Abstract
The ancient temple complex site at Chandhore in the Western Ghats of India was discovered in 2011. Subsequent excavations at the site revealed successive occupation from the Shilahara Period (1100 CE), to the Bahmani, Adilshahi, and Maratha Periods (1500 CE – 1800 CE). A stela like element bearing a motif of a cow suckling a calf were discovered at various locations at the site and its environs. Some of these showed an exceedingly fine level of craftsmanship whilst others were crude and devoid of inscriptions. These stelae/pillars are referred to as Gaay-vaasru (Cow-Calf) pillars. These stelae were found at random locations such as the backyard of a house, abandoned hillslopes, roadside pavements, etc. Understanding the significance of the erection of such pillars at these locations was the main objective of this project. Spatial techniques complemented by textual references, iconographic interpretations, etc. were used to achieve this objective.
Highlights
Archaeology in the Indian context is tightly knit with historical as well as present local cultures of the areas
While referencing historical textual material in the form of copper plates, epigraphs, royal records, foreign accounts etc, we often stumble upon the incomplete and inconsistent nature of these sources. This is partly due to the lack of practice of writing history, the way it existed in Europe or Mesopotamia
Very few physical places from the grants have been traced. Using such stone markers for identifying locations from the inscriptions might provide a fresh perspective. These carved steles have a potential to bridge the gap in the early medieval history of Maharashtra due to their undoubted relationship with land grant records as described in the present research paper
Summary
Archaeology in the Indian context is tightly knit with historical as well as present local cultures of the areas. While referencing historical textual material in the form of copper plates, epigraphs, royal records, foreign accounts etc, we often stumble upon the incomplete and inconsistent nature of these sources. This is partly due to the lack of practice of writing history, the way it existed in Europe or Mesopotamia. Another cause of inconsistency is several additions and modifications made to the original text over a period of time, primarily due to the influence of changing political and religious scenarios. Entire dynasties have been brought to light by the mere mention of kings on coins, or the mention of their names in the introductory part of an epigraphic record
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