Painted Grey Ware Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Kaushambi

• Location: Kashambi district, Uttar Pradesh.
• Historical Significance: Capital of Vatsa, a Mahajanapada (ancient kingdom) from the 6th century B.C.
• Birthplace: The 6th Tirthankara, an important figure in Jainism, was born here.
• Archaeological Findings: Ashokan Pillars have been discovered in the area.
• Trade Hub: The site was a center of trade in ancient times.
• Chinese Pilgrimage: The Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang visited this region, indicating its historical importance.
• Ancient Settlements: Excavations reveal settlements dating back to the 2nd millennium B.C.
• Later Vedic Settlement: Findings such as PGW pottery and traces of iron suggest a later Vedic settlement.

Shravasti

• Centre of Buddhists and Jains: Shravasti was an important center for both Buddhist and Jain communities.
• Capital of Kosala Mahajanapada: During the 6th century BC, it served as the capital of the Kosala Mahajanapada, a prominent kingdom.
• Northern Trade Routes: The district was strategically located on northern trade routes, facilitating commerce.
• Archaeological Findings: Numerous ancient idols, inscriptions, stupas, and viharas (monasteries) have been discovered in the area, indicating its historical significance.
• Birthplace of Tirthankara Sambhavanath: In Jain tradition, Shravasti is believed to be the birthplace of Tirthankara Sambhavanath.
• Xuanzang's Accounts: The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, who visited India in the 7th century, found Shravasti in ruins during his travels.
• PGW and NBPW Sites: Shravasti is associated with Painted Grey Ware (PGW) and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) archaeological sites, indicating its historical depth.
• Structural Remains: At PGW levels, structural remains such as wattle-and-daub and mud huts have been found, suggesting the type of housing used during that period.
• Metallurgical Advances: The discovery of copper and iron objects, including arrowheads, an iron elephant god, and copper ornaments, indicates the metallurgical advancements of the people in ancient Shravasti.

Kampilya

• Location: Farukhabad district, Uttar Pradesh
• Historical Significance:. Capital of South Panchala Mahajanapada - Mentioned in ancient texts like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Panini's account - Sacred place for Jains
• Archaeological Findings:. Occupation from the PGW (Painted Grey Ware) phase onwards - Structural remains at PGW levels include wattle-and-daub and mud huts 

Ahichchhatra

• Location: Ahichchhatra is situated in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh.
• Historical Background: It was the capital of Northern Panchala during the Mahajanapada period.
• Excavations: Archaeological excavations at Ahichchhatra have revealed a brick fortification, indicating the presence of a fortified settlement.
• Housing Structures: The remains of houses made using wattle and daub techniques have been discovered, showcasing the construction methods of the time.
• Pottery: The site is known for the presence of Painted Gray Ware (PGW), which was first identified here in 1946. PGW is characterized by its intricate painted designs on gray pottery.
• Chronological Sequence: PGW was followed by the Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) period, indicating a continuation of settlement and cultural practices.
• Coins: Coins from the Panchala and Kushana periods have been found at the site, providing evidence of trade and economic activities.

Jakhera & Atranjikhera (Atranjikhera is slightly South East of Jakhera)

1st century BCE–2nd century CE: (Early Settlement):

• Habitation: Villages with mud houses supported by wooden posts, later transitioning to mud brick houses.
• Agriculture: Evidence of wheat, barley, and gram cultivation, with two crops per year. Agricultural tools made of iron first appeared in the NBPW phase.
• Tools: Bone and ivory tools such as arrowheads, beads, combs, and bangles were found.
• Horse Remains: Evidence of horses was discovered.
• Hastinapur: An ancient city on the right bank of the old Ganga river bed in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. It was the capital of the Kuru kingdom.
• Jaina Tradition: Hastinapur is believed to be the place where Rishabha, the first tirthankara, lived, and where Mahavira later visited.
• Pottery: Early pottery included wheel-turned red ware with designs of fish, leaves, flowers, swastikas, triratnas, loops, circles, and other geometric patterns.

2nd century BCE–3rd century CE: (Urbanisation):

• Habitation: Planned settlements with burnt brick houses and ring wells.
• Artefacts: Objects made of iron, copper, ivory, and terracotta figurines, as well as rings, beads, potsherds, seals, and coins from the Yaudheya and Kushana periods.
• Terracotta Figurines: Sculptures of humped bulls and the torso of the bodhisattva Maitreya were found.

Alamgirpur

• Location: Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. 
• Historical Significance: This site is the easternmost known Harappan site. 
• Early Harappan Level: There is no evidence of an early Harappan level at this site. 
• Late Harappan Period: During the late Harappan period, burnt bricks and copper objects were found. 
• PGW and Late Harappan: The PGW (Painted Grey Ware) period followed a late Harappan level at this site. 
• Occupation Break: There was a break in occupation between the late Harappan period and the PGW period. 

Bhagwanpura

• Late Harappan Phase: Indications of craft activity such as clay tablets and sherds featuring graffiti.
• Overlap: Evidence of overlap between the Late Harappan phase and the PGW (Painted Grey Ware) period.
• Houses:Discovery of round houses of three different types:
  • Huts
  • Houses made of mud bricks
  • Houses made of kiln bricks
• Notable Structure: Excavation of a house with 13 rooms, including a corridor and a courtyard.
• Artefacts: Findings include artefacts made of stone, bone, and terracotta.
• Iron Artefacts: No evidence of iron artefacts was found.
• Horse Evidence: Discovery of skeletal remains and a terracotta figurine of a horse.
• Ram Figurine:. terracotta figurine of a ram was also found.

Ropar

• Archaeological Periods: Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), Painted Grey Ware (PGW), and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW).
• Early Levels: No evidence of Early Harappan levels found.
• Transition: Shift from village to town between circa 600–200 BCE.
• Artifacts: Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW), punch-marked coins, and copper coins discovered.
• Inscriptions:. seal with an inscription in Brahmi script was found.
• Housing: Houses constructed from stone, mud-brick, and burnt brick.
• Workshops: Evidence of an iron workshop and agate bead production during the NBPW period.

Jodhpura

• Pottery: Handmade, Wheel-made, red in colour, with incised designs.
• Shapes: Dish-on-stand.

Three cultural phases:Period I:

• Hunting-gathering
• Microliths

Period II:

• Beginning of metallurgy (copper)
• Circular huts
• Microliths
• Animal bones

Period III:

• Many copper objects found: evidence of copper working centre
• Lesser number of microliths and animal bones
• Contact with Harappan sites: similar potteries, copper objects found

Noh

• OCP, BRW, and then PGW: Archaeological layers indicating different periods.
• Iron found at pre-PGW BRW levels: Evidence of iron usage before the PGW period.
• PGW with painted bird at the rim: Distinctive pottery from the PGW period.
• Sunga and Kushana settlement found: Evidence of settlements during the Sunga and Kushana periods.
• Iron artefacts: Tools such as spearheads, arrowheads, and axes discovered.
• Remains of rice found: Evidence of rice cultivation or consumption.
• Gambling as a pastime: Suggested by the discovery of gaming pieces.

Chak-86

• Archaeologists have excavated five circular huts made of wattle and daub.
• Various artifacts were found, including beads made of terracotta, carnelian, and lapis lazuli, as well as glass and terracotta bangles, animal figurines, bone points, and shell items.
• Different types of pottery were discovered, such as Painted Grey Ware (PGW), Black ware, Red ware, and Bharuch Red Ware (BRW).
• A significant concentration of charred bones was also found at the site.

Mathura

• Mathura, located on the bank of the Yamuna in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, is a place of great historical and cultural significance.
• It was a centre of craft and trade, particularly known for its textiles.
• Mathura was a junction of trade routes, specifically the Uttarpatha and Dakshinapatha, which contributed to its prosperity.
• The region was also an important religious centre for Buddhism, Jainism, and early Hinduism.
• In the 6th century B.C., Mathura served as the capital city of the Shurasena and later became the second capital of the Kushana Empire.
• During the Kushana period, Mathura became famous for the Mathura School of Arts, which produced exquisite art under Kushana patronage.
• Archaeological findings such as Black and Red Ware (BRW), Paintend Grey Ware (PGW), and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) indicate the early urbanization and specialized crafts in the area, including terracotta figurines, copper and iron working, and bead making.
• Mythologically, Mathura is closely associated with Lord Krishna, adding to its cultural significance.
• The city was part of the Uttarapatha network, further enhancing its status as a major urban centre.

Bhawalpur

1. Location and Cultural Significance:

• Situated in Pakistan, on the southern bank of the Sutlej River within the Indus basin.
• This site represents the westernmost area of the PGW (Painted Grey Ware) culture.

2. Archaeological Findings:

• Discovery of pottery and some evidence of iron tools or artifacts.
• Indications of early rice cultivation at this location.