Part 10 - Cultural periods of Vārāṇasī

The earliest period starts from the 8^th century BCE that has been termed as sub period IA. There is a fair unanimity among scholars that human occupation of the site started around this time. With an agricultural economy it was typically rural settlement.^[1] The excavated area under this period is fairly small and settlement pattern was sporadic. No structural remains are found. Probably use of perishable items in house building left no traces to be recovered. It seems that wattle and daub was the standard house pattern. Main ceramic tradition consisted of plain and painted variety of BSW, BRW and RW. Material remains reflect a combination of technological and everyday need oriented objects. They used iron equipments, bone tools, earthen utensils, wheels, balls, ear ornaments. Most importantly evidence of rice cultivation was found from this period.^[2] So right from the earliest time a living condition was present here. Sub period IB is roughly the NBPW period. At Vārāṇasī it lasted between 600-400 BCE. Taking a lead from Narain and Roy, Jayaswal fixed the earliest and latest dates at 6^th- 5^th centuries to 4^th- 3^rd centuries BCE. Considering the general time bracket of NBPW in the Gaṅgā valley she thinks the date may be pushed back to 8^th- 7^th centuries BCE.

Among the important finds a large number of utility items like variety of bowls, weight and pestle are reported. Pottery discs, beads continued as before. Clay modelling was a new feature of this period and elephant, bull and human head grey and red colour were found. Dominance of NBPW and presence of vibrant hues and shades of shining black, golden or grey amply reflect the deluxe nature of the pottery which became a variable of urbanisation in the Gaṅgā valley. Other wares of the earlier times like BSW or BRW continued as before. Structural activities started from this period though remains are very scarce implying habitats were made of perishable items which have been attested by a large wooden platform. Discovery of a wooden platform along the river is very important. Despite heavy decomposition its thickness and length up to34 metre along the banks of the Gaṅgā can be seen. It hints to an effort of making a flood protective device because of the closeness to the river. Perhaps due to rise in the water level of the Gaṅgā later the platform did not serve its purpose. So it was further reinforced with durable materials and was made into a strong embankment. Period IC was also dominated by NBPW ceramics though in a much coarse look almost in the form of BSW or BRW.

Among the utility items different types of karahi, handi and bowls were discovered. Compared to the earlier times structural remains are greater in this phase. Mud wall, floor and ring wells also made their appearance. Structure 212 is a thick floor of burnt clay with two post holes. A clear indication of mud wall with regular mud layers can be seen. Copper cast coins and figurative forms can be taken as a marker of advent of urbanization. Two radio carbon dates are available from this phase. One sample reads 490-110 BCE while the other was from 470-100 BCE. Ignoring the difference of 20 years the upper limit of the IB phase is a century younger than the proposed date of NBPW phase as 600 BCE. So at Vārāṇasī the upper limit of the NBPW phase may be fixed between 6^th- 5^th centuries BCE. Examining the deposit a time frame of 8^th to 3^rd or even 2^nd centuries BCE can be given to the whole period I.

Within the time span of 6^th to 2^nd centuries BCE there was a general increase of the area under settlement, possibly because of a population growth. In the early phase no such house remains could be seen. Post holes, plaster with reed impression suggests that there were wooden houses plastered with mud. Floors in most cases were made of burnt clay. The wattle and thatch proved to be useful during the rains as the area faced a substantive rainfall. As a whole the structure was very light. That’s why even in quite late date people stayed in mud huts having mud walls and floors of rammed earth and potsherds. Same features may also be found from contemporary Sonepur or Chirand. So, the housing tradition at Vārāṇasī belongs to that of the middle Gaṅgā plains in general.

Period II lasting from 300- 200 BCE to the beginning of the Christian era the post-NBPW era saw spectacular changes in building activities. Conforming to other sites of the middle Gaṅgā plain at Vārāṇasī too extensive use of kiln burnt bricks could be noticed. Use of mud bricks was on the fall. Houses were simple, utilitarian and had at least two rooms. Houses built on mud platforms and thick foundation became common in this phase. There was a general expansion of the settlement. Large number of seals and sealings, copper cast coins, all point to an advanced economy. Beads of semi precious to precious stones, Brahmi script, figurative forms all are associated and important variables of urbanisation at Vārāṇasī.^[3] all these phenomena implies beginning of urbanisation at Vārāṇasī.

With the beginning of the Christian era Vārāṇasī entered its most prosperous period. Till the 3^rd century CE there was a further expansion of settlement. Burnt bricks of relatively smaller size were hugely used. Distinct urban traits like house complexes with both big and small rooms, with the facility of sanitation, water source and concrete structures were identified from this phase. Total ceramic collection had a variety in form. A modified surface treatment and firing changed the RW potteries. Large number of seals and sealings, coins and even die struck coins belonging to Ayodhya or Kauśāmbī series reflect a trade based economy aided by agriculture and hunting. This has been proved by the discovery of wild (Barasinga and Chital) and domestic (dog, pig, goat and cattle) animal bones.

Period IV spanned from 300- 700 CE, which is actually the Gupta period confirmed by the discovery of a large number of Gupta seals and gold coins of Candragupta, Kumaragupta and Skandagupta.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A.K. Narain and T. N. Roy, Excavations at Rajghat, Part I, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 1976, p.22.

[2]:

Vidula Jayaswal, op.cit. p.7.

[3]:

Vidula Jayaswal, op.cit. p.9.