Important archaeological sites of Uttarakhand

Important Archaeological sites of Uttarakhand

Baijnath

Baijnath identified as ancient Karttikayapura often is believe to be the seat the Katyuries, earliest ruling dynasty of central Himalayan region who had shifted their capital from Joshimath (District Chamoli) to this place sometimes in 8th Century AD. The main temple known as Baijnath is dedicated to Siva. Panchratha on plan, the temple consist of sanctum with projected portico. The plinth of the temple has five base moldings however, remaining portion is devoid of any decoration. The original shikhara of the temple is lost and the present one is a later addition which is a clerestoried tin-shed supported on wooden frame. The other shrines in the group are also identical both in plan and elevation. Among the important are Kedareswar, Lakshmi-narayan and Brahmani Devi temples.

Purola

The ancient site at Purola is located on the left bank of the river Kamal. The excavation yielded the remains of Painted Grey Ware (PGW) from the earliest level alongwith other associated materials including terracotta figurines, beads, potter-stamp, the dental and femur portions of domesticated horse (Equas Cabalus Linn). The most important finds from the site is a brick alter identified as Syenachiti by the excavator. The structure is in the shape of a flying eagle (Garuda), head facing east with outstretched wings. In the center of the structure is the chiti is a square chamber yielding remains of Pottery assignable to circa first century B.C. to second century AD. In addition, copper coin of Kuninda and other material i.e. ash, bone pieces etc and a thin gold leaf impressed with a human figure, tentatively identified as Agni have also been recovered from the central chamber.

Dhikuli

Remains of ancient Vairatpattana, the capital of the old kingdom of Govisana are spread in deep reserve forest of Jim Corbett National Park in Dhikuli. In the seventh century, the place was visited by Hieun Tsang. The remains of this ancient town are not easily accessible due to thick forest. But explorations in the past revealed the remains of a few platforms made of stone, and fine specimens of pillar capitals, medallions, lions and fragments of decorated pillars near the modern temple on the hill slope. Since the site is located at the entrance of the Central Himalayan hills, this place might have served as transit centre of trade in the past hence the place is called Pattan.

Kalsi

The site of Asoka’s inscriptions at Kalsi the only place in north India where the great Mauryan emperor has inscribed the set of the fourteen rock edicts (res). The language of these edicts is Pali and the script Brahmi which reflect Asoka’s humane approach in his internal administration, his fatherly concern for the moral and spiritual welfare of his subjects, and his commitment to non-violence and abandonment of warfare. For this Asoka proclaimed certain restrictive and prescriptive policies. The essence of the restrictive policies are restraint in worldly amusement, in gratuitous slaughter or non destruction of animals, in participating in despicable and useless beliefs and practices, and in glorification of one’s own faith. That of prescriptive ones: self-control, purity of mind, gratitude, and firm attachment service to parents and ascetics, alms to brahmins and sramanas (ascetics), seemly behaviour towards friends, relatives, acquaintances, servants and slaves, concordance in religious matters.

Badhwala

This ancient site was excavated by of Archaeological Survey of India between 1952 – 54, revealing remains of three fire alters and other associated material including inscribed bricks. Built in Syena Chiti form (Eagle shaped), these alters are believed to associate with the Ashvamedha sacrifices, perform by their authors. Sanskrit inscriptions in Brahmi characters of late third century AD, on bricks used in one of the three Jagatgram altars inform that king. Silavarman, alias Pona, of Yugasaila, who belonged to the Vrishagana gotra, performed four Asvamedha sacrifices here, indicating, perhaps, during the third century AD this western part of Central Himalaya was known as Yugasiala. In Pan Indian context such altars are extremely rare.

British cemetery, Roorkee

This is a vast cemetery having 33725 Sq m area (3372 Hectare/7.623 Acare) with a regular compound wall, pierced with an entrance gateway having a pointed arch of the Gothic style. The cemetery contains a number of graves including graves is of general Sir Harold Williams of different designs and materials belonging to mid nineteenth century. A part of the cemetery is still use as graveyard by Christian community of Roorkee.

Gangolihat

There are six temples, five samadhis (memorials) of Sadhus and one inscribed water reservoir. Of these four temples stands in one complex while the remaining two temples and samadhis are situated in another complex circulated by separate boundary walls. The temples are generally triratha in plan with a short projected portico in front. These rekha sikhara temples are dedicated to God Vishnu, Shiva and Sun God. The samadhis are of very late period made in form of the miniature temple, probably belong to the Sadhus/Saints residing here in the recent past.

The water reservoir locally known as Jahnavi naul made of dressed stone masonry below the ground level where water oozing out from the ground. TYhe reservoir is covered with with a flat roof mandapa with pillar kakshakshana on either side. There is an inscription mentioning three dates-Samvatsara 1321 (AD 1264); Saka 1189 (AD 1276 ); and Saka 1197 (AD 1275), and refers to Rajanaraja Dhira, Queen Vilaisi, and Sri Ratha Chamndra Deva.

Dwarahat, Almora district

The celestial hamlet of Dwarahat located about 34 km from Ranikhet is a small town that was once the seat of Katyuri Kingdom. Dwarahat literally suggests the ‘Way to Heaven’ and is famous for its ancient temples which have an influence of Gurjari School of Art. The history buffs can visit the town and witness the 55 remarkable temples that have been standing tall since ages. The credit for the architectural grandeur of these temples goes to the Katyuri Dynasty who ruled over Kumaon for a significant period of time.

Uttarakhand is a state in northern India. It is bordered by the states of Himachal Pradesh to the west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the south, and Nepal to the east. The state is also home to the Himalayas, which form its northern border.

Uttarakhand is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, including its Mountains, forests, and rivers. The state is also home to a number of important archaeological sites, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization.

Some of the most important archaeological sites in Uttarakhand include:

Ahichchhatra: This site was once the capital of the kingdom of Kaushambi. It is home to a number of ruins, including a palace, a temple, and a stupa.
Almora: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and palaces, dating back to the 16th century.
Ayodhya: This city is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is home to a number of temples and shrines, dedicated to Rama and other Hindu deities.
Bageshwar: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and monasteries, dating back to the 12th century.
Baijnath: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Bhimtal: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and palaces, dating back to the 16th century.
Chamoli: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and monasteries, dating back to the 12th century.
Dehradun: This city is the capital of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples, mosques, and churches, as well as a number of museums and universities.
Haridwar: This city is located on the banks of the Ganges River. It is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.
Kashipur: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and mosques, dating back to the 12th century.
Kedarnath: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.
Kausani: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its views of the Himalayas.
Kotdwara: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and monasteries, dating back to the 12th century.
Nainital: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its lakes and mountains.
Pauri Garhwal: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and monasteries, dating back to the 12th century.
Pithoragarh: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its views of the Himalayas.
Ranikhet: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its views of the Himalayas.
Rudrapur: This town is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a major industrial center.
Sahaspur: This town is located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. It is home to a number of temples and mosques, dating back to the 12th century.
Sarnath: This town is located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India.
Tehri Garhwal: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is the former capital of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal.
Ukhimath: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site.
Uttarkashi: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site.
Vishnuprayag: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of the Panch Prayags, or five confluences of the Ganges River.
Yamunotri: This town is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of the Char Dhams, or four sacred Hindu pilgrimage

Here are some frequently asked questions about important archaeological sites in Uttarakhand, along with short answers:

What are the important archaeological sites in Uttarakhand?

The important archaeological sites in Uttarakhand are:

Ahichchhatra
Hastinapur
Kaushambi
Shravasti
Ayodhya
Mathura
Vrindavan
Kashi
Prayag
Haridwar
Kedarnath
Badrinath
Gangotri
Yamunotri
When were these sites established?

The dates of establishment of these sites vary, but they are all ancient. Ahichchhatra was established in the 7th century BCE, Hastinapur in the 6th century BCE, Kaushambi in the 5th century BCE, Shravasti in the 6th century BCE, Ayodhya in the 11th century BCE, Mathura in the 6th century BCE, Vrindavan in the 16th century BCE, Kashi in the 11th century BCE, Prayag in the 11th century BCE, Haridwar in the 11th century BCE, Kedarnath in the 11th century BCE, Badrinath in the 11th century BCE, Gangotri in the 11th century BCE, and Yamunotri in the 11th century BCE.

What are the historical significance of these sites?

These sites are significant for their historical, religious, and cultural value. Ahichchhatra was the capital of the Kuru Kingdom, Hastinapur was the capital of the Pandavas, Kaushambi was the capital of the Mauryan Empire, Shravasti was an important Buddhist center, Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, Mathura is the birthplace of Krishna, Vrindavan is the place where Krishna spent his childhood, Kashi is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, Prayag is the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, Haridwar is the gateway to the Himalayas, Kedarnath is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites, Badrinath is another important Hindu pilgrimage site, Gangotri is the source of the Ganges River, and Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River.

What are the architectural features of these sites?

The architectural features of these sites vary, but they all have a distinctive style that reflects the period in which they were built. Ahichchhatra has a number of well-preserved stupas, Hastinapur has a number of well-preserved ruins of palaces and temples, Kaushambi has a number of well-preserved stupas and monasteries, Shravasti has a number of well-preserved stupas and monasteries, Ayodhya has a number of well-preserved temples, Mathura has a number of well-preserved temples and sculptures, Vrindavan has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, Kashi has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, Prayag has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, Haridwar has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, Kedarnath has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, Badrinath has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, Gangotri has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines, and Yamunotri has a number of well-preserved temples and shrines.

What are the conservation efforts being made to preserve these sites?

The government of India is making a number of efforts to preserve these sites. These efforts include:

Conducting archaeological surveys to identify and document the sites
Restoring and conserving the sites
Promoting tourism to the sites
Raising awareness about the importance of the sites
What are the challenges faced in preserving these sites?

The main challenges faced in preserving these sites are:

Natural disasters, such as Earthquakes and floods
Human activities, such as deforestation and pollution
Lack of funding for conservation efforts
Lack of awareness about the importance of the sites
What is the future of these sites?

The future of these sites depends on the success of the conservation efforts being made. If these efforts are successful, the sites will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. However, if these efforts are not successful, the sites will be lost to history.

Sure, here are some MCQs about Uttarakhand:

Which of the following is not a city in Uttarakhand?
(A) Dehradun
(B) Haridwar
(C) Agra
(D) Rishikesh
Which of the following is the highest mountain in Uttarakhand?
(A) Mount Everest
(B) K2
(C) Kanchenjunga
(D) Nanda Devi
Which of the following is the national park of Uttarakhand?
(A) Jim Corbett National Park
(B) Kaziranga National Park
(C) Periyar National Park
(D) Bandhavgarh National Park
Which of the following is the river that flows through Uttarakhand?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Brahmaputra
(D) Narmada
Which of the following is the language spoken in Uttarakhand?
(A) Hindi
(B) Punjabi
(C) Marathi
(D) Nepali
Which of the following is the religion of the majority of people in Uttarakhand?
(A) Hinduism
(B) Islam
(C) Christianity
(D) Sikhism
Which of the following is the chief minister of Uttarakhand?
(A) Trivendra Singh Rawat
(B) Pushkar Singh Dhami
(C) Tirath Singh Rawat
(D) Harish Rawat
Which of the following is the date of formation of Uttarakhand?
(A) 9 November 2000
(B) 15 November 2000
(C) 20 November 2000
(D) 25 November 2000
Which of the following is the area of Uttarakhand?
(A) 53,483 km2
(B) 53,484 km2
(C) 53,485 km2
(D) 53,486 km2
Which of the following is the Population of Uttarakhand?
(A) 10,079,230
(B) 10,080,230
(C) 10,081,230
(D) 10,082,230
Which of the following is the Literacy rate of Uttarakhand?
(A) 78.8%
(B) 79.0%
(C) 79.2%
(D) 79.4%
Which of the following is the sex ratio of Uttarakhand?
(A) 963 females per 1000 males
(B) 964 females per 1000 males
(C) 965 females per 1000 males
(D) 966 females per 1000 males
Which of the following is the GDP of Uttarakhand?
(A) â¹4.38 lakh crore
(B) â¹4.40 lakh crore
(C) â¹4.42 lakh crore
(D) â¹4.44 lakh crore
Which of the following is the per capita income of Uttarakhand?
(A) â¹1,23,000
(B) â¹1,24,000
(C) â¹1,25,000
(D) â¹1,26,000
Which of the following is the agricultural land of Uttarakhand?
(A) 17.5%
(B) 18.0%
(C) 18.5%
(D) 19.0%
Which of the following is the forest cover of Uttarakhand?
(A) 67.5%
(B) 68.0%
(C) 68.5%
(D) 69.0%
Which of the following is the mineral Resources of Uttarakhand?
(A) Coal, limestone, dolomite, and gypsum
(B) Iron Ore, bauxite, and copper
(C) Manganese, lead, and zinc
(D) Gold, silver, and platinum
Which of the following is the industries of Uttarakhand?
(A) Sugar, paper, and cement
(B) Textile, electronics