Abstract
In this paper I have tried to reconstruct the pattern of development at the early historic settlement of Banavasi, Karnataka. Karnataka has been broadly divided between forested Malnad and Maidan which is relatively more open and flat. The settlement of Banavasi lies in Malnad. Malnad has good drainage and enjoys cool climatic conditions. It is well-known for the cultivation of cash crops such as cashew, pepper, cardamom and cinnamon. Cool climate and heavy rains have resulted in a thick forest cover. Forests have given valuable products such as Teak, Ebony, Bamboo, Sandalwood, etc. Further, Malnad enjoys the benefit of having metals and minerals. The author has tried to explain that favourable climate and natural resources were the major factors responsible for rich habitation and over-all prosperity. This prosperity was manifested by rich archaeological assemblage that included structures, pottery, beads, terracottas, sculptures, coins, inscriptions, etc. The aim of this paper has been to have a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political and economic development and to contextualize it in relation to the local geographical setting. The main engagement has been with the basic issues concerning subsistence of the settlement, the early beginnings of social stratification and ruling authority and the contemporary religious beliefs. The principal concern of the author is to understand the patterns about human lifeways as indicated by the material remains of the period.
Highlights
The early historic period is crucial in the area of Deccan as well as Karnataka for it served as a crucial link between the proto-historic megalithic and the historic period
Roman trade was at its peak in the early centuries of the Christian era and was responsible to an extent for the wealth and flourishing status of settlements, notably in coastal areas such as Banavasi in North Kanara
The coins of the early Byzantine kings belong to the fifth and sixth century A.D. and this hoard extends the chronological horizon of Roman activity in Karnataka upto sixth century A.D. (Murty: 1996: 23)
Summary
The early historic period is crucial in the area of Deccan as well as Karnataka for it served as a crucial link between the proto-historic megalithic and the historic period. The early historic witnessed an all-round development as reflected by several excavated early historic settlements spread across Karnataka including Banavasi (Sreenivasa Murthy, H V and Ramakrishnan, R: 1977). An important zone where early historic culture has been located lies in Malnad. Numerous settlements have been found spread over Belgaum, North and South Kanara and Shimoga. They have yielded rich assemblage comprising of pottery, sculptures, Roman coins and inscriptions. The major early historic settlements in Malnad are Vadgaon-Madhavapur and Banavasi. The settlement at Vadgaon-Madhavapur appears to have been in existence from third century B.C. to the beginning of third century A.D. At Banavasi one of the brick structures has been dated to first-second century A.D. The ceramic evidence shows that Banavasi was a flourishing city in the third century B.C.
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