Archeologists from all over the world have visited Patna to look for evidence of the old cities that once flourished here. Today, it is your turn to explore this virtual archeological site and discover four fascinating finds from Patna that today define the history of India and the rest of the world!
RED WARE POTTERY
3rd to 6th Century CE
This earthen pot, or lota, was excavated from the Gulzarbagh area of Patna.
It was probably used to store water, either for everyday use, or for sacred rituals.
While this pot is centuries-old, many Indian households still own similar pots in clay, brass, copper, or even steel.
This lota is a good reminder of the power of good design- that as long as it is well-designed and user-friendly, it can survive even the tides of time.
Have you noticed the reddish hue of this pot? Archaeologists refer to this pottery as Red Ware.
PUNCH MARKED COIN
5th to 2nd Century CE
Excavated in the Machuatoli area of Patna, this coin from the Magadha-Maurya era is one of the earliest-known Indian coins.
These coins were made by melting metal, beating it into a thin sheet which were then cut into pieces that were the correct size and weight, and then stamped with patterns. Once complete, it was circulated across the empire as currency.
This technique of making punch marked coins is unique to India.
DIDARGANJ YAKSHI
3rd Century CE
This life-size sculpture of a fashionably-clad yakshi or Earth Spirit represents the school of sculpture that flourished in Pataliputra during the Mauryan Period.
An exciting story accompanies this sculpture. In 1917, villagers from Didarganj in Patna gathered around a mound of earth, looking for a snake nest. Instead of a snake, they unearthed the base of a statue.
More digging revealed a body, and a head, and this beautiful sculpture was reintroduced to the world,
Have you seen other sculptures with a similar shine? This polish is a good way of identifying sculptures from the Mauryan era!
AAROGYA VIHAR SEAL
4th to 5th Century CE
This small but unique seal from the Gupta period is known as the 'Aarogya Vihar' seal. The reason for this is the writing- or inscription on its lower half. Written in Sanskrit, it reads ‘sri-arogyavihare-bhisu-samghasya'- the Seal of the Monastic Community of the Sanatorium Monastery. This seal helped archaeologists prove that there was a special monastery at Pataliputra, which functioned as a sanatorium where patients could come to rest and recover.
The top half of the seal features a Bodhi Tree- an important symbol in Buddhism, that represents the tree beneath which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.