Archaeology of Bandiyagarh, Sirohi, Rajasthan, India

Bandiyagarh fort is located in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in India. This research paper is based on new findings in our previously discovered site Bandiyagarh. The discovered structures played an important role in rewriting the history of the Parmar dynasty because Bandiyagarh is approximate...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Priyank Talesara, Aniruddh Bahuguna, Chintan Thakar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-01-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2020.1870808
Description
Summary:Bandiyagarh fort is located in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in India. This research paper is based on new findings in our previously discovered site Bandiyagarh. The discovered structures played an important role in rewriting the history of the Parmar dynasty because Bandiyagarh is approximately 10 km away from the ruins of the capital city site, Chandravati of the royal Parmar dynasty (910 to 1312 AD.). This area was part of the ancient Silk-route trade due to which Sirohi was rich in wealth, resulting in several plunder attacks by invaders and hostile kingdoms. The fort is built on top of a plateau flanked by a chain of mountains and protected by a stronghold fortification wall. Bandiyagarh fort was difficult to capture because, according to the analysis of the geographical obstructions, that fort was surrounded by steep ascents in hills, natural obstruction by water-streams, and the dense forest. Moreover, this forest is also associated with aggressive ethnic societies of Bhils and Garasia. This mysterious fortification is very large in area but has not yet been discovered because of its strategic location. So the reason behind building this fortified city or fortress is for the purpose of camouflage because a military strategy has been observed behind building this fort city in an isolated place. Inside the premises, we found water bodies, temples, structural complex, inscriptions, watchtower and various unidentified structural remains. The cultural remains of the discovered site show that they were believers of Hinduism and a sect of Jainism. Sirohi lies in a cradle-like area so it was easy to block the attacks of several hostile kingdoms; the analysis tells that the Parmar dynasty of Mt. Abu built many forts—few forts meant for war strategy and few for hideout strategy like Bandiyagarh.
ISSN:2331-1983