An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.33

v1.c9.s19.33

The growth of towns and villages in Gujarat seems to have continued during the late historical period. Locally the old pattern was seen growing at places like NAGARA, Kamrej, Valabhīpura, etc., and another element, that is throwing of suburbs at a little distance from the older habitations, is also discernible at places like Vedodara (AKOTA) and DEVNIMORI area in the early part of this period. The establishment of new settlements is also evidenced at sites like Ghumli, Patan, Karnavati, etc.—either capitals or towns of some importance. Changing patterns are seen in the twofold phenomenon of the collapse of some habitations like NAGARA and the growth of new towns like Khambat. Some habitations like VADNAGAR, Kotyarka, SHAMALAJI, etc., were shrinking. But the overall picture is one of the growth of habitations. Some rock-cut caves were also excavated or old ones were reoccupied near the towns as well as away from them. Centres for quarrying stones for temple-building like Kadiadugar, Nathkuva, etc., were active. The construction of temples steadily advanced, culminating in the Chalukyan school of architecture. Brick temples, *stūpas*, forts, etc., were also built at KARVAN, DEVNIMORI, SHAMALAJI, VADNAGAR and other centres. The tradition of brick temples however seems to have been superseded for some time but was revived at a much late age. The problem of water conservation continued to attract attention. The Sudarśana lake at Junagadh was repaired, and many tanks in Dts Sabarkantha and Khera and around Ghumli were constructed in the early part of this period. While many of them got damaged by the 8th to 10th centuries and were never repaired, new ones, some of them surviving to this day, were also built around Patan, Dholka, Godhra, Viramgam and other centres. This phenomenon, like that of the towns, indicates the shift in local interests.