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EXCAVATIONS - HISTORIC SITES
NANDUR (1980-81, 81-82, 82-83)
The Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology, University of Sagar under the direction of S.K. Pandey and Directarate of Archaeology & Musiums Bhopa under the directions of M.D. Khare and K.K. Chakravarty carried out excavation at Nandur on the river Betrivati, 12 Ian South-west of Mandideep, between Bhopal and ltarsi Junction. Two trenches viz. NDR-I and NDR-ll were dug which yielded the following sequence:
Period I ( c. 5th to 4th Century B.C.)
This period was characterised by wheel-made pottery represented by deep and this bowls in black-and-red ware, besides a few black ware bowls of fine fabric.
Period 1 B (C. 4th to 3rd century B.C.)
This period indicates the use of red black-and-red and black-slipped wares in addition to wares associated with NBP. However, the excavation did not yield any NBP sherds. Important antiquities included cast and punch-marked coins, one carnelian bead, bone stylus, copper antimony rod and a terracotta human figurine.
Period II (c. 2nd century B.C. to 1st century A.D.)
In this period there was continuity of the earlier ceramic tradition along with the introduction of new types like lid-cum-bowl and wide moutheo basins. Other finds include copper coins, shell and terracotta bangles, terracotta beads and iron objects.
Period III (c. 1st century A.D. to 4th century A.D.)
This period is marked by the presence of painted and stamped pottery and some inscribed seals belonging to Kusana-Ksatrapa times.
Period IV (c. 4th century to 6th century A.D.)
This yielded grey ware pottery, seals and sealings bearing various inscriptions. The excavation was continued during 1981-82 leading to exposure of several architectural remains, a brick well and a ring well, besides pottery and other finds. The pottery consisted of NBP ware, red ware bearing yellowish cream slip and painted with black bands, black-and-red ware and coarse red ware. The excavation yielded terracotta sealings assignable to Gupta- Ksatrapa period. one of the sealings bears legend in box-headed charactes. The name may be Dattanaga. The Second sealing
records dasgama devadas, meaning perhaps 'Devadasa, the ruler of ten villages'. Last .u a 'lgnet ring of this ruler (Devadasa) was found on the surface. The third Sealing . maharajaraut, to Brahmi characters. The fourth sealing bears the legend matrasena 'Ie the one from the ksatrapa level bears the legend nigarnsa. Finds include: Punch d cast and Naga coins, silver coins of the Mughal times, ivory and terracotta e r "ures, terracotta animal figurines, beads of terracotta and semi-precious stones, copper wheel, antomony rod, arrow-heads and iron objects or daily use.
As a result of the excavations, the following periods could be established:
Period I A - per- Mauryan (7th to 4th century B.C.)
Period I B- Mauryan ( 4th to second century B.C.)
Period II - Sunga - Satavahana (2nd century B.C. to 2nd century A.D.)
Period III- Kshatrapa-Naga (2nd to 4th century A.D.)
Period IV - Gupta (4th to 6 th century A.D.)
Period V - Medieval (7th century A.D.)
The excavations were continued during 1982-83. The excavation at NDR- V revealed tlon ot per -Maury an levels in the light of previous results. The sequence as the same as in NDR I and II. The notable antiquities included bricks I !>: 20 x 15 ems from the Kshatrapa levels (layer 3), brick structure, iron nails, o l her with 'MA' symbol, copper coins, stone torso of Vishnu and beads.
In NDR III eighteen trenches measuring 24 x 12 were laid towards south naming ) fmd the extension of the structure. During the horizontal dig all structural f NDR III, ie., Muslim, Gupta and Kshatrapa were noticed.
The Deposit of Gupta phase yielded brick walls with two different sizes of bricks, wIth earthern conduits showing the flow of water from east to west and part of a compund wall. The top layer yielded a masonry wall and some Muslim period.
REFERENCES
IAR, 1980-81, P. 37; 1981-82, PP. 36-37,1982-83, P. 40.
