Basdila Excavation

Basdila Excavation in Gorakhpur

relics

There are compelling reasons of believing that the south- east area of Gorakhpur district has a great historic past. The recent excavations with the efforts of archeologists and research scholars of DDU Gorakhpur University and Allahabad University at Basdeeh near Chauri Chaura has strengthened the possibility that remains of some ancient civilization lie buried under earth in the region. The evidences of wooden house from the excavation site have been discovered for the first time not only in India but also in the world has surprised the scholars.   The artifacts, relics and ‘mridbhand’ give indicate the existence of Maurya, Kushan and Gupta era.

From Dihghat

Dihghat

The director of excavation at Basdeela and faculty at Ancient history department of DDU Gorakhpur University, says, “The relicts and artifacts found in the excavation has been send to ‘Birbal Sahini Institute of Lucknow and Tata Fundamental research center, Mumbai, for carbon dating. It will reveal the actual date of constructions of relics and artifacts found in the excavation.” “The excavation was not possible without license and after the presentation in front of 20 members standing committee at 12^th September, SK Misra, director, Indian Archeological Department, granted us license on 4^th December, 2012.”

Uma - Maheshwer statue from Updhoulia

The evidences of rectangular shaped building found in the excavation could prove to be a great link to understand history. According to Prof. J.N. Pal, former head of Ancient History department, Allahabad University and a specialist of excavation, “The evidence of wooden building at Basdeela is of great historic value. Earlier people didn’t know the use of bricks and stone thus they use to live in wooden houses.”

Ashtpahal Shivling from Updhoulia

The head of Ancient History department, DDU Gorakhpur University and director of excavation, Prof. Vipula Dubey, says, “The evidence of wooden castle at Basdeela is rare as it is found first time not only in India but in the world. The study of the area will certainly add a new chapter in the archeology and Indian history. Now the possibility has risen that we’ll have the evidences of Piplivan, Kolieya , Pawa and Ramgram cross Saryu river area. The relics and other things discovered from the area states that there was continuity in living of people in the area from Maurayn era till Gupta era.”

 “The width of the piece of wood found in the excavation is 1ft and 20 ft long. Surprisingly the wood found is in good condition and it indicates that people of that era must have knowledge of chemical polish for the safety of woods. A piece of burned wooden piece and relics of leaves are also found. Burned bones of Fish, tortoise, bird and animals are found in the excavations. Iron arrow, earthen pot, ‘mridbhand’, kalash, plates, bowls, storing pots, fossil of leaves, 20 cm long horns of Barahsingha ( swamp deer), iron knife, seeds of wheat and mustard, burnt wooden windows and  coal also found during the excavation, 18-20 ft below the datum line. Ancient bricks and walls are also found during the extensive survey of  several places at Jhangaha.”  Vipula added

PC Trivedi, VC, DDU Gorakhpur University, says, “The relics and evidences of the ancient civilization found in Basdeela excavation will definitely secure a great position in the pages of history.”

In 1997, PK Lahiri, incharge of exhibition in Gorakhpur Mahotsav in 1997, made an extensive survey of places around Gorra and Rapti River. He went to Jhangha, Deehghat, Sabuni ka Bagh and Rajdhani village and collected relics of historical and archeological value. He also prepared a map of the area that describes several farms and wells that are connected to rivers below the earth.

He says, “I came to know that few ancient statues of Gods and Godesses in black and red stone are lying scattered in the fields of Updhaulia village. With the then city magistrate, Farooqui and registration officer, Antiquity, Dr. OPL Srivastva , I visited the area. At Jhangha Bazar, Shiv mandir, situated at small Tila, a very old statue of Lord Vishnu and many old statues of Godesses were lying in the temple.”

“After Jhangha Bazar we went to Updhaulia, where on a tila (which is according to local people is Angara Stupa of Maurayas). We saw black stone statues of Ardhnarishwar and Kartiya in a small temple there. In the fields around we located 2 Asthpahal Shiva Lingas of red stone. We also spotted many broken terracotta potteries of degenerated N.B.P. and grey polish. In this area we also spotted a beautiful red stone statue of Uma- Maheshwar near the wall in the house of Vishnu Maurya, which was found by them found by them during digging of their fields.” He added.

Lahiri also spotted old red stone and black stone statues of Lord Vishnu and Kartikeya and a Shiva Linga under a tree in the fields, after crossing the Gorra River, near the bank of river Rapti. “From Deeh-Ghat across Rapti, we saw Sahgaura which was the Administrative centre of Mauryas.” He shared.

In Sabuni ka Bagh Lahiri found broken terrakota potteries, old bricks, roof tiles, and pieces of small terracotta statues of Gods and Godesses in the adjoining fields of Sabuni Ka Bagh. As per villagers several statues and artifacts has ben stolen or taken away by the officers as decoration pieces. The rare statue of Ardhnariswar was stolen away from Updhauliya temple on 16th/17the March '97. The report has been made to police but still the statue is not recovered.

Fortunately the area the dragged attention of scholars and with the help of DDU Gorakhpur University, Allahabad University and Archeological Department the excavation work is started in the area but to unearth the entire culture and evidences of Mauryan era, more work is required. According to Historians Piplivan existed in the very area which has enveloped history of Maurya Dynasty. The entire Poorvanchal area could be developed as tourist hub and that will provide new ways of employment and development in the area.

Arjumand Bano