Purana Qila, Delhi
New Delhi: The ongoing excavation at the historic site of Purana Qila in Delhi, initiated in January 2023, has revealed a continuous existence of human habitation and activities in Delhi spanning over 2500 years.
The site, identified as the ancient city of Indraprastha, has been a subject of archaeological interest for several decades. The excavation has unearthed significant findings, providing insights into Delhi’s continuous history.
More than 136 coins and 35 seals and sealings have been discovered from a small excavated area, indicating the site’s pivotal role as a centre for trade activities.
The excavation has also yielded a remarkable collection of artefacts. Currently, structures from the early Kushanaleve l have been exposed, with a depth of 5.50 meters reached thus far. The excavation’s notable findings include a stone image of Vaikuntha Vishnu, a terracotta plaque of Gaja Laxmi, a stone image of Ganesha, seals and sealings, coins, terracotta figurines of humans and animals, beads of various stones, terracotta, and a bone needle. These artefacts, along with pottery and other antiquities, offer valuable insights into the ancient civilization and trade activities at the site.
The excavation is expected to provide further insights into the ancient city of Indraprastha, the Ministry of Culture stated here today.
The excavation aims to establish a complete chronology of the site. Furthermore, the excavated remains at Purana Qila will serve as a point of attraction for the delegates of the G20 summit, consisting of the Heads of State, scheduled to be held in Delhi in September 2023.
Purana Qila stands as a testament to India’s rich heritage and cultural diversity, and the ongoing excavation work promises to deepen the understanding of the region’s historical significance. The conservation and preservation efforts, coupled with the establishment of an Open Air Site Museum, will ensure that this historical treasure can be appreciated by present and future generations.
Purana Qila has witnessed multiple excavations in the past. Notably, Padma Shri Prof. B.B. Lal conducted excavations in 1955 and 1969-73, followed by excavations led by Dr Vasant Kumar Swarnkar of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2013-14 and 2017-18. These efforts have revealed nine cultural levels, representing different historical periods, including Pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, PostGupta, Rajput, Sultanate, and Mughal.
Dr Swarnkar, who is the Director of ASI and also the chief excavator overseeing the ongoing excavation at Purana Qila, today showcased the remarkable findings to Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, along with delegates of embassies who visited the historic site in Delhi to inspect the ongoing excavation work. Emphasizing the need of using the latest technologies, the Minister urged ASI to conduct LIDAR [laser imaging, detection, and ranging] surveys prior to excavation.
– global bihari bureau
