'Megalithism' is a global phenomenon. The early megalith builders of South India and Vidarbha in India stand out for their unique practices. They constructed massive structures, known as 'megaliths,' as part of their death rituals. This monograph provides a comprehensive update on twenty-plus excavated protohistoric-early historic megalithic sites of Vidarbha and offers a fascinating glimpse into their world.
The monograph tackles a long-standing dilemma related to two types of sites in Vidarbha, one with megaliths and another distinct group with no graveyard, and presents groundbreaking findings. A thorough re-examination of extensive data, supported by theoretical premises and ethnographic parallels, revealed two contemporary cultural traditions during the early Iron Age of Vidarbha: the Megalithic and the Non-megalithic. This proposition is a significant breakthrough in the field, and the monograph incorporates the concepts and definitions of the term 'megalith,' its origin and meanings, and its various connotations over time.
A theme-oriented chapter of the monograph evaluates the data regarding the association of horses with the megalith builders of Vidarbha, which led to the inference that these megalith builders were the 'First Horseback Riders of Vidarbha,' if not of the Indian subcontinent. It then delves into various aspects of Vidarbha's megalith builders' personality. It concludes by outlining the future course of research on the 'megalith builders of Vidarbha' and posing some 'big questions' with the hope that they will contribute to a deeper understanding of their lifestyle. The monograph is also richly illustrated uniquely, enhancing the reader's experience.
Dr. P. S. Joshi (b. 1946) is a distinguished former faculty member at Deccan College (DCPGRI), Pune, India. From 1968 to 2004, his career was characterized by unique and significant contributions to archaeology. He played pivotal roles in the investigations of the Megalithic Culture of Vidarbha [Central India] at Nagpur University (RTMNU), Nagpur, and the DCPGRI between 1968 and 1992. His teachings on 'Temple Architecture of South India' and 'Protohistoric India' at the DCPGRI (1994-2004) and resource-person lectures to diploma and post-graduate students at the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith (TMV), Pune on 'Greater India' and 'Indian Archaeology' (1990-2010) have made a significant impact. His graduation (1976) from Nagpur University (RTMNU), post-graduation (1982), and doctoral studies (1993) from Pune University (SPPU), Pune on Vidarbha Megaliths are a testimony to his academic prowess. His co-edited and co-authored book, Glimpses of Ancient Maharashtra Through Archaeological Excavations, has substantially contributed to the field. His research papers have advanced our understanding of the early Iron Age Megalithic Culture of Vidarbha and the architecture and iconography of the temples of Maharashtra. He is readily available at and for academic inquiries. Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare-Sarjare (b. 1979) is an archaeologist associated with Deccan College, Pune (DCPGRI) since 2004. Her journey in archaeology is a testament to her unwavering dedication and hard work, reflected in the award of various scholarships and honours, including the Rajiv Gandhi National Scholarship, ICHR Junior and Post-Doctoral Scholarships, Teaching Associate at DCPGRI (under 12th Plan UGC), and the Tagore National Research Scholarship. Her recent report, submitted as part of the Tagore Scholarship, is a testament to her continued devotion to the field. Her extensive research on the Vakatakas of the Nandivardhan branch and the Megalith Builders of Vidarbha, as well as her contributions as an author and co-author of some chapters in the book Glimpses of Ancient Maharashtra Through Archaeological Excavations, further solidify her position as a respected figure in the field. Her research papers in the field of 'the Vakatakas' and 'the Megalithic culture of Vidarbha' have significantly advanced our knowledge. She has a solid ambition to uncover more about the Vakatakas, especially their two unknown branches and the Vatsagulma branch of the Vakatakas. She inspires others with her commitment to expanding our understanding of the past. She can be reached at for the topics of interest, including the Vakatakas and the Megalithic culture of Vidarbha. Preface The first millennium BCE is widely known for the Megalithic culture in South India and Vidarbha. Prof. S.B. Deo initiated problem-orientated research in unfolding the mystery of Vidarbha's megaliths and began investigating the megaliths at Takalghat-Khapa in 1967-68. Apart from exposing the Megaliths at Khapa, a dig at Takalghatt revealed dwelling remains of the Iron Age Megalithic culture for the first time, which precedes the Early historical period. The radiocarbon dates from this dig established that the remains predate known period of history. These cultural remains of the dwellings of the megalith builders partly filled the gap, known by the term 'Dark Age', which proved to be a misnomer. It is said to have intervened between the end of the Indus Civilization and the early historical period. The world soon began to note this work, so the Vidarbha region appeared on India's protohistoric map. After discovering several megalithic sites and their investigations, he could arrive at an inevitable conclusion on the way of life of the Megalith builders of Vidarbha. Deo commenced research on the Megalithic culture, and his disciple, Dr. P.S. Joshi, and I, the latter's disciple, continued his tradition of working in the same area and subject. Though my core area of specialization is on the Vākātakas, I am very excited about the Megalithic culture. Initially, I would like to work on the landscape of Megalithic tradition, but it could not shape. Foreword I am very happy to write a foreword to this monograph authored by Dr. Prakash S. Joshi and Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare- Sarjare of the 'First Horseback Riders of Vidarbha'. The senior author Dr. Joshi, happens to be an old colleague since the time both of us worked together in the Department of A.I.H.C., & Archaeology of Nagpur University for more than a decade. In fact, both of us share very good memories of the excavations conducted by the University under the guidance of Prof. S.B. Deo, who was the head of the department then. I must congratulate both the authors for making a very painstaking survey of research done in Vidarbha for more than 150 years by both scholars and enthusiasts in their pioneering efforts to understand the Megalithic monuments, the stone circles, cairns along with menhirs, and sometimes even dolmens. Such megalithic monuments in the initial year of this research invoked curiosity because of the mystery that pervaded these monuments that were associated with the Druids in Europe. In their first chapter, the authors have taken a survey of the research of megalithic cultures in South India, especially those in what we call Vidarbha of the present Maharashtra state. Chapter two is devoted rightly to describing and explaining the concepts associated with Megalithic monuments and the meaning that underwent changes in due course of time; this was also due to because of the difference in individuals who used the terms. Introduction I am overwhelmed by going through the work on the Vidarbha Megaliths of my erstwhile colleague Dr. P.S. Joshi jointly with Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare-Sarjare. It is now presented in a book form, nicely brought out for which these scholars have meticulously worked with very well-studied content, and produced attractive line drawings and photographs. I and Dr. Joshi excavated some megalith circles at Raipur (Hingne, near Nagpur). Everything right from arranging food and stay, to mustering workers, were taken care of very skillfully by Dr. Joshi. It reminds me of the bye-gone days when we particularly participated in various excavations of the megalithic sites containing circles, cairns, dolmens, sarcophagus, etc. In some megalithic burials, especially at Mahurjhari, we have come across horse skeletons along with precious accessories like horse ornaments, Vidarbha is very rich in megalithic culture. Both of us were fortunate to work under the guidance of our Guru Dr. S.B. Deo who allowed us to participate in about half- a-dozen megalithic sites spread over three districts of Vidarbha. Dr. Joshi was a favourite assistant of Dr. S.B. Deo because of his disciplined work, accurate drawings, and punctuality.
Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare-Sarjare (b. 1979) is an archaeologist associated with Deccan College, Pune (DCPGRI) since 2004. Her journey in archaeology is a testament to her unwavering dedication and hard work, reflected in the award of various scholarships and honours, including the Rajiv Gandhi National Scholarship, ICHR Junior and Post-Doctoral Scholarships, Teaching Associate at DCPGRI (under 12th Plan UGC), and the Tagore National Research Scholarship. Her recent report, submitted as part of the Tagore Scholarship, is a testament to her continued devotion to the field. Her extensive research on the Vakatakas of the Nandivardhan branch and the Megalith Builders of Vidarbha, as well as her contributions as an author and co-author of some chapters in the book Glimpses of Ancient Maharashtra Through Archaeological Excavations, further solidify her position as a respected figure in the field. Her research papers in the field of 'the Vakatakas' and 'the Megalithic culture of Vidarbha' have significantly advanced our knowledge. She has a solid ambition to uncover more about the Vakatakas, especially their two unknown branches and the Vatsagulma branch of the Vakatakas. She inspires others with her commitment to expanding our understanding of the past. She can be reached at for the topics of interest, including the Vakatakas and the Megalithic culture of Vidarbha. Preface The first millennium BCE is widely known for the Megalithic culture in South India and Vidarbha. Prof. S.B. Deo initiated problem-orientated research in unfolding the mystery of Vidarbha's megaliths and began investigating the megaliths at Takalghat-Khapa in 1967-68. Apart from exposing the Megaliths at Khapa, a dig at Takalghatt revealed dwelling remains of the Iron Age Megalithic culture for the first time, which precedes the Early historical period. The radiocarbon dates from this dig established that the remains predate known period of history. These cultural remains of the dwellings of the megalith builders partly filled the gap, known by the term 'Dark Age', which proved to be a misnomer. It is said to have intervened between the end of the Indus Civilization and the early historical period. The world soon began to note this work, so the Vidarbha region appeared on India's protohistoric map. After discovering several megalithic sites and their investigations, he could arrive at an inevitable conclusion on the way of life of the Megalith builders of Vidarbha. Deo commenced research on the Megalithic culture, and his disciple, Dr. P.S. Joshi, and I, the latter's disciple, continued his tradition of working in the same area and subject. Though my core area of specialization is on the Vākātakas, I am very excited about the Megalithic culture. Initially, I would like to work on the landscape of Megalithic tradition, but it could not shape. Foreword I am very happy to write a foreword to this monograph authored by Dr. Prakash S. Joshi and Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare- Sarjare of the 'First Horseback Riders of Vidarbha'. The senior author Dr. Joshi, happens to be an old colleague since the time both of us worked together in the Department of A.I.H.C., & Archaeology of Nagpur University for more than a decade. In fact, both of us share very good memories of the excavations conducted by the University under the guidance of Prof. S.B. Deo, who was the head of the department then. I must congratulate both the authors for making a very painstaking survey of research done in Vidarbha for more than 150 years by both scholars and enthusiasts in their pioneering efforts to understand the Megalithic monuments, the stone circles, cairns along with menhirs, and sometimes even dolmens. Such megalithic monuments in the initial year of this research invoked curiosity because of the mystery that pervaded these monuments that were associated with the Druids in Europe. In their first chapter, the authors have taken a survey of the research of megalithic cultures in South India, especially those in what we call Vidarbha of the present Maharashtra state. Chapter two is devoted rightly to describing and explaining the concepts associated with Megalithic monuments and the meaning that underwent changes in due course of time; this was also due to because of the difference in individuals who used the terms. Introduction I am overwhelmed by going through the work on the Vidarbha Megaliths of my erstwhile colleague Dr. P.S. Joshi jointly with Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare-Sarjare. It is now presented in a book form, nicely brought out for which these scholars have meticulously worked with very well-studied content, and produced attractive line drawings and photographs. I and Dr. Joshi excavated some megalith circles at Raipur (Hingne, near Nagpur). Everything right from arranging food and stay, to mustering workers, were taken care of very skillfully by Dr. Joshi. It reminds me of the bye-gone days when we particularly participated in various excavations of the megalithic sites containing circles, cairns, dolmens, sarcophagus, etc. In some megalithic burials, especially at Mahurjhari, we have come across horse skeletons along with precious accessories like horse ornaments, Vidarbha is very rich in megalithic culture. Both of us were fortunate to work under the guidance of our Guru Dr. S.B. Deo who allowed us to participate in about half- a-dozen megalithic sites spread over three districts of Vidarbha. Dr. Joshi was a favourite assistant of Dr. S.B. Deo because of his disciplined work, accurate drawings, and punctuality.
The first millennium BCE is widely known for the Megalithic culture in South India and Vidarbha. Prof. S.B. Deo initiated problem-orientated research in unfolding the mystery of Vidarbha's megaliths and began investigating the megaliths at Takalghat-Khapa in 1967-68. Apart from exposing the Megaliths at Khapa, a dig at Takalghatt revealed dwelling remains of the Iron Age Megalithic culture for the first time, which precedes the Early historical period. The radiocarbon dates from this dig established that the remains predate known period of history. These cultural remains of the dwellings of the megalith builders partly filled the gap, known by the term 'Dark Age', which proved to be a misnomer. It is said to have intervened between the end of the Indus Civilization and the early historical period. The world soon began to note this work, so the Vidarbha region appeared on India's protohistoric map. After discovering several megalithic sites and their investigations, he could arrive at an inevitable conclusion on the way of life of the Megalith builders of Vidarbha. Deo commenced research on the Megalithic culture, and his disciple, Dr. P.S. Joshi, and I, the latter's disciple, continued his tradition of working in the same area and subject. Though my core area of specialization is on the Vākātakas, I am very excited about the Megalithic culture. Initially, I would like to work on the landscape of Megalithic tradition, but it could not shape.
I am very happy to write a foreword to this monograph authored by Dr. Prakash S. Joshi and Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare- Sarjare of the 'First Horseback Riders of Vidarbha'. The senior author Dr. Joshi, happens to be an old colleague since the time both of us worked together in the Department of A.I.H.C., & Archaeology of Nagpur University for more than a decade. In fact, both of us share very good memories of the excavations conducted by the University under the guidance of Prof. S.B. Deo, who was the head of the department then. I must congratulate both the authors for making a very painstaking survey of research done in Vidarbha for more than 150 years by both scholars and enthusiasts in their pioneering efforts to understand the Megalithic monuments, the stone circles, cairns along with menhirs, and sometimes even dolmens. Such megalithic monuments in the initial year of this research invoked curiosity because of the mystery that pervaded these monuments that were associated with the Druids in Europe.
In their first chapter, the authors have taken a survey of the research of megalithic cultures in South India, especially those in what we call Vidarbha of the present Maharashtra state. Chapter two is devoted rightly to describing and explaining the concepts associated with Megalithic monuments and the meaning that underwent changes in due course of time; this was also due to because of the difference in individuals who used the terms.
I am overwhelmed by going through the work on the Vidarbha Megaliths of my erstwhile colleague Dr. P.S. Joshi jointly with Dr. Kanchana Bhaisare-Sarjare. It is now presented in a book form, nicely brought out for which these scholars have meticulously worked with very well-studied content, and produced attractive line drawings and photographs.
I and Dr. Joshi excavated some megalith circles at Raipur (Hingne, near Nagpur). Everything right from arranging food and stay, to mustering workers, were taken care of very skillfully by Dr. Joshi.
It reminds me of the bye-gone days when we particularly participated in various excavations of the megalithic sites containing circles, cairns, dolmens, sarcophagus, etc. In some megalithic burials, especially at Mahurjhari, we have come across horse skeletons along with precious accessories like horse ornaments, Vidarbha is very rich in megalithic culture. Both of us were fortunate to work under the guidance of our Guru Dr. S.B. Deo who allowed us to participate in about half- a-dozen megalithic sites spread over three districts of Vidarbha. Dr. Joshi was a favourite assistant of Dr. S.B. Deo because of his disciplined work, accurate drawings, and punctuality.
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