Chandraketugarh an archaeological Place

A famous archaeological site Chandraketugarh is located beside the river Bidyadhari about 35 km. north-east of Kolkata, India, in the district of North 24 parganas. It lies about a km from Berachampa on the road (Taki Road)  to Haroa. This port-city, was discovered in 1955. The excavations held here have revealed several materials, which prove the antiquity of the site and its archeological importance. Excavation for several years has revealed relics of several periods, though the chronological classification of the relics needs further work. Evidences of the Maurya to the Pala ages have been excavated, which include clay pipes, drainage systems, minted copper coins, ivory bangles and beads, bronze and terracotta images. Other notable things are a 45 sq km sized prayer hall dating back to 700-600 BC and Kharosti script of 600-400 BC. One can find some of these excavated materials in the collection of the Asutosh Museum of Indian Art and the State Archeological Museum, Kolkata. Moreover, there are numerous private collections in and around the town.Several levels of excavation show Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) relics,other wares of approximately 400 BC to 100 BC,relics contemporary with the Kushanas, Maurya through the Gupta periods and late Gupta times etc.

A civilization that flourished between 4th century BC and the 12th century AD, Chandraketugarh, comprises
of the remains of a temple and a palace, which has been excavated from a mound. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, which carried out the excavation, the era was a prosperous one under the mythical emperor Chandraketu, spanning at least six eras, beginning from the pre-Mauryas and ending with the Palas. According to some historians, maybe this Chandraketugarh and the adjoining area is the place that the ancient Greek and Roman writers called 'Gangaridai.'

 The site of the remains of the palace, and the temple in Beramchapa, is named “Khanamihirer Dhipi”. Nothing much is left of the structure except for the thick walls and several flights of stairs but that has not taken away the grandeur of the palace or the temple. A sharp contrast of the old and the new has, however, set upon the place with modern day apartments around the site and cars speeding down the road beside the static remains of the age old civilization. Children of the vicinity jump up and down the walls and play amongst the ruins; few adults gather there to gamble over the game of cards and tourists walk about with a feeling of awe witnessing archaeological skills of the ancient primitive era.

The remains of the once palatial structure have been declared a national property under the ’Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958’. Further 300 metres from the site have been declared prohibited for the purpose of both mining operation and construction. The discovery of kingdom of the bygone era was made following the excavation carried out by the Ashutosh Museum of the Calcutta University in 1956-1957 which revealed the cultural remains.

The most extraordinary unearthing has been the brick temple, endowed with architectural and decorative designs belonging to the Pala period. Buddha images and stupas, terracotta plaques and sealing, Jataka stories coins, different types of beads, were among the several other findings from the quarry.

A dusty road from Baramchapa, which after some distance turns into a path flanked by green fields on either side, leads the way to Chandraketugarh. Excavations here too were carried out by the ASI, which put up a board in front of the ruins declaring it a monument of historical importance. Vast acres of land, a small playground and greenery up to the horizon makes the place an ideal picnic spot.

Famous as a repertory of exquisite Sunga terracotta the site has yielded silver coins, cast copper coins, coins of Kushana and Gupta period, terracotta plaques and figurines of Maurya, Sunga, Kushana and Gupta period, beads of different materials, bone objects and several other antique pieces.

The historical past of Chandraketugarh has been of immense significance and interest not only for archaeologist but also for tourists because it’s very fortunate that visitors get to see the great workmanship, sculpting skills and masterpieces of artists dating to thousands of years past, if not fully, which stood the test of time. The nature of the remains, reminisces the fact that Chandraketugarh was a prosperous early historical urban settlement.

A dusty road from Baramchapa, which after some distance turns into a path flanked by green fields on either side, leads the way to Chandraketugarh. Excavations here too were carried out by the ASI, which put up a board in front of the ruins declaring it a monument of historical importance. Vast acres of land, a small playground and greenery up to the horizon makes the place an ideal picnic spot.
Famous as a repertory of exquisite Sunga terracotta the site has yielded silver coins, cast copper coins, coins of Kushana and Gupta period, terracotta plaques and figurines of Maurya, Sunga, Kushana and Gupta period, beads of different materials, bone objects and several other antique pieces.

The historical past of Chandraketugarh has been of immense significance and interest not only for archaeologist but also for tourists because it’s very fortunate that visitors get to see the great workmanship, sculpting skills and masterpieces of artists dating to thousands of years past, if not fully, which stood the test of time. The nature of the remains, reminisces the fact that Chandraketugarh was a prosperous early historical urban settlement.