Showing posts with label indian archaeology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indian archaeology. Show all posts

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Indian Temple-Ancient Copper Plates, Gold Coins Found


Indian Temple-Ancient copper plates, gold coins found
Archaeological Survey of India makes breakthrough in restitution toil at Pranaveswara temple in Talagunda, Karnataka.
In an amazing hit upon that may hurl more radiance on the dynasties that ruled Karnataka, two sets of copper-plate bonds and eight gold coins have been exposed at Pranaveswara temple at Talagunda in Shirkaripur taluk of Shimoga district by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Bangalore surround.
While the copper plates, datable to the 12 century CE, belong to the Kalachurya empire, the gold coins were issued by the Ganga rulers, who detained control in the State from the 4th century CE to the 12 century CE.
The gold coins belong to the "Ane Gadyana" variety, representing elephants on the face and flower designs on the overturn. They ponder around four grams each. Ganga ruler Sivamara-I (regnal years 679 CE to 726 CE) issued three of them.
The ASI originated the prize when it laid a trial pit in the south-east place of the temple's maha mandapa. The temple's base had sunk and the nature of the soil had to be calculated.
The result was pretty unpredicted with the yield of the copper plates and the coins, said Superintending Archaeologist of ASI Bangalore Circle M. Nambirajan. The coins were "beautifully made and typical of the issue of the western Gangas," he noted.
Deputy Superintending Archaeologist T.M. Keshava said, "For the first time, eight gold coins have been found in the interior of Karnataka and they belong to the Gangas' period, whose ruling domain was elsewhere at Talakadu. They are among the finest specimens of gold coins and some carry the legend 'Si Ma' in southern Brahmi script."
The copper plates were found on February 11 the gold coins on February 16 and 17.
The temple is datable to the Kadamba rulers of Banavasi, who ruled these parts between 4th century CE to the late 6th century CE. However, it has remnants of the Satavahana rulers, taking back its remains to the 2nd century CE.
The temple is simple in preparation and elevation. It has a square study, which houses a Shivalinga. As its base had sunk, resulting in the wall going out of examine, there was needed to take apart and reset it. As the structure is located in a heavy rainfall area, the soil's nature and its foundation had to be studied. For this, the ASI laid a few trial pits.
Its team, led by Dr. Nambirajan, comprised Mr. Keshava, Assistant Archaeologists P. Aravazhi and Teekam and senior Conservation Assistant Arjun Bangargi.
A copper-plate charter has five leaves, each 28 cm long and 14 cm wide, held together by a royal seal with a beautiful etching of a couchant bull. The plates carry inscriptions in Sanskrit and the script is in Devanagari. The other set has three leaves, each 24.5 cm long and 13 cm wide, with a Varaha (boar) emblem on the ring.
Dr. Nambirajan said the copper-plates recorded the donations and gift of land in specified areas, to some Brahmins who were well versed in Vedic journalism. It was issued by Kalachurya ruler Sankama-II in March, 1180 CE.
Kalachuryas were a group of itinerant rulers, who ruled from Madhya Pradesh down to Karnataka, in the 12 century CE. "The consequence of the detection of the plates is that we have got more data on the Kalachurya rulers, their function of stay at Banavasi because they were issued when they were staying at Banavasi and we get trustworthy data on the battle between the Kalachurya and the Hoysalas," said Mr. Keshava.
The ASI plans to excavate a big bundle near the temple that may reveal the vestiges of the ancient township of the Kadambas.
For More Info: Hindu
For more interesting topics related to archaeology, visit archaeology excavations.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Interesting Facts about India


  1. The famous board game, called Chess, was invented in India.
  2. In India's 100,000 years of history, it has never invaded any other country.
  3. India is the 7th largest country in the world, the largest democracy and one of the oldest civilizations.
  4. India was one of the richest countries in the world before the British invasion in 17th century.
  5. The value of "pi" used in mathematics was first calculated by the Indian mathematician Budhayana in 6th century.
  6. India is one of the largest exporter of computer software products. It exports software to over 90 countries.
  7. India is home to the world's largest pilgrimage destination called the Vishnu Temple. The temple is located in the city of Tirupati. About an average of 30,000 people visit this temple donating about $6 million US dollars, everyday.
  8. India originated Yoga about 5,000 years ago.
  9. India has the most number of mosques. It has 300,000 mosques which is much more than the Muslim world.
  10. Christians and Jews have been living in India since 52 A.D. and 200 B.C. respectively.
  11. India has the highest bridge in the world . It is called Bailey Bridge and is located in Ladakh between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayas.
  12. Before 1986, India was the only place in the world where Diamonds could be found.
  13. The world's first University was established in India . The University was established in 700 B.C. at the place of Taxila.
  14. The biggest and the largest employer in the world is Indian Railways which employs over a million people.
  15. India has the highest cricket ground in the world. It is located in the northern state of India called Himachal Pradesh. The cricket ground is 2444 meters above the sea level and was built in 1893.
  16. Most important studies of Mathematics like calculus, trigonometry and algebra were originated in India.
  17. Taj Mahal which is among the seven wonders of the world is in India. Taj Mahal was built over a long period of 11 years.
  18. India has the most number of post offices in the world.

For more interesting topics related to archaeology, visit archaeology excavations.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Murals at Padmanabhapuram Palace


The Padmanabhapuram palace was once the residence of the rulers of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore. This palace complex, regarded as Asia’s largest wooden palace, has fourteen structures spread over an area of six acres. The palace is noted for an exquisite mural collection considered to date from the 17th and 18th centuries. These paintings are discerned for the beauty of their conception.


The murals are drawn on the four walls of the Thevarappura, the second floor of Uppirika Malika, a mansion inside the complex. The Thevarappura was used by the kings for meditation. Ananthasayana (the reclining posture of Lord Vishnu on Anantha, the Serpent King), Lord Krishna and Gopikas, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are some of the paintings seen here. The paintings were drawn by three different artists, according to Dr. M.G. Sasibhooshan, renowned art scholar and historian.


The erstwhile Travancore kingdom consisted of the southern part of the present Kerala state and some south-western parts of the present Tamil Nadu state. Though the Palace complex is now situated in Tamil Nadu, it is managed by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Kerala.