An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.43

v1.c9.s18.43

Broadly coinciding with the Mauryan epoch, the remains of the second stage perhaps saw a somewhat improved standard of material life as is indicated by the excavations at BAIRAT, NOH, RAIRH, etc. The NBPW including plain grey ware formed main ceramic industry. It appears that the NBPW was mainly confined to the e. half of Rajasthan; a single sherd unearthed at AHAR² in s. Rajasthan may be an exception. The building activity of this stage was in mud, mud brick and baked brick. A notable brick structure was the grand circular temple of Buddhist affinity with a *pradakṣiṇā-patha* bearing the traces of lime plaster on brick concrete at BAIRAT. A mud-brick wall and drains of baked brick exposed at NOH probably belonged to the common man’s habitation. Among the principal antiquities mention may be made of: uninscribed cast coins [3.1], human and animal terracotta figurines, some with incised rhombic eyes and punched or applied decorations; copper and iron implements including nails, arrowheads, etc. semiprecious stone, glass, ivory and terracotta beads; shell bangles and bone tools; a seal with an inscription in Brāhmī reading *Dhuvamitasa* from NOH; and many fragments of a polished Chunar sandstone pillar from BAIRAT.