[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v2.c42.313 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c42.313 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c42.313 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c42.313](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c42.313) \*\*Paunar\*\* (20°47′; 78°41′), Dt Wardha, located on the right bank of the river Dham, a tributary of the Wardha, with an impressive mound which is locally known as Qilla because of the remains of a massive medieval fortification and on which stands the modern habitation. The place has been indentified with ancient Pravarapura, the capital of the Vākāṭakas of the main line who ruled over Vidarbha and the adjoining territories from the 3rd to 5th centuries. According to Mirashi, 1961, pp. 227-48, the capital of the Vākāṭakas was first at Nandi-vardhana (present Nagardhan near Ramtek is Dt Nagpur) and was later shifted to Pravarapura by Pravarasena II possibly after his 11th regnal year. However it has been pointed out that in none of the Vākāṭaka records has Pravarapura been mentioned as capital, though it has been referred to as the place of issue of certain charters. Moreover the phonetic derivation of Paunar from Pravarapura has been doubted. Paunar was excavated by the Dept of Ancient Indian History and Culture of Nagpur University in 1967 (\*IAR 1966-7\*, p. 27). The excavation revealed a four-fold sequence of cultures. - [Previous: v2.c42.312](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c42.312) - [Next: v2.c42.314](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c42.314) - [Up: v2.c42](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c42) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c42.313](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v2.c42.313) · Pramāṇa