Historical Geography of Ancient India c7.546

c7.546

*Śiśupālgaḍh*.—It is in Orissa where excavations are being carried out by the Archaeological department. The historical site of Śiśupālagaḍh is situated near Bhuvanesvar in Orissa. It is famous for its mediaeval temples and a square fort having an elaborate system of gateways. The ruins of Śiśupālagaḍh are located about 1½ miles to the east-south-east of the town of Bhuvanesvar in the Puri district of Orissa. The traces of ancient habitation in the form of pottery and other objects are noticeable outside the fort. The fort is circumscribed by the waters of a streamlet called the Gandhavatī. The main current which flows past the western side of the fort has its source in the hilly tracts to the west of Manceśvar, some six miles north of Śiśupālagaḍh and joins the Dayā river, seven miles further south. To the south-south-east of the fort at a distance of about three miles the Dhauli hills lie containing the Edicts of Aśoka. About six miles to the west-north-west of Śiśupālagaḍh stand the Khaṇḍagiri and Udayagiri hills. The excavations at the site have brought to light some objects among which may be mentioned several beads, a terracotta *bulla*, terracotta ear-ornaments and plain pottery. The Śiśupālagaḍh had no defences in the early period of its history. At the beginning of the early middle period the most significant event was the construction of the defences. (*Ancient India, Bulletin of the A.S.I.*, No. 5, January, 1949, pp. 62ff.). A rare gold coin of Kuṣāṇa-Roman type belonging to king Dharmadamadhara has been discovered. As to the date of the coin it is later than 200 A.D. (*J. Numismatic Society of India*, Vol. XII, Pt. I, June, 1950, pp. 1-4).