Nagpur:

H

istory has pleasant ways of throwing surprises. The wrapped-in-mothballs books at the Archaeological Survey of India (

) here have revealed that the Megalithic burial sites of Junapani on Nagpur-Katol Road are probably the largest number of stone circles in the country.

A jotting in the ASI archives on Megalithic stone circles at Mahurjhari, also on Nagpur-Katol Road, says, “It lies exactly opposite the classic site of Junapani which has probably the largest number of stone circles in India.” The ASI office in Nagpur doesn’t have any documentation to prove otherwise.

Discovered first in the early quarter of 19

th

century, records suggest that there are over 300 stone circles at the twin sites. According to ASI, these Megalithic sites could be as old as 3rd century BC. They have been declared as monuments of national importance.

Vidarbha has a variety of Megalithic burial circles, including those of Cairns, Cists, Dolmen, Dolmenoid Cists. Ismail Kellullu, retired professor from Nagpur University’s department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, says, “Structures of our region are all synonymous with the Iron Age. The major difference is in their architectural design. Among stone circles, Junapani and Mahurjari probably have the highest numbers.” He adds there are about 1,500 Cairns burials near Kherwadi in Wardha district.

Archives indicate that Mahurjhari site, which now comes under the tourism area of Gorewada reserve forest, can virtually be taken as a continuation of Junapani that is on the other side of the road where Gorewada international zoo has been proposed. “The sites are now separated by a road which has artificially divided the Megalithic field and in the process destroyed stone circles,” the records state.

They further say that the Mahurjhari site was first noted by GAP Hunter in 1933 who surprisingly had ignored the stone circles. Equally surprising is the fact that Rivett-Carnac, who had reported ‘the barrows’ of Junapani in 1879, did not take notice of the stone circles at Mahurjhari.

In 1961-62, ASI excavated a few stone circles at Junapani without reference to Mahurjhari. Indian archaeologist BK Thapar had undertaken excavation of some of the Megalithic tombs then. In 1970, Nagpur University’s department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology excavated 14 stone circles at Mahurjhari. “About 150 circles in Junapani have been notified and presence of another 200 circles is estimated to be a part of Mahurjhari. Both the sites have similar type of burial circles,” says Nandini Bhattacharya Sahu, superintendent archaeologist, excavation and Nagpur circle.

Though not much habitational evidence has been found at the sites, findings of human skeletons along with a variety of iron objects including daggers, axes, rings bracelets suggest that the burials are of early Iron Age. “They were probably the first of civilizations which witnessed widespread use of iron,” says Sahu.

As abundant beads of semi-precious stones were also found during excavations done over the years, Hunter had observed Mahurjhari to be a bead-making centre from where beads were probably exported to central Asia.

K Pulla Rao, who has done extensive research in Megalithic culture and is presently a faculty member in University of Hyderabad, says that burial practices were significant in Megalithic period. “Findings like iron tools, pottery and other stones and gold objects are reflections of developed civilizations. Cremations were rare and the dead have been buried as it is at Mahurjhari and Junapani,” says Rao.

While Vidarbha has rich Megalithic sites, these two are said to be unique not just because of the largest number of stone circles but also uncommon discoveries. “Apart from human remains, facial ornaments of horses were also found suggesting that the animal was an important part of their lives. Archives mention that similar horse masks have been found in Russia and Iran where they have been assigned to the Scythians. “The most notable evidence is in respect of the burial of a person, the lower portions of whose legs were missing but on whose chest was kept a dagger with iron blade and copper hilt,” say the archives on Mahurjhari.

“Another notable feature is the cup-mark found in some stones that hint towards association with celestial objects,” says Rao who adds that traces of Ursa-Major constellation was found in one of the stone circles at Andhra Pradesh. “The burials have different dimensions and were constructed to pay tribute to the dead and protect them from animals. Along with the dead, other objects were buried as people then believed that the dead go to another world where they would need these things,” Rao says.

Obscured in old chronicles, it is only recently that the sites got protection. They were under ASI’s Aurangabad circle till 2013 when the Nagpur circle was created. Presently, the Nagpur circle is fencing the sites at Junapani. After a meeting was held between ASI officials and principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Shree Bhagwan, it was decided that the stone circles will be conserved to its best, says Sahu. “Though the possession of land is with Forest Development Corporation Limited (FDCM), we are constructing a wall around circles in Junapani as per The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,” she says.

FDCM general manager RS Yadav says, “The circles which are inside the forest gate are already well protected. We have made sure that they are not damaged in the development process. The importance and history of these circles is also informed to tourists coming for safari.”

Sahu says the sites hold good tourist potential. “Even if 40% of people show interest in these sites which represent our cultural roots, they can be developed as good tourism spots like in Kerala and other states. Vidarbha has a rich heritage of Megalithic sites,” says Sahu.

Sahu adds that to boost tourism, ASI is planning to come up with facilities like toilets and drinking water at the sites. “We hope people show interest in knowing more about what our ancestors have left for us. After all, it is imperative to understand our cultural links,” she adds.