An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c37.1371

v2.c37.1371

**Kurukshetra** (29°58′; 76°50′), headquarters of the Dt of the same name, the traditional site of the *Mahābhārata* war, s. of the SARASVATĪ, modern Sarsuti, and n. of the DṚṢADVATĪ (*Mahābhārata*, 3.81.175), which formed the holy land of Brahmāvarta (*Manu-smṛti*, 2.17), though ancient Kurukshetra itself was a part of e. of Brahamarṣideśa, e. of Brahmāvarta, (*ibid.*, 2.19). The area, rich in varied archaeological remains; was first explored in the later half of the 19th century by A. Cunningham who identified the ancient mounds at Thanesar with spots visited by Hieun Tsang in the 7th century (*ASI—AR*, 2, p. 21; 14, p. 8). D.B. Spooner excavated at Raja Karna ka Qila, another mound near Thanesar, in 1921-3 (*ASI—AR 1921-2*, *1922-3*). During the same years he also explored AMIN. THEH POLAR, a mound on the Sarasvatī, was excavated in 1933-4 and in 1937-8. (*ibid.*, *1933-4*, *1937-8*). In the early fifties B.B. Lal picked up PGW sherds [11.14] from PEHOWA (ancient Pṛthūdaka), RAJA KARNA KA QILA, AMIN, etc, in the region (*AI*, 10 and 11, 1954 and 5, p. 138-46). A systematic investigation of the Kurukshetra region was started by the author in 1960-1, when he brought to light a number of late Siswal, late Harappa [11.4] and PGW sites in the region. A more intensive investigation of the region was carried out by the author jointly with Jim G. Shaffer during 1977 (Suraj Bhan and Shaffer, 1977) and by M.R. Sharma. As a result of these investigations it is now known that the antiquity of the Kurukshetra region goes back to pre-Harappa times. This is indicated by the discovery of early SISWAL (SOTHI/KALIBANGAN I) ware [11.2] in course of surface explorations from BALU, Hathō and JIND (Bir Bara Ban) in the adjoining Jind Dt (headquarters Jind; 29°19′; 76°32′). The pottery comprise all the six fabrics of Kalibangan I, though the bichrome painted pottery of Fabric A is rare.