Excavation at Kakarehta- Roopnarrhi (An Old & Rare Book)

About the Book The present Report constitutes a detailed account of archaeological excavations conducted by the Department of Ancient Indian History Culture & Archaeology, University of Jabalpur, Jabalpur (M. P.) at Kakrehta, a small village, about 72 kms. from Jabalpur, close to Rupnath, the site famous for its Minor Rock Edict of Ašoka. In fact Rupnath formed the suburb of the township of Kakrehta, the name and early history of which is shrouded in obscurity. The excavations were conducted for three seasons viz. 1983-84, 84-85 and 85-86.

The excavations have revealed that man emerged on the scene in the Mesolithic period at Kakrehta which was for them only a factory site. No settlement of the Mesolithic man has been traced at Kakrehta. The site seems to have been abandoned for considerable time and it was around 1100 B.C. that it was made a place of habitation by the people of Chalcolithic culture who in course of their migration seem to have reached Kakrehta and settled here. Sometime between the decline of the Chalcolithic culture of Period II and the rise of the NBP using people in Period IV, iron seems to have been introduced at Kakrehta in Period III. The age of the Mauryas and the Sungas constituted Period IV of Kakrehta. The Minor Rock Edict of Aśoka was engraved at Rupnath on the outskirt of the township of Kakrehta during this age. Remains of the post Sunga period constitute Period V of the site.

The antiquities unearthed form the excavations have thrown welcome light not only on the various aspects of the socio-economic and cultural life on the inhabitants of Kakrchta but also on the cultural migrations during the different periods of its history. The results of the excavations have added new dimensions to the ancient history, culture and archaeology of the Narmada valley.

About the Author Dr. R. K. Sharma

Dr. R. K. Sharma, Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Jabalpur has retired recently, It was under his directions that the present excavations were conducted during 1983-56.

Dr. Sharma's Contributions to the cause of archaeology are widely acclaimed. His publications include, Madhya Pradesh Ke Puritatta a Sandarbha Granth (Bhopal, 1974), The Temple of Chaunsatha Yogini at theraghat (Delhi, 1979) Art of the Paramaras of Malwa (Ed.) (Delhi, 1979), The Jalachuris and their Times (Delhi, 1979), Indian Archaeology New Perspectives (Ed.) (Delhi, 1982), Archaeology of Bhopal Region (Author) (Delhi, 1980), Rock-Art of India (Ed.) (Delhi, 1983), Vajapeya Essays on Evolution of Indian Art & Culture (Prof. K. D. Bajpai fel. Vol.) (Ed.) (Delhi, 1987) Studies in Shell Script (Ed.) (Delhi, 1990) Art of Kalachuris (Ed.) (Bhopal, 1991), and studies in Rajasekhara (Ed.) (Delhi, 1992).

Dr. S. N. Mishra

Dr. S. N. Mishra is an eminent lecturer in the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of Jabalpur University. He is an M.A. in AIHC & Archaeology from Ravi Shankar University, Raipur (1980). He did his Ph.D. from Bhopal University in 1988 and took a diploma in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi in 1982.

He is well grounded in Archaeological excavation technique and took part in excavations at Kamarpuram, Kurnool Dist (A.P.); Gilaulikhera, Dist. Morena (M. P.); Nandner, Dist. Sehore (M.P.); and Kotra, Dist Dewas (M.P.) Dr. Mishra Supervised the excavations at Kakrehta throught three seasons from 1983-86. Most of the site photography section drawings, sketchings and the draft report are his contributions to the present Report.

Dr. Mishra is the author of the book, Gupta Art and Architecture (Delhi, 1992) and Several research papers published in various research journals.

Foreword It gives me great pleasure in writing the Foreword of this book which con stitutes the Report of Archaeological Excavations conducted at the site of Kakrehta by the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of our University under the able directions of Dr. R.K. Sharma, the Head of the Depart ment. I understand that the mound on which the excavations were conducted is of far reaching importance as it constitutes the remains of a township which once upon a time flourished there and the history of which is now shrouded in obscurity. Interesting it is to note that the present excavations have traced the antiquity of this city as far back as Mosolithic times. The great emperor Ashoka had visited it and erected his Minor Rock Edict on the outskirt of the city at Rupnath.

I am glad to note that the excavations conducted at the site for three successive years have not only thrown fresh light on the ancient history and culture of this region but have provided clues to solve many knotty problems of the proto-history of our country. I must congratulate the staff of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of our University not only for successful com pletion of this excavation but also releasing the technical Report of it in a recorded time and getting it published in the interest of the scholarly world. I am sure, the clues provided by this excavation will be fruitfully utilised by the Department in conducting the excavations at Patan which the Government of India has permitted and which the Department has undertaken.

Preface Kakrehta is a small village situated on the rivulet Suhar, a tributary of Hiran in Sihora tahsil of Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, about 72 kms. from Jabalpur via Sihora and Bahoribund. Its importance as a great cultural centre cannot be overemphasised on account of its proximity to Rupnath- the site of Minor Rock Edict of Asoka which is only 1.5 kms. away. In fact Rupnath formed the suburb of the township of Kakrehta the original name and early history of which is shrouded in obscurity. The credit of locating this site goes to C.B. Trivedi, the then Technical Asst., and now retired Supdt. Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India. Find of pottery of Chalcolithic association, painted NBP, Punch-marked coins, beads and other antiquities from the site from time to time proved it to be a promising and hence an archaeological excavation of it was undertaken jointly by the Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology, Rani Durgavati University (formerly known as University of Jabalpur) and the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, M.P. Government, Bhopal.

The excavations were conducted for three successive seasons viz. 1983-84,84-85 and 85-86. However, the Report which constitutes the present volume is based entirely on the excavations conducted by R.D. University and the antiquities in its possession recovered from the trenches KRT III, IV, V and VI. This is on account of the fact that in spite of best efforts, we have failed to evoke serious desire on the part of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, M.P. to lend its share in finalising a comprehensive Report of the site. However, this is irrespective of the fact that, during the course of excavations, Shri K.K. Chakravarti, the then Com missioner of Archaeology and Shri V. K. Bajpai never failed to come to our aid whenever a request was made from our end. The undersigned is grateful to both of them on accoun of this. It is hoped that the Directorate of Archaeology will release an additional volume of the Report based on the excavated material in its possession.

The undersigned is grateful to Shri Kanti Chaudhury, the then Vice Chancellor of our University whose constant encouragement alone encouraged us to pursue this project for three successive seasons.

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