Heritage of Rajasthan: Monuments and Archaeological Sites

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Rajasthan has a long and glorious past. Events of history are evidenced in the form of ancient monuments and archaeological sites spread through the length and breadth of the entire state.

The present volume - an outcome of field studies carried out for several years by the author and his team of expert associates-is a comprehensive and composite study of monuments and archaeological sites of Rajasthan. The information, not limited to any particular type or period, covers a variety of monuments including massive forts, temples, tombs, inscriptions, palaces, havelies, step-wells, pillars, mosques, caves, tanks, etc.

This book also contains fresh data on the archaeological sites dating back to the Bronze Age. Among these special mention may be made of Ojiyana, an Ahar culture site located in the Aravalli mountains. Results of the excavations carried out by the author has thrown fresh light on the protohistoric archaeology of Rajasthan.

The book contains two parts. Part I deals with centrally protected monuments and sites and Part II contains monuments protected by the State Government, monuments with erstwhile rulers, monuments under trusts and in private ownership. It is indeed an appreciable attempt to provide authentic information on such diverse monuments and sites of Rajasthan in a single volume.

Written lucidly, this strikingly illustrated volume is valuable for researchers, scholars, students, general interest readers and tourists alike.

B. R. Meena was born on 5th June 1949 at Udaipurwati, District Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan). He took his Master’s degree in History from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur in 1974. He was appointed lecturer of History in Maharani Sri Jaya College, Bharatpur and subsequently joined the Archaeological Survey of India in 1976.

Shri Meena has participated in archaeological excavations at Mathura; Sringaverpur and Bhardwaj-Ashram, District Allahabad (U.P.); Pariar, District Unnao; Hulas, District Saharanpur; Ayodhya, District Faizabad and Ramapuram, District Kurnool (A.P.). He has carried out conservation of ancient monuments of national importance in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Being son of the soil, he is greatly fascinated with the panoramic cultural assemblage of Rajasthan. He has conducted excavations at early historical site Lachhura and an Ahar culture site Ojiyana in district Bhilwara (Rajasthan). The excavation carried out by him at Ojiyana, during 2001-01, has unearthed outstanding findings/antiquities which has brought to light some of the unknown aspects of Indian history.

Shri Meena is an archaeologist, conservator and museologist of repute. He has served as Superintending Archaeologist in different Circle. Presently, he is working as Superintending Archaeologist, Building Survey Project at New Delhi.

Foreword

Rajasthan has a long and glorious past. Events of history are evidenced in the form of ancient monuments and archaeological sites spread through the length and breadth of the entire state. I am delighted to write this foreword to Heritage of Rajasthan (Monuments and Archaeological Sites) by Shri B.R. Meena. Rajasthan has been my area of activities and I have visited most of these monuments and have studied rich cultural heritage of this part of the country during the past fifty years.

Sri B.R. Meena has put together valuable information in this book. As the head of the Jaipur Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India, he visited these monuments and sites and carried out in depth study. His practical knowledge is reflected in the information presented in this monograph.

Information of the cultural heritage, compiled inn two parts, is the outcome of field studies carried out for several years by the author and his team of expert associates. The information, not limited to any particular type or period, covers a variety of monuments including massive forts, temples, tombs, inscriptions, palaces, havelies, step-wells, pillars, mosques, caves, tanks, etc.

This book also contains fresh data on the archaeological sites dating back to the Bronze Age. Among these, special mention may be made of Ojiyana, an Ahar culture site located in the Aravalli mountains. This site discovered by me several decades back was excavated by Shri B. R. Meena in association with his colleague, Dr. Alok Tripathi. Result of the excavation carried out by Shri Meena at Ojiyana has thrown fresh light on the protohistoric archaeology of Rajasthan. First hand information about this site given in the book enhances the importance of this publication.

The monuments discussed in this book include - protected monuments of national importance monuments protected by the State Government, monuments with erstwhile rulers, monuments under trusts and in private ownership. It is an appreciable attempt to provide authentic information on such diverse monuments and sites of Rajasthan in a single volume.

All this data in simple language makes this volume useful for researchers, scholars, students and tourists alike. Author Sri B.R. Meena deserves sincere appreciation for his comprehensive and composite study of ancient monuments and archaeological sites of Rajasthan and bringing out this rich heritage through this monograph for the benefit of every knowledge seekers.

Preface

This monograph is a result of my study of Rajasthan and its cultural wealth right from my student days. Being son of the soil, I have been greatly fascinated with the panoramic cultural assemblage of Rajasthan. After joining the Archaeological Survey of India, I got the opportunity to study this rich cultural heritage closely - the present book being the outcome.

Heritage can be divided into two logical divisions - national heritage and cultural heritage. In this book, we have taken the cultural aspect, particularly the monuments and archaeological sites of Rajasthan. This book contains two parts. Part I deals with the centrally protected monuments and sites of Rajasthan and Part II deals with the principal monuments and sites under state protection, i.e., Government of Rajasthan, unprotected sites and monuments looked after by trust, personal properties of ex-rulers and important private havelis and chhatris of Mandawa.

I frequently visited the monuments and sites of Rajasthan during my tenure of service in Archaeological Survey of India. In the preparation of this book, I was associated with my persons who have helped me in many ways. I express my hearty gratitude to Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India and former Director Generals - Prof. B.B. Lal, Shri M.N. Deshpande, Shri J.P. Joshi and ‘Shri M.C. Joshi. The first lesson of archaeology was taught to me by Shri M.C. Joshi during the excavation at Mathura. I am beholden to Shri K.N. Dikshit, former Joint Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, who not only inspired me but encouraged me too during the excavation at Hulas. I express my sincere thanks to Dr. R.S. Bisht and Prof. (Dr.) R.C. Agrawal, former Joint Director Generals of the ASI, who provided several opportunities in my career to work out my dreams. I am also grateful to my colleagues Dr. K.P. Poonacha and Shri A.K. Sinha, who have always inspired me. I am thankful to my elder brother Shri Man Singh Meena, Director (Export Promotion) for his constant valuable guidance and encouragement.

I am grateful to Shri R.C. Agrawala, former Director, State Archaeology, Government of Rajasthan and Prof. R.C. Mishra, Rajasthan University for providing valuable suggestions and guidance to complete the book. I am thankful to Shri Alok Tripathi, the then Deputy Superintending Archaeologist and Shri Sant Lal, Deputy Superintending Archaeological Engineer for their valued co-operation. I am also grateful to Dr. M.L. Sharma, Head, Deptt. of History Government P.G Collage, Kotputli; Shri M.L. Meena, Lecturer in History, Government P.G. College, Neem ka Thana; Shri Rajendra Yadav, Assistant Archaeologist and Smt Ujval Handu who helped me in many ways - general discussions, finalization of text, checking the plans and photographs etc. I am thankful to Shri Fakir Chand, ASA, B.R. Singh and Kanwar Singh, Assistant Archaeoloists, S.K. Apharya, B.B. Dubey, S.C. Gupta, R.P. Mathur, K.L. Saini, Ms. Nalini Sharma and P.C. Bohra of Jaipur Circle and also the staff of Building Survey Project, New Delhi, who have assisted me in various ways from time to time.

I am grateful to Smt. Komal Anand, former Director General, ASI, New Delhi who kindly permitted me to utilize the material and information in the compilation of this book.

My grateful thanks are also due to my wife Mrs. Shushila Meena, sons Pankaj and Mukesh, daughters Anita and Madhu and sons-in-law Mahinder and Rajesh. Without their love and support this work would not have been possible. Last but not the least, I express my thanks to Mr. Vikas Arya of Aryan Books International for bringing out the book in an excellent manner.