ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Jharkhand

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Jharkhand

Hawaah Palace Padma 

Hawaah Palace Padma can be categorised under Historical Places and is a popular tourist place in Hazaribagh. This Hawaah Palace Padma draws huge crowds from the neighbouring places of Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Nambol, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Ukhrul. Some of the other tourist places in the city of Hazaribagh – Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Canary Hills, Budhwa Mahadev Mandir, Narsigsthan Temple, Raj Derwah, Silwar Hill, Konar Dam, Hawaah Palace Padma.

Palamu Forts Purana And Naya Kila

wo large forts are located deep in the forests of Palamu on the Sher Shah Suri path near Daltonganj. These forts were attributed to the Vanvasi kings of the Chero dynasty. The best part of these forts is that they had defences in three directions guarded by three huge main gates. The architecture that we see now is Islamic in nature as Daud Khan the trusted general of Sher Shah Suri had rebuilt the forts after conquering it from the Chero rulers.

There are two forts, in the Palamu forest- the Purana Kila or Old Fort and the Naya Kila or New Fort, located very close to one another. Though both belong to the same period and were probably built during the same time, the kings that built them, Medini Roy and Pratap Roy ensured that the forts were strong and could withstand any kind of intrusion.
But though they seemed invincible the forts were first captured by the Mughals and then by the British. The walls of the fort still bear marks to the same. Historians are of the view that the architectural style of these forts bears resemblance to that of the Rohtasgarh and Shergarh forts.

The old fort contains the remains of two storied houses and a mosque, which has three domes. The new fort, built around the slopes of a pointed hill, is noted for its beautiful gate named Nagpuri. The walls of these forts are built with stones and concrete.

A specialty is that the remnants of ancient paintings and stucco ornamentation are still present here. Apart from this, Buddhist and Hindu idols can be found, which are in a ruined state.

Situated amid dense forest at Palamu, these forts are a favorite haunt of tigers, whose pug marks can be seen nearby.

Teliagarhi Fort

The location has the remains of an old fort that was built by a Zamindar called Teli Zamindar. It is said that the Zamindar embraced Islam during the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan.  The fort has a rich history since many of the wars fought in Sahibganj district were centered on the fort. The fort is situated very close to the Karamtola Railway station.

Gopalpur Historical Ruins

The historical ruins of Gopalpur that contain an ancient pillar and the stone image of Emperor Ashoka have brought lot of curious historians, archaeologists and tourists to the place. The small indescripit village of Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda development block, is just 37 minutes from Dhanbad, which is 31.7 kms from the heart of Dhanbad city.  The pillar is said to date back to the time of Emperor Ashoka’s rule.

Seraikela Palace

The Seraikela Palace is a 300 year old heritage building having lot of historical importance. This is the main landmark in the city that stands out from the rest of the monuments found. The palace is known for its architectural exquisiteness and one of the must see sights for those visiting the city.

The Maa Paudi temple which is famed for all over the region is located within the palace premises. The royal family was the guardian of the temple when royalty was still practiced in India.

Anjani Gufa

Anjani Gufa or Anjani cave is situated in a small historic scenic village of Aanjan. It is believed that goddess Anjani used to dwell in the caves that have been discovered in this region.

As the name indicates the village got its name from goddess Anjani, the mother of Lord Hanuman. This village is also considered to be the birth place of Lord Hanuman.

Many objects of archaeological importance have been recovered from the area that has been placed on display at the museum of Patna.

There is an idol of goddess-mother Anjani with Lord Hanuman as a child, in her lap in front of the caves. The village of Anjani is situated nearly 18 kms away from Gumla.

Archaeological Ruins Of Benisagar

Benisagar is a historic place located on the borders of West Singhbhum and Orissa. The town has been named after King Beni and has come onto the world map for its rich historical and archaeological findings.

It is said that the village has its moorings during The Mahabharata period and that the Pandavas spent a large part of their exile in the forests of Benisagar during their exile.

Archaeologists and historians stumbled upon a rich find of a 45-cm-tall ancient statue that bore resemblance to the statues found at the Konark Sun temple and Khajuraho.

The village has a tank named after the legendary ruler Benu Raja and it was this king who could have been instrumental in building the temple and adorned the sculptures in it. But the temple and the rest of the sculptures are yet to be discovered. Captain Belgar, a British officer, had discovered the site around 75 years ago. Benisagar had been a protected site for years and the ASI brought it under its control three years ago.

The ASI found a terracotta seal depicting a seated lion. They also found brick structures and architectural fragments, along with the sculptures of Lord Ganesh, Goddess Mahisasurmardini, and Lord Hanuman at the eastern and southern sides of the Benisagar tank.

Digging at the site confirmed that there was indeed a temple that existed in the site. An archaeologist said nine shrines of various sizes had been found, which indicated that a panchayan type or a temple dedicated to the five chief gods of the Hindus might have existed at the spot.

Another archeologist was also of the opinion that occult practices too could have flourished during that period as they have unearthed a vedi (a raised platform used for sacrificial fires and performing sacrifices) and a brick kund (an open pit like enclosure used in lighting the sacred fire) pointed to it.

The ASI too had discovered two inscriptions in “shell script” at Benisagar, closely resembling those seen on the Ashokan pillars in Vaisali and Rajgir in Bihar.

Benisagar is still being dug. The findings till date reveal multi-layered mounds, ruins of a stone temple and centuries-old bricks at the site which is around 60 km from Jamshedpur.

It is said that a couple of years ago, a villager had chanced upon a seal that could date back to the Gupta period. Besides, remains that probably belonged to the Pala period had also been found.

The seal that was found bears a rosary; a couple of motifs kamandalu- the sacred pot carried by ascetics and sadhus, a danda- a hand rest and a legend in Brahmi characters. A beautifully carved Ganesha belonging to the Pala period was also found.

The archeologists are also on to desilt the ancient Benisagar tank in the hope of gathering more material or findings regarding the history of the place and its people.

Apart from Benisagar, there are other sites close to Benisagar that are in the possession of ASI. They are the Jami Mosque in Mangalhat, the baradari (leisure retreat) in Arzi Mukhimpur, both of which are in Sahebganj, and a Shiva temple at Khekparta in Lohardaga.

Bibhuti Smarak Bhavan

Earlier known as Gaurikunj, the place gained popularity for the famed home of the noted Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay.

On the road to Dohijora in Ghatshila City, along Apu s Road named after the famous character of Apu in the writer s stories, and located a few miles from the ruins of the Rajbari (was also the house where Bibhutibhushan formerly lived) is the former residence of Bibhuthibhushan Bandhopadhyay. He is the author of the famous novel Pather Panchali and has also penned many other stories, as he spent the last few years of his life in this house.

Like the house at Rajbari, Gaurikunj house was also falling into disrepair if the State Government wouldn t have intervened taken the initiative to save it.

The same house has been turned into a memorial of the author. Presently known as the Bibhuti Smarak Bhavan, it is one of the proud heritage sites that Ghatshila can boast of. Close to the memorial is a library that has been set up in honor of the author.

Ruins Of Porahat Raj

Porahat is another important place which is about 7kms to Chaibasa that is known to be the kingdom of erstwhile Porahat Raj. One can visit the place to take a look at the dilapidated palaces and other historical buildings in the area.

Except for the North Karo valley and some 20 kms in the Koel valley, the Porahat area is a hilly tract extending to the Chotanagpur plateau, which reaches down to the area of Bandgaon. To the extreme north of the attraction is the Phuljhur river that comes down from a plateau in a cascade, forms a pool which is supposed to be unfathomable and the subject of many discussions, myths, stories and legends. The only level or gently undulating land of any extent is found in the region is in the upper valley of the Sanjai near Sonua and Goilkera on the South Eastern Railway, and in Chakradharpur, an outlying portion of the Porahat area on the north bank of the Sanjai.

List of Archeological sites notified by ASI is as under:

 ,

Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It is the 14th largest state in India by area and the 10th most populous state. The state was carved out of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand is a mineral-rich state, with coal, iron Ore, bauxite, and mica being the major Minerals found in the state. The state is also home to a number of important archaeological sites, dating back to the Prehistoric Period.

Some of the important archaeological sites in Jharkhand include:

• Ahargarh: Ahargarh is an archaeological site located in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Chalcolithic period (3000-1500 BCE). Ahargarh is known for its well-preserved Pottery, which is decorated with geometric patterns.
• Baghmundi: Baghmundi is an archaeological site located in the Purulia district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mesolithic period (8000-3000 BCE). Baghmundi is known for its stone tools, which are made of quartzite and chert.
• Baruapara: Baruapara is an archaeological site located in the Gumla district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Neolithic period (5000-2000 BCE). Baruapara is known for its terracotta figurines, which are decorated with geometric patterns.
• Birbhum: Birbhum is an archaeological site located in the Birbhum district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Iron Age (1200-300 BCE). Birbhum is known for its iron tools, which are made of iron ore.
• Deogarh: Deogarh is an archaeological site located in the Deogarh district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Gupta period (320-550 CE). Deogarh is known for its temples, which are built in the Nagara style of architecture.
• Ghatsila: Ghatsila is an archaeological site located in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mauryan period (322-185 BCE). Ghatsila is known for its coins, which are made of copper and silver.
• Jharia: Jharia is an archaeological site located in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mesolithic period (8000-3000 BCE). Jharia is known for its stone tools, which are made of quartzite and chert.
• Kaimur: Kaimur is an archaeological site located in the Kaimur district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mesolithic period (8000-3000 BCE). Kaimur is known for its stone tools, which are made of quartzite and chert.
• Kharagpur: Kharagpur is an archaeological site located in the Kharagpur district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mesolithic period (8000-3000 BCE). Kharagpur is known for its stone tools, which are made of quartzite and chert.
• Lohardaga: Lohardaga is an archaeological site located in the Lohardaga district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mesolithic period (8000-3000 BCE). Lohardaga is known for its stone tools, which are made of quartzite and chert.
• Mandar: Mandar is an archaeological site located in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. The site is dated to the Mahabharata period (3000-1500 BCE). Mandar is known for its temples, which are built in the Nagara style of architecture.
• Ranchi: Ranchi is the capital of Jharkhand. The city is home to a number of important archaeological sites, dating back to the prehistoric period. Some of the important archaeological sites in Ranchi include:
  • Ranchi Rock Shelters: The Ranchi Rock Shelters are a group of rock shelters located in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. The shelters are dated to the Mesolithic period (8000-3000 BCE). The shelters are known for their paintings, which depict animals, humans, and geometric patterns.
  • Ranchi Museum: The Ranchi Museum is a museum located in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. The museum houses a collection of artifacts from the prehistoric period to the present day. The museum is home to a number of important archaeological objects, including:
    • The Ranchi Terracotta Figurines: The Ranchi Terracotta Figurines are a group of terracotta figurines found in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. The figurines are dated to the Neolithic period (5000-2000 BCE). The figurines are known for their geometric patterns and their depiction of animals and humans.
    • The Ranch

What is Jharkhand?
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It is the 28th state of India, formed on 15 November 2000, carved out of the southern part of the state of Bihar. Jharkhand is the 14th largest state in India, with an area of 79,716 square kilometres (30,778 sq mi). The state has a Population of 33.7 million, making it the 10th most populous state in India. The capital of Jharkhand is Ranchi.

What are the major cities in Jharkhand?
The major cities in Jharkhand are Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro Steel City, Giridih, Hazaribagh, and Bokaro.

What are the major languages spoken in Jharkhand?
The major languages spoken in Jharkhand are Hindi, Bengali, Santhali, Mundari, Oraon, Ho, Kharia, and Kurukh.

What are the major religions practiced in Jharkhand?
The major religions practiced in Jharkhand are Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sarnaism.

What are the major tourist attractions in Jharkhand?
The major tourist attractions in Jharkhand are the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, the Betla National Park, the Hazaribagh National Park, the Kanger Valley National Park, the Palamu Tiger Reserve, the Netarhat Hill Station, the Jagannath Temple, the Deoghar Temple, and the Rajrappa Temple.

What are the major industries in Jharkhand?
The major industries in Jharkhand are mining, steel, power, and cement.

What are the major challenges facing Jharkhand?
The major challenges facing Jharkhand are POVERTY, Unemployment, illiteracy, and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE-development/”>Infrastructure Development.

What are the major achievements of Jharkhand?
The major achievements of Jharkhand are the formation of the state, the development of infrastructure, the improvement of Education, and the promotion of tourism.

What is the future of Jharkhand?
The future of Jharkhand is bright. The state has a lot of potential for development. With the right policies and investments, Jharkhand can become a developed state.

Sure, here are some MCQs about Jharkhand without mentioning the topic ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:

1. Which of the following is not a state in India?
   (A) Jharkhand
   (B) Chhattisgarh
   (C) Madhya Pradesh
   (D) Uttar Pradesh

2. The capital of Jharkhand is:
   (A) Ranchi
   (B) Jamshedpur
   (C) Dhanbad
   (D) Bokaro

3. The Official Language of Jharkhand is:
   (A) Hindi
   (B) English
   (C) Bengali
   (D) Santali

4. The population of Jharkhand is approximately:
   (A) 30 million
   (B) 40 million
   (C) 50 million
   (D) 60 million

5. The Literacy rate in Jharkhand is approximately:
   (A) 60%
   (B) 70%
   (C) 80%
   (D) 90%

6. The main religion in Jharkhand is:
   (A) Hinduism
   (B) Islam
   (C) Christianity
   (D) Sikhism

7. The main crops grown in Jharkhand are:
   (A) Rice
   (B) Wheat
   (C) Maize
   (D) Sugarcane

8. The main industries in Jharkhand are:
   (A) Mining
   (B) Steel
   (C) Cement
   (D) Power

9. The main tourist attractions in Jharkhand are:
   (A) The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary
   (B) The Betla National Park
   (C) The Hazaribagh National Park
   (D) All of the above

10. The famous freedom fighter Birsa Munda was born in:
    (A) Ranchi
    (B) Jamshedpur
    (C) Dhanbad
    (D) Bokaro