The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to begin excavation at Delhi’s Purana Qila to trace the evidence of ‘Mahabharat’. The ASI will begin excavation to trace the Painted Grey Ware period (c. 600–1000 BCE), commonly known as the ‘Mahabharat’ period.
The objective of the excavation, under the supervision of ASI Director Vasant Swarnkar, is the preservation of the trenches that were excavated between the years 2013-14 and 2017-18. During this season’s excavation, the focus would also be to accomplish the traces of Painted Grey Ware findings in a stratigraphical context, according to a statement from the ASI here.
During the closure of the previous season’s excavation, evidence of layers predating the Mauryan period was found.
During the pre-Mauryan era, India was divided into 16 Mahajanapadas. These Mahajanapadas included kingdoms like Kuru, Panchal, and Anga. These states are believed to be linked with Pandavas, Draupadi and Karn.
The findings and artefacts unearthed in earlier excavations comprise painted grey ware, belonging to 900 BC, an earthen pottery sequence from Maurya to Shunga, Kushana, Gupta, Rajput, Sultanates and Mughal periods. Excavated artefacts such as sickles, terracotta toys, kiln-burnt bricks, beads, terracotta figurines, seals, dealings, etc. excavated earlier are now displayed at the Archaeological Museum in the fort complex, the statement said.
Purana Qila, a 16th-century fort, was built by Sher Shah Suri and the second Mughal emperor, Humayun.
The fort is standing on a site with thousands of years of history. Padma Vibhushana Prof. BB Lal also carried out excavation works inside the fort and its premises in the year 1954 and 1969 -73.