ter being restored
December 7, 2007
Ancient site Ter being restored
BY MRITYUNJAY BOSE
MUMBAI: The Archaeology and Museums Directorate of Maharashtra is restoring one of the most-ancient sites – Ter in Osmanabad district of Marathwada region, which lends testimony to the early Christian era trade from the banks of Terna river and Rome in Europe.
"It is a minefield, which gives several important historical perspective. We are restoring it and neighbouring areas and the restoration is expected to be complete in a year's time. We want to bring this heritage site in the international map," says R N Hegde, the Director of Archaeology and Museums Directorate, Maharashtra.
Ter was one of the most flourishing trade centers – giving boost to architectural and religious activities.
"Over the years hundreds of antiquarian remains from Ter have been reported and studied – and several important facts have come to light," Hedge told 'The Herald'.
The excavations has mentioned two main cultural phases – the Sathavahana (200 BC to 100 AD) and the other being Indo-Roman (100 AD to 300 AD) – and of the two it was the latter that is "artistically richer" and varied in antiquities. Objects like beads, garlands, combs, figures of goddess, toys of terracotta and kaolin have been uncovered from various excavations.
These studies have helped understanding cultural relations between other contemporary sites like Paitan, Kolhapur, Nashik and Nevasa in Maharashtra. Besides, this also enables archaeologists and historians to know the process of urbanization of Deccan. "Further excavation has also been planned to get more information on this," he said.
Early brick temples, water tanks, Buddhist remains indicate Ter ans a "religious artistic and commercial" centre in the early historical period. Points out Hegde: " Ter has its own share in propagation of 'bhagvat dharma'. It is not a mere coincidence that Gora Kumbhar, a contemporary of Saint Jnyaneshvar was a resident of Ter."
Brisk commercial activities and the vigorous artistic and cultural activities at Ter had its own impact on the neighboring areas of Ter. "In fact Ter cannot and should not be looked at in isolation. Ter as a cultural zone has a lot more things to reveal than otherwise," he said.
At Dharashiv, a few kilometers away from Ter, there is a group of rock-cut temples carved sometime in the 7-8th centuries. These rock-cut temples may not have the beauty and the splendor of the Ajanta group of temples, but its impact is unmistakable. "Some refurbishment of rock-cut caves will also be carried out," he said.
At Jagji, about 9 kilometers from Ter, we have a structural stone temple constructed sometime in the 12th century. It has one of the most ornate shikaras of the Chalukyan style. The Mahalakshmi temple here is built in 12 th century.
There are number of ancient mounds in and around Ter awaiting the excavators. Even a casual stroll in the village makes one stumble upon objects, which have an antiquarian value. In view of the importance of Ter as a historical and cultural centre, we have - without restricting ourselves only to Ter - included the monuments from the surrounding area as well in this project.
TEMPLES GALORE:
Ter has three important temples - Trivikrama, Uttareshvara and Kaleshvar. They are important from the point of view of understanding the origin and development of structural temple architecture in Maharashtra. These temples have been maintained fairly well and there is not much to do so far as restoration work is concerned. Trivikrama and Uttareshvara temples had collapsed completely during the earthquake that occurred in the year 1993. Both of them were restored and brought back to their original shape in the year 1997-98. However, because of the very nature of the material used in the construction of the temples and their antiquity, they require regular maintenance. General clearance, strengthening of the walls, waterproofing and beautification of the area are some of the items that are proposed in this year.
WATER TANK:
During the course of an excavation altogether a new piece of evidence in the form of water tank, constructed in brick, was recovered for the first time at Ter. It is dated to the Sathavahana period. It was called tirthakund. It is in a fairly good state of preservation. However, as it is located in the middle of a field, it is subjected to continuous silting of the mud and also debris. "To prevent entering the debris and the mud from the field into the Tirtha, we are proposing to build a wired fencing with a parapet wall. Debris will be cleared and the tank will be de-silted. Cultural and information boards will be installed at important places," said Hedge.
IMPORTANT FACTS
* Roman coins discovered shows link of Ter and Greece and Rome
* Ter has played the process of urbanization in Deccan
* Ter is mention in the 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea' as Tagara
* Well-known epigraphist showed in 1901 that Tagara is present day Ter
* It is mentioned as the most prosperous trading centre in Dakshinapatha
(This report was first published in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune)
Ancient site Ter being restored
BY MRITYUNJAY BOSE
MUMBAI: The Archaeology and Museums Directorate of Maharashtra is restoring one of the most-ancient sites – Ter in Osmanabad district of Marathwada region, which lends testimony to the early Christian era trade from the banks of Terna river and Rome in Europe.
"It is a minefield, which gives several important historical perspective. We are restoring it and neighbouring areas and the restoration is expected to be complete in a year's time. We want to bring this heritage site in the international map," says R N Hegde, the Director of Archaeology and Museums Directorate, Maharashtra.
Ter was one of the most flourishing trade centers – giving boost to architectural and religious activities.
"Over the years hundreds of antiquarian remains from Ter have been reported and studied – and several important facts have come to light," Hedge told 'The Herald'.
The excavations has mentioned two main cultural phases – the Sathavahana (200 BC to 100 AD) and the other being Indo-Roman (100 AD to 300 AD) – and of the two it was the latter that is "artistically richer" and varied in antiquities. Objects like beads, garlands, combs, figures of goddess, toys of terracotta and kaolin have been uncovered from various excavations.
These studies have helped understanding cultural relations between other contemporary sites like Paitan, Kolhapur, Nashik and Nevasa in Maharashtra. Besides, this also enables archaeologists and historians to know the process of urbanization of Deccan. "Further excavation has also been planned to get more information on this," he said.
Early brick temples, water tanks, Buddhist remains indicate Ter ans a "religious artistic and commercial" centre in the early historical period. Points out Hegde: " Ter has its own share in propagation of 'bhagvat dharma'. It is not a mere coincidence that Gora Kumbhar, a contemporary of Saint Jnyaneshvar was a resident of Ter."
Brisk commercial activities and the vigorous artistic and cultural activities at Ter had its own impact on the neighboring areas of Ter. "In fact Ter cannot and should not be looked at in isolation. Ter as a cultural zone has a lot more things to reveal than otherwise," he said.
At Dharashiv, a few kilometers away from Ter, there is a group of rock-cut temples carved sometime in the 7-8th centuries. These rock-cut temples may not have the beauty and the splendor of the Ajanta group of temples, but its impact is unmistakable. "Some refurbishment of rock-cut caves will also be carried out," he said.
At Jagji, about 9 kilometers from Ter, we have a structural stone temple constructed sometime in the 12th century. It has one of the most ornate shikaras of the Chalukyan style. The Mahalakshmi temple here is built in 12 th century.
There are number of ancient mounds in and around Ter awaiting the excavators. Even a casual stroll in the village makes one stumble upon objects, which have an antiquarian value. In view of the importance of Ter as a historical and cultural centre, we have - without restricting ourselves only to Ter - included the monuments from the surrounding area as well in this project.
TEMPLES GALORE:
Ter has three important temples - Trivikrama, Uttareshvara and Kaleshvar. They are important from the point of view of understanding the origin and development of structural temple architecture in Maharashtra. These temples have been maintained fairly well and there is not much to do so far as restoration work is concerned. Trivikrama and Uttareshvara temples had collapsed completely during the earthquake that occurred in the year 1993. Both of them were restored and brought back to their original shape in the year 1997-98. However, because of the very nature of the material used in the construction of the temples and their antiquity, they require regular maintenance. General clearance, strengthening of the walls, waterproofing and beautification of the area are some of the items that are proposed in this year.
WATER TANK:
During the course of an excavation altogether a new piece of evidence in the form of water tank, constructed in brick, was recovered for the first time at Ter. It is dated to the Sathavahana period. It was called tirthakund. It is in a fairly good state of preservation. However, as it is located in the middle of a field, it is subjected to continuous silting of the mud and also debris. "To prevent entering the debris and the mud from the field into the Tirtha, we are proposing to build a wired fencing with a parapet wall. Debris will be cleared and the tank will be de-silted. Cultural and information boards will be installed at important places," said Hedge.
IMPORTANT FACTS
* Roman coins discovered shows link of Ter and Greece and Rome
* Ter has played the process of urbanization in Deccan
* Ter is mention in the 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea' as Tagara
* Well-known epigraphist showed in 1901 that Tagara is present day Ter
* It is mentioned as the most prosperous trading centre in Dakshinapatha
(This report was first published in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune)
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