadapaisreported
near this village (Fig. 11). It is modified heavily on the exteriors however original
featuresarevisibleintheinteriors.Thissitecanbeassignedto11th12thcenturyAD.
Figure11:ShivaTemple,Paal
The mound (Fig. 12) is situated to the southwestern periphery of the village. The
moundhasabout10mthickculturaldepositextendingoveranareaof50mx40m.
Eastern half of the mound is almost destroyed due to digging activity for soil and
westernsideofmoundhasbeenencroacheduponbythemodernhouses.Itconsistsof
the debris of structural remains, greyish soil, potsherds and other remains indicating
culturaldeposits.Asindicatedbythepotteryfoundonthesurfacethesitewasunder
occupationduringSatavahanaandVakatakaperiod.Thepotteryofblackandredware
variety of Satavahana period is reported from this site. One potsherd injet black slip
withgraffitihasalsofound.Theapplicationofredslip,brownslip,anddarkredslipis
notedonpotsherds.Largenumberofrimsofstoragejarsandpotswerenoticedhere
(Figs.13&14).RitualisticobjectsprobablyafirealtermadeinterracottaofSatvahana
periodisreportedfromhere(Figs.15&16).Aterracottalampinovalshapeisreported
alongwithterracottastopperofcylindricalshape.Thesiteisalsoreportedwithgood
numberofshellbangles.
143
Figure12:HabitationMound,Paal
Phulambri(N200528.2;E0752523.6)TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Phulambriislocatedatthedistanceof28.7kmtothenorthofAurangabadcityonthe
bank of Girija river. On the northern periphery of the village about half a kilometre
away to the west from the highway connecting Aurangabad to Jalgon a medieval
dargah built over the ruins of a Yadava temple is noticed (Fig. 17). The stone
architectural members of a Yadava period temple are used for constructions of steps
from revaluate to the platform of the structure. On stylistic basis the tomb falls in
Mughalperiod.Themausoleumissquareonplanandplacedonaraisedplatformof
stone. The surmounting flattish dome is ornamented with petal design and provided
with minarets on four corners. Now entire structure is whitewashed with lime. The
architectural members originally from temple consist of human figurines, pilasters,
elephants,geeseandothergeometricalmotifscarvedinhighreliefnowseenfittedin
secondarycontext(Fig.18).ThetempleremainsincludingsculpturesbelongtoYadava
period,tentativelyof12thcenturyAD.
Pathari,TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Pathari is located 8.3 km northeast of Phulambri on the right bank of Girija river.
Nearbythevillagearefoundfollowingantiquarianremains:
MicrolithicDeposit(N200801.7E0752902.5)
A deposit of microlithictools is reported on theright bankofthe river Girija slightly
away from village to the east. A quartz blade of triangular section, some stone flake
toolsofdifferentshapesandsize(length:1.64cm,width:1.32.9cm,thickness:0.4
0.8 cm, weight: 1.090 11.250 grms,) and colours like white, grayish, and yellowish
reported along with cores of quartzite stones of different size, (length: 1.9 5.5 cm,
width:1.54.2cm,thickness:0.71.6cm,weight:2.84042.070grms)arereported.
144
Figure13:PotteryfromPaal
145
Figure14:PotteryfromPaal
146
Figure15:FireAltar,Paal
Figure16:FireAltar,Paal
A habitation mound near the village has been destroyed to a large extent. A few
potsherdsoflatephaseofmedievalperiod(Asafjahi),redandblackwares,apotsherd
with brown slip; and one in yellowish brown slip applied on inside of potsherd are
reportedfromhere.
147
Figure17:MedievaldargahbuiltovertheruinsofaYadavatemple,Phulambri
Figure18:DecorationsinarchitecturalmembersofYadavatemple,Phulambri
Waghalgaon(N200650.4;E0753011.5)TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Waghalgaon is located towards northeast of Phulambri at the distance of 9.7 km on
the right bank of the Girija river. Few late medieval (Asafjahi) period buildings
constructedinbrickswithdecorativewoodenarchitecturalmembersarereportedfrom
here.
148
WadodBajar(N200846.7;E0753129.3),TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
WadodBajarislocatedtowardsnortheastofPhulambriatthedistanceof13.8kmon
therightbankoftheGirijariver.Therearethreemedievalperiodbuildings(Havelis)on
anancientmoundoverhere.Thesebuildingsarebuiltincompositemasonryofstones
and bricks. Almost all the surface area on the top of mound is covered by these
buildings.Thepotteryandbanglefragmentsrecoveredfromthesection(Fig.19)and
from surrounding fields show existence of Satavahanaand medieval period (Yadava,
BahamaniandAsafjahi)settlements.Potsherdsofearlyhistoricperiodarewithbrown,
darkbrownandredslip.Circulardecorativepatternisnotedononeofthepotsherds.
Onepotsherdhavingspoutedjarisreported.Storagejar,spoutedvaseswerecommon
shapes in the early historic period(Satavahana). Potsherds of medieval period consist
ofblackandredware,fewpotsherdswithbrownslipandfewappliedwithjetblack
slipwerealsofound.Abrokenstonemullarisalsoreported.
Figure19:ExposedSection,WadoodBazar
Wadod Khurd (N 200914.1; E 0753245.8) Tehsil Phulambri, District

Aurangabad
WadodKhurdissituatedatadistanceof15.9kmfromPhulambriontheleftbankof
Girija river. The mound is 180 m away from the village towards south. At present
mound is under protected forest land. This mound is of early historic (Satvahana)
periodwhichseemstohavecontinuedinmedievalera(Yadava,BahamanitoAsafjahi)
periods indicated by pottery and bangle fragments reported from the surface. Few
potsherds of medieval period are reported from here consists of black and red ware,
mainshapenotedisstoragejar.Shellfragmentprobablyabanglewithgraffitiandan
isolatedstoneflakeisreportedfromhere.
149
ShevtaKhurd,TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
ShevtaKhurdislocated16.3kmtowardsnortheastofPhulambriontherightbankof
theGirijariver.Theremainsofgatewayandamoundarereportedfromhereasbelow:
Gateway(N200908.4;E0753345.2)
Neartheentranceofthevillagealatemedievalgatewaybuiltincompositestoneand
bricks masonry is reported. Few architectural members of temple and stone cannon
ballsarereportednearthegateway.
HabitationMound(N200907.7;E0753343.7)
A brick structure of medieval period is reported in the centre of the village. A
habitation mound of 5 m thickness is reported near this brick structure. At present
mound isdestroyed due to digging ofsoil.Western side of the mound is encroached
uponbythemodernhouses.Themoundisofmedieval(BahamanitoAsafjahi)period
as indicated by pottery reported from the surface. Black and red ware pottery with
black and yellowish brown slip is reported and main shapes noticed are bowl and
storage jar. A circular terracotta lamp with ring base, small glass bead in white and
blue colour and unidentified stone object in half roundish shape at broken condition
arealsoreported.
ShevtaBudruk,TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Shevta Budruk is located 17.7 km northeast of Phulambri Tehsil. The archaeological
remainsfoundnearbyare:
Herostone(N200910.8;E0753356.1)
In the front of newly built Hanuman temple there are two hero stones of 12th13th
centuryADandsometemplearchitecturalmemberreported.
Northofthevillagethereisamoundof3mculturaldepositreportedwithmudwalls.
Atpresentitisbadlydestroyedbydiggingforsoil.Ahighlydisturbedmoundofearly
historic (Satvahana) period seems to have continued in use in the medieval (Yadava
andBahamani)periodasindicatedbypotteryandbanglefragmentsreportedfromthe
surface.Potsherdsofearlyhistoricperiodareinredwarewithdecorativedesignand
differenttypesofrims.Medievalpotteryincludesstoragejarandpotswithblackand
red ware with jet black slip (Fig. 20). A small scrubber of terracotta is also reported
fromhere.
Jalgaon Mete (N 2008 49.0; E 07534 45.2), Tehsil Phulambri, District

Aurangabad
JalgaonMeteislocated17.8kmtowardsnortheastofPhulambriontherightbankof
riverGirija.Remainsofanoldtemple,ashivalinga,fewarchitecturalmembersanda1.5
mcultural depositisreportedtothenorthofthevillage.Themoundisdestroyedby
thevillagersfordiggingthesoil.Thepotteryfoundfromthesurfacehereareofearly
medieval (Bahamani) period includes black and red ware having decorative wavy
150
lines.Potsherdsaretoosmallforidentificationitsoriginalshape.Amongdebrisflake
tools of chalcedony in different sizes are reported. A circular brick well of late
mediaevalperiodisalsoreportednearthismound.
Figure20:CeramicsfromtheHabitationMound,ShevataBudruk
BorgaonArj,TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
BorgaonArjislocated19.6kmtowardsnortheastofPhulambriontheleftbankofthe
Girijariver.Ahabitationmoundandherostonesofhistoricalperiodarereportedfrom
hereasbelow:
The eastern part of the village comprises a 4 m cultural deposit mound and few
medievalperiodbuildings(Havelis)builtinbricks.Thepotteryofblackwareandred
ware and bangle fragments reported from surface indicate its medieval period
(Yadava, Bahamani to Asafjahi). A few potsherds of late medieval period are also
reported from this site. Incised decorations are noted on few potsherds. A circular
brickswellisreportednearthismoundadjoiningtotheriver.Mainshapesarestorage
jarandglobularpot.
HeroStone(N200858.4;E0753505.5)
Aherostone(Virgal)isnoticedamidthevillagenearHanumantemple.Allfoursides
of hero stone are carved. Sun and moon signs are marked on the top of the surface
while at the lower has the scene of two warriors. Besides that a fragment of temple
pillarisalsonoticedhere.Theseremainscanbeassignedtolatehistoricalperiod.
151
Pedgaon(N200907.2E0753557.6)TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Pedgaonislocated20.5kmtowardsnortheastofPhulambriontheleftbankofGirija
river.Southofthevillagethereisaround5mculturaldepositmound.Halfportionof
the mound is destroyed by digging for soil and remaining part of the mound is in
extant (Fig. 21) and containing pottery and bangle fragments of medieval period
(Yadava,BahamaniandAsafjahi).Contemporarybrickstructuresarealsonoticedhere.
Potsherds consist of red ware, black ware few of which have horizontal grooves on
neckandbodyportion.
Figure21:DisturbedArchaeologicalSite,Pedgaon
Padali(N200847.6E0753604.7)TehsilPhulambri,DistrictAurangabad
Padali is located19.8 km towardsnortheast of Phulambri onthe right bankof Girija
river.Amoundwithculturaldepositwasnoticedincentreofthevillage.Thecultural
remainsof7mthicknessincludingburntbrickwallsextendedinanareaof50x60m
stillstandsherewhilerestofthemoundseemstohavebeendestroyedbythemodern
diggingactivity(Fig.22).Remainsofburntbrickwallstandinguptoaheightof6to7
misstillseenstandingadjointothemound.Thepotteryandantiquitiesreportedfrom
thesurfaceofearlyhistorical(Satavahana)andMedieval(BahamanitoMughal)period
is noticed here. A bead of terracotta arecanut shape also indicates presence of early
historicalperiod.Blackwarewithgrooves,redwarewithbrownslipisnoted.Bangles
fragmentsfoundhereareinred,green,blueandblackwithcircularsection,apieceof
shelldebitageandfragmentsofshellbangleisreportedfromhere(Fig.23).
152
Figure22:DisturbedArchaeologicalSite,Padali
Figure23:VariousartifactsfromPadali
TakliJivrag(N200836.6;E0753736.0)TehsilSillod,DistrictAurangabad
Takali Jivrag is located 17.7 km towards south of Sillod on the left bank of the river
Girija. A deposition of 7 m thick greyish soil is noticed in the centre of the village
extendinginanareaof20x15m.Atpresenthalfportionofmoundisdestroyedbythe
villagers for digging the soil and remaining half portion is still in extant (Fig. 24)
havingcircularfeatureinoneofthecorners.Thistowerlikedepositionofsoilisinner
core probably having burnt brick or stone veneering on the exterior which has now
vanished. Pottery and bangle fragments found on surface show itsaffiliation to early
153
historic (Satvahana), historical (Vakataka) and medieval (Bahamani to Mughal)

periods. Potsherds of early historic period are black and red ware applied with jet
blackslip.Earlymedievalpotteryincludesredandblackware,withbrownanddark
brown slip wherein rims of storage jar are significantly reported. Glass bangles
fragments of black colour and one shell bangle fragments with circular and flattish
section,astonestrikerofmarbleinovalshapeandaflakehasfoundalongwithiron
fragments.
Figure24:DisturbedArchaeologicalSite,TakliJivrag
Kaygaon(N201001.5;E0753748.7),TehsilSillod,DistrictAurangabad
KaygaonissituatedontheleftbankofGirijariverabout15kmtothesouthofSillod.A
culturaldepositof6mthicknesswasnoticedamidstvillagewithmudwallsandtwo
buildings (Havelis) of medieval period. The remaining mound at present is
approximately 20 m long and 16 m wide. The pottery of medieval (Bahamani to
Mughal) and late medieval (Asafjahi) period is reported from the surface including
blackandredware.Applicationofredandyellowishbrownslipisnoticedonthefew
of sherds. Along with usual storage jars, globular pot a sherd of pan (tava) is also
reportedfromhere.
Vajrakheda,TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Vajrakheda is located 18.3 km towards southwest of Bhokardan on the left bank of
Girijariver.Nearbythevillageareahabitationalmoundandatempleasdescribedin
thefollowingparagraphs.
154
Inthecentreofthevillage4mthickculturaldepositwithmudwallsisreported(Fig.
25). A highly disturbed mound of medieval (Yadava and Bahamani) period contains
theremainsofpottery,earthenstoragejarandbanglefragmentsonthesurface.Black
and red ware potsherds are reported from here. Rims of storage jar and decorative
patterns on body in the form horizontal grooves are noticed on the pottery. Two
fragmentsofglassbangleinblackandgreencolourarealsoreported.
Figure25:CulturalDeposit,Vajrakheda
ShivaTemple(N200759.4E0753950.8)
AShivatemplereportedtothenorthofvillagehasbeenalteredtoagreatextentbythe
villagers.Itenshrinesashivalingainsidethegarbhagriha.Itconsistsofagarbharihaand
antarala.DoorframeistypicalYadavastyleinfourshakhaswithfourdeityfigurinesat
the both lower part of the shakhas.Beside that ornate pillars and pilasters, decorative
vitanaarefoundinthetemple.Emptydevkoshtakasarenoticedonthebothwallsofthe
antrala.FewloosesculpturesofShivaiteaffinityincludingUmamaheshwarandfragment
oftemplearealsonoticedoutsideofthetemple.
Goshegaon(N201007.8E0753916.8)TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Goshegaon is located 14.2 km southwest of Bhokardan on the left bank of the Girija
river. Four old buildings (Havelis) and a mound of cultural deposit of 1.5 m are
reportedamidthevillage.Atpresentmoundisdestroyedbydiggingforsoil.Black
155
andredwarepotsherdsofearlymedieval(Yadava)periodarereportedhere.Asmall
fragmentofglassbangleinblackcolourandashellkawriearereportedfromthissite.
Hasnabad(N200745.0E0754148.6)TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Hasnabad is located 14.1 km southeast of Bhokardan on the left bank of the river
Girija.Abuildingbelongingtomedievalerawithenclosurewallisreportedfromhere.
Acolossalstructurewithroundarchedgatewayisbuiltincompositemasonryofstone
and bricks. The structure has a mud enclosure wall. The area of the building with
compoundwallisapproximately100mX80m.Thesoilusedhereisdistinctincolour,
whitishsoilcomprisingpotsherdsandothermaterialsofculturalremains.Blackand
redwarepotsherdsarereportedfromthissite.Asmallflaketoolofgreencolour,small
glass beads of green and blue colour, fragments of glass bangles in black and green
colour are reported among the antiquities (Fig. 26). The mound which once existed
here belonged to early mediaeval (Yadava and Bahamani) period as indicated by the
ceramicassemblage.
Figure26:ArtifactsfromHasnabad
ItaNo.1(N200710.6E0754009.9)TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
ItaNo.1is17kmsoutheastofBhokardanTehsilofJalnadistrict.Itissituatedonthe
rightbankoftheGirijariver.Inthevillage,aherostoneappliedwithvermillion(13th
14thcenturyAD)isreportedinsideamodernshivatemple.Theupperhalfisdisplayed
with a human figure in seated pose worshiping Shivalinga while lower half shows a
fightscenebetweentwowarriors.
Sawkheda(N200655.0E0753922.9)TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Sawkheda is located 18.7 south of Bhokardan on the right bank of river Girija. As a
common feature here the mound is located right in the middle of the village. It is
survivingtoaheightof3.5mandrestisdestroyedduetodiggingforsoil.Thishighly
disturbed mound probably of early medieval (Yadava and Bahamani) period as
indicatedbypotteryreportedfromthesurface.Blackwareappliedwithblackslip,red
warewithyellowishbrownsliphavingstoragejarandpotsasmainshapesareamong
thereportedpottery.Arustedhorseshoeofironisalsoreported.
156
DeulgaonKaman(N200800.8;E0753942.2),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Deulgaon Kaman is located on the left bank of Girija river at a distance of 16.8 km
southofBhokardan.Onthesouthernsideamoundof3mdepositisnoticedhere.A
few medieval bricks structure (Wada/ Havelis) are still present in the village. The soil
diggers have destroyed this mound badly; however surviving cultural material
indicatepresenceofearlyhistoric(Satavahana)andmedieval(Bahamani)potterywith
usualblackandredware.Anisolatedflaketoolofchalcedonyandashellfragmentare
reportedamongantiquities.
BorgaonKhadak(N200758.9E0754247.8),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
BorgaonKhadakislocated13.9kmsouthofBhokardanontheleftbankofGirijariver.
RemainsofoldShivatemplealongwithashivlinga,Nandiandaherostonebelonging
to1314thADarereported.Amuchdisturbedhabitationmoundislocated255maway
from the village towards north. The pottery and bangle fragments reported from the
surface indicate its medieval (Bahamani to Mughal) origin. Black and red ware
potsherds with application of brown and black slip, a shell kowari in damaged
condition,afewbanglefragmentsinred,greencolourandasmallbanglefragmentin
blackcolourwithyellowdesignonit;atypicalfeatureofBahamanibangleisreported
fromBorgaonKhadk.
Javkheda(N200538.6E0754332.1),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Javkhedaislocatedatthedistanceof18.5kmsouthofBhokardanontherightbankof
theriverGirija.InfrontofmoderntemplededicatedtoHanumantotheWestsideof
the village, two loose sculptures of Vishnu sculpture were found applied with
vermillion.Firstimageisinsthanakmudraholdinggadaandpadmainuppertwohands
and shown with two dwarf attendants. Second image of Vishnu is shown seated on
GarudawithLakshmiseatedinhislap.Bothimagesmeasures24cmheightand18cm
widthandonstylisticgroundisassignabletoYadavaperiod.
Khadki(N200704.6E0754329.6),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Khadkiislocatedatadistanceof16.7kmsouthofBhokardanontherightbankofriver
Girija. The ancient mound is reported 566 m north from village which is under
destruction. It is of early medieval (Yadava and Bahamani) period as indicated by
potteryreportedfromthesurface.Potsherdsofblackandredwareincludingjetblack
andbrownslipareseenhere.Remainsofatemplearenoticedadjoiningtothemound.
An enclosure wall is reset out of stones used in a temple; a Shivalinga is seen in the
middleandasculptureUmamaheshwarisplacedatthebackwall.Onstylisticgrounds
it is crude as compared to Yadava period sculptures can be assigned to Maratha
period.
Latifpur(N200728.9;E0754154.3),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Latifpur is located 16.2 km south of Bhokardan on the right bank of Girija river. The
central portion of the village comprises a 15 m high mound locally known as Garhi.
Themoundisencroacheduponbythemodernhousesfromalldirections.Potsherdsof
157
early Satvahana and Vakataka period are reported from the section of this Garhi
includingblackandredware.Theapplicationofjetblack,yellowishbrownandbrown
slip is noticed. A chalcedony flake tool and a shell fragment are also reported from
here.
TakliBajad(N200739.6;E0754612.5),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
TakaliBajadislocated13.4kmsouthofBhokardanontheleftbankofGirijariver. A
moundis230mawayfromthevillagetowardssouthextendingoveranareaof130x
90 m. The remains of thick mud walls indicating presence of a large structure are
noticed here in the middle of the mound. This mound is being destroyed by soil
diggers. It is historical (Vakataka) and early medieval (Yadava, Bahamani) period as
indicated by pottery and bangle fragments reported from the surface. Potsherds of
blackandredwarearereportedfromTakaliBajad.Rimsofstoragejars,potsherdwith
geometrical decorative pattern, bangle fragments in blue and black colour are also
reportedfromhere.
BorgaonTaru(N200801.1;E0754646.1),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
BorgaonTaruislocated12.7kmsouthofBhokardanontheleftbankofGirijariver.A
moundandfewoldbuildings(wada)builtinburntbricksmasonrywerenoticedatthe
south of the village. The mound is about 3.5 m high; half portion of the mound has
been encroached upon by the modern constructions. The ceramics of black and red
wareandbanglefragmentsinblueandyellowonblackcolourarereportedfromthe
surfaceofBahamaniperiod.
TakliHivardi(N200727.0;E0754620.8),TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
TakaliHiwardiislocated14.4kmsouthofBhokardanontherightbankofriverGirija.
A mound of 6m deposition was noticed tothenortheast of the village. Theremains
are approximately extended over an area of 4020 square meter. Few thick mud walls
stillstandagainstgreatdamagedonebysoildiggers.Thishighlydisturbedmoundis
ofmedieval(Bahamani)periodasevidencedbypottery;redandblackwareceramics
andbanglefragmentsreportedfromthesurface.Onpotsherdsapplicationofbrown,
redslipisnoticedandstoragejarandpotseemstobethemostcommonshapesofthe
pottery reported from this site. A small terracotta animal figurine; most probably a
bull,fewbanglefragmentsofBahamaniperiodinredandblackcolourareamongthe
antiquitiesreportedfromthissitealongwithananimalteeth.
DeulgaonTad2,TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Devulgaon Tad 2 is located 14.3 km south of Bhokardan on the right bank of Girija
river.Ashivatempleandahabitationalmoundarereportedfromthisvillageasbelow:
ShivaTemple(N200728.5;E0754756.8)
A renovated Shiva temple amid the village is of medieval period as indicated in
decorativemouldingsonpillarsandotherarchitecturalmembersofthetempleusedin
reconstruction.TempleenshrinesaShivalingainthegarbhagriha.
158
Atthesouthofthevillage,thereisamoundandgoodnumbersofmudwallsthereon.
The mound is of 5 m deposit and approximately in the area of 23,808 square m. A
largepartofmoundisdestroyed.Amudstructureorwallswiththecellscanbeseen
on mound. The cells now fallen may be originally of double storied. A mound of
historical (Vakataka) early medieval (Yadava and Bahamani) period is found as
indicated by the pottery and bangle fragments reported from the surface. Few
potsherds of medieval period are reported from Deulgaon Tad. Potsherds are black
and red ware and the application of brown and dark brown, red and black slip has
noticed, while one potsherd is in jet black polished slip. Most of potsherds reported
from site has rim of storage jars and pots including geometrical decorative pattern.
Two stone tool flake of quartz stone, two metal rings; one is in good condition and
other is half in broken condition and both are rusted in green colour, fragments of
blackbangles,redbangles,twofragmentsofshellbangleandtwosmallfragmentsof
polychromebanglesarereportedfromDeulgaonTad(Fig.27).
Figure27:ArtifactsfromHabitationMound,DeulgoanTad
Sangameshwar (Girija Purna Confluence), (N 200915.8 E 0754811.7), Tehsil

Bhokardan,DistrictJalna
SangameshwarislocatedonGirijaPurnaconfluence,tothesouthofBhokardanatthe
distance of 10.9 km. In the village, there is a modern temple having loose sculptures
andarchitecturalmembersusedinthemasonryofoldtemples.Ashivlingaandamuch
erodedimageofUmamaheshwarareofhistoricalperiod.
159
Valsa1,TehsilBhokardan,DistrictJalna
Valsa1 is located 10.5 km away from Bhokardan on the right bank of river Purna.
Amongtheantiquarianremainstherearefewarchitecturalmembersandahabitational
moundfoundnearbythevillage.
ArchitecturalMembers(N200944.4;E0754730.4)
There are few fragments of old temple scattered in the premise of modern Hanuman
temple which includes decorative motifs like kirtimukha and part of vitana(ceiling).
Theseareplacedatthecornerofthetemple.
A habitation mound of 5 m deposit is noticed at the south of village extended
approximatelyin100squaremarea.Atpresent,halfofthemoundisencroachedupon
by the modern houses and remaining mound is still open and seen littered with
cultural debris. Potsherds reported from the surface indicate medieval (Bahamani)
origin. Black and red ware including storage jars and pots are main shapes while
surface application of brown, red and jet black slip with horizontal incised straight
parallel lines are also noticed on the pottery. One unidentified rusted iron object and
brokenstoneMullerarealsoreportedfromthissite.
GeneralObservations
ThearchaeologicalsurveyofGirijariverissignificantasithasbroughttolightasmany
as 39 sites to historical map of the area. The site of Paal was reported earlier but no
details were published, the present survey of 50 villages has resulted in discovery of
cultural remains from 45 locations for the first time. Outcome of present survey is 3
microlithic deposits, 31 habitation mounds, 18 places with remains of temples, lose
sculptures and architectural members, 4 sites with hero stones, 9 locations with
buildings or havelis of late mediaeval origin, a dargah and 3 brick wells. The
preliminary analysis of the ceramic assemblage and antiquities found from the
habitationdepositsindicatepresenceofSatavahanaremainsat8localities,9siteswith
Vakataka affinity, 15 sites of Yadava, 19 sites of Bahamani to Mughal and 10 sites of
Asafjahi/Marathaaffinity.
The surrounding area of Girija valley remains very important in the historical
perspective, world famous Ellora Caves are just 4 to 5 km away as crow flies from
Girija Mata temple, Mhaismal from which the river originates. The Pitalkhora and
Ajanta Caves are 40 and 70 km away respectively from Mhaismal. The fort of
Daulatabadisabout15to60kmawayfromtherivercourseonanaveragewhichwasa
majorpoliticalcentrethroughoutmedievalperiod.TheancientsiteofPaithansituated
at the distance of 50 km, Newasa is 80 km and Nashik is 200 km away from Girija
valleycrossingpoint.TheexcavatedsiteofBhokardaninJalnadistrictwasonemajor
settlement involved in trade and manufacturing during early historical period. The
ceramicassemblageandsmallsizeofsettlementsindicatethattheseweremostlynon
urban habitats surviving on natural resources namely fertile black cotton soil and
160
resourcesavailablefromsurroundinghillylandscape.SomeofthesettlementslikePaal
and Doangargoan may have served as transit points on the trade route connecting
Pratishthan(modernPaithan,Maharashtra)toothertradecentreslikeUjjainincentral
IndiaandAsika(modernAdam,districtNagpur)inVidarbhaasindicatedbypresence
ofmarineshellbanglesduringhistoricalperiod.
The presence of rock cut architecture in form of Pitalkhora and Ajanta Caves during
the early historical or Satvahana period along with number of habitation settlements
denotesignificanceofthisregion,thiscontinuationisalsowitnessedduringVakataka
period. Presence and continuity of occupation during Yadava period is indicated by
remainsoftemplesinformofarchitecturalmembersandsculptures.UnderBahamani
rule sites continued and their number also seems to have increased, during Mughal
period no architectural activity is witnessed in Girija valley however number of
settlements seems to have continued under Maratha and Asafjahi (Nizam of
Hydrabad) period. The present study is preliminary reporting of archaeological
findingsfromtheGirijaRiverbringingittothenoticeofarchaeologistsandhistorians.
Further there is still scope of carrying out study on geoarchaeology of the region,
ceramicassemblage,settlementpatternsetc.
Acknowledgments
AuthorsarethankfultoDirectorGeneral,ArchaeologicalSurveyofIndiaforreviving
village to village survey scheme under which present explorations were carried out.
Thanks to Shri. Mayuresh Khadke and Ms. Snehal Kulkarni for assistance in
documentationwork.
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Report on Archaeological Investigations in Girija River

MadanSinghChouhan ,TejasGarge ,KishorChalwadi1andAmolKulkarni2

. Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad Circle, Aurangabad, Maharashtra,

Devlana Budruk (N200402.7 E751612.5) Tehsil Khultabad, District

Devlana Khurd (N 2003 56.9 E 07516 32.4) Tehsil Khultabad, District

Vadhod Kanhoba (N 2005 05.0 E 07518 37.5) Tehsil Khultabad, District

Wadod Khurd (N 200914.1; E 0753245.8) Tehsil Phulambri, District

Jalgaon Mete (N 2008 49.0; E 07534 45.2), Tehsil Phulambri, District

historic (Satvahana), historical (Vakataka) and medieval (Bahamani to Mughal)

Sangameshwar (Girija Purna Confluence), (N 200915.8 E 0754811.7), Tehsil

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