CUTTACK: In a significant development, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recommenced excavations at Barabati Fort in Cuttack after a hiatus of 16 years. This historical site, built by the Ganga dynasty on the banks of the Mahanadi River, was declared an ASI-protected monument back in 1915, and previous excavations at the site date back to 1989. However, the most recent excavation effort was undertaken in 2007, making this revival an essential step in uncovering more about the rich history of the region.
ASI’s Puri Circle Head, Dibishida Gadnayak, has stated that the primary objective of the current excavation is to establish a link between Odisha and Southeast Asian countries, shedding light on historical connections that may have existed. A trench has been initiated in the northeast direction of the pillared hall’s remains within the fort’s vicinity. During the excavation, a remarkable discovery was made—a broken sculpture fragment that appears to date back to the 13th to 14th century based on the style and characteristics of the fragment. The trench has a deposit layer of approximately two to three meters, with the sculptural fragment extracted from this depth. Four specific areas within the fort have been earmarked for excavation.
The prior excavations of Barabati Fort primarily aimed to determine the cultural chronology of the fortified structure. These excavations unearthed several valuable antiquities, including a seated goddess, a lion-head sculpture, fragments of lamps, stone balls, pot shards, sling balls, fragments of terracotta animal figurines, axes, and an iron stylus. The pottery findings included storage jars, spouted vessels, lamps, knobbed lids, miniature pots, dishes, bowls, the remaining portion of a hukkah, and fragments of Chinese porcelain.
In the 1989 excavation, the central mound area of the fort revealed remnants of a palace, a pavilion, and foundation blocks constructed with rhodolite. In the southern region, a total of eighteen massive pillar bases, organized in four rows with regular spacing, were exposed. All these findings have contributed to enhancing our understanding of the historical significance and heritage of Barabati Fort.
The revival of the excavation project has excited historians and archaeologists who are keen to delve deeper into the past of Barabati Fort. The fort remains a testament to the rich history of the region and has the potential to provide new insights into the historical connections that linked Odisha with Southeast Asia. The ongoing excavation is expected to unveil more hidden treasures and connect the dots in the historical narrative of this magnificent structure on the banks of the Mahanadi River.
