Asian History features of Uttarakhand Cities in the Period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6th and 7th century)

History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 85

          (Asian Classical Age History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand))

                          (Asian History (600-750 AD)

                                                       By: Bhishma Kukreti

                  Asian History features of Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century)

      The archeological excavations, inscriptions of Harsha and after Harsha period put light on the cities of Uttarakhand of sixth and seventh century. 

                                           Srughana in 6^th-7^th Century

                  Srughana started declining its glory from Harshavardhana period. The main reason was declining export to western countries including Roma, Europe.  The capital Sthaneshwar or Thaneshwar of Harshavardhana family also was one of the factors of declining of Srughana glory. The Shak and Pahlavi looting soldiers also looted Srughana wealth after the death of Amoghbhuti. Srughana got wealth in Kushan period due to commercial activities. Hun looted that wealth too.

                               Kalsi in 6^th-7^th Century

                      Chinese traveler Huien-Tsang stayed in Kalsi. He saw Stupas and other Buddhist monuments in Kalsi.  However, he did not mention rock inscriptions of Kalsi. That means by his arrival, Kalsi also lost its glory.

                           Lakhamandal in 6^th-7^th Century

           Lakhamandal was a pilgrim place and also the head quarter of region. That is why Lakhamandal was still important city of Uttarakhand in 6th and 7^th century.

   Archeologists found the remains of temple in Lakhamandal of fifth -sixth century. Flat roofed miniatures are exclusive miniatures.

               Mordhwaja in 6^th-7^th Century

  Mordhwaja (Bijnor) city was on the road from Srughana to Govishan and the southern city of Brahampura kingdom.  The city was very important for education, preaching, commercial and other purposes. A unknown king built a strong fort here in sixth to eighth century. The city was dominated by Buddhist.

                             Virbhadra (Rishikesh, Haridwar) City in 6^th-7^th Century

                        The archeological excavations of Virbhadra, (Rishikesh, district Haridwar) show that there was city from first century to eighth or ninth century. There are three phases’ buildings or temples –

 Early Cultural phase- The early phase of first century to 3^rd century AD represents mud brick walls.

 Middle Cultural Phase- The period is 4^th and 5^th century AD. The phase is marked by a floor of brick bats and Saiviat temple.

Last phase- The period is from 7^th to 8^th century AD. The phase is marked by residential structures of burn brick bats.

            The Virbhadra structures put light on urbanization  

                        Kashipur (Udham Singh Nagar district)  

                  

                        According to Cunningham, Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang describes about Kashipur as Kiu-pi-Shwang. The Kashipur remains suggest that the city persisted from early years of gray wall painting era to medieval days. The wall of Panhayatana complex is supposed to be laid around 6^th 7^th century AD. The phases of temple building process also suggest the growth of architecture science in the region.  Initially mud building process for houses and temples was common and later on brick burn building process was common.  

                                          Gangadwar or Haridwar City in 6^th-7^th Century

  

  The travelogue of Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang describes about Gangadwar, Kankhal, Mayurpur. That means Haridwar was famous pilgrimage place in 6^th and 7^th century.

                            

***Historical, Social, Cultural, economical, Administration Aspects in Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava to be continued in part 86  

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 29/06/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -86

      

References:

1-Jayswal, K.P., Andhkaryugin Bharat

2-Shiv Prasad Dabra, ‘Charan’, 1968, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Bhag –1 and 3

3-Rahul Sankrityayan , Garhwal

4-Dinesh Saklani, 1998, Ancient Communities of the Himalayas

7-Arun Kumar Mishra, 1992, The Trading Communities in Ancient India:

8- Indian Archeology Review, 1968-69

12-Thapliyal, K.K, 1984, Inscriptions of Maukharis, Late Guptas, Pushyabhutis and Yashovarman of Kanauj

13-Uma Prasad Thapliyal, 2005, Uttaranchal: Historical and Cultural Prospective (Page 29, about Authority of Maukharis on Uttarakhand and Haridwar) 

14-.Tripathi, R.S., History of Kanauj

15-Encyclopedia of Ancient Indian Geography Kashi-Z, Volume-2; Edited by Subodh Kapoor, 2002, page 459-460

16-Prem Hari Har Lal, 1993, Doon Valley down the Ages, page 33

17-Kamboj, B.P., 2003, Early Wall Painting of Garhwal, page 20

18- Archeological Survey 1968-69 A Review, page-51

19-Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy, 1974 page -9

20-Kiran Kumar Thapliyal, Studies in Ancient Seals, 1972,

21-Tara Chand Tripathi, Preceding of Indian History Congress, 1982, Identification of Beahmpur in the Light of Taleshwar copper Grant

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Notes on Asian History features of Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^thcentury); Asian History features of Dwarhat, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Champawat, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Almora, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Nainital, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^thand 7^th century); Asian History features of Haridwar, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Bahbhar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Chamoli, Garhwal, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Rudraprayag, Garhwal, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Uttarkashi, Garhwal, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^thand 7^th century); Asian History features of Dehradun, Garhwal, Uttarakhand Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century); Asian History features of Saharanpur  Cities in the period of Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava (6^th and 7^th century)