Early History and Archaeology of Kurukšetra and Ambala Division
Summary
This article examines the early history and archaeology of the Kurukshetra and Ambala Division, arguing that the region has been a continuously sacred meeting ground for diverse religious traditions, including Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanic beliefs, since Vedic times. The author supports this claim by analyzing literary texts, epigraphic records, numismatic evidence, and iconographic data. The text notes that Vedic literature, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas establish the area's ancient holiness along the Sarasvati, Drishadvati, and Apaga rivers. The author discusses the region's Buddhist influence, citing the Topara and Sarnath edicts of Asoka, the accounts of the Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang regarding stupas and sangharamas at Thanesar and Sugh, and the Banskhera copper plate of Harsavardhana. Hindu religious conditions are explored through references to the worship of Visnu, Surya, and Siva. Evidence for Visnu worship includes the Pehoa inscription, the Sirsi stone inscription, the Bhatinda stone inscription, the Tusham rock inscription, and various sculptures like the Trivikrama and three-faced Visnu images. The article also notes the popularity of the Sun cult, supported by the Sonepat seal of Harsavardhana and medieval Surya sculptures, as well as the strong presence of the Siva cult, evidenced by the Yaudheya coins, the Sonepat seal, the Sirsi inscription, and various terracotta seals and stone slabs. Furthermore, the text explores the worship of Hindu goddesses like Bhavani and Saci, the Naga cult, and Yaksa guardians, referencing the Mahabharata, the Manasamadhara, and Jaina canonical literature. Social and economic conditions are detailed through the accounts of Banabhatta and Yuan Chwang, who describe the region's wealth, agricultural productivity, and the maintenance of Varna and Asrama orders. The article also documents later Muslim coinage, the discovery of large-sized ancient bricks at sites like Asthipura, Amin, and Thanesar, and miscellaneous antiquities from locations such as Raj-Karna-ka-Kila and Pehoa, concluding with a call for further scientific excavations.
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Conclusion
The region of Kurukšetra and the Ambala Division has been established as a highly sacred landscape from ancient times, serving as a vital meeting ground for diverse religious traditions, including Vedic, Buddhist, Jain, and various Hindu cults. The key findings from literary, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence reveal a rich history of religious pluralism and continuous pilgrimage. The area's significance is underscored by the presence of early Buddhist monastic establishments, the widespread worship of deities such as Viṣṇu, Śiva, and the Sun, and the enduring veneration of local Yakṣas and Nāgas. Furthermore, the discovery of ancient large-size bricks, diverse coinage, and specific iconographic sculptures provides tangible proof of its historical prominence. Ultimately, the study highlights the necessity of systematic scientific excavations at these important sites to fully uncover the complex historical and archaeological narrative of this ancient sacred geography.