Fresh excavation by Chennai ASI official punctures 70-year claim

Chennai: Nearly 70 years after G. Yazdani of the archaeology department (Hyderabad), claimed to have stumbled upon a Buddhist site in Kondapur, south west of Hyderabad, in Medak district, a superintending archaeologist from Chennai who took up fresh excavation, has found that the 2nd century BC site is a Brahminical cult site and not a Buddhist site as believed earlier.

Numerous coins including rare black coloured and whitish lead coins pertaining to Gautamiputra Satakarani and Tiberius era, three fire altars, an Apsidal temple site and four plaques of Lajja Gowri used in fertility worship and other material evidences prove that Kondapur is a Hindu cult site and not a Buddhist site as claimed by Yazdani, says Ms G. Maheshwari, superintending archaeologist, ASI here, who had concluded extensive excavation at Kondapur.

The excavation carried out at the 81-acre ASI protected Kondapur site from 2009-2011 by the Excavation Branch- IV under G. Maheshwari, superintending Archaeologist of the ASI yielded crucial and monumental evidences on the culture of the early Satavahana period.

The excavation revealed that it was a thriving metropolis of the Satavahanas and also proved to be an important kshetra of the Brahminical faith, particularly Sakthi worship. This was clearly evident through the exposed structures and other associated findings of Lajja gowri plaques behind the temple wall, iron objects of ritualistic purpose, stamped and incised full pots having symbols of trident (Trisul) found in the fire altars, animal bone pieces in large quantity with cut marks, among the other things.

The Satakarni rose to absolute power. His queen Naganika describes Satakarni as “Lord of Dakshinapatha, wielder of the unchecked wheel of Sovereignty.” “Kondapur can be tentatively datable to the 2nd century B.C. to 2nd century AD on the basis of the coins found in cultural sequence. The material objects were obtained in the top most levels and in lower levels, copper thin coins were reported and these are datable to pre-Satavahana kings viz. Mahasenapathis or Maharatis who were the rulers of the Asmaka region (Lower Deccan) supposed to be one among the 16 Mahajanapathas of the early Christian era,” she added. Speaking to this correspondent, Ms. Maheswari said she had a strong belief that Kondapur was not a Buddhist site, as claimed earlier and hence she sought permission from her higher-ups to take up fresh excavation.

“Interestingly, the wide-ranging excavation also revealed that the Satavahana emperors had trade links with Rome. “In fact, though there are evidences of about 120 sails reaching the west coast of India from Egypt… The Satakaranis were great warriors and were Kali worshippers. They had not only mastered the art of cultivating rice, but had specialised in warfare especially in making metal weapons and had a mint of their own to bring out coins,” she said.

The site presents an interesting aspect of life of those times. The temples or religious sites were located on the western side, while the nobles and strong people lived on the south western side. The smithies were located on the south east, agriculture was taken on on the north east and the entrance to the city was on the north west. People from far and wide had visited this site due to its religious significance.

They had used bricks and clay for the construction and had tiled roofs. The three fire altars that were unearthed were of brick construction and there were compartments or quarters close by for the temple priests. The image of the Brahmin priest sharing good relationship with the kings of that time showed that rituals were patronised by the royal family.

The source for obtaining lead or iron was still not clear but a non-destructive scientific testing could at least reveal the date of the metal objects. The Kondapur site is believed to be contemporary to the Kaveripoonpatinam in Tamil Nadu. The rulers could have had a link with the kings in the south, especially the present TN. “But this needs to be established,” the senior official says and adds that the entire Kondapur could be declared a tourist attraction and promoted accordingly.

The excavation yielded antiquities of various types and shape in different levels – ranging from stone, semi-precious stone, terracotta, kaolin, metal, glass vessel fragments with Roman influence, shells and bone objects and terracotta pendant embossed with the Emperor Tiberius. Some of them were used either as toy-objects or ornaments or household objects or ritualistic objects or implements of war and peace.

Hundreds of coins — in lead, copper, silver and a few Roman coins (Tiberius) and most of them bearing the legend in Brahmi script and motifs of elephant, bull, lion, swastik and horse on the obverse were found

Secular and religious structures were made of burnt bricks and stone rubbles, while bricks were used for the super structure. Stones were used as foundations. The brick built houses were rectangular or square rooms and coexisted with circular and apsidal structure. The evidence of tiles in around the structure suggests that these houses were roofed with two holed tiles which were fitted with iron nails (typical Satavahana tiles).

The numerous evidences of which skulls of humans and cattle, hand bones, rice, wheat, coins and other sacrificial material were unearthed by her would soon be sent to IGCAR for scientific testing.

“The remnants of the site was once a thriving metropolis of the (Satavahana) dynasty established by King Simuka, and contemporary to emperor Ashoka or later period. The site indicates the royal patronage for Vedic rituals including those meant to propitiate the gods for male progeny. His son Satakarni was said to have performed sacrifices for male progeny and also to celebrate his victories and became the Samrat or Lord Paramount of Deccan,” says Ms G. Maheshwari, superintending archaeologist, ASI, who had concluded extensive excavation at Kondapur.