Chirand

Kushan period coins found at Chirand

Chirand is a small village in the Saran district of Bihar, India, situated on the northern bank of the Ganga River. It has a large pre-historic mound which is known for its continuous archaeological record from the Neolithic age (about 2500–1345 BC) to the reign of the Pal dynasty who ruled during the pre-medieval period. The excavations in Chirand have revealed stratified Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Iron Age settlements, and transitions in human habitation patterns dating from 2500 BC to 30 AD.

Location

Chirand village is located on the northern bank of the Ganga River. The river Ghagra joins Ganga a short distance away from the village, near Revalganj. The Sone River also joins Ganga about a few kilometres away from Chirand. About 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) to the north of the mound there is a dry river bed which is inferred as one of the meandering dry loops of the Gandaki River. Thus, there are four rivers in the vicinity of Chirand. The village has undergone erosion due to which the mound abutting the Ganga River bank is exposed, revealing brick features and potsherds. On the top of the mound there is a mosque, which was built by Sultan Abul Muzaffar Hussain Shah of Bengal in 1503 AD. This mosque reveals ruins of pilasters of Hindu temples.^[1]

Chirand is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Chhapra, the district headquarters in the state of Bihar. The Archaeological Survey of India controls about 0.5 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi) of the area of the village.^[2]

Climate

The average annual rainfall in the area is 115 centimetres (45 in), ^[3] much of it occurring from June to September when the snow melts and monsoon sets in; the Ganga River flows beyond its capacity causing flooding and deposition of alluvium in the adjoining area.^[4]

Demography

The Chirand village, as per 2011 census, has a population of 2971 comprising 520 families. The male population is 1600 while that of females is 1371. Literacy rate is 61.09 % compared to 61.80 % of the state.^[5]

History

During the medieval period Pal dynasty ruled in the region of Chirand. There is also a record that Ananda, a disciple of Buddha, died here. King Mayurdhwaj of the Chero dynasty is said to have ruled from Chirand.^[2][6] W.W. Hunter, a historian known for publishing nine volumes of The Imperial Gazetteer of India, has recorded an account of this village which he visited in 1871.^[2]

Archaeological excavations at the Chirand mound were initiated by the Bihar State Directorate of Archaeology and carried out over a period from 1962–63 to 1970–71. The mound is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) in length. The Neolithic deposits uncovered is from a layer of 3.5 metres (11 ft) thickness.^[4][2][7] Archaeological finds from this village mound and four other locations in India, the Burzahom in Kashmir, the Bhimbetka caves in Madhya Pradesh, the Ayad Valley civilization in Rajasthan and the Brahmagiri in Karnataka, have established the civilizational spread starting from the Neolithic age to the present day, not only in India but also in South Asia.^[8]

The archaeological investigations have established the civilization of the Chirand Neolithic group in the plains, while their contemporaries inhabited the plateaus and hills. The occupational categorization in Chirand is broadly under three periods – Period I Neolithic (2500–1345 BC), Period II Chalcolithic (1600 B.C) and Period III Iron age – and carbon dating of the top layer of the Neolithiic period is of the find attributes to 1650 BC; however there is also a citation which dates it between 1910 BC and 1600 BC. It is also conjectured that the lowest level of the finds may refer to a period of 200 BC.^[9][10]

Archaeological finds

The archaeological finds in Chirand are from a Neolithic deposit of 3.5 metres (11 ft) thickness, a Chalcolithic layer 5.5 metres (18 ft) thick and iron age formation of 2.45 metres (8 ft 0 in) thickness. During the Chalcolithic period, use of copper is noted in the first phase while iron ware is noted in the upper strata.^[1] A cache of 88 Kushan period coins were unearthed at the site.^[11]

Animals

An analysis of antiquities related to skeletal remains reveals 12 species of domesticated and wild animals. These are listed as cattle, buffaloes (Bubalisbubalis linn), sheep (Ovis aries), cheetal (Axis axis), barasinga, pig, elephant, rhinoceros, cheetal (Axis axia), dog, a carp and two types of turtles. Also recovered are bones of birds and fishes. An examination of the faunal finds indicates that the area was forested over an undulating topography.^[9][12]

Pottery

Neolithic pottery excavated from Chirand consisted of 25,000 potsherds, which are of two categories: Period II pottery which appears more refined compared to those of Period I. It is assessed that pottery is mostly hand made, while some vessels appear to be made on turn table or by dabbing. The material used is smoothed clay mixed with mica. A major part of the potsherds is red ware (50%) and black and red ware. These are of different shapes and sizes of vases and bowls, and knobbed pottery.^[4] pot wares in varying designs in post-firing painting technique in ochre colour, generally of grey ware and few in red-ware, are also noted.^[1] However, the Chalcolithic pottery unearthed are of black and red ware pots and pans.^[4]

Housing

Evidence of Neolithic people living in circular wattle and daub huts (made of mud and reeds) with rammed floors have been recorded. In the early stages, the floors were built below ground level but later at ground level. Many hearths and oblong shaped ovens were found in a semicircular hut. The white colour of the soil around the hearth and the ovens found at the site reveals that the animal meat was roasted over the ovens for community feeding. Rice appeared to be the staple food.^[1][13][14] Mud boundary walls of houses were traced. Burnt chunks of clay with reed or bamboo impressions suggest that the houses were destroyed by a fire. It had a later Chalcolithic occupation level as well.^[13] In the Chalcolithic period, the houses were larger in size compared to the Neolithic period but made of reeds and bamboos with mud plaster and flooring of fired earth. A circular hearth and a few post-holes were also recorded.^[1]

Stone implements

The Neolithic stone implements of celts and axes found are made of quartzite, basalt and granites. The finds included nine types of microliths. Waste flakes found in the area indicate prevalence of the process of manufacture in a well established microlithic industry in the area. The raw material used in the manufacture also included chert, chalcedony, agate and jasper, derived from the dry river bed of the Son river. The final products in the collection are stone discs in long, cylindrical and triangular shapes.^[4]

Bone implements

In the Period II and Period III, the finds were 400 bone tools of antler, long bones of deer and cattle. These were found only in Chirand and at Burzahom, and are inferred mostly as tools used for hunting. The artistic propensity of the Neolithic period is revealed from the bone ornaments found in the form of pendants, ear-rings, bangles, discs and combs. Terracotta figurines excavated relate to humped bull, bird and snake; the snake figures found only at this location are indicative of existence of Naga cult among the Neolithic people.^[4][15] Ornaments made from tortoise and ivory were also found.^[4] Bone ornaments found included pendant, ear-rings, bangles, and discs.^[7]

Social customs

The occurrence of terracotta female figurines in the mound are identified with mother goddess, which suggests the worship of the goddess of fertility. Terracotta figurines of coiled and hooded snakes implies the presence of a Naga cult. Artistic evidence also included painted motif of the sacred peepal leaf (Ficus religiosa). A foot stand of large sarcophagus found is inferred as indicative of mortuary rites of the Neolithic people.^[16]

Economy

Based on the antiquaries recovered from the mound, the economy of the Neolithic people has been inferred as of mixed type consisting of hunting, gathering, fishing and animal rearing. ^[17] From the impressions of paddy husk found in some potsherds it is concluded that the Neolithic people were involved in cultivating rice and cereals such as wheat, moong, masoor, and barley.^[17] They also raised two rice crops, one during summer and the other during winter; crops of both cultivated and wild types.^[4] The wild forms of rice are Oryza rifipogon and Oryza perennis, from which Oryza sativa (Asian rice) has originated.^[18]

Thematic park

A thematic park depicting the different civilizations that existed in the past at Chirand has been planned to be set up at the village. The state government also proposes to organize a festival titled 'Chirand Mahotsava' every year with the support of Chirand Vikas Parishad.^[19]

River erosion

Part of the village, including about 10 metres (33 ft) of the mound, have been subject to submergence and river erosion caused by the Ganga river. The Nonia tola in the village was in imminent danger of getting submerged. In 2010, protection of the part of the village exposed to erosion was envisaged by way of stone pitching.^[2]

Fairs

An annual fair is held in Chirand during the last day of the month of Kartik (October–November) at a location known as Chyavana-asrama.^[6]

References

Bibliography

• Bhatt, Shankarlal C. (2005). Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes. Bihar. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-361-6. 
• Gopal, Lallanji; Srivastava (2008). History of Agriculture in India, Up to C. 1200 A.D. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-521-6. 
• Peregrine, Peter N.; Ember, Melvin (31 March 2003). Encyclopedia of Prehistory: Volume 8: South and Southwest Asia. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-0-306-46262-7. 
• Sahu, Bhairabi Prasad (1 January 1988). From Hunters to Breeders: Faunal Background of Early India. Anamika Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-85150-06-2. 
• Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0. 
• Sinha, Atul K. (1 January 2009). Approaches to History, Culture, Art and Archeology: Essays in the Honour of Professor Om Prakash. Anamika. ISBN 978-81-7975-248-7.