Ancient Varanasi (An Archeological Perspective)

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Varanasi is not only one of the oldest living cities of the world, but is also a model reflecting a comprehensive picture of our rich cultural heritage. The undisrupted occupation of Kashi region since ancient times till this date, played a vital role in the make up of modern Varanasi. The unique qualities of this settlement raise a number of questions, like, how old is Varanasi? What are the factors which helped this city to continue till today, particularly when other old cities on the banks of the Ganga died out? Also, why did Lord Buddha select peripheral region of Varanasi, Sarnath, for delivering his first sermon, particularly when he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya? It is on record that he was well conversant with Rajgriha, Pataliputra and other places of Bihar. And since when Saivism became an integral part of the Varanasi culture? All these questions are deeply rooted in the history of this holy city, which are attempted in this book on account of the archaeological findings.

Ancient remains of Varanasi which were unearthed at Kashi-Rajghat about four decades ago, could demonstrate that this holy city was inhabited around ninth century BC, and had attained status of a promising urban centre by third century BC. Sarnath, the place of the first sermon of Gautam Buddha, retains archaeological remains from the time of the Maurya king Asoka. But, excavations at Aktha reveal that this settlement had greater antiquity than has been obtained at Kashi-Rajghat. It also reveal the factors which helped make up of Sarnath as the first place for preaching the teachings by Lord Buddha. The first colonization of Kashi region, on account of the excavated findings could be pushed back to about four/five hundred years. This bridged the gap between the antiquity ascertained by ancient texts and earlier. archaeological records of Varanasi. Besides the Risipattana concept attached with Sarnath in the Buddhist literature is also corroborated by Aktha.

Professor of Archaeology and Ancient Indian History, Dr. (Ms.) Vidula Jayaswal is teaching, supervising and conducting research in Archaeology at the Banaras Hindu University for more than three decades. She has also served the Archaeological Survey of India for a short period (in the capacity of Deputy Superintending Archaeologist) which enhanced her knowledge and experience of major branches of archaeology including administration. Recipient of various scholarships and fellowships, she received specialized training in Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Berkeley.

Professor Jayaswal has not only carried out a number of archaeological and ethnological field studies, but has also been prompt in publishing the results. Author of a dozen books and research monographs, and more than sixty research articles, Professor Jayaswal is known for her original contribution in the studies of Indian prehistory, ethno- archaeology, ethno-art history and interpretation of archaeological remains of the historical period. Besides, she could also infuse scientific temper to the study of archaeology, through some major projects financed by the Ford Foundation and the Department of Science & Technology, of which she has been the principal investigator and coordinator.

Her important publications are The Palaeohistory of India, The Kushana Clay Art, From Quarry to Sculpturing Workshop: A Report on Archaeological Investigations around Chunar & Varanasi-Sarnath, Royal Temples of Gupta Period, Paisra: The Stone Age Settlement of Bihar, An Ethno- archaeological View of Indian Terracottas (the last two in joint authorship). Dr. Jayaswal has also written a series of three text books in Hindi, on prehistory of India, which is widely used, both by the students and teachers in the Hindi belt. Professor Jayaswal has delivered a number of special and Memorial lectures, noteworthy among these is the series of three lectures, which she delivered in the memory of her grandfather Dr. Kashi Prasad Jayaswal, at the K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute at Patna. This series has been published under the title of Stone Age Hunter-gatherers & their Technologies.

Varanasi is not only one of the oldest living cities of the world, but is also a model reflecting a comprehensive picture of our rich cultural heritage. As has been described by P.V. Kane - "There is hardly any city in the world that can claim greater antiquity, greater popular veneration than Banaras." "No city in India arouses the religious emotions of Hindus as much as Kasi does. To the Hindu mind it represents great and unbroken traditions of religious sanctity and learning." "Not only Hinduism..., but the principles of Budhhism, one of the great religions of the world, were first proclaimed here." (Kane, P.V. 1973: 618). These lines of Kane, very well convey the reputation earned by Varanasi. Besides being a great centre for the development of religious ideologies, it also is known to contribute immensely to the handicrafts, silk weaving being one of its illustrative achievements. Needless to mention, that the multiple growth of this city helped development of trade and commerce on one hand and institution of education and performing arts on the other. The mechanism of outflow of culture traits from Varanasi and induction of ideas and technologies was of mutual benefit to both the neighbourhood and the nucleus centre. The unique qualities of this settlement raise a number of questions. For instance, how old is Varanasi? What were the historical stages of the growth of this settlement? What are the factors which helped this city to continue till today, particularly when other old cities on the banks of Ganga died out? Such specific questions are also important that, why did Lord Buddha select the peripheral region of Varanasi - Sarnath, for delivering his first sermon, particularly when he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya? It is on record that he was well conversant with Rajgriha, Pataliputra and many places of North Bihar. And since when Shaivism became an integral part of the Varanasi culture? All these questions are deeply rooted in the history of this holy city.

The undisrupted occupation of Kashi region since ancient times till this date, playec vital role in the make up of modern Varanasi. Glimpses of its past come through the description of ancient texts and archaeological remains.