AHHICHATHRAGADH (The Legacy)

Compiled by: Ar. Jitendra Sharma

 

From archaeological point of view is crown of the district of Bareilly. The extensive remains of Ahichhatra,the capital town of Northern Panchala have been discovered near Ramnagar Village of Aonla Tehsil in the district. It was during the first excavations at Ahichhatra (1940-44)that the painted grey ware,associated with the advent of the Aryans in Ganga Yamuna Valley ,was recognised for the first time in the earliest levels of the site. Nearly five thousands coins belonging to periods earlier than that of Guptas has been yielded from Ahichhatra. It has also been one of the richest sites in India from the point of view of the total yield of terrocotas. Some of the masterpieces of Indian terrocotta arts are from Ahichhatra.

In fact the classification made of the terrocotta human figurines from Ahichhatra, on grounds of style and to some extent stratigraphy of the subsequent excavations at other sites in the Ganga Valley. On the basis of the existing material the archaeology of the region helps us to get an idea of the cultural sequence from the beginning of the 2nd millenium BC upto 11th CAD. Some ancient mounds in the district have also been discovered by the Deptt. of Ancient Historyand culture,Rohilkhand University,at Tilhar-Khera(Fatehganj West),Panchaumi,Rahtuia,Kadarganj and Sainthal.

In the 6th cent.BC the Panchala was among one of the sixteen mehajanapadas of India. The experiment is non-monarchical form of Government in Panchala was soon engulfed in the growing Magadhen imperialism -first under the Nandas and then under the Mauryas. The fall of the Mauryas empire saw the emergence of numerous small and independent states in the whole Ganga Valley.It saw a remarkable revival in the fortunes of Panchala which once again came to occupy a very significant position in the history of north India. Panchala emerges at this time as one of the strongest powers in India. About 25 kings who have ruled during this period have left behind thousands of coins.During the period between the fall of the Mauryas and the rise of the Guptas, the Panchalas had two phases of power - first the pre Kushana phase i.e. from C-150 BC to AD 125 and secondly a short period of fifty years after the fall of the Kushanas, which ended in CAD 350 when Panchala was assimilated in the Guptas empire by Samudragupta.
Under the Guptas Ahichhatra was one of the provinces into which the Guptas empire was divided. The material evidence during the Gupta period at Ahichhatra does not give the impression that it was a large and prosperous centre like the preceding phase. The monuments under the Guptas are mainly religious indicating the Ahichhatra had then become mainly a religious centre.

The amalgamation of several religious and popular beliefs may be observed through out the history of Panchala in ancient India. In addition to being associated with activities of pravahana, Jaivali, Gargayayana,Uddalaka etc. responsible for giving a distinctive touch to later vedic thought, the religion was also a prominent centre of popular beliefs such as the cult of Nagas,Yakas and Vetalas. The Jain tirthamkara Parshvanth is said to have attained Kaivalya at ahichhatra. The city as also influenced by Buddha and his followers. The remains of Buddhist monastries at Ahichhatra are quite extensive.
The echoes of the Bhagavates and the Saivas at Ahichhatra can still be seen in towering monuments of a masssive temples,

which is the most imposing structure of the site. Ahhichatragadh, a mud fort dating back to 4th centuary B.C. is 40 km. run from Bareilly. A Heritage site, on which whole Rohilkhand region can boast of. Ahhichatragadh, as described by HuanTsang in his memories was a big and prosperous fortified Town & having lots of Buddhist Monasteries & Hindu temples.Most of the parts of it are still to be unearthed,as whole fort was over the period of time collapsed and buried under mud.During British period the excavation works started and few of the structures were found in dilapidated state. Now, A.S.I. is carrying out some restoration works to check further damages.

The excavations,sometimes can remind you the Mohanjodra and Harrapa civiizations. Beautiful Bricks Structures in mud mortar, water tanks ,wells,cesspools etc. Can tell the story of a beautiful city of more than two thousand years.
When you enter the Ramnagar Town you will see the unusual mound formations like the hill terrain and when you reaches there you will find ancient bricks lied everywhere.People are farming over the historic city underneath.Ramnagar is also a Jain Pilgrimage site as many ancient Jain temples are there. Tourism is going to be a major industry have in future.