44158775

CULTURAL SEQUENCES IN HARYANA
Author(s): DALIP SINGH SIWACH

Source: Proceedings of the Indian History Congress , 1995, Vol. 56 (1995), pp. 1005-1019
Published by: Indian History Congress
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158775
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V/14
CULTURAL SEQUENCES IN HARY ANA
DALIP SINGH SI W ACH (AM 5697)
1966,present
The 1966, as a result of thestate
as a result reorganisation of the composite
of of Haryana Punjab
reorganisation came into of being the composite on 1st November Punjab
State. At present, it comprises of the districts of Ambala, Karnal,
Jind, Rohtak, Hisar, Gurgaon, Mahenderagarh, Bhiwani, Sonepat,
Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Fa rid abad, Rewari, Kaithal, Yamuna Nagar,
Panipat and Panchkula.
The region falls between 27°39' to 30°55' North and 74°27ł to
77°37ł East. It occupies an area of 44000 square kilometres.
Though Haryana is one of the smallest states it has been extensive-
ly explored and excavated by different scholars. The explored and
excavated sites in the region provide the following sequences.
1. SISWAL : (29° 13' N - 75°30' E)
The site of Siswal is situated on the left bank of the Chautang

river in Haryana 26 kms. west of Hisar city. It is a fairly large
mound 2.5 mts. high and covered approximately an area of 300 x
200 mts. Excavations were carried out by the Kurukshetra Univer-
sity under the direction of Suraj Bhan with the researcher (surveyed
and drawn). To understand the sequences of the site a trial trench
measuring 2 sq. mts. was laid in the western part of the mound,
and dug to a maximum the depth of 1 .9 mts. which, yielded 1 .25
mt. thick cultural deposit. However, no architectural remains were
encountered. On the basis of the ceramic assemblage, the following
cultural sequences has been worked out
Siswal A, Contemporary to Pre-Harappan KalibanganI
Siswal B, Contemporary to Mature Harappan phase.
SISWAL - A :
It has» yielded hand made and wheel turned pottery both covering
all the characteristic fabrics of Kalibangan-I culture, from A to F
bichrome (white and black) painting, internally incises and exter-
nally restricated vessels. A few sherds of coarse red ware and single
sherd of black and redware was also reported. Painted motifs com-

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1006 PROCEEDINGS. IHC : 56TH SESSION, 1995
prise linear and geometric designs, black band at

groups of oblique strokes rectangles and lozenges
Troughs are incised with horizontal or groups of f
the interior and vases are incised with Chervon a
Broadly, the ceramic assemblage is similar to Kalibangan-I
though the regional variations are noticeable in a few shapes and
designs of patterns.
Fabric A consists of medium to coarse red ware turned on slow
wheel medium in thickness, fired to grey or red core painted

black or chocolate., designs over matt red surfaces, white pigm
was also used. This ware is similar to Kalibangan-I Fabric A. Fa
B of Siswal is a medium to thick red ware and well fired. The lower
surface is restricted and some-times showing figure marks. Thi

similar to Kalibangan fabric B, Fabric C is better potted and sho
a reds lip with black designs. These correspond to Fabric C of
Kalibangan-I. Fabric D is a thick sturdy red well fired pottery
comparable to Fabric D of Kalibangan-I, Pots of Fabric E and F are
rarely noticeable at Siswal. Here, it is significant to note that floral
and faunai motifs did not occur on in Siswal pottery.
Although, there is no radiocarban date for Siswal A, on the basis
of its cultural affinities it can be bracketed with Kalibangan-I.
SISWAL - B ê-
Stratigraphically Siswal B deposit is found to be overlying Siswal

A, occupation and is connected with a few mature Harappan pot-
sherds and antiquities. The excavator feels that Siswal-B was a
village culture site predominently inhabited by Siswal Folk Art
during the Harappan period.
All the Siswal A wares continued in Siswal B phase, but black
and red ware is totally absent in this phase. The pottery assemblage
includes 'S' shaped jars collared vessels. Simple and carinated
bowls, painted motifs confined mainly to large black or brown
horizontal bands around the upper portion of the vessels and the
white pigment disappeared. The mature Harappan potteiy of plain
redware with usual bright red slip and black horizontal bands has
been reported, though in limited numbers. The Harappan jars
dishes on stand and some perforated jars also form part of the
ceramic assemblage. The excavation has not yielded any other
notable object however, the surface collection show that these
people know the use of milling stones, terracotta bangles, biconical

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HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, EPIGRAPHY, NUMISMATICS AND ARCHIVE 1007
beads triangular cakes discs and a crucible with attached Copper

Oxide.
The cultural assemblage show that the Pre-Harappans and Ma-

ture Harappans were here together for some time at least.
BANAWALI : (29*37'5" N - 76°23'6" E)

The site is located on the middle upper course of a tributary of
the Ghaggar, identified as the Regvedic Saraswati which is now a
dried up river merely a stream-water drain, known locally as Rangoi
or nadi, or Hakra a Ben. The mound of Benawali lies 15 kms.
north-west of Fatehabad a tehsil Hqad-quarter of district Hisar on
the D.H.S. (Delhi-Hisar-Suleman) National Highways. Fatehabad
town on the other hand is located 219 kms. from Delhi and 300
kms. from Chandigarh (U.T.). Although, a part of the mound

been eroded and badly damaged by the local agriculturists it
covers more than a quarter square kilometre area. It rises to a
height of about 10 metres from the present ground level. The site
is being excavated since 1974 by the Haiyana State Archeaology
Department (Bisht, 1976-1982, Bisht and Asthana 1979).
PRL-203 Harappan Culture 3910 ± 100 (1960 B.C.)
PRL-207 Harappan Culture 3910 * 100 (1290 B.C.)
Period I Pre Harappan (Sothiculture)
Period II Harappan Culture
Period III Post-Harappan
MITATHAL : (28 50' North Lat. 76 10' East Long.)

Village lies at a distance of 1 1 kms. to the north west of Bhiwani
city a district head quarter in Haryana state and 1 18 kms. to the
north-west of Delhi. It is approached with by road and railway on
Rewari-Razilka section and also via Delhi and Bhiwani and Rohtak.
The twin-mound about 1.5 kms. west of village Mitathal i

situated along the dried up old course of Yamuna in Haiyana. T
mound measures 5 mts. in height and the lower mound measur
3 mts. in height. The site attracted archaeologists through the
chance find of two copper harpoons and thirteen copper rings.
Excavation was carried out on a limited scale by the Punjab Univer-

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sity under the direction of Suraj Bhan (Excavation at Mita thai,

1968) and Exploration in the Satlej -Yamuna Divide.
A two fold sequences of cultures has been noticed, Mitathal II -
further into II A & II B and Mithal I.
Mitathal I yielded about 1 metre of cultural deposit above the

vergin soil. It is equivalent to Siswal B phase. It yielded Siswal
ceramics along with typical Harappan pottery like dishes-on-stand,
beakers and perforated jars etc. (Suraj Bhan 1975) The structures
are built of mud bricks of 30 x 20 x 10 cms. size. The same size is
followed by the people of Kalibangan-I. A limited number of

artifacts have been noticed in this phase : terracotta; bionical b
(painted), a milling stone, a sand-stone ball, a stone flesh rubb
An ivoiy pin and fragmentary copper bangles. According to J
(=1981-60) this was the period when the pre-Harappans and
Harappans lived together although with a large bias for the former.
MITATHAL II A:
The settlement of Mitathal IIA is a medium sized Harappan to

falling between Rakhi Shahpur and Siswal in area and cultural
milieu laid on the twin mound pattern. House were built of mud-
bricks. Two sizes of mud bricks were commonly used, 40 x 20 x 10
cms. and 36 x 18 x 9 cms. sizes. The same sizes of bricks were used
by Kalibangan-II people. The Harappan traits in the form of pot

(storage jars with wide beaded rims dish-on stand perfora
mouth -jars with incurved firms, vases beakers etc.) and other ob-
jects bangles of faience and terracotta animal toys, toy cart wheels
and cubical chert weights.
Siswal-B traditions continued in Mitathal IIA.
These are marked by terracotta disc missiles with tapering en

bangles and biconical truncated beads, pure copper metalurgy a
the six fabrics of Siswal B ceramic. However, white painting
absent in this phase. A dull red slip was applied to a number of
gesseis. The main types comprised vases without curved or out-
tunied and sharpened or oblique cut rim, vases with loop handles,
bowels with flat topped rims and tapering or carinated shoulders
and storage jar. Painted designs which were commonly used in-
cluded black band at rims or neck, horizontal lines, wavy lines,
lattice design, dots, scorpions, loops, hatched leaf and lotus stalk.
Five copper objects have been found, a bangle a rings and long

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HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, EPIGRAPHY, NUMISMATICS AND ARCHIVE 1 009
narrow object alone bear definite shapes.

MITATHAL IIB :
Mitathal II B represents the phase of general deterioration

material culture of the Harappan-house, streets mud bricks sizes
and other cultural milieu attest to the continuation of Harappan
tradition. However, the structures are not as solid as they were in
Mitathal II A. The pottery shows the degenerate treatment and
decoration and the appearance of some new forms like storage jars
with collared rim, squat dish on stand bowls etc. Stone objects
included cubic weight, balls marbles, saddle querns and terracotta
objects are traingular cakes, bulls, rams, toy-carts, wheels and
balls. Beads were barred cylindrical and disc shaped.
These were made of agate, carnelian, faience, steatite and ter-
racotta. Faience and terracotta eagles were commonly used. Two
shell bangles are also reported. A celt and parašu like object and a
few bangles of copper are the other important finds.
There are three radio carbon dates for Mitathal :
Mitathal I - 1980 ± 140 BC (PRL 290)

Mitathal II A - 1769 ± 140 BC (PRL 291)
Mitathal II B - 4430 ± 220 BC (PRL 292)
Half-life 5730 years

The date of Mitathal II B has been rejected by the excavator on
ground of contamination.
He puts the occupation of Mitthal I - IIA between 2100 and 170
BC and assigns Mitathal IIB a post 1700 and pre- 1500 B.C. date
which is reasonable in the light of the Masca correction Sothi.
BALU : (29°40ł N - 76°22' E)
The mound is located in the district Kaithal of Haiyana. The site
was discovered by Suraj Bhan and Jim G. shaffer in 1977. The
excavation work was started at this site in 1979 by the Department
of Ancient Indian~Histoiy Culture & Archaeology of the Kurukshetra
University, Kurukshetra, which revealed three cultural phases.
Period - I (circa 3rd century B.C. to circa 2nd century B.C.)
Period-I marked by one metre thick deposit. The ceramic as-
semblage includes pre-Harappan (Sothi type) pottery mainly com-
parable with Kalibangan-I ware, terracotta bangles are the only
other antiquities in this period.

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1010 PROCEEDINGS. IHC : 56TH SESSION. 1995
Period - II (circa 2200 century B.C. to circa 1750

Period II has 2.20 metres thick deposit and is chara
introduction of mature -Harappan pottery. Regular structure
monumental and domestic have also been found here. The Pre-
Harappan elements continue to co-exist in this period.

Period - III (circa 1750 century B.C. to circa 1450 century
The Post-Harappan settlement at Balu came into existence
after the desertion of the fortification well of the Harappan
ment. It is evident from the extensive erosion of the Harappan
fortification walls over which the post-Harappan structures were
built. The post-Harappan culture is distinguished by the charac-
teristic, Bara ware, faience beads, bangles and copper objects etc.
A large number of antiquities have also been found in this phase
such as terracotta animal figurines bangles, toycart frames wheels,
triangular and circular cakes, sling «ball bead of semi-precious
stones faience and steatite copper objects etc. The pottery carries
the pre-Harappan and Harappan traditions in evolution style and if
comparable to the Bara ware. The total deposit of the period is 1 .30
mts.
Very rightly pointed out by Morgon and Freeman, history of a

particular society can very well be understood by gathering infor
mation on its architecture. The following would give an idea of th
architecture of these early people who settled in this region in
remote period.
ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS :
In the first period the houses were built of mud or sun-dried

bricks. The mud bricks walls were single bricks wide. The bricks
were laid as headers. The width of the wall was about 30 cms. i.e.
the length of the bricks. That the wall was not very high can
gathered from the remains of construction whatever is found
which suggest the existence of thatched roof.
The bricks are made of yellow clay with a standard size of 30
20 X 10 cms. At Balu a room constructed of mud bricks measu
42 x 21 x 10.5 cms. has been unearthed. It apears that the hous
were single storied.
The settlement of Balu in the second period was laid on plann
roughly parallelogram, in shape. It was protected by a mud br
fortification wall 10 to 12 metres wide, and provided with stair

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in eastern side. The settlement was well planned with streets run-
ning north south and east-west. The street measured 1.7 metre to
3 meters. Houses were constructed on either side of the streets, the
houses were made of kachha bricks. Several houses plans have
been encountered. Some of the houses were quite large in size and
had as many as four rooms which others had a single room. A few
of the hosues were provided with paved floor, storage jars, and
kitchens. The wells were constructed by laying the bricks as
headers and stretching in the old English Bond system and were
provided shallow foundation. The width of the walls varied from 80-
cms. to 60 cms, clay mortar was used in construction.
The architectural remains of period-Ill are on the whole poor.
They used mud bricks measuring 10 x 20 x 10 cms. on the image
of the typical Harappan brick's size. A few wedge shape burnt
bircks 27 x 12 x 8 cms., 34 x 18 x 14 cms. derived from well. The
pre-harappan levels were found used in houses, drains, Bhatties,
and well. A large, number of hearths, furnaces or fire places of
different-types were also in this period.
MIRZAPUR : (29.57' North 1st and 76.47' 4" East long)

The village is situated at a distanc of 6 kms. to the west, south
of Kurukshetra and west of Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
on Kurukshetra Kaithal road. There are two ancient sites in the
Hadast number 384 jurisdication of the village besides the

known sites of Raja Karan Ka Tila, Mirzapur-I hardly 200 mts.
East-south of the mound covered by the Bajigar hosues. It has
yielded late Hrappan along with early historical (Kushan) and late
medieval remains. The site covers an area of about 6359 sqm. and
with a deposit of 1.8 mts. from where was found later Harappan
materials like copper chisels, needless rings, farsa, & spear-heads,
hair pins, and bangles, all these copper bronzes artifacts from
Post-Harappan site, like beads of various type were found.
Period 1 (circa 1 750 century BC to circa 1 450 century BC)
Period II (circa 1st century BC to circa 2nd century BC)
DAULATPUR : (29.57'40" Lat and 76.55'40" long)

This is a small village about 18 kms. of the Thaneswar city
occupying the ancient mound on a nullah branching off Chitang
canal after the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. The ancient
site measuring 120m x 100 mt. was discovered by Suraj Bhan in

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1012 PROCEEDINGS. IHC : 56TH SESSION. 1995
1962. Excavations were conduced by the Department of Ancient

Indian History Culture & Archaeology, Kurukshetra University,
Kurukshetra under the direction of U.V. Singh & Suraj Bhan with
the researcher for four reasons during 1968, 69, 78, 79. It has
brought to light the cultural sequences beginning from post-Harap-
pan to the modern times with same gaps.
Period I (c.1700 B.C. to c.1000 century B.C.)
Period II (c.1000 B.C. to c.Ist century B.C.)
Period III (c.Ist century A.D. to c.V century A.D.)
Period IV (c.V century A.D. to c.l 1 century A.D.)
The first period at the site was distinguished by a village settle-
ment characterised by the use of copper Bhatties, a few bricks bats
Bara type, sturdy red ware painted in black or decorated with
incised design, terracotta animal figurines, triangular cakes, beads
of clay, steatite, agate, carne lian, chart blades grinding stones etcģ
But the finds are very few. There is no evidence of planning of
settlement, monumental architecture, script and seals and stand-
ard weights and measures. The purpose of the bhattis is not clear.
It is possible that uttrey were used for heating milk distilling liquor
or baking terracotta or faience objects etc. The settlement remained
deserted for some time before being reoccupied by the Painted Grey
Ware using people in period II (c.1000 B.C. to 1st century B.C.).
The new settlement was distinguished by pits and huts for dwell-
ing introduction of iron and horse and the use of painted grey
coloured pottery which in course of time gave way to simple grey or
black slipped pottery. There is no evidence of coins of solid architec-
ture. The settlement was only a hamlet or a village.
BHAGWANPURA : (30°04 N L and 76°508' E L)
The ancient site of Bhagwanpura is located on the right bank of

the Saraswati Nadi at a distance of 17 kms. to the north-east of
Thaneswar in Kurukshetra District Head Quarter. The flood plain
of the Saraswati is well marked and half a km. wide at this poin
The site was excavated in 1975-76 by J.P.Joshi of the Archaeolo
cal Survey of India, New Delhi.
The excavation at Bhagwanpura on the bank of Saraswati
revealed two clear cut stages in its occupational deposit of 2.70 m
Its lowest stage (LA) beakers of perforated jars are absent in the
Harappan repertoaiy. A solid mud platform, though very small in

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HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY. EPIGRAPHY, NUMISMATICS AND ARCHIVE 1013
dimension was raised as protective measure against flood. The

antiquities included terracotta bulls, cart wheels, bangles, copper
rods, and pins, faience beads and bangles of semi-precious stones
and bone pins. The complex continued in the next stage (IB) But
with PGHW culture, a planned mud walled house having 1*3 rooms
with a corridor in between and courtyard on the eastern side was
noticed. The Harappan preferences for both room is absent in the
phase. The building material in other structures was mud and also
burnt-bricks. The sizes of bricks (20 x 12x4 -20x20x8 and 16
X 12 X 14 cms.) do not conform to Harappan size. This habitation
was destroyed by the constant floods of the Saraswati river.
Period - IA (circa 1450 century B.C. to c.l 150 centur. B.C.)
Period - IB (circa 1150 century B.C. to 600 century B.C.)
KASITAL : (30°03* North lat and 76°56*40" East long) Kuruk-
shetra
The exploration branch of the survey under Sh. Jagat Pati Joshi,
assisted by sarvashri S.J.Jaiswal, J.R.Batra and G. Laxminaryana
conducted excavations at Kasital with a view to determine the
cultural sequences.
The excavations revealed a three fold cultural sequence by three
successive floodings of the site by the river Saraswati, the earliest
occupation (period I) is characterised by the occurance of Painted
Grey Ware, more besides a sherd of the Black and Red Ware. Some
shapes in red ware obtained from the period are eminiscent of the
well-known, Ahichhatra 10A type. Rfcnless handi - Ghata - shaped
beads of terracotta and daggershaped pendent of ivoiy are the
noteworthy find from the Painted Grey Ware levels. Of the struc-
tural remains mentions may be made of a circular barn with 2.05
m. diameter and mud- wall with post-holes.
Period II (belongs to the early historical times. The occupational
deposit, however, was found to be very much disturbed by pits of
the medieval period.
Period III is represented , by disturbed layers belonging to
medieval period.
SUGH :
The ancient mound at Sugh (30 North Lat and 70 23 East lon
lies 4 Kms. to the east of Jagadhari a railway station on the Amba

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Saharanpur section of the Northern Railway in Ya

trict.
The excavation was conducted by the Punjab University in order

to determine the cultural sequence of the site. The excavation
revealed three successive culture periods :
Period I-A (c. 500-400 B.C.) Early NBP period.
Period I-B (c.400 B.C. 1st century B.C.) late NBP period.
Period II (1st century B.C. - 500 A.D.) Early Historian Period.
Period III (5th century A.D. to 12th-13th century A.D.) Medieval
Peric.
Hieun Tsang, referred to the existence of a monastery here con-

structed by Asoka. The ruins at Sugh were identified by Cunnim-
ghan with the ancient city of Srughana. Srughana is also
mentioned in Puranic2 Patanjali3 and Varahamihira . Mahabharata
alludes to the city along with the cities of Has tina pur5. Hieun Tsang
visited the city and gave a detailed account of Srughana (Su-Lo-Ki-
No).
RAJA KARAN KA QILA .ą (Kurukshetra)

(29 56' 45" North Lat. and 76 48* 20" East long)
The ancient site locally called Raja Karan Ka Qila, lies in the
revenue jurisdiction of Mirzapur village about 1 /2 Km. the west of
the Kurukshetra University Campus, Kurukshetra district. The site
was for the first time surveyed by Cunningham. It was excavated
by D.R. Sahni in 1921-22. The excavator was of the opinion that
the site dated back to Pre-Buddhist time. The excavation revealed
that houses made of mud bricks and burnt bricks (36 x 23 x 8 cm.).
Among the small finds, Sahni discovered a fragmentary terracotta
relief showing a male and female standing side by side, a terracotta
votive tank with musicians at corners playing flute or tabor. A stone
ball bearing sacred symbols such as a pair of fish, a Swastika ,
Nandipada a rectangular with drawn diagonas, trainlges meeting at
a-bex . circle and three pointed star. Terracotta flesh rubber, seal
and decorated clay stamps for printing both a human head and a
bronze object decorated with a row of leaf patterns. A bronze celt
was also reported from the site which had crescentric edge. D.H.
Gordan places it between 850 and 550 B.C. Other important finds
from the site comprised a clay seal showing a beautiful figure of bull
and Kharosthi legend, and Indo-Bactrian silver coin of Harmaios, a

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large copper coin bearing the legend 4 Ray Ranjon Yajaajitsyď in

characters of the second-third century and a mould perhaps for
casting the image of Sri Devi.
Explorations conducted by B.B. Lai in early fifties revealed the
occurrance of some Painted Grey Ware sherds from the mound.
U.V. Singh, Suraj Bhan of Kurukshetra University conducted ex-
cavation at the site from 1970-71. The excavations brought to light
three cultural periods.
HATH (HATT) : (29 20*40" J North Lat and 76 37' East Long)
The village Hath (Hatt) lies at a distance of 8 Kms. to the south
east of Safidon town in the Jind district. The ancient site adjacent
to the northern side of the village is partially covered by modern
houses. It covers an area of about 41250 sq. metres and deposit 4-2
m. high. The site yields the PGW, early historical red ware and early
and late medieval remains including akhauri bricks. A temple dedi-
cated to Krishna is also built up on the mound.
HATH (HATT) divided in periods I to period VIII from B.C. 800 to
A.D. 1800.
Period I (Circa 9th century B.C. to 8th century B.C.)

Period II (Circa 8th century B.C. to 3rd century B.C.)
Period III (Circa 3rd century B.C. to 1st century B.C.)
Period IV (Circa 1st century B.C. to 9th centuiy B.C.)
Period V (Circa 7th centuiy B.C. to 10th century B.C.)
Period VI (Circa 10th centuiy B.C. to 16th centuiy B.C.)
Period VII (Circa 16th century B.C. to 18th centuiy B.C.)
The site, Hath(Hatt) was excavated by the Department of History,
Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. It is stated to have yielded
important evidence regarding war-fare activities during the PGW
period. Antiquities of the late period have also been recovered from
the site. But report still eludes us.
AGROHA : (29°2' North Latitude and 75°38' East Longitude)

Agroha is a village in Hisar Tehsil of the same district of
Haryana. It lies on the Delhi-Sirsa road about 24 Kms. north-west
from Hisar. Near the village lies an old mound of Agroha which tells
us the story of its antiquity. The ancient site covers an area of about

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650 acres. The highest postion of the mound is 87

general ground level.
Agroha is associated with King Agrasain. The ol
excavated by Mr. C.J. Rajer in 1888-89 and H.L. Srivastava in
1939. After Haryana came into existence the excavation was again
taken up for further Archaeological investigation by the Department
of Archaeology. Government of Haryana. Chandigarh.
The Department of Archaeology, Govtš of Haryana was the third
to undertake excavation at the ancient mounds of Agroha from
1978-79 to 1981-82. The team included Sh. P.K.Saran, Sh. J.K.
Khatri, Sh. Brehman Dutt, Sh. Rajender Dahiya and Sh. Kali Ram.
The excavation aimed at establishing the sequence of cultures at
the site and to expose some portion of the mound horizontally. The
periodwise sequences obtained during the last excavation is as
follows :
Period I (circa 4th century B.C. to circa 2nd century B.C.)

Period II (circa 2nd century B.C. to circa to the beginning of the
chratoon).
Period IUI (circa 1st century A.D. to circa 2nd century A.D.)
Period IV (circa 4th century A.D. to circa 6th centuiy A.D.)
Period V (circa 7th century A.D. to circa 9th century A.D.)
Period VI (circa 10th centuiy A.D. to circa 1 1th century A.D.)
Period VIII (circa 12th century A.D. to circa 14th century A.D.)
PAN1PAT : (29 24' Noth Lat. and 76 58' East Lat.)
Panipat Tehsil and District head quarter, lies on G.T. Road about
80 Kms. north of Delhi. The ancient site mound almost entirely
covered up by the present town except its north-eastern part. This
section shows that, "the PGW lay just over the natural soil suc-
ceeded by NBP ware higher up in the mound." The site was revisited
by Breham Dutt and the specimen of bowls and dishes of the PGW
and associated red -ware were discovered from the exposed section
of the mound. Among the other noted worthy finds mention may be
made of an iron Spearhead, Sharpner with sand stone objects.
Cutlural Sequences at this sites :
Period I (C. 1 1th century B.C. to C. 6th centuiy B.C.)
Period II (C. 6th century B.C. to C. 2nd centuiy B.C.)

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Period III (C. 2nd centuiy B.C. to C. 8th century A.D.)

Period IV (C. 8th century A.D. to C. 14th centuiy A.D.)
Period V (C. 14th centuiy A.D. to C. 18th centuiy A.Dē)
TLIPAT : (28 27 North Lat. and 77 22' East Long.)
The ruins of Tilpat are located at a distance of about 21 Kms. to
the south of Delhi and are approachable from the delhi-Mathura
road. This site was located by Shankar Das of ASI. It has yielded
PGW recovered from a dump near a well on the eastern side. The
side of this well were scrapped and studied and another trench was
laid within a furlong from here. It was revealed that the PGW well
preceded the NBP ware. Since the occupation strata continues even
below the subsoil water level, the natural soil was not reached.
B.B. Lai discovered Painted Grey Ware from here and dug a trail
trench which showed the occurence of the PGW diposits below the
NBP (Northern black Polished Ware).
Period I (Circa 2nd century B.C. to 6th century B.C.)

Period II (Circa 6th century B.C. to 1 1th centuiy B.C.)
AUTHA : (27 54' North Lat. and 77 09' East Long.)
The site is located about 6 Kms. east of Pingava and 40 ms west
of Punahna of Nagina-Hodel road. The site is under the habitation
of the presetn village. It covers an area of 20 acres and is about 8
meter high. According to tradition and revenue records the people
of Bisur 7 kms. east of Autha re-occupied the site some 300 yeas
ago. According to B.S. U pad hy ay a, the site might have been called
Autha (Budha, Kalima, Bharitia, Bhugala, Prayga Smat - 2018,
page 424) Lord Buddha visited the site while he was going from
Mathura to Sarasvti via Haryana.
A small scale excavation at the site was under taken by K.M.
Srivastava of the Archaeological Survey of India to determine the
age of the skeleton of an elephant which had been fragmentarily
exposed as a result of erosion and diggings by villagers. On the
basis of the restricted digging the deposits at the site could be
devided into four overlapping periods.
Period I (Circa 1 1th century B.C. to Circa 7th centuiy B.C.)
Period II (Circa 6th century B.C. to Circa 2nd century B.C.)
Period III (Circa 2nd century B.C. to Circa 2nd centuiy A.D.)
Period IV (Circa 15th century A.D. to Circa 18th century A.D.)

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The earliest occupation of Period I was represente

Painted Grey Ware, a red variety of the same shap
ticularly noteworthy. Iron moslty in lumps, was f
sociated with this ware at all stages. Glass objects, terracotta
wheels and animal figurines, stone objects comprised the other
important finds of the period. No structural remains except a few
post-holes were met with. The total thickness of the deposit of
period I was about 2 mts. The succeeding period II was charac-
terised by the N.B. P. Ware. Though, fragments of this were
recovered only in the later levels, certain associated types over-
lapped with the preceding periods. Large storage -jars, besides ter-
racotta, animal figurines, ear-ornaments, bangles, flesh, rubbers,
beads and stone pestles constituted the other finds. Though no
structure of burnt-bricks came to light, the use of such bricks was
clearly indicated by a robbers pit parked with large sized burnt
bricks. The occupation deposit of the next two periods respectively,
belonging to the early centuries of the christian era and the
medieval age, could not be obtained as their deposits were consid-
erably disturbed by enormous pits.
NOTES
1. Suraj Bhan : The Sequence and spread of Pre-historic Cultures in th

upper Saraswati Basin . pp. 252-263. Radio-Carbon and Indian Ar-
chaeology. Editor Dr. D.P.Agrawal - A Ghose. Bombay 1973. Pre-
Harappan Culture of India and the Boarder lands , ShcLshi Asthana.
1985. pp. 163-64.
2. Ibid., pp.148- 151. R.S. Bisht : Structural Remains and Town-Planning
of Banawali. pp. 89-97: Frontiers of the Indus Civilization ģ Sir Mor-
timer Wheeler, Commemoration volume, by B.B. Lai & S.P. Gupta.
Haryana through the ages . Directorate of Archaeology and Museum.
Haryana. Special Board of Archaeology. Govt, of Haryana.
3. Suraj Bhan : Mitathal Excavation 1968 and other Explorations in the
Sutlej-amuna Divide. K.U. Kurukshetra. 1975: Suresh Siwach : Early
History and Archaeology of Bhiwatni and its Environs. M. Phil. K.U..
1992.
4. D.S. Siwach - Post Harappan Kilns (Bhattes) from Balu (Haryana)

IHC , 1988. pp. 645-648: D.S.Siwach. Proto -His to rie Architectural
remains from Balu (Haryana). paper read in U.G.C. Seminar at
Kurukshetra University. Kurukshetra (1991): Pre-Harappan Cultures
of India and the Border Lands, p. 152-53. 1985: Indian Archaeology.
1978-79. A Review, pp.69.
5. Singh U.V : op. cit. 1976. p.27-28: Lai. B.B. op. cit. p. 141: Braham
Dutt : Settlements of the Painted Grey Ware in Haryana. Kuruk-

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shetra University, 1980 (Unpublished Ph.D. thesis).

6. D.S.Siwach. Archaeology of Daulatpur (Haryana) paper read in IHC,
52nd session 1952, Delhi; Excavation at Daulatpur. Indian Archaeol-
ogy, 1976-77, A Review.
7. Joshi, J. P. : "Excavation at Bhagwanpura" Indian Archaeology 1975-
76 - A Review; 1976; K.N.Dikshit ; Late Harappan in Northern India,
p.259-60 Frontiers of the Indus Civilization. Braham Dutt ; K.U.
1980.
8. Joshi J. P. (1976) : Excavation at Kasithal (Kurukshetra) Braham
Dutt (1980).
9. Cunningham. A. (1871) ; Archaeological Survey Report Vol. II. pp.226-
29; Suraj Bhan, Excavation at Sugh (1964 and 1965) Haryana .
Journal of Haryana Studies , K.U. Vol.lX. No.l, 1977.
10 Cunningham. A (1871) ; Archaeologial Survey Report , Vol. II. ASI.
Annual Report (1921-22. Simla, p.46); Gordan, D.H. (1920) ; The
Pre-Historic Back Ground oj Indian Culture , Bombay, pp. 138-39; Lai,
B.B. ; op. cit . p. 141; Singh. U.V. ; Recent Archaeological Discoveries
in the Vicinity of Thanesar. 1976. KURJ. pp.25-27; JAR (1970-71)
pp. 15- 16. 1971-72. pp.23-24; Braham Dutt ; 1980.
11. Indian Archaeology 1966-67. A Review, pp.65. The Tribune . Dec. 20.
1952.
12. Ibid . Indian Archaeology. 1978-79. A Review p.68-69. Kumar Sunjay

; Archaeology and Early History of Agroha and its adjoining Area ,
Unpublished M. Phil Dissertation. K.U. 1989.
13. Lai. B.B. : op. cit . p. 141.

152.58.92.173 on Sun, 12 Feb 2023 13:22:28 UTC

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CULTURAL SEQUENCES IN HARYANA

Author(s): DALIP SINGH SIWACH

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158775

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CULTURAL SEQUENCES IN HARY ANA

DALIP SINGH SI W ACH (AM 5697)

1. SISWAL : (29° 13' N - 75°30' E)

The site of Siswal is situated on the left bank of the Chautang

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prise linear and geometric designs, black band at

wheel medium in thickness, fired to grey or red core painted

surface is restricted and some-times showing figure marks. Thi

Stratigraphically Siswal B deposit is found to be overlying Siswal

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beads triangular cakes discs and a crucible with attached Copper

The cultural assemblage show that the Pre-Harappans and Ma-

BANAWALI : (29*37'5" N - 76°23'6" E)

kms. from Chandigarh (U.T.). Although, a part of the mound

MITATHAL : (28 50' North Lat. 76 10' East Long.)

The twin-mound about 1.5 kms. west of village Mitathal i

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sity under the direction of Suraj Bhan (Excavation at Mita thai,

Mitathal I yielded about 1 metre of cultural deposit above the

followed by the people of Kalibangan-I. A limited number of

The settlement of Mitathal IIA is a medium sized Harappan to

by Kalibangan-II people. The Harappan traits in the form of pot

These are marked by terracotta disc missiles with tapering en

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narrow object alone bear definite shapes.

Mitathal II B represents the phase of general deterioration

Mitathal I - 1980 ± 140 BC (PRL 290)

Half-life 5730 years

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Period - II (circa 2200 century B.C. to circa 1750

Harappan elements continue to co-exist in this period.

Very rightly pointed out by Morgon and Freeman, history of a

In the first period the houses were built of mud or sun-dried

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MIRZAPUR : (29.57' North 1st and 76.47' 4" East long)

Hadast number 384 jurisdication of the village besides the

DAULATPUR : (29.57'40" Lat and 76.55'40" long)

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1962. Excavations were conduced by the Department of Ancient

The ancient site of Bhagwanpura is located on the right bank of

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dimension was raised as protective measure against flood. The

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Saharanpur section of the Northern Railway in Ya

The excavation was conducted by the Punjab University in order

Hieun Tsang, referred to the existence of a monastery here con-

RAJA KARAN KA QILA .ą (Kurukshetra)

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large copper coin bearing the legend 4 Ray Ranjon Yajaajitsyď in

Period I (Circa 9th century B.C. to 8th century B.C.)

AGROHA : (29°2' North Latitude and 75°38' East Longitude)

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650 acres. The highest postion of the mound is 87

Period I (circa 4th century B.C. to circa 2nd century B.C.)

PAN1PAT : (29 24' Noth Lat. and 76 58' East Lat.)

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Period III (C. 2nd centuiy B.C. to C. 8th century A.D.)

Period I (Circa 2nd century B.C. to 6th century B.C.)

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