Ghazal Builders at 01:28, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T01:28:25Z

New page

{{Short description|none}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2017}}

{{HistoryOfSouthAsia}}
[[File:Mahabodhitemple.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Mahabodhi Temple]] in [[Bodhgaya]], India, which is the alleged place of [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]] of the [[Buddha]]. It remains one of India's most important archaeological sites.]]

'''Archaeology in India''' is mainly done under the supervision of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].

==History==
12th century Indian scholar [[Kalhana]]'s writings involved recording of local traditions, examining manuscripts, inscriptions, coins and architectures, which is described as one of the earliest traces of archaeology. One of his notable work is called ''[[Rajatarangini]]'' which was completed in c.1150 and is described as one of the first history books of India.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cvauDwAAQBAJ|page=13|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century (PB)|author=Upinder Singh|publisher=Pearson Education|year=2009|isbn=978-93-325-6996-6 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book | last=Ucko | first=P.J. | title=Theory in Archaeology: A World Perspective | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2005 | isbn=978-1-134-84346-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_hKIAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT192 | access-date=2022-05-10 | page=192}}</ref><ref name="renfrew">{{cite book | last1=Cunliffe | first1=B.W. | last2=Colin Renfrew | first2=B.W.C. | last3=Cunliffe | first3=P.E.A.I.A.O.F.B. | last4=Davies | first4=W. | last5=Renfrew | first5=C. | last6=Davies | first6=P.H.P.P.U.C.L.F.W. | author7=British Academy | last8=Renfrew | first8=D.P.A.C.U.F.C. | last9=Davies | first9=P.P.E.A.P.H.W. | title=Archaeology: The Widening Debate | publisher=British Academy | series=British Academy centenary monographs | year=2002 | isbn=978-0-19-726255-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jkhgPgH330YC&pg=PA309 | page=309}}</ref>

===Origin of modern archaeology===

One of the earliest non-Indian scholars to take an interest in the archaeology of the Indian subcontinent were Western European travelers in the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries. The earliest European written accounts of India's ancient monuments and [[Hindu temple]]s were produced by sailors and travelers in the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries CE. Some of these accounts included ground plans and drawings of the buildings, however they lacked any historical discussion of their origins, with the exception of several references to [[Alexander the Great]], the Macedonian emperor, who tried and failed to conquer India in the fourth century BCE.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Development of Archaeology in the Indian Subcontinent |last=Chakrabarti |first=Dilip K. |year=1982|journal=[[World Archaeology]] |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages= 326–344 |ref=Cha82}}</ref>

Some notable archaeological sites in India include Rakhigarhi, an archaeological site located in the state of Haryana, India. [[Mohenjo-daro|Mohenjo-Daro]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mohenjo-daro {{!}} archaeological site, Pakistan|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mohenjo-daro|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> and [[Harappa]] are also ancient archaeological sites that were once a part of India, but now lie within the borders of Pakistan. The Harappan civilization was also called the [[Indus Valley Civilisation|Indus River Valley Civilization]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Harappa {{!}} Pakistan|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Harappa|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

=== Alexander Cunningham and Archaeological Survey of India ===

Scholarly investigation into Indian archaeology was largely influenced by [[Alexander Cunningham]], who became the first director of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]], which was established in 1861. Cunningham along with various assistants visited many sites and monuments of archaeological importance in India. Their trips ranged from simply visiting sites to study and report on to excavations as well.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=A.|date=May 9, 1964|title=Expedition Magazine - Penn Museum|url=https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/archaeology-in-india/|access-date=2020-07-12|website=www.penn.museum}}</ref> [[Thomas R. Trautmann]] and Carla M. Sinopoli notes that the archaeological survey was first established by colonial [[British Raj|British]] government.<ref>[[#Tru02|Trautmann and Sinopoli 2002]]. p. 516.</ref>
[[File:DHOLAVIRA SITE (24).jpg|thumb|Archeological site of [[Dholavira]] in Gujarat, India]]
[[File:Skeleton harappa.JPG|thumb|Burial from Rahigarhi/Rakhigarhi site in Harayana, India. It is now preserved in National Museum.]]

== Paleolithic archaeological sites (2,500,000–250,000 BC) ==

[[Palaeolithic]] sites in India are characterised by the [[Madrasian culture]] and [[Soanian|Soanian culture]]. [[Bhimbetka rock shelters]] is also a Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) and Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) site.

== Mesolithic sites (250,000 BC–10,000 BC) ==
{{ see also |Cave paintings in India }}

[[Anangpur#Cave|Anangpur Caves]] ([[Faridabad]]) and [[Mangar Bani#Cave|Mangar Bani Caves]] ([[Gurugram]]) in [[Delhi NCR]], [[Bhimbetka rock shelters]] ([[Bhopal]]) and [[Pahargarh Caves]] ([[Morena, Madhya Pradesh|Morena]]) IN [[Madhya Pradesh]] have continuity of Paleolithic to [[Mesolithic]] phase.

== Neolithic sites (10,800–3300 BC) ==

[[Neolithic]] sites in India are characterised by the [[Bhirrana|Bhirrana culture]] (7570–6200 BC), [[Mehrgarh|Mehrgarh culture]] (7000–3300 BC) and [[Edakkal Caves|Edakkal culture]] (5000–3000 BC).

[[Marine archaeology in the Gulf of Khambat]],

[[Sanganakallu]], [[Kupgal petroglyphs]], [[Sodhe|Sonda]] rock art, dwellings of [[Anegundi]] are neolithic sites. [[Brahmagiri archaeological site]] has neolithic and mesolithic phases.

== Chalcolithic (Copper age) archaeological sites (3500–1500 BC) ==

=== [[Daimabad|Chalcolithic]] cultures ===

[[Chalcolithic]] sites in India are characterised by the following cultures.

* [[Anarta tradition]] (c. 3950–1900 BC)
* [[Ahar–Banas culture|Ahar-Banas culture]] (3000–1500 BC)
* [[Pandu Rajar Dhibi|Pandu culture]] (1600–1500 BC)
* [[Malwa culture]] (1600–1300 BC)
*[[Daimabad]] site
* [[Jorwe culture]] (1400–700 BC)

=== Megalithic archaeological sites of India ===
[[File:MarayoorDolmen.JPG|thumb|Megalithic dolem in Marayoor, Kerala]]
{{anchor | Megalithic }}

[[Megalith#South Asia|Megaliths in India]] date back to 5000 BC in southern India, before 3000 BC in upper Indus valley in northern India,<ref>{{cite news|last1=P|first1=Pavan|title=Megalith from 5000 BC found in Telangana|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/megalith-from-5000-bc-found-in-telangana/articleshow/55026234.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|date=24 October 2016 }}</ref> and megaliths in eastern India are of much later date.<ref name="maybe1" /><ref>{{Cite journal| last =Anuja
| first =Geetali
| title =Living Megalithic practices amongst the Madia gonds of Bhamragad, District Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
| journal =Purātattva
| volume =32
| issue =1
| page =244
| year =2002
| url =http://www.indarchaeology.org/puratattva/puratattva_32.htm
| access-date =2009-06-18
| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130510070325/http://www.indarchaeology.org/puratattva/puratattva_32.htm
| archive-date =2013-05-10
}}</ref>

==== Types of megaliths ====

''Megaliths'', made of large stones, are man-made structures.

Based on the ''"structural design"'' megaliths are classified as either monolith or polylithic.:<ref name="Megalithic8"/>

* ''Monolithic structures'': are single large stones standing vertically, which have following 2 sub-types.
** ''[[Menhir]]'': are vertically standing stone, usually found across all continents.
** [[Stone circles]]: are vertically standing several stones, standing separate from each other with no physical contact with each other, to form circle, semi circle or ellipse.
* ''Polylithic structures'' are made of several large stones in physical contact with each other, these are of following 3 sub-types:
** ''[[Dolmen]]'': megalith which is made in single chamber tomb, usually consisting of three or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal capstone.
** ''[[Cairn]]'': a man-made pile of stones, often in conical form, raised either as sepulchral monuments or for astronomical use, these range from simple small piles of loose stones to architecturally complex arrangements.
** ''[[Cist]]'': encasements for dead bodies, in which presence of ornaments shows the wealth or importance of the dead, usually found in groups or close to cairns.

Based on the ''"usage type"'' megaliths are classified as

* ''Non-sepulchral'': not-used for burial, but have ceremonial usage such as worship.
* ''Sepulchral'': used for burial. Many of these sites are associated with burial or post burial rituals which may have been connected with ancestor worship, including memorials for those whose remains may or may not be available.<ref name=maybe1/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Upinder|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India|date=2008|publisher=Pearson Education|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-317-1120-0|page=252}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rao|first1=K.P|title=Megalithic Anthropomorphic Statues: Meaning and Significance|url=http://journals.lib.washington.edu/index.php/BIPPA/article/viewFile/11729/10358|website=ResearchWorks Journal Hosting}}</ref> There is another distinct class of megaliths that are not associated with burials.<ref name=maybe1>{{cite web |author=Mayank N. Vahia |author2=Srikumar M. Menon |author3=Riza Abbas |author4=Nisha Yadav |title=Megaliths in Ancient India and their possible association to astronomy|url=http://www.tifr.res.in/~archaeo/papers/Prehistoric%20astronomy/Megaliths%20in%20Ancient%20India.pdf |website=Tata Institute of Fundamental Research}}</ref>

==== List of megalithic sites in India ====

In India, megaliths of all kinds are noted; these vary from chamber tomb, stone alignment and anthropomorphic figures as well as the following:<ref name=maybe1/>

* [[List of Dolmens#India|Dolmens in India]]
* [[List of Menhirs#India|Menhirs in India]],
* [[Indian rock-cut architecture]] burial sites.

==== Megalithic monuments by states ====
{{anchor | Mega | Megalith |Megalithic }}

Megaliths are found across whole of India, but there are found in higher numbers in central, southern and eastern India.

Man-made [[megalith]]ic monuments in India include [[Anegundi]], [[Byse, Shimoga|Byse]] rock art, [[Chovvanur burial cave]], [[Hirapur dolmen]], [[Hire Benakal]], [[Kudakkallu Parambu]], [[Sidlaphadi]].

===== Maharashtra =====

In Maharashtra, megaliths are found in Vidharba and south Maharashtra. The megaliths found in south Maharashtra are of varied types, such as head stones alone, or rock chambers and even dolmen. Megaliths in [[Vidarbha]] regions are burial sites marked by stone circles.<ref name="Megalithic3">[https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-sati-may-have-existed-among-megalithic-people-2707595 Sati may have existed among megalithic people], DNA India, accessed 10 July 2021.</ref> Important megalithic sites of Vidarbha are Hirapur dolmens, [[Stone circles of Junapani]] sepulchral megaliths of basalt rocks with remains of the dead {{cvt|10|km}} northwest of Nagpur, Mahurjhari Stone Circles with are 200 megalithic stone circles {{cvt|15|km}} northwest of Nagpur, Naikund with evidence of iron smelting {{cvt|35|km}} north of Nagpur, and Takalghat Khapa {{cvt|34|km}} south of Nagpur.<ref name="Megalithic3"/> In Vidharba, the Naikund, Mahurjhari, Borgaon {{cvt|40|km}} southwest of Nagpur and Khairwada {{cvt|80|km}} west of Nagpur megalithic sites have been excavated.<ref name="Megalithic4">Oishi Roy, 2019, [https://asc.iitgn.ac.in/assets/publications/research_papers/Steel_Making_at_Naikund_in_relation_with_Mahurjhari_Borgaon_and_Khairwada_Maharashtra_O_Roy_2019.PDF Man and Environment], Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quatemary Studies, vol XLIV, pp. 12-20.</ref>

[[Gorewada Lake|Gorewada]] Stone Circles in Nagpur, connected to both Junapani and Mahurzari civilisation, are India's largest stone circle and it has the highest number of circular stones in India. Kherwadi in Wardha district has 1500 cairns burials, which are connected to Gorewada burial ground.

Pottery found at these sites belongs to [[Black and red ware]] (BRW) (10,800–3300 BC).<ref name="Megalithic8">[http://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/41363/1/Unit-4.pdf MEGALITHIC CULTURE], accessed 10 July 2021.</ref> In the Western [[Ganges]] plain (western [[Uttar Pradesh]]) it is dated to c. 1450–1200 BCE, and is succeeded by the [[Painted Grey Ware culture]]; whereas in the Central and Eastern Ganges plain (eastern Uttar Pradesh, [[Bihar]], and [[Bengal]]) and Central India ([[Madhya Pradesh]]) the BRW appears during the same period but continues for longer, until c. 700–500 BCE, when it is succeeded by the [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] culture.<ref>Franklin Southworth, [https://books.google.com/books?id=hTwuFUW5aEgC ''Linguistic Archaeology of South Asia''] (Routledge, 2005), p. 177</ref>

===== Mizoram=====
{{main|Archaeology of Mizoram}}
{{see also|List of State Protected Monuments in Mizoram
}}
[[File:Mangkhaia Lung.jpg|thumb|Mangkhaia Lung|alt=Mangkhaia's tomb]]

Mizoram has [[Mizo_people#Archaeology|numerous dolmen and menhir megaliths]].<ref>*{{cite book |last=Sangkima|date=2004 |title=Essays on the History of the Mizos |location=Guwahati |publisher=Spectrum Publications|isbn=81-87502-77-0}}, page=6.</ref>

== Bronze Age archaeological sites (3300–1300 BC) ==

[[Bronze Age India]] in the Indian subcontinent begins around 3000 BCE, and it was succeeded by the [[Iron Age in India]] beginning in around 1400 BCE. Bronze Age sites include [[Hire Benakal]].

===Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) ===
{{Main|Indus Valley Civilisation}}

In the [[prehistory of the Indian subcontinent]], the Iron Age in India cultures are the [[Painted Grey Ware culture]] (1300 to 300 BCE)<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/37419677/An_Overview_on_the_Iron_Age_in_South_Asia Uesugi, Akinori, (2018). "An Overview on the Iron Age in South Asia", in (ed.) Akinori Uesugi, Iron Age in South Asia, Kansai University], Fig. 6, pp. 9-12.</ref><ref>The archaeological term "Iron Age" began to be commonly applied to Indian prehistory in the 1960s (N. R. Banerjee, ''The Iron Age in India'', 1965). Note that the use of "Iron Age" for the [[Kali Yuga]] is earlier but unrelated, referencing references the mythological "[[Ages of Man]]" of [[Hesiod]].</ref> and the [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] (700 to 200 BCE), the later corresponds to the transition of the [[Vedic period]] [[Janapada]] principalities to the sixteen [[Mahajanapadas]] region-states of the early historic period, culminating in the emergence of the [[Maurya Empire]] towards the end of the period.

==== Phases of IVC ====
Phases of IVC
* [[Indus valley civilisation|Early Harappan culture]] (3300–2600 BC)
* [[Indus valley civilisation|Mature Harappan culture]] (2600–1900 BC)
* [[Cemetery H culture|Late Harappan culture]] (1900–1300 BC)

==== IVC burial sites ====
More than 50 IVC burial sites have been found, among those main sites in India are [[Rakhigarhi]] (first site with genetic testing) and [[Farmana]] in Haryana, [[Sanauli]] in Uttar Pradesh, [[Kalibangan]] in Rajasthan, [[Lothal]] and [[Dholavira]] in Gujarat. Other IVC burial sites outside India have been found in Pakistan in [[Mehrgarh]], [[Harappa]], and [[Mohenjo-daro]].<ref name="korj1">Astha Dibyopama, Yong Jun Kim, Chang Seok Oh, Dong Hoon Shin, Vasant Shinde, 2015,[https://e-aba.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/0107KJPA/kjpa-28-1.pdf], Korean Journal of Physical Anthropology, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 1-9.</ref>

==== Main IVC sites ====
{{see also | List of Indus Valley Civilisation sites}}

=====Rakhigarhi=====

{{Main|Rakhigarhi}}

In 1963, the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) began excavations at this site, and, though little has been published about the excavations.<ref name="Wright2009">{{citation|last=Wright|first=Rita P.|title=The Ancient Indus: Urbanism, Economy, and Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gAgFPQAACAAJ&pg=PA107|year=2009|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-57219-4|page=107}} Quote: "Rakhigarhi will be discussed briefly in view of the limited published material" (p 107)</ref><ref name="Yoffee2015">{{citation|last=Sinopoli|first=Carla M.|editor=Norman Yoffee|title=The Cambridge World History|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TKawBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA325|year=2015|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-19008-4|page=325|chapter=Ancient South Asian cities in their regions}} Quote: "Excavations have also occurred at Rakhigarhi, but only brief notes have been published, and little information is currently available on its form and organization. (page 325)"</ref> Further excavations were conducted the ASI headed by the archaeologist, [https://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99sep18/saturday/head14.htm Amarendra Nath], between 1997 and 2000.<ref name="nath">{{cite web | first1=Amarendra | last1=Nath | url=http://asi.nic.in/pdf_data/rakhigarhi_excavation_report_new.pdf | title=Excavations at Rakhigarhi [1997-98 to 1999-2000] | access-date=22 February 2016 | website=Archaeological Survey of India | page=306 | date=31 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319114204/http://asi.nic.in/pdf_data/rakhigarhi_excavation_report_new.pdf | archive-date=19 March 2015 }}</ref><ref group=note>Amarendra Nath was later [http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/former-archaeological-survey-director-sentenced-to-jail-for-fraud/story-PY4UDmliPR8nP174sVa4kK.html found guilty] for forging bills during the excavation at Rakhigarhi.</ref> The more recent excavations have been performed by Vasant Shinde, an archaeologist from the [[Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute|Deccan College]].<ref name="shinde">{{cite journal|last1=Shinde|first1=Vasant|last2=Green|first2=Adam|last3=Parmar|first3=Narender|last4=Sable|first4=P. D.|title=Rakhigarhi and the Harappan Civilization: Recent Work and New Challenges|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute|date=2012–2013|volume=72/73|page=48|jstor=43610687}}</ref>

Analysis and mapping of this site has shown it to be even larger than Mohenjo Daro.<ref name="shinde" /> Radiocarbon dating was used at this site to analyze soil samples. The results showed that the soil samples were dated back to the millennium of 2000 years BC.<ref>Vahia, Mayank N., Pankaj Kumar, Abhijeet Bhogale, D. C. Kothari, Sundeep Chopra, Vasant Shinde, Nilesh Jadhav, and Ranvir Shastri. "Radiocarbon Dating of Charcoal Samples from Rakhigarhi, Haryana, India Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometer." ''Current Science'' 111, no. 1 (2016): 27-28. Accessed August 2, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24910004.</ref>

=== Bronze Age: Vedic Civilisation (2000–1500 BC)===

Early [[Vedic Civilisation]], which falls in the Bronze Age, is characterised to the following cultures:
* [[Copper Hoard culture]] (2500–1600 BC)
* [[Swat culture]] (1600–500 BC)

== Iron Age archaeological sites (1500–200 BC) ==

=== Iron Age north India: Vedic Civilisation (1500–500 BC) ===

[[Vedic Civilisation]] which originated in Bronze Age, evolved through the following stages in the Iron Age:

* [[Janapadas]] (1500–600 BC)
* [[Black and Red ware culture]] (1300–1000 BC)
* [[Painted Grey Ware culture]] (1200–600 BC)
* [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] (700–200 BC)
* [[Pradyota dynasty|Pradyota Dynasty]] (799–684 BC)
* [[Haryanka dynasty|Haryanka Dynasty]] (684–424 BC)
* [[Three Crowned Kings|Three Crowned Kingdoms]] (c. 600 BC – AD 1600)
* [[Maha Janapadas]] (c. 600–300 BC)

=== [[Keezhadi excavation site|Iron]] Age south India ===

Iron Age sites in south India are [[Adichanallur]] in Tamil Nadu, [[Hallur]] in Haveri district of Karnataka, [[Keezhadi excavation site]]

=== Early to mid Middle Ages archaeological sites (500 BC – 1,000) ===

* [[Achaemenid Empire]] (550–330 BC)
* [[Nanda Empire]] (380–321 BC)
* [[Macedonian Empire]] (330–323 BC)
* [[Maurya Empire]] (321–184 BC)

== Middle Kingdoms archaeological sites (230 BC – AD 1206) ==

Following were either largest in area and/or longest reigning or had watershed moment impact:

* [[Satavahana Empire]] (230 BC – AD 220)
* [[Shunga Empire]] (185–73 BC)
* [[Indo-Greek Kingdom]] (180 BC – AD 10)
* [[Indo-Scythian|Indo-Scythian Kingdom]] (50 BC – AD 400)
* [[Indo-Parthian Kingdom]] (AD 21 – c. 130)
* [[Kushan Empire]] (AD 60–240)
* [[Vakataka Empire]] (c. 250 – c. 500)
* [[Kalabhra dynasty|Kalabhras Empire]] (c. 250 – c. 600)
* [[Gupta Empire]] (280–550)
* [[Western Ganga Kingdom]] (350–1000)
* [[Kamarupa Kingdom]] (350–1100)
* [[Maitraka dynasty|Maitraka Empire]] (475–767)
* [[Kabul Shahi (disambiguation)|Kabul Shahi Empire]] (c. 500 – 1026)
* [[Harsha Empire]] (606–647)
* [[Chaulukya dynasty|Chalukya Empire]] (543–753, 942–1244)
* [[Western Chalukya Empire]] (973–1189)
* [[Eastern Chalukya Kingdom]] (624–1075)
* [[Gurjara-Pratihara Empire]] (550–1036)
* [[Guhila]] dynasty (551-1947)
* [[Pala Empire]] (750–1174)
* [[Rashtrakuta Empire]] (753–982)
* [[Paramara Kingdom]] (800–1327)
* [[Yadava Empire]] (850–1334)
* [[Kachhwaha]] dynasty (947-1947)
* [[Lohara dynasty|Lohara Kingdom]] (1003–1320)
* [[Eastern Ganga Empire]] (1078–1434)
* [[Zamorin of Calicut|Zamorin Kingdom]] (1102–1766)
* [[Kalachuris of Tripuri]] (675-1210)
* [[Chutiya Kingdom]] (1187–1673)

== Late medieval archaeological sites (1206–1526)==

The sites related to the following:
* [[Delhi Sultanate]] (1206–1526)
* [[Ahom kingdom]] (1228–1826)
* [[Chitradurga Kingdom]] (1300–1779)
* [[Reddi Kingdom|Reddy Kingdom]] (1325–1448)
* [[Vijayanagara Empire]] (1336–1646)

== Early modern archaeological sites (1526–1858)==

Some of the main sites are related to the

* [[Mughal Empire]] (1526–1858)
* [[Madurai Nayakas|Madurai Kingdom]] (1559–1736)
* [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Thanjavur Kingdom]] (1532–1673)
* [[Kingdom of Sikkim|Sikkim Kingdom]] (1642–1975)
* [[Maratha Empire]] (1674–1818)
* [[Misl]] (1707–1799)
* [[Sikh Empire]] (1799–1849)
* [[Travancore Kingdom]] (1729–1947)

== Colonial archaeological sites (1510–1961) ==

The sites are related to the following colonial rulers:

* [[Portuguese India]] (1510–1961)
* [[Dutch India]] (1605–1825)
* [[Danish India]] (1620–1869)
* [[French India]] (1759–1954)
* [[Company Raj]] (1757–1858)
* [[British Raj]] (1858–1947)

==See also==
{{Portal|History|India}}
* [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
* [[Timeline of Indian history]]
* [[List of Indus Valley Civilisation sites]]
* [[List of archaeological sites by country#India]]
* [[World Heritage Sites by country#India]]
* [[Pottery in the Indian subcontinent]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*D.P. Agrawal. The Archaeology of India. London : Curzon Press, 1981.
* {{cite news |title=The Development of Archaeology in the Indian Subcontinent |last=Chakrabarti |first=Dilip K. |year=1982
|journal=[[World Archaeology]] |volume=13 |issue=3
|pages= 326–344 |ref=Cha82}}
*Chakrabarti D.K. 2009. India, an archaeological history : palaeolithic beginnings to early historic foundations
*Chakrabarti D.K. 2003. Archaeology in the Third World by Dilip Kumar Chakrabarti
*Chakrabarti D.K. 1988 A history of Indian archeology from the beginning to 1947
*Chakrabarti D.K. 2006. The Oxford companion to Indian archaeology : the archaeological foundations of ancient India, Stone Age to AD 13th century
*{{cite book|author=Braj Basi Lal|title=Piecing Together - Memoirs of an Archaeologist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0jp3uAAACAAJ|year=2011|publisher=Aryan Books International|isbn=978-81-7305-417-4}}
* Aryas, Aryens et Iraniens en Asie Centrale Fussman, G.; Kellens, J.; Francfort, H.-P.; Tremblay, X.. (2005) Institut Civilisation Indienne {{ISBN|2-86803-072-6}}
* Dimensions in Indian History and Archaeology (S. P. Gupta and K. S. Ramachandran, eds.) New Delhi: Indian History and Culture Society, 1993.
*Rao, S. R. (2008). Reminiscences of an archaeologist. New Delhi: Aryan Books International.
* New Trends in Indian Art and Archaeology: S.R. Rao's 70th Birthday Felicitation Volumes, edited by B.U. Nayak and N.C. Ghosh, 2 vols. (1992)
* Marine Archaeology in India, Delhi: Publications Division, {{ISBN|81-230-0785-X}} (2001)
*S.R. Rao, ''Marine Archaeology in India,'' Delhi: Publications Division, {{ISBN|81-230-0785-X}} (2001)
*{{cite news |title=In the Beginning was the Word: Excavating the Relations between History and Archaeology in South Asia |last1=Trautmann|first1=Thomas R. |author-link1= Thomas Trautmann|last2=Sinopoli|first2=Carla M. |year=2002 |journal=Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient |volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=492–523 |ref=Tra02}}

{{Asia topic|Archaeology of}}

[[Category:Archaeology of India]]
[[Category:Iron Age Asia]]
[[Category:Prehistoric India]]
[[Category:Megalithic monuments in India]]
[[Category:Stone circles in India]]

Archaeology of India - Revision history

Ghazal Builders at 01:28, 8 May 2026