An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t1.10

v1.c9.s19.t1.10

The decline of the Gupta power in the Ganga valley witnessed the re-emergence of the Bhagirathi basin as the most dominant political zone in the region. During the 7th century Śaśāṅka, the king of Gauḍa, founded his capital at Karṇasuvarṇa. The two contiguous sites, Rakshasidanga and RAJBADIDANGA, at CHIRUTI in Dt Murshidabad are found to contain the ruins of this ancient capital city. Excavation at these two sites has exposed three Pds in the life of this city. Pd I, c. 3rd-4th century A.D., is not characterized by any significant find. Pd II is bracketed between *c.* 6th and 9th centuries. Several seals, some of which refer to the *Raktamṛttikā-mahāvihāra*, belong to this Pd with the foundation of a temple and the ruins of a large Buddhist monastery, and several stucco heads and iron implements and quantities of burnt grains. The burnt grains have been ascribed to 1200 ± 100 B.P.. on ¹⁴C basis. Pd III of the city yields no relic of importance.