The person for whom the above quotes were used was Mr. Purushottam Premshanker Pandya (who was famous as P.P.Pandya in the archaeological field of India). He was an Archaeologist at Rajkot in the then bilingual state of Mumbai. He worked till his last breath and died of short term illness at very young age of 39 years, 2 months and 12 days.
Mr. Purushottam Premshanker Pandya was born on 8th November, 1920 in Kotda Sangani village of Rajkot District in a reputed Audichya Brahmin family. This family had settled in Kotda Sangani after the “Woncal Settlement”. His father Premshanker Jeevanram Pandya had studied in Engineering at M.S. University, Baroda. He had rendered his services as a “Jerif” in the erstwhile Kotda State and was highly respected person. He was the 2nd child among the six children of Premshanker Pandya and was an elder son from two sons.
Thus, he studied in various colleges of Saurashtra since 1938 and participated in the political, social and Gandhiji’s constructive activities simultaneously. He left the college in 1941 and with the blessings of Bapu, went through one year’s training in Ahimsak Vyayam Sangh (Non violent Gymnastic Organization), at Malad, Mumbai. During the initial days of the year 1942, he served in various suburbs of Mumbai in the situation created in Mumbai on account of the forthcoming 1942 movement. He worked in the rural areas of Saurashtra during the 1942 movement. During these years, he got the opportunities to study the Ancient Indian culture deeply. He keenly studied various aspects of the country and the people like; how the integrity was maintained in the Indian Culture which is full of diversity, due to which circumstances India became shattered, how the human life evolved, which characteristics were preserved in different communities etc. Right from his childhood, he had nurtured his ambition to do the research on Ancient Indian Culture and the evolution of human life from prehistoric period to the present. He took admission in Sheth B.J. Institute of Learning and Research for the years from 1945 to 1947 to achieve the Master Degree (M.A.) in the subject Ancient Indian Culture and Archaeology to satisfy his thirst and ambition. He accepted a job as a teacher. He carried on his study for M.A. while doing a job and also carried on various social-political activities simultaneously.
Thus, he studied in various colleges of Saurashtra since 1938 and participated in the political, social and Gandhiji’s constructive activities simultaneously. He left the college in 1941 and with the blessings of Bapu, went through one year’s training in Ahimsak Vyayam Sangh (Non violent Gymnastic Organization), at Malad, Mumbai. During the initial days of the year 1942, he served in various suburbs of Mumbai in the situation created in Mumbai on account of the forthcoming 1942 movement. He worked in the rural areas of Saurashtra during the 1942 movement. During these years, he got the opportunities to study the Ancient Indian culture deeply. He keenly studied various aspects of the country and the people like; how the integrity was maintained in the Indian Culture which is full of diversity, due to which circumstances India became shattered, how the human life evolved, which characteristics were preserved in different communities etc. Right from his childhood, he had nurtured his ambition to do the research on Ancient Indian Culture and the evolution of human life from prehistoric period to the present. He took admission in Sheth B.J. Institute of Learning and Research for the years from 1945 to 1947 to achieve the Master Degree (M.A.) in the subject Ancient Indian Culture and Archaeology to satisfy his thirst and ambition. He accepted a job as a teacher. He carried on his study for M.A. while doing a job and also carried on various social-political activities simultaneously.
Thus, he studied in various colleges of Saurashtra since 1938 and participated in the political, social and Gandhiji’s constructive activities simultaneously. He left the college in 1941 and with the blessings of Bapu, went through one year’s training in Ahimsak Vyayam Sangh (Non violent Gymnastic Organization), at Malad, Mumbai. During the initial days of the year 1942, he served in various suburbs of Mumbai in the situation created in Mumbai on account of the forthcoming 1942 movement. He worked in the rural areas of Saurashtra during the 1942 movement. During these years, he got the opportunities to study the Ancient Indian culture deeply. He keenly studied various aspects of the country and the people like; how the integrity was maintained in the Indian Culture which is full of diversity, due to which circumstances India became shattered, how the human life evolved, which characteristics were preserved in different communities etc. Right from his childhood, he had nurtured his ambition to do the research on Ancient Indian Culture and the evolution of human life from prehistoric period to the present. He took admission in Sheth B.J. Institute of Learning and Research for the years from 1945 to 1947 to achieve the Master Degree (M.A.) in the subject Ancient Indian Culture and Archaeology to satisfy his thirst and ambition. He accepted a job as a teacher. He carried on his study for M.A. while doing a job and also carried on various social-political activities simultaneously.
Mr. P.P.Pandya also participated the Quit-India movement. He also took part in other freedom movements thereafter, after going through the training in Freedom Movement at Mumbai. He had started his career from Museum at Jamnagar and was appointed as the Superintendent in Archaeology & Museum Department at Rajkot. During this period, he came into contact with Mr. M.N.Deshpande, the erstwhile Superintendent of Central Archaeological Department (A.S.I.) and taken up the exploration of North Saurashtra. Afterwards, he had travelled on foot and had found out so many Harappan, Post-Harappan, and Early Historic colonies in Sorath & Halar regions. Moda, Vasai Bed, Lakha baval etc. were important colonies among 33 colonies found out by him.
About p p pandya in Gujarati
Archaeologist Mr.P.P.Pandya: A scholarly Personality
A shining star of the Archaeology of Saurashtra : P.P.Pandya Hariprasad G. Shashtri
The Headland of Saurashtra is famous for its long coast, ancient culture and innumerable epics. Since the ancient period, it has been a centre for so many successive civilizations, cultures and unique life styles. The half-moon shaped land protrudes in the Arabian Sea which gives the map of India a distinct identity. Some western scholars felt this land cul-de-sac or worthless from the cultural point of view. But it has been established from the researches carried out since 1840 that the land of Saurashtra ( also famous as Kathiyawar) has sheltered variety of life-styles, religious beliefs and commercial traditions. It became an origin of number of castes and communities. Remnants of the historical periods right from the early stone age to Maratha rule are spread in many parts of Saurashtra. It is a mine of remnants in view of Archaeology. After the explorations done by colonel Tod, the explorations remained centered around Junagadh and its surrounding area during the second half of 19th Century. Though the scattered explorations and excavations were done by Bhagwanlal Indraji, Vallabhji Haridatt Acharya, Girijashanker Acharya, Father Herace, Dr. Sankaliya, M.N.Deshpande, M.G. Dixit and Madho Swaroop Vatsa, due evaluation and deep study of cultural history of Saurashtra was done by an Archaeologist named Mr. P.P. Pandya. It is lamentable that Mr. P.P. Pandya has not been given due credit even after his enormous contribution. Dr. Sankaliya has given his biography the title- “Born for Archaeology”. If the biography of Mr. P. P. Pandya is to be written, its title can’t be other than “Made for Archaeology”, as he was self made in the field of archaeology and had conquered the highest peaks in the science of archaeology. Mr. Pandya was born on 8th November 1920 at Kotda-sangani village. His family was prominent at that time as his father Mr. Premshanker Pandya was the Chief Engineer of the then Princely State. He completed his primary education at Kotda Sangani. Continued the secondary education at Jetpur Secondary School, achieved Bachelor’s degree in Arts (B.A.) from Dharmendrasinhji College, Rajkot and Master’s degree (M.A.) from B.J. College, Ahmedabad. He started his journey on the path of History of Ancient India but the freedom moment was accelerating in 1940. Mr. P.P.Pandya also participated the Quit-India movement. He also took part in other freedom movements thereafter, after going through the training in Freedom Movement at Mumbai. He had started his career from Museum at Jamnagar and was appointed as the Superintendent in Archaeology & Museum Department at Rajkot. During this period, he came into contact with Mr. M.N.Deshpande, the erstwhile Superintendent of Central Archaeological Department (A.S.I.) and taken up the exploration of North Saurashtra. Afterwards, he had travelled on foot and had found out o many Harappan, Post-Harappan, and Early Historic colonies in Sorath & Halar regions. Moda, Vasai Bed, Lakha baval etc. were important colonies among 33 colonies found out by him. Early Historic Pottery called “Vasai ware” was found out on excavation at Vasai site. Mr. P. P. Pandya took up a small scale excavation at Bed, Moda and Lakha Baval also and gathered important archaeological data. The noticiable contribution of Mr. Pandya pertains to Harappan colonies. For finding out the places of Sindhu civilization in India, explorations in Saurashtra were taken up by the Central Archaeological Department. A colony near Rangpur village near Limbdi Town was found out during these explorations. The evidences of belonging this colony to Harappan era were initially gathered by Dr. Madho Swaroop after the excavation and Dr. Gurye had taken up the excavation thereafter. Dr. M.G.Dixit of Deccan college re-excavated the site and concluded that this colony was post-harappan. Mr. P.P. Pandya was present when Dr. S.R. Rao took up the excavation on trial base in 1955. He carried out the explorations in other parts of Saurashtra also and found out so many Harappan and Late Harappan colonies, which were counting more than 100 in 1956. From the excavations at Atkot, Rozdi(Srinathgadh), Khakhrabela, Hajnali, Prabhas Patan, Pithadiya, Moti Dharai (Bhavnagar) etc. places which were among these colonies, periodization of Harappan civilization was determined in two terms :
Among all these famous scholars, the contribution given in the field of Archaeology of Saurashtra by Shri P.P. Pandya even within the limitation of this short left-span, has availed him a very high place as a shining state in the field of archaeology of Saurashtra renounced as P.P. Pandya in the field of archaeology of Saurashtra, it had become a matter of research what ‘P.P.’ stood for in the name of this young man. The full form of P.P. Pandya was Purushottam Premshanker Pandya. Born in Audichya Brahmin family at Kotda Sangani village, he had achieved the Bachelor’s in Arts after completing the college study at Bhavnagar & Rajkot. Meanwhile, he had shaped his life by taking achive part in the movements for democracy & freedom and also in other constructive activities.
Pd I Harappan, 2400 B.C. which can be considered equivalent to Rangpur PD-II
Pd II Late Harappan, which can be considered equivalent to Rangpur IIB, II C(1500 B.C.)
This periodization was accepted on the bases of evidences gathered after excavation at Rozdi. Mr. Pandya felt the Pottery found in 1950 from Harappan colonies different from that of Sindhu civilization as it was painted in chocolate color over green color. But afterwards, from the excavation during 1982, Dr. Powshel named it as “Sorath Harappan” which was a local form of Sindhu civilization. Matured Sindhu civilization found in Rangpur II A and Lothal-1, was found more in Kachchh, whose important city is Dholaveera, Khadir. This transpires that Mr. P. P. Pandya had done the pioneering work. His another valuable contribution was regarding the places of Late Stone age. Dr.Sankaliya had done important research on Late Stone age civilization by carrying out the excavation at Langhanaj colony in Mehsana District. However, according to the time line, there were three phases like Initial stone age, Middle stone age, and late stone age in Saurashtra. Tools of these phases were found from Atkot (Bhadar river) and Rozdi. Mr. Pandya had thus offered valuable contribution by clearing the picture of stone age. He had passed through many ups and downs during his career as an Archaeologist. Efforts were also made to create barriers in his works. However, he kept patience and continued his work firmly. It is felt that an injustice is done with such a scholar and pioneer-like archaeologist and he has not been given due credit which he deserved for his profound work. Mr. P.P. Pandya spent up his whole life in wondering for archeological explorations. His health deteriorated and he died untimely at very young age of 39 years in 1960. Not only Gujarat but entire country lost a scholarly archaeologist of top category due to his demise. His activities in excavations had started from Dr. Sankaliya’s excavations at Navdatoli-Maheshwar, which he had joined as a trainee. His activities ended with the excavation at Rozdi. Thus, he constantly worked in the field for 20 years and enriched the archaeologcal researches of Saurashtra.
Today, his sons namely, Piyush Pandya, Manish Pandya, Hitesh Pandya and Mr. Paresh Pandya are taking much pain to carry on his uncompleted work further by founding Shri Jayabahen Foundation and thereby doing praiseworthy activities. The core purpose of the foundation is the preservation of the monuments found out by Mr. P.P.Pandya. Mr. Pandya had found out the Bauddha (Buddha) caves of 4th century in 1958. These caves are situated at Khambhalida village of Gondal Taluka in Rajkot District of Gujarat (India). Maintenance of these caves with sculptures is most necessary. On representation of this crucial matter before the Government by Shri Jayabahen Foundation, Government has sanctioned the fund of Rupees Four Crores and Thirteen lacs for the development of this place with caves surrounded by the beautiful natural sceneries as a place for tourism. The work for its development is going to be started soon. If the maintenance of ancient monuments are done by the efforts of the foundation, it will be an appreciable work. Efforts for connecting the people with the monuments is worth pondering.
A profile of Mr. P. P. Pandya, a region loving Archaeologist - Rajendra Dave
Dr. H. D. Sankaliya, a world famous archaeologist had written on sad demise of a person that “It is a great loss to the Archaeology in general and Archaeology Department in particular.. We are extremely sorry that such a promising scholar should be taken from our midst.” Prof. K. K. Shashtri has written… “ Gujarat lost a promising archaeologist-researcher. The work of exploring the hidden layers of history of ancient places of Saurashtra remained unfinished.” A famous archaeologist of Gujarat, Mr. A. V.Pandya gave tribute by these words… “Severe loss has occurred to the archaeological field of Gujarat due to this said incident.”
The person for whom the above quotes were used was Mr. Purushottam Premshanker Pandya (who was famous as P.P.Pandya in the archaeological field of India). He was an Archaeologist at Rajkot in the then bilingual state of Mumbai. He worked till his last breath and died of short term illness at very young age of 39 years, 2 months and 12 days.
Mr. Purushottam Premshanker Pandya was born on 8th November, 1920 in Kotda Sangani village of Rajkot District in a reputed Audichya Brahmin family. This family had settled in Kotda Sangani after the “Woncal Settlement”. His father Premshanker Jeevanram Pandya had studied in Engineering at M.S. University, Baroda. He had rendered his services as a “Jerif” in the erstwhile Kotda State and was highly respected person. He was the 2nd child among the six children of Premshanker Pandya and was an elder son from two sons.
After studying in Himmatsinhji Middle school up to 1936 he studied further in Kamribai High School at Jetpur town, appeared in the matriculation examination conducted by then Bombay University and became the topper among all the successful candidates from the school. He continued his study at Shamaldas College, Bhavnagar. He passed F.Y. Science in 1939, Inter Arts in 1941 and Inter Science in 1943 from there and shifted to Rajkot for continuing the study in B.A. He completed his B.A. in 1945 with English as the subsidiary and Mathematics as the main subject from Dharmendrasinhji College. During this period, he deeply studied and pondered over the Gandhi Literature also.
Thus, he studied in various colleges of Saurashtra since 1938 and participated in the political, social and Gandhiji’s constructive activities simultaneously. He left the college in 1941 and with the blessings of Bapu, went through one year’s training in Ahimsak Vyayam Sangh (Non violent Gymnastic Organization), at Malad, Mumbai. During the initial days of the year 1942, he served in various suburbs of Mumbai in the situation created in Mumbai on account of the forthcoming 1942 movement. He worked in the rural areas of Saurashtra during the 1942 movement. During these years, he got the opportunities to study the Ancient Indian culture deeply. He keenly studied various aspects of the country and the people like; how the integrity was maintained in the Indian Culture which is full of diversity, due to which circumstances India became shattered, how the human life evolved, which characteristics were preserved in different communities etc. Right from his childhood, he had nurtured his ambition to do the research on Ancient Indian Culture and the evolution of human life from prehistoric period to the present. He took admission in Sheth B.J. Institute of Learning and Research for the years from 1945 to 1947 to achieve the Master Degree (M.A.) in the subject Ancient Indian Culture and Archaeology to satisfy his thirst and ambition. He accepted a job as a teacher. He carried on his study for M.A. while doing a job and also carried on various social-political activities simultaneously.
In September, 1949, as the erstwhile Saurashtra State was planning to develop its Archaeology Department, it invited the applications for 2 years’ practical training under the Director General of Archaeology Deptt. Govt. of India. Mr. P.P. Pandya submitted his application on 27 September 1949. In response to his application, he was told to accept the post of the curator of the museum, under the Deptt. of Archaeology, Saurashtra State, before proceeding for the training. With the condition that he would be selected for the practical training, he accepted to serve Saurashtra State and joined as a curator of the museum at Jamnagar on 21st April, 1950. In May 1950, he was sent on tour of entire Saurashtra to undergo the training under Dr. M.N. Deshpande, Superintendent of Archaeology, Western Circle, Govt. of India. He was supposed to go for advance training under the same officer after completing the training of Archaeological Exploration but it was postponed due to some reasons. Thereafter, in October 1950, he was invited for a practical training in archaeology under the Director General of India. However, even if he was offered a scholarship of Rs. 150/- per month, he was not sent for the practical training till the time limit for utilizing the scholarship expired. Due to this, he took the practical training for prehistoric, primeval historic and historic exploration from Dr.H.D. Sankaliya and Dr. B. Subba Rao at his own expense. He also completed the training for archaeological survey of the banks of Narmada and Mahi rivers under both these scholars.
He accomplished the practical training in archaeological excavations during the following archaeological excavations carried out at various sites by the scholars in Archaeology.
Excavation at Somnath Temple, carried out by Mr. B. K. Thapar of Govt. of India, in Sept.-Oct. 1950. (2) Excavation at Vasai and Bed, situated in Jamnagar District of Saurashtra in 1951 (3) Excavation at Akota near Baroda, carried out by Dr. Subba Rao of M.S. University, Baroda (4) Excavation at Navda Toli and Maheshwar, carried out by Dr. Sankaliya and Dr. B-Subba Rao (5) Excavation at Mota Machiyala in Saurashtra carried out by the Archaeology Department, Govt. of India. (6) Excavation at Rangpur in Saurashtra, carried out by the Superintendent of Archaeology, Western Circle, Govt. of India. (7) Excavation at Vadnagar, North Gujarat, carried out by Dr. B. Subba Rao (8) Excavations at Harappan sites, at Rupad, situated on the banks of Satlaj River in Punjab, carried out by the Archaeology Department, Govt. of India.
During this period he passed his examination for M.A. with Higher second class. He stood first in the University in the Archaeology Subject.
As narrated above, he took training in archaeological explorations and excavations at his own expense and learnt the scientific methods of archaeological exploration and excavation. In addition to these trainings, he obtained the scientific training in other branches of archaeology like conservation of monuments etc. also. Besides this, he studied the Ancient sculptures and Architecture of India. He studied number of temples, castles, caves and Museums also. Thus he enriched his knowledge in his most favorite subject – Archaeology – with the practical training.
To do the comparative study of the sculptures and to study the scientific methods of their placing in museum, he visited National Museum-New Delhi, Central Asian Antiquities Museum-New Delhi, Prince of Wales Museum-Mumbai, Baroda Museum, Jaipur Museum, Ajmer Museum, Gwalior Museum, Dhar Museum, Indore Museum, Mathura Museum, Bhubaneshwar Museum and Nagpur Museum at his own cost.
To discuss the puzzles of Indian history and Archaeology and to examine the latest found antiques, he attended the meetings held by Indian History Congress, Museum Association of India, Numismatics societies, Jaipur (1951), Gwalior (1952) and Walter (1953). All India Oriental Conference at Ahmedabad in 1953, the Indian Science Congress at Baroda in 1954 and read the research-study papers there. He also studied the antiquities found from the excavations and explorations from 1954 to 1957, at Central Advisory Board of Archaeology Exhibition symposium during 1955-56, and 1956-57.
While working in the favorite field, he worked incessantly, visited all the ancient hillocks, temples and caves of Halar, Central Saurashtra and Sorath regions and found out the unexplored pre-historic, primeval-historic and historic clues and connected Saurashtra with erstwhile India with the help of traces like tools of the stone age, microlithic tools, fragments of earthen vessels, etc. found out from these ancient hillocks and newly found groups of temples and sculpture-architecture of Khambhalida caves. He found out the micro lithe from Halar region and established its connection with the micro lithe found from the bank of Narmada river in Central India.
There was a post of Superintendent of Archaeology-Head of the Archaeology Deptt-in Saurashtra State. Besides the whole Archaeology Department, the museums of Saurashtra werealso under the control of this post. On retirement of the then Superintendent of Archaeology, Public Service Commission of Saurasahtra State invited the applications to fill up this vacant post. P. P. Pandya and others applied for the post. After an interview, P.P.Pandya was selected and Govt. of Saurashtra appointed him as the Superintendent of Archaeology on 1st March, 1955. Due to his trainings taken at various places, taking participation in the above mentioned meetings and conferences, and reading his research papers in these meetings and conferences, he was known to all the scholars of archaeology of the country. All these scholars welcomed the appointment of P.P.Pandya as the Head of the Archaeology Deptt. of Saurashtra State. However, this appointment proved to be a cause of conflict for Mr. Pandya ! Mean minded mentality of some people, created the barriers in the way when this scholar got the opportunity to bloom in full fledge. What can one call this situation except the “irony of fate”? !.
The activities of exploration, excavation, museum development-especially the planning of development of Kachchh museum, creation of central library, conservation of monuments etc. gained acceleration after P.P. Pandya became the Superintendent of Archaeology. Excavation of Nagra hillock of Somnath was done for two years. Excavation of Rozda hillock on the bank of Bhadar river near village Rozdi of Gondal Taluka was done for two years. A skeleton belonging to Harappan era was taken out from nearby area of Dadva village. Reports of all these activities continued to be published in the volume “Indian Archaeology-A Review”, published annually by the Director General of Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Govt. of India, New Delhi. As and when the reports got published, the archaeologists of India continued to visit the sites of the excavations to keep in touch with the study of the remnants obtained from the excavation and found out during the exploration. Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi took personal interest.. and the fact that Saurashtra is a treasure for Archaeology, came in the light.
Till then, very little information about the pre-historic culture of Saurashtra was available. Only the mythological mentions without any concrete proofs regarding ancient history were available. Much light was thrown on Culture of Sindhu Valley (Harappa Culture) in Saurashtra, as a result of research done by Mr. P. P. Pandya. After creation of Pakistan, there were only two sites like Mohenjo-Daro in India namely, Rupad in Punjab and Rangpur (near Limbdi) in Saurashtra. But more than 50 such sites could be explored due to his research. One of these sites is Shrinathgadh (Rozdi) near Gondal from where traces of Harappa civilazation are found in considerable amount. Alphabets of Harappan language can be seen on a pot shred found from this site. Besides, much light was thrown on the ancient dark age of Saurashtra by the excavation at Lakha Baval, Amara and Somnath. Remnants of the period from seventh century to 1200 B.C. were found with the help of which, a series of clues of the cultural history of Saurashtra was made available. Besides this, 100 sites showing the relation with Roman Era during primeval historic period were found out. He had found out interesting facts regarding construction of the temples by studying the architectures of the period from 9th century to 12th century.
On merging of Saurashtra state into Bilingual Mumbai state on 1-11-1956, the post of Superintendent of Archaeology of Saurashtra State was converted into the Archaeologist of Mumbai state. Entire Saurashtra, Kachchh and Gujarat region were put under his jurisdiction. The Head Quarter of the Archaeology Department of this new State was created in 1955 at Old Mumbai, and the Departments of Archaeology, previously under Saurashtra and Aurangabad, were put under the Archaeology Department of Bi-lingual Mumbai State. This change necessitated some administrative changes in set up and designations of the posts. Equality in designations and salaries were also to be decided. Though this matter was under process, Mr. P. P. Pandya didn’t give importance to the matter of designation and salary and kept on his favorite work of research and study in archaeology same as he was doing before the creation of Bi-lingual Mumbai State. His zeal continued to be enhanced as the Archaeology Department of the new state appreciated his work very much.
He found out more than 50 Harappan (Proto historic), 15 Microlithic, 2 Paliolithic (stone age), more than 100 primeval historic sites and a group of temples belonging to Chalukya period.
He carried out the excavations at Vasai, Bed, Somnath, Pithadiya, Atkot, Moti Dharai and Rozdi independently, while carried out the excavation at Lakha Baval, Amara and Somnath jointly with M.S. University.
The complete chain of history of Saurashtra for the period from 1200 B.C. to 600 A.D. came to the light due to his work.
In 1958, Union Public Service Commission invited the applications for the post of Assistant Superintendent of Archaeology in ArchaeologyDepartmen, Govt. of India. Mr. P. P. Pandya applied through the Head of the Departmen. Union Public Service Commission selected him and Ministry of Education and Scientific Research in Govt.of India sent him an offer to accept his appointment as an Assistant Superintendent of Archaeology vide letter dated 31-3-1958. When he asked Dr. Subba Rao whether or not to accept this offer, Dr. Subba Rao greeted him and advised to take opinion of Dr. Sankaliya and wrote.. “The salary is so tempting that it is difficult for me to give any advice. When Dr. Sankaliya was asked to give his opinion, he wrote..” After a long time we have got a person who is doing work in Saurashtra, an area which was neglected for a very long time.. if they do not keep you in this state then the work in Gujarat will suffer a great deal. Of course, the question of money is there; but I think, as I advised to Subba Rao, that should be secondary if one gets sufficient to get on in life”. Keeping in view this advice, P.P.Pandya didn’t accept the offer for the appointment. This caused him a big financial loss. Not only that, opportunities of future promotions from that post also were lost.
While finalizing the set up of this Department in Mumbai State, the Grade of Pay for the post on which he was working was kept low. Dr. Sankaliya wrote personal letters in this regard to the erstwhile Finance Minister of Mumbai State ( who became the first Chief Minister of Gujarat afterwards). However, the financial loss couldn’t be avoided.
The reports of the research works done by Mr. P.P. Pandya, continued to be published every year in “Indian Archaeology-A review”, a publication of compilation of the articles, compiled by the Director General of Archaeology, Head of the Archaeology Department, Govt. of India. The information of the services he had rendered for Saurashtra continued to be available to the scholars of Archaeology.
His publications on this subject can be listed as under;
1. “Explorations in Halar and Sorath District – Saurashtra”, the paper he read at All India Oriental conference, Ahmedabad in 1953. Many scholars, along with Dr. Sankaliya, greeted him considering this paper an important work.
2. “Chronology of Primeval historic cultures of Saurashtra (written in Gujarati language)”, research Assay presented in Archaeology section of seminar organized by Gujarati Sahitya Parishad at Ahmedabad in 1959.
3. Ancient Buddha Monuments of Saurashtra. (Written in Gujarati language)
4.An Honorable place of Saurashtra-Kachchh in the history of archaeology. (written in Gujarati Language)
5.Ancient places of Saurashtra ( written in Gujarat language)
6.“A consideration on late Gupta Sculptures from Patan Anahilwad – P.P.Pandya and M.A. Dhanky. Published in the Journal by Oriental Institute, Baroda.
7.Indian Archaeology 1957 – A review, compiled by the Director General of Archaeology Deptt. Govt. of India takes this note – The Government of Bombay is Publishing the following :
7a.Excavation at Lakha Bawal, Amara and Somnath.
7b.Interim Report on further Excavation at Prabhas Patan
7c.Origin and evolution of Gujarati style of Architecture- P.P.Pandya and M.A. Dhanky.
7d.Architectural Activities of Prabhas Patan – P.P.Pandya, M.A. Dhanky and H.P. Shastri.
It is informed by various students and scholars of Archaeology that various research articles-in addition to the publications mentioned above-are also published. Mr. Pandya used to keep the manuscripts of his study, research and thesis of Ph D. etc. at his office,However, no information is available regarding all such literature due to his sudden death.
He was suffering from frequent illness after returning from All India Conference held at Guwahati, Assam in the end of January 1960. He was hospitalized on 11th February and took his last breath on 12th February. He left four sons behind him. Among his four sons, Mr. Piyush Pandya is an Advocate and famous poet, Mr. Manish works in I.O.C., Mr. Hitesh is an Engineer and Mr. Paresh Pandya is Sangeet Visharad and a leading Social Worker. His Grand daughters are Pooja, Vaidehi and Kavina.
On hearing the news of his death, Dr. Sankaliya wrote to Dr. Jivraj Mehta.. “ Shri Pandya, as you know, was a very promising scholar and had done pioneering work in the Archaeology of Saurashtra.. when he was accepted for the post of Assistant. Superintendent, Government of India, the post he had not accepted because of my suggestion (and also yours). This owing to our desire to keep him in Gujarat and Saurashtra….”
Dr. A Ghosh, Director General of Archaeology in India, New Delhi, wrote in his letter.. “One could hardly image that such a young and active person should have met his end so suddenly. In him, I have lost a personal friend and an excellent worker in the field of Archaeology”.
This is an article published in Pathik ,the only Gujarati magazine of History and Archaeology published from Ahmedabad (Gujarat).
A human skeleton of Hadappan Era was found at Village Dadava of Gondal Tehsil. P.P. Pandya and German authrologist Dr. Ear Heart studying the skull can be seen in this photograph.
A shining star of the Archaeology of Saurashtra : P.P.Pandya Hariprasad G. Shashtri
Gu. Va. Society (presently Gujarat Vidyasabha) of Ahmedabad started the Department of Sanskrit, Indian Ancient Culture and post graduation in Gujarat in 1939. In 1946, this Department Progressed as a research institute with the name B.J. Study-Research Vidyabhavan. REcognised first by Mumbai University and then by Gujarat University from 1950, this institute has noticeably contributed in the field of Post-graduation study, teaching and research. So many brilliant students of this institute have been appointed as Professor and Principal in colleges. So many other brilliant students have rendered their notable services to the Musiums and in the field of Archaeology Among them, Shri Jayendra Nanavati and Shri P.P. Pandya are famous in the fields of museum and Archaeology. Some other scholars namely Shri Mukundbhai Raval and Shri Munindra Joshi have also emerged from Archeology field.
Among all these famous scholars, the contribution given in the field of Archaeology of Saurashtra by Shri P.P. Pandya even within the limitation of this short left-span, has availed him a very high place as a shining state in the field of archaeology of Saurashtra renounced as P.P. Pandya in the field of archaeology of Saurashtra, it had become a matter of research what ‘P.P.’ stood for in the name of this young man. The full form of P.P. Pandya was Purushottam Premshanker Pandya. Born in Audichya Brahmin family at Kotda Sangani village, he had achieved the Bachelor’s in Arts after completing the college study at Bhavnagar & Rajkot. Meanwhile, he had shaped his life by taking achive part in the movements for democracy & freedom and also in other constructive activities.
Mr. P.P. Pandya tools admission in post-graduation Department of Gu. Va. Society as a student of Ancient Indian culture. Gu. Va. Society was renamed as Gujarat Vidyasabha and its post graduation deptt. expanded as B. J. Vidyabhavan Mr. P.P. Pandya appeared in the examination for M.A. if my memory serves me, he had lift the remaining examination fearing that he would not get much percentage as he felt the initial papers difficult. He came to know from the results declared that he had achieved more percentage than what he had quessed. Next year, he passed his examination for M.A. in the Higher Second class with better preparation. Meanwhile, India became Independent and became a sovereign state after the states of Saurashtra were merged. In 1950, Mr. Pandya joined the museum as a aerator at Jamnagar. He got acquainted with the archaeology of Saurashtra after taking the basic training under Dr. L. N. Deshpande, the earstwhile superintendent of Western Circle, of Deptt. of Archaeological under Govt. of India. Thereafter, he took training for pre-historic and historic research under Dr. Hasmukh Sankaliya and Dr. B. Subbarao at his own expense.
Mr. Pandya took training for archaeological excavation under Mr. B. K. Thapar, the earstwhile Head of Archaeology Deptt, govt. of India during the examination of Somnath temple in 1950. He took part in the excavations at Vasai & Bed villages of Jamnagar Dist. in 1951 under the guidance of Dr. Subbarao. Thereeafter, he took an active part in the archaeological excavations at the places like Mota Machiyala, Rangpur, Vadnagar, Roopud etc. His intense training proved useful in the excavations at Lakha Baval, Amra and Somnath. He was very enthusiastic industrious and robust.
The Saurashtra Government had formed Archaeology Deptt. on retirement of its first Superintendent, Mr. Pandya was appointed on that post in 1955. The administration of the musiums in Saurashtra was also under the Head of this Deptt. Mr. Pandya managed the various branches like site-study, excavation, museum development, monument protection etc. very well. Besides, he carried out the excavation independent by at the places namely Pithadiya, Atkot, Moti, Dharai, Rozdi etc. like excavations at Vasai Bed and Somnath. During this activity, he had to face the intend conflicts of the deptt. He had also to face the internal competitions for the appointments on the post. Such intrigues were common in the politics of Saurashtra. Mr. Pandya stood firm between this politics and continued to develop various activcities of archaeology. Meanwhile, the future of his post became uncertain due to merge of Saurashtra in bilingual Mumbai State in 1956. He was selected for the post of Asstt. Superintendent of Archaeology, Govt. of India by Union Public Service commission in 1958 but he let off this post as he was not willing to leave his favourite archaeological field of Saurashtra.
Mr. Pandya had developed various activities in the field of archaeology of Saurashtra. He had brought so many pre-historic, historic and ancient historic sites to thelight and had thrown abundant light on ancient history of Saurashtra by taking up the site studies and excavations of these sites. He was always used to keep himself well informed of the archaeological activities of the whole of the country. He used to be in contact with the renounced archaeologist of India. He also used to take active part in the National level conferences organized in Gujarat as well as in other regions. After returning from conference held at Guvehati, Assam in 1960, he suddently died untimely after suffering from short term illness. He was only 39 yrs. old at the line of his death. On his sad demise, Saurashtra lost a shining star of archaeological field of Saurashtra. The contribution of Mr. Purushottam Pandya given within his short life span has become immortal in the form of articles and rports prepared by him after abundant activities.
Explorations and excuvations by archaeologist P.P.Pandya
INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY – A REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY : DIRECTOR OF ARCHAEOLOGY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, NEW DELHI
EXCAVATIONS OF OTHER HARAPPA SITES IN SAURASHTRA – Trial-excavations were carried out at three places jointly by the Department of Archaeology, Saurashtra and M.S. University of Baroda, under Shri P. P. Pandya and Dr. B. Subbarao respectively, to find out the culture-sequence in Saurashtra in general and the characteristics of the Harappa culture in the region in particular.
Lakhabaval, District Halar, situated about 9 miles north-east of Jamnagar, was one of the fourteen small Harappan settlements in the District. Excavation revealed three periods of occupation here. Period I, the earliest period, was characterized by pottery of thick fabric, like that of Period I of Rangpur, with an admixture of buff-slipped greenish sherds, the prominent forms in which were bowls and dishes-on-stand. Period II contained red polished ware and considerable quantities of coarse black-and red painted pottery. The distinctive shape in the painted pottery was a large vessel with flared rim and with painted designs of net-pattern. An ornament of gold with exquisite filigree work, either an ear-ring or a head-ornament, was among the interesting antiquities of the Period. Period III represented a very late occupation on the mound, with crude rubble structures and late medieval coins. A few cores with typical crested ridges and marks of previous preparation were found on the surface of the mound.
Amra, District Halar, had a low mound, situated on the bank of a small stream, 3 miles away from Lakhabaval, in which three periods of occupation corresponding to those at Lakhabaval were noticed. Period I yielded Harappan pottery in profusion, besides typical red-and-black bowls, the result of inverted firing, showing that the technique was known to the Harappans.
At Somanth, District Sorath, about 2 miles from the south-east of Prabhas Patan, a group of five mounds, collectively known as Nagar, was found to extend along the river Hiranya, for a distance of about 3000 ft. Excavation revealed five continuous and successive periods of occupation at the site. Period I contained the lustrous red ware of Rangpur II, together with typical carinated bowls and a large admixture of earlier wares of the transitional culture, coarse grey ware, a thick cream-slipped ware and the usual red and brown wares. The most interesting shapes in coarse grey ware were bowls with rounded sides and incurved and beveled rims. Painted designs on the lustrous red ware consisted of a combination of criss-crosses, dots-and-dashes, wavy lines, hatched triangles, lozenges, etc. Dish-on-stand was a popular shape in this ware. The black-and-red ware was also noticed though in smaller quantities, in association with a cruder variety with gritty texture. The other finds consisted of nearly ten thousand minute beads of steatite, found in a single pot, and a copper celt, besides blades, flakes and cores of the microlithic order. Period II was characterized by the lustrous red ware, mostly with a bright red slip, though in a somewhat coarser fabric and with a marked decline in the volume of decoration. The black-and-red ware persisted. The pottery of Period III was marked by the domination of a very finely burnished black-and-red ware in a wide variety of bowls and dished known in central and southern India, besides a plain red ware, which was a connecting link with the earlier Period, suggesting a continuity of occupation. The characteristic pottery of Period IV consisted of plain red ware and coarse black-and-red ware, though the latter declined in quantity. Period V contained extensive structures of rubble. Its distinctive poetry was the Red Polished Ware, which, together with nearly two thousand Gupta and Valabhi coins of copper and silver, helped in dating the period.
CAVES IN SAURASHTRA –
A cave in Uparkot at Junagadh and three caves at Ranapara in Baroda hills were discovered by the Superintendent of Archaeology in Saurashtra.
The Superintendent of Archaeology in Saurashtra discovered the Red Polished Ware at Talala, Divrana, Kadvar, Khalej and Una in Sorath District.
EXCAVATIONS AT PRABHAS PATAN, DISTRICT SORATH –
The Department of Archeology, Government of Bombay, continued, under Shri P.P. Pandya, the excavation at Prabhas Patan, Somnath (1955-56, p.7), on a larger scale, opening up four mounds and thus obtaining further evidence about the culture-sequence in the area.
Of the six Periods identified this year, the first and last, viz. Periods I and VI, dated prior and posterior respectively to the initial and the ultimate Periods observed here in the previous season.
Period I had two Sub-periods, of which the first, A, was represented by a single stratum of sand and gravel containing small quantities of crude sherds differently slipped in grey or red. The shapes and incised patterns, wherever they occurred, agreed with the shapes and painted patterns on the late Harappan pottery in Gujarat. The Sub-period was further associated with a microlithic blade-industry of the chalcolithic facies and segmented faience beads.
Period IB marked the appearance of painted pottery in profuse quantities (pl. XVII). The shapes and painted patterns comprised tow distinct traditions – the one represented by the late Harappan ceramics of Gujarat consisting of the dish-on-stand, saucepan-handle, etc., and the other by the round bowl with an incurved and bevelled rim, distinctively painted with panelled patterns somewhat similar to the motifs on the chalcolithic painted pottery of central India. A commingling of the two was, therefore, indicated, resulting in hybrids, though the late Harappan shapes and patterns dominated the ceramics, the patterns of the other tradition were often found overlapping the former. Further, a few sherds with paintings in brown on a white or creamy slip suggested some resemblance with the material found in the lower levels at Ahar.
Period II again has two Sub-periods, of which the earlier was represented by the lustrous red ware in the form of the carinated bowl, dish-on-stand and saucepan-handle, which, together with some painted designs, showed their derivation from the late Harappa. The other decorative motifs were more sophisticated and included loops with hatched diamonds, hatched columns with volutes, etc. Two sherds were painted with the antelope. The pottery tended to be heavy. The only structure of the Sub-period was a rubble pavement.
A progressive decline in the lustrous red ware, signified by the dwindling of the carinated bowl and the simplification of decorative motifs to horizontal bands only, finally resulting in the emergence of a plain red-slipped ware, marked the second Sub-period. There was an increasing tendency for graffiti. Microlithic blades occurred in small quantities. The Sub-period was separated from the preceding one by a rubble pavement.
Period III, with its four Sub-periods, was sharply differentiated from the preceding one by the use of iron and the black-and-red ware in large quantities, represented by the rounded and carinated bowl and dish, which, however, gradually degenerated towards the end of the Period into a thick and gritty ware of poor finish. The associated pottery included the pot with a high and ledged neck, basin with loop-handles and bowl with an everted rim, with a characteristic slip in varied tones of cream, grey and brown. The Northern Black Polished Ware made its appearance in the second Sub-period. Ivory hair-pins and plaques resembling female figures, beads and ear-studs of semi-precious stones (pl. XVIII), a pulley-shaped jasper ear-stud having a gold plate with a repousse pattern and a flesh-rubber inscribed with characters of the second century B.C. were among the notable finds of the Period. Rubble pavements with post-holes were encountered at all levels.
In Period IV the black-and-red ware completely disappeared, but the gritty ware of Period III continued. Ivory and bone points, iron spear-heads and arrow-heads, terracotta gamesmen and beads, including one of gold, constituted the main bulk of other small finds. A rubble pavement occurred.
Period V was heralded by the well-known Red Polished Ware in all its typical forms. A unique spouted vessel with a loop-handle, painted, polished and moulded after the shape perhaps of a cow, was noteworthy. The associated finds consisted of finely-moulded terracotta human and animal figurines, carved shell bangles, ear-studs, beads, including areca-nut ones of terracotta, and Kshatrapa and Gupta coins.
Period V was heralded by the well-known Red Polished Ware in all its typical forms. A unique spouted vessel with a loop-handle, painted, polished and moulded after the shape perhaps of a cow, was noteworthy. The associated finds consisted of finely-moulded terracotta human and animal figurines, carved shell bangles, ear-studs, beads, including areca-nut ones of terracotta, and Kshatrapa and Gupta coins.
The mounds were abandoned thereafter, except one which was re-utilized in medieval times for a temple, representing Period VI.
9. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICTS GOHILWAD, HALAR, JHALAWAR, MADHYA SAURASHTRA AND SORATH –
In continuation of his previous work (1955-56, p. 70; 1956-57, p. 16), Shri P.P. Pandya carried out further explorations in these Districts and brought to light three Stone Age, thirtyone Harappan, fiftyfive early historical and forty medieval sites. Of the Harappan sites, three had been also occupied by the people using the Lustrous Red, Prabhas and black-and-red wares.
Tools of Series II, comprising scrapers, borers, points and large flakes of agate and chert (fig. 9), were collected from Rojdi, Sejakpur and Fala, respectively in Districts Madhya Saurashtra, Jhalawar and Halar.
The distribution of the Harappa and other wares is shown in the Table on p. 19 while the main types in the Harappa Ware are illustrated in figs. 10-12 and pl. XXIV. Microliths comprising parallel-sided blades, sometimes showing the crested ridge, and fluted cores were found in association with the Harappa Ware at Adkot, Rojdi, Mandal and Jhanjmer, all in District Madhya Saurashtra.
The exploration included trial-excavations at Rojdi, Pithadia and Adkot in District Madhya Saurashtra and Motidharai in District Gohilwad.
The mound at Rojdi, situated on the bank of the Bhadar river, 34 miles south of Rajkot, was scraped at several places, and revealed the remains of a protection-wall made of big boulders. A small trench at the eastern end of the mound brought to light a fragmentary bowl with four Harappan characters. The occupational deposits were divisible into two Sub-periods.
Sub-period IA was distinguished by the typical Harappa Ware, associated with a crude corrugated ware of the type found in Period IA at Prabhas. The more important types of the Harappa Ware comprised the convex, straight-sided, carinated, or handled bowl, pot with round belly and beaded rim, perforated or ledge-necked jar, dish with flared or beaded rim, dish-on-stand, beaker, etc. The ceramic industries revealed two main traditions, viz. those of red and buff wares. The proportion of the former was found to be more than that of the latter. A few sherds of green fabric were also found. The designs, painted in black over red, buff or chocolate slip, included fish, leaves, hatched triangles and diamonds, roundels, wavy lines, vertical bands, loops, prancing bull, etc. The pottery was associated with microliths, of which crested-ridge flakes may be particularly mentioned.
Sub-period IB was characterized by a red ware, in which the beaker, perforated jar, ledge-necked vessel and square-rimmed jar were absent. The convex-sided bowl with typical panelled designs comprising vertical bands between two horizontal lines in the Prabhas fabric emerged in the upper levels. The two Sub-periods of Rojdi may be correlated with the corresponding Sub-periods of Prabhas.
The excavation at Adkot, on the bank of Bhadar, 30 miles sout-east of Rajkot, exposed 5 ft. of occupational deposits representing the Harappa culture. The pottery consisted of the convex-sided and short-handled bowl, perforated jar, ledge-necked vessel, dish-on-stand, beaker, etc. Red and buff wares were found almost in equal proportions. The designs, painted in black, comprised a human figure feeding a pet, fish, leaves, suspended loops, hatched diamonds, wavy lines, etc. In addition to the above wares, a crude grey ware, represented by the trough, jar and dish, was also found.
At Pithadia, nearly 44 miles south of Rajkot, the excavation revealed two periods of occupation. Period I was characterized by the Harappa ware in association with a crude grey ware. Amongst the other finds, mention may be made of conch bangles, terracotta beads and spindle-whorls. Period II was distinguished by the Lustrous Red Ware, in which the dish with or without stand was common.
At Motidharai, 10 miles nort-east of Valabhipur, two periods of occupation, with a considerable hiatus in between, were brought to light. Period I was characterized by the Harappa were, while period II was distinguished by crude grey and painted red wares of the early historical times.
15. EXPLORATION IN DISTRICT MADHYA SAURASHTRA –
The Department of Archaeology of the Government of Bombay, under Shri P.P. Pandya discovered in the Bhadar valley a site with tools of Series II near Rojdi, a microlithic site, twelve Harappan sites and seventeen early historical sites, in addition to the ones recorded last year (1957-58, p. 18). The Harappan sites were characterized by the convex-sided bowl, handled bowl, dish with flared rim, dish-on-stand, square-rimmed jar and perforated jar. Both red and buff wares were present. The painted designs consisted of roundels, wavy lines, hatched triangles, intersecting loops, leaves, etc.
One of the Harappan sites, near Randal Dadwa, was found to contain a cemetery : one of the graves was excavated and an extended skeleton, its head supported on a dressed stone, exposed. Fragments of Harappan bowls and dishes were recovered from the v cinity of the skelton.
A I st of Harappan and early historical sites, with the names (in brackets) of the nearest villages, where necessary, are given below. Harappan sites : Bodiyo (Motadevlia); Dhankanio-2 (Motasagapar); Dhutarpur (Vasawad); Dumiani; Ghorwada (Dhurasia); Kerali; Lukhela (Vasawad); Randaliyo (Randal Dadwa); Taraghada (Rayadi); Tetariyo (Motadevalia); Vadasada; and Vegadi.
Early historical sites : Ardoi; Devalka (Sultanpur); Gadhiyo (Navagadh); Garbo (Sanali); Goriya (Bhimora); Gundai-ni-dhar (Khokharr); Hanuman-valo, two sites (Kerali); Kotharia; Madhi (Sultanpur); Mochiwadar (Jhanjhmer); Pipalia; Rajkot; Roghada; Satapar; Simoi (Sultanpur); and Vadia.
16. EXCAVATION AT ROJDI, DISTRICT MADHYA SAURASHTRA –
In continuation of last year’s work (1957-58, p. 18) , Shri P.P. Pandya further excavated the mound at Rojdi.
The Harappan occupation of the site (Period I) fell into three Phases, A, B and C. The first settlers on the site, in Phase A, built a 2-ft. high mud plattorm, capped by rammed earth and lime, to carry their mud and mud-brick houses. Their pottery (fig. 9) consisted of the convex-sided bowl, carinated bowl, handled bowl, perforated jar, square-rimmed jar, vase with a beaded rim and round belly, dish-on-stand, trough, etc. The pots were generally made of well-levigated clay and were uniformly fired. They were treated with a red, and rarely with a chocolate, slip and were mostly unpainted except for a few horizontal bands in black. Crude and ill-burnt pottery was, however, not absent; it was sometimes treated with a grayish slip and was decorated with wavy incised lines or concentric corrugations.
Blades, trapezes and lunates of chert and pipes, rings and celts of copper were in use. The personal ornaments were spiral gold rings, copper bangles, etched beads of carnelian and beads of faience, terracotta, etc.
Phase B, which arose after the destruction of the previous Phase by fire, was characterized by rubble and mud structures plastered with lime and rammed-earth floors. The ceramics of the Phase (fig. 9) represented two traditions, red ware and buff ware, the latter in lesser quantities than the former; a few green sherds were also found. The main types were the convex-sided bowl, perforated jar, dish with a flared rim and dish-on-stand. The designs painted in black on a red, buff or chocolate slip.
20. BUDDHIST CAVES IN DISTRICT MADHYA SAURASHTRA – Shri P. P. Pandya discovered groups of Buddhist caves (pl. LXXII A) at Khambhalida, ascribable, on grounds of the sculptural style, to the third-fourth century. The second group seemed to be the most important; it consisted of three caves, the central one of which was the chaitya-hall flanked by large sculptures representing the Bodhisattvas and devotes under the shelter of trees and having a worn-out stupa as its apsidal end.
21. LATE MEDIEVAL MURALS IN DISTRICT MADHYA SAURASHTRA – On the walls of a small room in old Darbargah, Dhoraji, Shri P. P. Pandya noticed beautiful but neglected paintings of the late eighteenth century, depicting the royal assembly, procession, warriors, lady-in-worship, palaces, lakes, etc.
26. EARLY HISTROICAL REMAINS IN DISTRICT SORATH – In the course of the removal of a 3 to 4 ft. deposit of earth from the top of the Buddhist caves at Uparkot, Junagadh, the original features of the caves were brought to light, such as long drains with shutter-sockets at different stages to divert water towards rock-cut pits and wells, a drain-opening leading to storage-wells inside the caves, stone walls and post-holes on the rock-surface – all indicating that the cave-roof had been put to residential use. A storage-well in the south-west corner went down to a depth of 50 ft. in the excavated deposit and in rock-cut wells and pits were found the Red Polished Ware, Kshatrapa coins of lead largely belonging to Rudrasena II (348-78) (pl. LXXIII B), terracotta figurines, including yakshas (pls. LXXII B and LXXIII A), sealings, bullae (pl. LXXIII C) with yaksha and a Kshatrapa ruler, stone carvings, beads, indeterminate objects of gold and a spouted and carinated jar of bronze. The datable objects pertain broadly to the second half of the fourth century.