Delhi’s Purana Qila (Old Fort)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: New excavations at Delhi’s Purana Qila (Old Fort) have uncovered evidence of a pre-Mauryan era settlement.

Aim of the excavation: The ongoing excavation aims to establish a complete chronology of the site and provide further insights into the ancient city of Indraprastha. The site is considered significant as it may have been the location of Indraprastha mentioned in the Mahabharat.

The findings:

• The findings include pottery shards dating back to around 1200 BC to 600 BC, a 2,500-year-old ring well from the Mauryan era, and a four-room complex believed to be 2,300 years old.
• Nine cultural levels, representing different historical periods including the pre-Mauryan period
• The excavations have also revealed coins, seals, and other artefacts, indicating the site’s role as a trade centre.
• The stone image of Vaikuntha Vishnu, a terracotta plaque of Gaja Laxmi, a stone image of Ganesha, terracotta figurines of humans and animals, beads of various stones, a bone needle etc.

Previous excavation:

Earlier excavations have revealed a continuous existence of human habitation and activities spanning 2500 years. Excavation so far has revealed nine cultural levels, representing different historical periods, including Pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta,

About Purana Qila