An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s3: 6.3 Bells
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s3
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6.3 Bells
v1.c11.s3.1
Bells are known from the Megalithic burials at HUNUR, JUNAPANI, MAHURJHARI and KHAPA. While the bells of iron, six in number, found at KHAPA in the filling of Megalith 1 in association with bones identified as those of an animal of the Equidae family, are hollow and domical in profile with ringed top, the one of copper found in one of the pot burials at HUNUR has a rectangular base and a suspension loop at the top. Copper bells with iron tongue have been found at JUNAPANI and MAHURJHARI. A bronze bell, pyramidal in shape and with a loop at the top, is from the early levels of the ‘Āndhra’ culture at BRAHMAGIRI.
v1.c11.s3.2
Bells of iron are also reported from the 3rd-2nd century B.C. levels of RAIRH and of iron, bronze/copper and silver from Taxila. A couple of bells of copper, one having a square body and the other a circular conical one, having its iron tongue suspended to a ring passed through a hole at the top and loop, have been found in the Sātavāhana-Kṣatrapa levels of BHOKARDAN.
v1.c11.s3.3
Small copper bells have been found in levels datable between c. 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. of TUMAIN. A small copper bell with an excurved rounded rim and a rectangular hole on the upper part is reported from NAGARA. Of the three bronze bells found at KULPAUK one has an inscription in medieval Kannada script. The copper bells with beaded loops at the top were found at NEVASA in the 1st century B.C. to 2nd-3rd century A.D. levels.
v1.c11.s3.4
Marshall, J., 1951, *Taxila*, Cambridge, 1, p. 187; 2, pp. 543-4, 598-9. For sites see respective entries in vol. II.—B.M. PANDE