An Inscribed Terracotta Dabber from Raja Karna ka Qila ...
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An Inscribed Terracotta Dabber from Raja Karna ka Qila, District Kurukshetra, Haryana
Vinay Kumar1 1. Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Kurukshetra
University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India (Email: [email protected])
Received: 28 August 2014; Accepted: 05 October 2014; Revised: 14 November 2014 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 2 (2014): 862‐864
Abstract: The dabber is an important tool used by potters for pottery making since very early times. The present paper is based on an inscribed terracotta dabber, which was found during explorations at the site of Raja karna ka qila. The dabber can be datable to the Kushana period based on its typology and the inscribed record. The inscription on the dabber reads as “Indrasya”.
Keywords: Dabber, Indrasya, Raja Karna ka Qila, Kushana, Sanctity, Mauryans, Brahmi
Introduction A dabber is a tool used by a potter for pottery making. They are used to give the clay pitcher a round shape. These dabbers are either hand‐made or wheel‐turned or both and is usually made of well‐lavigated clay. It has been observed that some of the dabbers have a perforation on top of the handle. The colour is either grayish or reddish depending upon the firing conditions. The profile is generally concave, tapering or vertical and the base is invariably convex; which is necessary to retain the convexity of the finished vessels. The other varieties of dabbers found from archaeological record are short, stumpy and conical ones. The dabbers are found in use since the Harappan times and continued in use even today in the Indian sub‐continent. Many of the traditional potters still use the dabbers as it is convenient to give the desired shape for the pottery vessels.
Raja Karna ka Qila Kurukshetra is one of the 21 districts of Haryana state. As per tradition, it was the location where the great battle was fought between the Kauravas and Pandavas mentioned in the Mahabharata. The region is considered to be a a symbol of sanctity and holiness, and has large number of thirthas, a few significant of them being Thanesar (Thaneshvara), Kaithal (Kapisthela), Pundri (Pundrika), Pehowa (Prithudaka), etc. Apart from its religious sanctity it is quite rich in archaeological remains. There are many important excavated archaeological sites such as Bhagwanpura, Jognakhera, Kasithal, Daulatpura, Theh Polar, Mirzapur, Thanesar and Raja Karna ka Qila.
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The ancient site of Raja Karna ka Qila (290 58ʹ N; 760 55ʹ E) (Fig. 1) is located at a distance of about 4km, south‐west of Kurukshetra. Ancient sites such as Thanesar, Jognakhera, Mirzapur, Agroha, Nacharkhera and Hanshi are located at a distance of about 4 km, 7km, 2km, 152km, 90km and 140km, respectively from Raja Karna ka Aila. The mound rises to a height of nearly 9 to 12 m from the surrounding plains. The site was first excavated by U.V. Singh and Suraj Bhan of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Kurukshetra University (IAR 1970‐71:15‐16). Three periods of occupation were noticed, namely Period I (400 BC–AD 100) represented by PGW, NBP/Red Ware and Coarse Grey Ware pottery; Period II (100 BC‐3rd century AD) by Red Polished Ware; Period III (late medieval period) by lakhauri bricks and Glazed Wares (Kesarwani 1991:2). The important finds of the site include three clay sealings with a Brahmi Legend datable to the 1st ‐ 2nd century AD. (IAR 1970‐71:15‐16) At present this site is under protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Figure 1: General View of the Site of Raja Karna ka Qila, Kurukshetra
Terracotta Dabber During the explorations carried out at the site (Raja Karna ka Qila) by the author, an inscribed terracotta dabber was found (Figs. 2a and 2b). The dabber can be datable to the Kushana period based on stylistic grounds and the inscribed record. The dabber measures 17.78 cm in length and 20.32 cm in diameter. It is made up of well‐lavigated clay. The surface colour of the dabber is red and it is in a good state of preservation with only the top portion being slightly broken. The top portion of the dabber has a perforation at its centre. The extant face of the dabber was engraved when it was in a leather hard condition in Kushana characters. It is a small inscription, probably recording the name of the owner of the dabber. These types of dabber were found at various sites during explorations and excavation at sites such as Thanesar, Agroha, Suge etc. Noteworthy that inscribed terracotta dabber were found at few sites such as Thanesar.
ISSN 2347 – 5463 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 2: 2014
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2a 2b Figures 2a and 2b: Inscribed Terracotta Dabber from Raja Karna ka Qila
The short inscription consists of three Brahmi letters of Kushana period. The short inscription reads as ʹIndrasyaʹ which means ‘belonging to Indra’. The name Indra may represent the name of the owner of the dabber. It is also pertinent to mention here that similar names are still used for a typical potter’s community. It is also to be noted that similar class of potters with the typical name is found mentioned in the local literature among several other names of potters.
Discussion and Conclusion The different classes in ancient India were developed on the basis of democracy that had gradually formed its own constitution. The detailed reference about the organization of these classes comes from Buddhist literature. These classes also elected chiefs or a governing body such as sethi, jyeshthak, shreshthi or shreshthiya that regulated their conduct and oversaw the day to day affairs of the community. Arthasastra of Kautilya also informs about the different classes of architects and traderʹs organizations in detail which played an important role towards contributing to the state’s treasury (Gupta 2002:17).
Acknowledgement I would like to express my deep sense of indebtedness to Prof. Arun Kesarwani and Dr. S. P. Shakula (Retired Professor) of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra for their guidance, constant encouragement and valuable suggestions. I am also grateful to Dr. K. K. Thaplial and Dr .V. N. Prabhakar for their help during the study.
References Gupta, D. K. 2002. Trade in Ancient India. Agam Kala Prakashan. New Delhi. IAR. Indian Archaeology‐A Review: 1970‐71. Archaeological Survey of India. New Delhi. Kesarwani, Arun. 1991. Archaeological Activities of the Kurukshetra University‐Haryana.
Indian National trust for art and culture Heritage. New Delhi. Rangacharya, Adya. 2003. Natyashastra. Akshara Prakashana. Shimoga.