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8th
century BC to the 6th century AD. In the south west
corner are the remains of what is thought to be a
palace. The main stupa measured 25 m diameter and 25 m
high and was built in the 5th century BC. There is also
the damaged shaft of a sandstone column. This was
probably erected during the rule of the Mauryan Emperor
Asoka. There was another column but this was moved to
Allahabad by the Mughals. When it was first discovered
by Cunningham, coins and terracotta figurines were
scattered over the surface.
Recent discoveries
Excavations have now been made by G.R. Sharma of the
University of Allahabad at four main areas on the site.
The earliest excavations were made near the Asokan
pillar, and suggested that the first of the three
periods of settlement of the site came immediately
before the Northern Black Polished Ware period. The
second period at this excavation dated back to 300 BC
and included the first brick building, a road and finds
of coins with the typical Kausambi “lanky bull” motifs.
In the third period of occupation, dating from 175 BC to
325 AD the coins found testify to a succession of
rulers; Mitras, followed by Kushan kings and then by
Maghas. The road evidently continued in use up to about
300 AD and the site itself was occupied until about 400
AD. Sharma suggests that these early dated are probably
unreliable and that there is no hard evidence to support
them.
Many of the coins and terracottas discovered here are
now on display in the Allahabad City Museum and Kausambi
Museum at the University of Allahabad. The Terracottas
of Kausambi have a special place in the history of clay
art of India. On the basis of manufacturing technique
they can be grouped into early handmade, moulded and
later partly hand-modelled and partly moulded. The first
group has grey and dull-red pieces, sometimes with
applied decorations. The second group, of the 2nd – 1st
century BC represents connectional rather than realistic
portrayal of figures and reflects the traits of
contemporary Kushan art, particularly in facial features
important are those with elaborate decorations, mother
goddesses, reclining women, dancers and drummers with
peaked caps indicating Saka-Parthian influence. The
Handmade-cum-moulded plaques belong to the early
centuries of the Christian era.
Mirzapur
Mirzapur was the largest grain and cotton market on the
Ganga before the opening of the East Indian Railway.
Good quality sandstone is quarried nearby and it has an
attractive river front with ghats and temples. The town
is noted for is brass industry and manufacture of woolen
carpets. Approximately 7 km from Mirzapur is a Kali
temple used as a rendezvous for Thugs. |
