Archaeological sites in Burdwan (Asansol and Durgapur Sub-divisions)

The western and central western parts, Asansol and Durgapur sub-divisions, of this district are included in this zone. These particular regions with their unique geomorphological variants have fostered to acquire a regional persona particularly during the early medieval period. Historically, it usually serves as the base of minor political elites. On one hand, the rolling track of the eastern extension of the Chhotanagpur plateau (situated at the Bihar-Bengal border) and on the other, the interfluves of the Damodar-Ajay basin extending further eastwards into the fertile plain of the lower Gangetic valley are its basic geographic features per se. Interestingly, except on the east, this region is bounded by rivers on all the three sides: on the west and south flow the rivers Barakar and Damodar whereas the river Ajay and its tributaries mark the boundary on the north and the north-east. A low-lying strip of the plain, intervened by several courses of the rolling uplands mainly breaks the monotony of the landscape. This region is also endowed with diverse types of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits and forest products. This landscape harbours a sizeable population of varying ethnicity including tribal groups, semi-tribal sub-castes and hierarchical caste groups. In the archaeological context this area of the district is very important. Antiquities from the prehistoric times to medieval period have been reported from this district.

However, only nine Jain sites have so far been reported from this zone.

112. Punchra/Pachhra:

This a large village situated about 1km northwest of Kelejora in the Barabani block of Asansol sub-division, District Burdwan, West Bengal. The archaeological potentiality of the site was first brought to public notice by a daily newspaper report and later on a comprehensive work on the archeological relics of the said village was done by C. Gupta (2002: 83-100). She highlights the geo-political scenario of the region during the post-Gupta or early medieval period. She also describes the sculptural remains from the site along with other archaeological assemblages. Recently Sharmi Chakraborty (2010: 65-82) makes a brief report of the present site and wrongly identifies some images. However, the present site needs further investigation to study its Jain association. Our survey at the site resulted in the documentation of a considerable number of Jain sculptural specimens now kept in five different localities of the village and on the outskirts as well as some architectural ruins (Pl.V.A).

113. Barakar:

The site is located on the bank of the river Barakar and includes the localities of Begunia, Lona, Manberia and several small nearby coal mining areas within its sphere. To its west is located the hilly ranges of Panchet and Maithan. The archaeological significance of the site is attested by the presence of the Siddesvara Temple complex at Begunia. Among the temples located here, one bears two inscriptions of 11½ lines and 21 lines respectively. It is to be mentioned that a recent survey at the site has brought to light several sculptural specimens associated with Śaiva and Sākta ideologies. However, the present survey documented a highly abraded image of Ambikā, Yakṣī of Tīrthaṅkara Neminātha from the vicinity of the temple premises, close to the bank of a small pond.

114. Domahania/Domani:

It is a large and ancient settlement near Asansol. The modern habitation lies on the older one as indicated by the stray occurrences of earlier habitational debris found inside the locality. Recent survey has resulted in the documentation of a medieval/pre-modern brick temple. About 1.5 kms away from this village, a low mound on the bank of the pond Chandana yielded evidence of an abandoned temple structure (Pl.V.B) and a highly abraded seated image of a Jain Tīrthaṅkara. A metal Jaina Tīrthaṅkara image was discovered from the village and the image is presently displayed in the Burdwan University Museum (Chattopadhyay & Jana 2001: 36).

115. Churulia:

The site is situated on the left bank of the river Ajay and about 14 kms north-west of Asansol city. Archaeological evidences at the site are represented by some architectural members. Among them, one depicts the Jain Tīrthaṅkara Pārśvanātha, now preserved in the Collection of Nazrul Academy of Churulia.