An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c19.s9.4

v1.c19.s9.4

The second and more important phase of fortifications commences with the Iron Age developments in the Gaṅgā valley around the middle of the first millennium BC or somewhat earlier. Defensive walls mostly with moats have been located at KAUSĀMBĪ, RĀJGHĀṬ, CAMPĀ, ŚRĀVASTĪ, RĀJGĪR, VAIŚĀLĪ, PĀṬALIPUTRA, MATHURĀ, AHICCHATRĀ, UJJAIN, BESNAGAR, etc. But these fortifications are of different dates. At KAUSĀMBĪ, RĀJGHĀṬ, CAMPĀ and UJJAIN they are of a pre-Mauryan date, but those at many other sites date from post-Mauryan and later times. It is however difficult to date the extensive rubble rampart of RĀJGĪR traditionally believed to be of Bimbisāra's time or even earlier. The fortifications at ŚIŚUPĀLGARH (Orissa) and DHARAṆIKOṬA are post-Mauryan. The citadel at NĀGĀRJUNAKOṆḌA is of the 3rd-4th century.