Archaeological remains discovered at Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve

In news– In a major find, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unraveled remarkable archaeological remains in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve.

Key findings-

During the exploration conducted by ASI, they have found more than 100 remains including 26 ancient temples/relics of Kalachuri period (9th century CE to 11th Century CE), caves (2nd Century CE to 5th century CE mostly Buddhist in nature), monasteries, stupas, Brahmi inscriptions (2nd century CE to 5th century CE), sculptures, somescattered remains and water structures (c.2nd-15thCE) are recorded.
According to Archaeologists the Varaha sculpture of 9th –13th century CE was found. It appears to be the world’s largest sculpture.
The time period of the findings covered the reigns of the kings Shri Bhimsena, Maharaja Pothasiri, Maharaja Bhattadeva.
Places deciphered in the inscriptions are Kaushami, Mathura, Pavata (Parvata), Vejabharada and Sapatanaairikaa.
An ASI team covered nearly 170 sq km falling in the area of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve over months-long exploration of the region which was undertook for the first time since 1938.
Some remains of the Gupta period, such as door jambs and carvings in caves, have also been found.

The Kalachuri dynasty-

The Kalachuris, also known as Kalachuris of Mahishmati, were an Indian dynasty that ruled in west-central India between 6th and 7th centuries.
They are also known as the Haihayas or as the Early Kalachuris to distinguish them from their later namesakes, especially the Kalachuris of Tripuri.
The Kalachuri territory included parts of present-day Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Their capital was probably located at Mahishmati.
Epigraphic and numismatic evidence suggests that the earliest of the Ellora and Elephanta cave monuments were built during the Kalachuri rule.
The origin of the dynasty is uncertain. In the 6th century, the Kalachuris gained control of the territories formerly ruled by the Guptas, the Vakatakas and the Vishnukundinas.
Only three Kalachuri kings are known from inscriptional evidence: Shankaragana, Krishnaraja, and Buddharaja.
The Kalachuris lost their power to the Chalukyas of Vatapi in the 7th century.
One theory connects the later Kalachuri dynasties of Tripuri and Kalyani to the Kalachuris of Mahishmati.