ENVIS Madhya Pradesh Newsletter Vol. – 5, No. - 2 March - April, 2007 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE ARCHEOLOGY OF MADHYA PRADESH This newsletter is targeted to the Archeology of Madhya Pradesh. Through this we would like to highlight some of the important India is blessed with number of world heritage monuments monuments of Madhya Pradesh. showcasing the breathtaking architecture and intricate work. Taj Mahal, a unique master-piece is the wonder in Dr. Rakesh Dubey itself, an absolute epitome of Indian culture, heritage and Director & ENVIS Coordinator civilization. Behind each monument is an underlying sense of mystery, intrigue and romance. Five thousand years of Indian History has given us the treasure of thousands of monuments across the country, monuments belonging to Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians. Visit the monuments of India, they are not only fairy tales carved out of stones, bricks, and mortar narrating the tales of valor and courage of Indian rulers. Madhya Pradesh has witnessed the growth and development of many styles of art and architecture right from the Pre-Mauryan to the Medieval times as is evident from the mounuments of Besnagar, Bharhut, Udaigiri, Bhojpur, Dhar, Bagh, Orcha, Mandu, Tigwa, Datia, Gwalior, etc. List of important monuments at Madhya Pradesh Monuments of Indore Monuments of Dhar and Mandu Monuments of Ujjain Monument of Orcha Monuments of Gwalior Monuments of Islamnagar Monuments of Badwani Monuments of Datia Monuments of Damoh Monuments of Chanderi Monuments of Jhabua Moti mahal Gwalior Monuments of Mandsour Monuments of Sagar Monuments of Neemuch Monuments of Ratlam 1 1 MONUMENTS OF INDORE Rajwada Peshwa Bajirao got a Sanad of Khasgi Jagir executed with the permission of Chhatrapati Shahu in the name of the first wife of Malhar Rao Holkar in 1734 A.D. in which Indore, along with many villages of Malwa and Khandesh, was included. After obtaining the Khasgi Jagir Malhar Rao Holkar constructed the Rajwada around 1747 A.D. This building represents a fusion of Muslim, Maratha and European architectures. Its southern portion is built in Mughalstyle, eastern part in European style while the Ganesh Hall , Darbar Hall and Ahilya throne hall are built in French style. Chhatri ( Cenotaph ) of Krishna Bai Holkar Built in the later half of the 19th century at Krishnapura on the north bank of Khan river, the Chhatri is a fine example of the architecture of the later Holkars. The Chhatri was built at the place where Krishna Bai (death in 1849 A.D.) was cremated. Gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon wearing Maratha drapery are beautifully carved all over the Chhatri. The arches are decorated with geometric patterns. MONUMENTS OF ORCHHA Orchha is famous for the Bundela style of architecture which is considered by historian to be one of the mature manifestations of the amalgamation of the Mugal and the Rajput styles of architecture.The Bundela style is marked by its rectangular form of place relieved often by circular towerat the corners surmounted by chhatris. Rama Raja Mandir (Rama Raja Temple) It is presumed to have been inspired by the Kushak Mahal at nearby Chanderi. built a century earlier by Mahmud Shah Khilji of Malwa. The building which is of religious importance now was built by Madhukar Shah (1554-92) as a palace for the Queen. It consists of a central rectangular courtyard around which apartments arise surrounded by a high retaining wall. There is a widely current legend that the Queen's Palace was converted into a temple after Lord Rama decided to make it His abode after he had been brought to Orchha by Queen Ganesh Kunwari. MONUMENTS OF CHHATARPUR Surya Mandir ,Chhatarpur Built around 13th century it is a monument of later Chandel period. Having pancharathikas the temple is of shikar style. An image of Ganesh is carved on the lalat bimb (lintel piece) of the gate of the antaral portion of the ancient temple, which suggests that the temple is dedicated to Shiva Parivar. Subsequently the Surya idol was brought to the garbha-griha from outside due to which it is now known as Surya Mandir. This state protected monument is very rich from artistic point of view. Bhim Kund Temple Group This is a state protected group of temples where four small temples are situated in a row opposite the main temple. The stone temple is a pancharathi type. on the basis of style it belongs to 8-9th century. A step-well has been constructed just in front of the main temple. Contd. on page 5 2 2 MUSEUMS IN MADHYA PRADESH Geographically, the heart of India is in Madhya Pradesh, perhaps its ancient and eternal spirit also resides here. There is the perfect amalgam of abundance, continuity and excellence in over a thousand monuments and lakhs of antiquities that are rarely to be found elsewhere in the world. No museum lacks masterpieces that command not merely attention but awe as well. The monuments and museums of Madhya Pradesh are not merely worth seeing but must be seen. Museums in Madhya Pradesh East Zone West Zone Rani Durgawati Museum, Jabalpur Central Museum, Indore Tulsi Museum Ramvan, Satna District Archaeological Museum, District Archaeological Museum, Dewas Mandla District Archaeological Museum, District Archaeological Museum, Dhar Shahdol Yashodharman Archaeological District Archaeological Museum, Museum Mandsaur Rewa District Archaeological Museum, Maheshwar North Zone Central Zone Central Archaeological Museum, State Museum, Bhopal Gujari Mahal, Gwalior District Archaeological Museum, Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, Vidisha Dhubela ; Chhatarpur District Archaeological Museum, District Archaeological Museum, Rajgarh Panna District Archaeological Museum, District Archaeological Museum, Hoshangabad Orcha List of Publications on Archeology of Madhya Pradesh Available at Directorate of Archaeology, Archieves and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh 3 3 RECENT EXCAVATIONS OF MADHYA PRADESH Khedinema Ninnor Azad Nagar Peetnagar Excavation At Khedinema : Situated on the left Bank of the river Narmada, village Khedinema falls in the Harda district of Madhya Pradesh. Excavations were carrred out here in 1993-94, Excavations have revealed clear gings of habitation corresponding to the five periods of civilisation. Chalcolithic - the first period has yielded on red ware with drawings on both the inner and the outer surfaces. It is followed by the pre- Mauryan period characterised by the remains of mud walls, floor(s) and hearth(s) besides red slipped ware, grey ware and black & red ware. The third period is the Mauryan period. Its yields include mud walls, limestone floors, pabule structure, black slipped ware, red polished ware and black and red ware. Shunga - Kushana - Kshatrupa period is the fourth one yielding terracotta and other pottery objects. The Medieval Period has yieded pottery and other antiquities Excavation At Ninnor : The Village Ninnor lies at the banks of river Narmada in Sehore district. It is 28 kms. to the north of Budhni on the Bhopal-Hoshangabad highway. Excavations were carried out in three sessions here - in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 respectively. These have brought to light five different cultures. Remains of hearths, pottery and objects of daily use are associated with the Pre- period. It is followed by the Shunga - Satavahana period. The remains of habitatational structures, coins, terracotta stone objects including a grinder with a slab are its important finds. Remains of habitation and objects of daily use symbolise the third period. Pottery and coins represent the fourth period. A stoneplaque is the highight of the fifth period in which pottery and coins too have been found. Excavation At Azad Nagar: On the banks of Khan friver in Indore district lies Azad Nagar. Here, excavations were carried out jointly by the state Archaeology Department and Vikram University Ujjain in 1973-74. Pottery akin to the Malwa chalcolithic culture has been unearthed in the first period viz painted black on red, painted black and red incised buffware etc. Discovery of pot burial of children at the same level indicates that children were interred. The second period has revealed copper tools, thick red polished ware and highly levigated & well fired red ware. Stamped coins, Northen black polished ware and habitation ground plans constitute the third period. Excavations At Peetnagar : At the banks of the river Narmada on the lndore-Khandwa highway lies village Peetnagar. Excavations carried out in 1998-99 here have brought to light antiquities of Chalcolithic period viz. black on red ware, black on white ware etc. The designs are geometric. Associated findings include Microliths borer, core black etc. Besides, red coloured, highly polished, well fired high-necked vessels too have been found. Pitchers with flared months and various kinds of saucers are the other finds. In all the findings range from the Chalcolithic period to the Medieval Peroid. Antiquities and vessels of the Mauryan to Gupta periods are the highlights. 4 4 Contd. from page 2 MONUMENTS Of GWALIOR Motimahal Moti Mahal is housed in a massive building which is located in front of Rani Laxmibai's cenotaph. At present this houses the office of the Commissioner. Moti Mahal was built by Srimant Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia in 1827 A.D. The auditorium that was the assembly hall of Madhya Bharat during the regime of Scindia state and the meeting hall are under the care of the Directorate of Archaeology. The wall paintings (including the ragmala paintings) are fascinating. The depiction of dussehra festival celebrated by the Scindia royal family is the most beautiful painting in this hall. The wall paintings depicting Radha-Krishna are vivid examples of the richness and idioms of art prevalent during the period MONUMENTS OF UJJAIN Tilkeshwar Mahadev Temple This temple was built in 18th century by Shri Sadashiv Jagannath Bhave. It is surrounded by a huge wall. It has ardhmandap, mahamandap, antaral and garbh-griha. The roof of the ardhmandap has wall paintings of Maratha period.