EXCAVATIONS - PROTOHISTORIC SITES

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Mandsaur(1922-23, 1975-76)

During 1922-23, the Archaeological Survey of India conducted excavation at Sondhni, the site of the pillar ofYasodharman not far from Mandsaur (lat. 24° 430" N; long. 75° 5'E) It was revealed that the pillars are lying at their original site where they were erected. The foundations of both the pillars were traced hardly 1-1/2, feet below the modem surface level.

Another mound existing about 75 feet to the west of the pillars was also excavated. Remains of a large building which was possibly a temple were exposed in the mound. A Siva linga found nearby indicates tbatthe temple was devoted to Saivism. Images of two dvarapalas were also located near the site.

Remains of another temple along witb fragments of a torana were found in a small excavation conducted at the village Khilchipur situated not very far from Sondhni.

Another trench laid in the south-eastern part of the Mandsaur fort of medieval Period laid bare the remains of a Gupta temple.

The excavation site of 1975 in Mandsaur district lies at the left bank of Shivna river, near the fort. The first period is chalolithic - it has yielded akin to Ahar and Malwa Chalcolithic cultures - coarse black and red ware and painted balck on red ware Microliths includin balades, cores etc. are tbe associated finds. The second period has yielded iron and terracotta objects, beagles of conches, bone points and pottery pieces of the early historic period Vessels belonging otthe Gupta and the Muslim periods are the finds of the third and fourth period alongwith, coins of the Muslim period, shell ornaments, terracotta animal figurines and seals too have been found.

REFERENCES
Wakankar. V.S. and Bajpai,V.K ., 1981. "Mandsaur (Dasapur) Utkhanan". in Malwa Through TheAges (MD. Khare Ed.) PP. 96-98; ASIAR, 1922-23, pp. 185-86.