An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s19.t1.9

v1.c9.s19.t1.9

The Gupta occupation of W. Bengal seems to have shifted its political focus from the Bhagirathi basin to the alluvium of Varendra. Stretching from the n. reaches of the flood-plain of the Ganga to the alluvial fan of the Nepal foot-hills, Varendra saw the growth of Koṭivarṣa (BANGARH on the Punarbhava river) as an important administrative city during the Gupta period. Pd I, pre-Gupta, of the site has been dealt with above [4.18.5]. Pd II, assigned to the Gupta period, contains the remains of a brick structure with small rooms. Pd III extends, according to the published report of the excavation, from the Pāla to still later times, though no chronological sequence of the excavated material, which includes inscribed clay sealings, terracotta figurines, medallions, toys, carts, punch-marked coins, iron implements, etc., is obtainable from the report of the excavation. A fortification with a ditch on three sides seems to have once surrounded this city. Another settlement of the Gupta period is represented by Asurgarh, Dt w. Dinajpur. Terracotta figurines, assigned on stylistic grounds to the Gupta period, have been reported from this site.