Report on Kumrahar Excavations (1951-1955)

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Promotion of historical research and archaeological excavations and explorations is one of the aims of the K. Research Series. P rch Institute, Patna, Jayaswal Research Its first volume, with modern history, For this purpose itis publishing a Historical Biography of Kunwar Singh and Amar Singh" the second volume, medieval history and this third volume, to the realm of ancient history. was connected Biography of Chos-rje-dPal Dharmasvamin Report on Kumrahar Excavations 1951-1955 nin" with 55" is related.

More important than an excavation is the publication of its full and scientific report in an adequate manner. I have, therefore, great pleasure in offering this Excavations, 1951-55" to the world of scholars. Report on Kumrahar.

In a country like India, where contemporary sources the importance of excavations of the history of ancient period are not can certainly be not exaggerated. For a long time departmental agencies had no opportunities and facilities to undertake this work. It is pleasing to find that the Government policy has changed, and as a result, a number of non-departmental agencies are taking prominent part in excavations. The K. P. Jayaswal Research Institute is happy that it is doing its duty in this connection also. It trusts that as a result of the discoveries made in the Kumrahar excavations, sufficient new light will be found to have been thrown upon the history of Pățaliputra, for a long time the most prominent city in the country. The earlier evolu- tion of the monastic architecture, the utilisation of some of the monasteries as sanatoriums, the mode and the time of the destruction of the Mauryan Hall, etc. will become much clearer as a result of this report than before. Negatively we have proved that the Mauryan palaces and administrative buildings were not located in the extensive plot excavated by Dr. Spooner and the Institute at Kumrahar. We shall have to search for them elsewhere.

Several difficulties were experienced in the preparation and printing of this report. This is a pioneer venture of the K. P. Jayaswal Research Institute and so the natural difficulties associated with such an undertaking had to be overcome. Mr. V. Mishra, who was the Field Director in charge of the excavations and prepared the draft report, left the Institute in 1957 to join the Archaeo- logical Department of the Government of India and so our difficulties increased still further; owing to the great distance that separated us, I could not utilise his services to the extent that I wanted to do; he however corrected the first proof. I am thankful to Sri Sita Ram Roy, M.A. and Dr. B. S. Verma, M.A., Ph.D., the new Research Fellows of the Institute, for helping me in the numerous matters connected with the publication of the Report. Our Senior Draftsman Mr. S. K. Kaviraj was of great assistance, as he was the only person left in the Institute who was present throughout the excavations described here. I am indebted to the Archaeological Department for granting permission to the Institute for excavating at a key site belonging to the Department, and also for allowing me to utilise some of the photographs of the Department.