Vadnagar: India’s Oldest Living City

• 16 Jan 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

A joint study by the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found evidence of cultural continuity in Vadnagar, Gujarat, even after the Harappan collapse.

• The study challenges the notion of a "Dark Age" by providing evidence of cultural continuity in Vadnagar even after the collapse of the Harappan civilization.

What are the Key Highlights of the Excavation at Vadnagar?

• Age of Settlement:
  • The study reveals evidence of a human settlement in Vadnagar dating back to as old as 800 BCE.
  • This places the settlement in the late-Vedic/pre-Buddhist Mahajanapadas or oligarchic republics period.
• Climate Influence: 
  • The rise and fall of different kingdoms over a 3,000-year period, as well as recurrent invasions by Central Asian warriors, are suggested to be driven by severe changes in climate, such as variations in rainfall or droughts.
• Multicultural and Multireligious Settlement:
  • Vadnagar is described as a multicultural and multireligious settlement that included Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and Islamic influences.
  • The excavation uncovered seven cultural stages (periods), including Mauryan, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, Hindu-Solankis, Sultanate-Mughal, and Gaekwad-British colonial rule, up to the present day.
• Archaeological Artifacts:
  • Various archaeological artifacts were discovered during the excavation, including pottery, copper, gold, silver, and iron objects.
  • The findings also include intricately designed bangles and coin molds from the Indo-Greek rule.
• Buddhist Monastery:
  • One of the significant discoveries is the presence of one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Vadnagar, adding to the historical and cultural richness of the settlement.
• Radiocarbon Dates:
  • Unpublished radiocarbon dates suggest that the settlement could be as old as 1400 BCE, which challenges the notion of a Dark Age.
    • The "Dark Age" refers to the period between the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization and the emergence of the Iron Age and cities like Gandhar, Koshal, and Avanti in Indian history.
  • If true, it implies cultural continuity in India for the last 5500 years.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
• Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.