VADNAGAR
- ANCIENT HISTORY
News:
India’s oldest living
city found in PM Modi’s native village Vadnagar: multi-institution study
What's
in the news?
●
A deep archaeological excavation at
Vadnagar, shows evidence of a human settlement that is as old as 800 BCE contemporary to late-Vedic/pre-Buddhist Mahajanapadas or
oligarchic republics.
Key
takeaways:
●
An archaeological excavation at Gujarat's
Vadnagar by a team of scientists from IIT Kharagpur, Archaeological Survey of
India, Physical Research Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Deccan
College has discovered evidence of human settlement dating back to 1,400 BCE.
●
The find is significant as it plugs a gap
in Indian archaeological history between 1,500 BCE and 500 BCE and points to a
continuity in human settlement in India over 5,500 years.
●
There
was no record of an advanced city-like settlement before 500 BCE.
Vadnagar:
●
Vadnagar, a city known by names like
Vridhanagar, Anandapur, Anantapur and Nagar, is said to have been inhabited
uninterruptedly for over 2,700 years.
●
The town represents a continuously evolving historic urban landscape/area
which played a major role in the hinterland trade network of Western India.
●
The continuity of the historic town proves
its resilience and outstanding universal value unlike the sites like Harappa
and Kalibangan, (Rajasthan) which were abandoned eventually.
Significance:
●
The town’s
fortifications, arched gateways (toranas), temples, wells, residential
structures (kothis) and excavated sites like Buddhist monasteries and dedicated
stupas showcase the architectural influence of various cultural periods.
●
The extensive water management system here
has also played a role in the town’s continuity.
●
The study of the historical geography of
ancient India reveals Vadnagar was situated at a strategic location of two major ancient trade routes:
○
Joining central India with the Sindh and
further northwest regions.
○
Connecting the port towns on Gujarat’s
coast to northern India.
●
Excavated cowry shells traced to the
Maldives further imply involvement in overseas trade.
●
A gold coin, believed to be from the
Mamluk dynasty of Egypt that dated back to the 15th century, was also found.
●
The first excavations in Vadnagar happened
in 1953-54 and were later taken up by the Gujarat state archaeology and museum
directorate in 2006.
Uniqueness:
●
Vadnagar is the only archaeological site in India where early to medieval history is
completely preserved and whose precise chronology is now known.
●
It is also the oldest living fortified
city in India with continuous habitation from 800 BCE.
Vadnagar
and Buddhism:
●
Chinese
traveller Xuanzang or Hieun Tsang is said to have visited
Vadnagar around 641 AD, referring to it as ‘Anandpur’ in his writings, which
also record how more than 1,000 monks of the Sammitiya School or Little Vehicle
lived in 10 monasteries at Vadnagar.