Archaeological sites of Chattishgarh

Malhar

Malhar is a small town situated in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, India. It has archaeological significance. It is 40 km away from Bilaspur by road.

In Malhar, many ancient temples have been found, such as the Pataleshwar temple, the Devri temple & the Dindeshwari temple. Ancient deposits and Jain memorials were also found here. The four handed idol of Vishnu is significant. The remains found here are of the period from approximately 1000 BC to the Ratnapura Kalachuri regime. Temples of the 10th and 11th centuries are also conspicuous. Among them, the Pataleshwar Kedar temple is one, where the Gomukhi Shivling is the main attraction. The Dindeshwari temple of the Kalachuri regime is also significant. Artistic idols are present in the Deor temple. There is also a museum in Malhar, being managed by the Government of India, having a good collection of old sculptures. Malhar is in the list of “Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of National Importance” maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Sirpur

Sirpur is located on the banks of River Mahanadi it was almost fifty years ago when the first inscription was found from the area which talked about the presence of Shiva temple in the vicinity. However, it was only in the early 2000 that work actually began to excavate the area and what the archaeologists found changed not just our understanding of the region, but also about the evolution of Temple Architecture both here as well as in South India.

Some of the discoveries made here have completely baffled the historians and has helped understand the history of the region and the religions much better. For instance, the Buddha Vihara found here is believed to be four times larger than the famed Nalanda university in Bihar, which is quite an important discovery.

Tarighat

The mythological history of the state of Chhattisgarh in the central part of India can be traced back to the days of Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Chhattisgarh has a number of very important archaeological sites, historical palaces, forts and some magnificent Chhattisgarh temples. This region of India has witnessed rise and fall of many great dynasties and kingdoms.

Recent archaeological finds in Chhattisgarh, indicate the existence of continued settlements from prehistoric to late medieval period.

It is known that earliest human settlements in Chhattisgarh were established much before they came into existence in any other part of the country, but the exact date for the earliest human settlement in this region is still unknown. Last year, a 2,500-year-old planned city in Tarighat, Chhattisgarh, India equipped with water reservoirs, roads, seals and coins, buried 20ft below the ground, was discovered by archaeologists. The site was destroyed by a large fire that took place around the 2nd century BC.

numerous Indo-Greek Coins were discovered, along with more than 15 varieties of beads found in large number in almost 2,000 unusual sizes, styles and shapes, which suggests that Chhattisgarh served as a significant bead manufacturing centre. Pendants, ornaments, bangles of gold, silver and copper have also been unearthed.

Raipur

Raipur has been in existence since the 9th century; the old site and ruins of the fort can be seen in the southern part of the city. Raipur district is important historically and as a point of interest archaeologically. This district was once part of the Dakshina Kosala Kingdom and later became part of the Maurya Empire. In the 4th century CE, Gupta king Samudragupta conquered this region and established Gupta domination in the region until the fifth and sixth centuries when the area came under the rule of Sharabhpuriya kings. For some time in the fifth and sixth centuries, Nala kings dominated this area. Later on Somavanshi kings took control and ruled with Sirpur as their capital. Mahashivgupta Balarjun was the mightiest emperor of this dynasty. His mother, the widow queen of Harshgupta of the Somavansh, Rani Vasata built the brick temple of Lakshman.

The Kalachuri dynasty of Tumman ruled the area for a long period, making Ratanpur their capital. The old inscriptions of Ratanpur, Rajim and Khallari refer to the reign of Kalachuri kings. Raipur was the capital of a branch of the Kalachuri dynasty, whose rulers controlled the forts of Chhattisgarh for a considerable period.

Karkabhat

It’s a megalithic burial site near Balod, Chhattisgarh. Though from a distance the entire ground looks like a tumble of big rocks in disarray, close inspection reveals a design: the layers of boulders around the menhirs can be found to be arranged in a pyramidal design gradually peaking at the top. These menhirs were further placed inclining towards the east or the west.

Dhanora (District Durg)

This site is located 21 km from Balod on Balod-Dhamtari road. About 500 megaliths were located during the excavations conducted by Late M.G. Dikshit in 1956-57. He classified the megalithic into four types, Type I to Type IV. These are mostly menhirs, of small and large proportions, kept in position by means of buttresses of large boulders. Some of the megaliths were excavated and human skeleton remains, objects of beads and glass bangles were recovered. One of the Chambers even contained a copper vessel. Here also several megalithic monuments (carin circles or menhirs) have disappeared because of quarrying operations.,

Chhattisgarh is a state in central India that is home to a number of important archaeological sites. These sites offer a glimpse into the region’s rich history and culture, dating back to the Prehistoric Period.

One of the most important archaeological sites in Chhattisgarh is Ahar, located in the Raipur district. Ahar was a major urban center during the Chalcolithic period (3000-1500 BCE). The site has yielded evidence of a well-developed culture, with sophisticated Pottery, metalworking, and agriculture.

Another important archaeological site in Chhattisgarh is Arang, located in the Durg district. Arang was a major religious center during the Gupta period (320-550 CE). The site is home to a number of temples, including the famous Lakshman Temple.

Bhanpur is an archaeological site located in the Durg district. The site is home to a number of Buddhist stupas and monasteries, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

Deogarh is an archaeological site located in the Koriya district. The site is home to a number of Hindu temples, dating back to the 8th-10th centuries CE.

Durg is an archaeological site located in the Durg district. The site is home to a number of forts and temples, dating back to the 14th-16th centuries CE.

Garhwa is an archaeological site located in the Garhwa district. The site is home to a number of Buddhist stupas and monasteries, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

Khairagarh is an archaeological site located in the Rajnandgaon district. The site is home to a number of Hindu temples, dating back to the 10th-12th centuries CE.

Korba is an archaeological site located in the Korba district. The site is home to a number of iron-smelting furnaces, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

Malhar is an archaeological site located in the Mahasamund district. The site is home to a number of Chalcolithic settlements, dating back to the 3rd-2nd millennium BCE.

Sirpur is an archaeological site located in the Raipur district. The site is home to a number of Hindu and Buddhist temples, dating back to the 6th-12th centuries CE.

Surguja is an archaeological site located in the Surguja district. The site is home to a number of Hindu temples, dating back to the 10th-12th centuries CE.

Teerathgarh is an archaeological site located in the Koriya district. The site is home to a number of Buddhist stupas and monasteries, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

Udaypur is an archaeological site located in the Rajnandgaon district. The site is home to a number of Hindu temples, dating back to the 10th-12th centuries CE.

These are just a few of the many archaeological sites that can be found in Chhattisgarh. These sites offer a glimpse into the region’s rich history and culture, and are a valuable resource for archaeologists and historians.

Here are some frequently asked questions about archaeological sites:

What is an archaeological site?
An archaeological site is a place where people have lived, worked, or died in the past. It can be a city, a village, a farm, or even a single building.
What are some of the most important archaeological sites in the world?
Some of the most important archaeological sites in the world include the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru, and the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy.
What can we learn from archaeological sites?
Archaeological sites can teach us a lot about the past. They can tell us about the people who lived there, their culture, their technology, and their way of life.
How are archaeological sites studied?
Archaeological sites are studied by archaeologists. Archaeologists use a variety of methods to study sites, including excavation, survey, and analysis.
What are some of the challenges of studying archaeological sites?
One of the challenges of studying archaeological sites is that they can be very fragile. They can be damaged by natural forces, such as erosion, or by human activities, such as looting.
What are some of the ethical issues involved in studying archaeological sites?
One of the ethical issues involved in studying archaeological sites is the ownership of the artifacts that are found. It is important to respect the cultural heritage of the people who lived at the site.
What are some of the benefits of studying archaeological sites?
The benefits of studying archaeological sites include the preservation of our cultural heritage, the advancement of our knowledge of the past, and the inspiration that they can provide for future generations.
What are some of the threats to archaeological sites?
Some of the threats to archaeological sites include looting, vandalism, and development.
What can we do to protect archaeological sites?
We can protect archaeological sites by supporting archaeological research, by reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities, and by being respectful of the sites when we visit them.

Sure, here are some MCQs about the topics you mentioned:

Which of the following is not a type of archaeological site?
(A) A cave
(B) A riverbed
(C) A city
(D) A forest
Which of the following is the oldest archaeological site in the world?
(A) Göbekli Tepe
(B) Stonehenge
(C) Chichen Itza
(D) Machu Picchu
Which of the following is not a tool used by archaeologists?
(A) A shovel
(B) A brush
(C) A hammer
(D) A Microscope
Which of the following is the most common type of artifact found at archaeological sites?
(A) Pottery
(B) Stone tools
(C) Metal tools
(D) Human remains
Which of the following is not a way that archaeologists date artifacts?
(A) Radiocarbon dating
(B) Dendrochronology
(C) Thermoluminescence dating
(D) Astrology
Which of the following is the most important thing that archaeologists do?
(A) They study the past.
(B) They preserve artifacts.
(C) They interpret artifacts.
(D) They publish their findings.
Which of the following is not a benefit of studying archaeology?
(A) It can help us understand the past.
(B) It can help us preserve our heritage.
(C) It can help us learn about other cultures.
(D) It can help us find buried treasure.
Which of the following is the most famous archaeological site in the world?
(A) The Great Pyramid of Giza
(B) The Colosseum
(C) The Parthenon
(D) The Temple of Angkor Wat
Which of the following is not a type of archaeological excavation?
(A) test excavation
(B) Rescue excavation
(C) Commercial excavation
(D) Scientific excavation
Which of the following is the most important thing to do when excavating an archaeological site?
(A) Record everything carefully.
(B) Preserve all artifacts.
(C) Interpret the artifacts correctly.
(D) Publish the findings in a timely manner.

I hope these MCQs were helpful!