>JohnnyBflat at 07:59, 24 May 2021

2021-05-24T07:59:59Z

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{{Short description|Village in Purulia district}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Deulghata
|native_name =
|alternate_name = Deulghat
|image =
|alt =
|caption =
|map_type = India West Bengal # India
|map_alt =
|coordinates = {{coord|23.3796|N|86.1311|E|display=inline,title}}
|location = [[Arsha (community development block)]], [[Purulia district]]
|region = [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
|type = Ancient/Medieval temples
|part_of =
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|material =
|built = 9th/10th century
|abandoned =
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|archaeologists =
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|notes =
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}}

'''Deulghata''' (also called Deulghat), near Baram in the [[Arsha (community development block)]] in the [[Purulia Sadar subdivision]] of the [[Purulia district]] of [[West Bengal]], [[India]], has ancient/ medieval temples.

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=450| height=330| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|15|0|N|86|23|20|E}}| float=left|caption='''Places in Purulia Sadar subdivision in Purulia district'''<br/>M: municipality, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, F: facility<br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|22|20|N|86|19|15|E}} | label-pos1=left|label1= Lagda| numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Lagda]] (CT)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|21|55|N|86|21|40|E}} | label-pos2=top|label2=Raghabpur| numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Raghabpur]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|21|16|N|86|29|8|E}} | label-pos3=right|label3=Hutmura| numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Hutmura]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|7|0|N|86|13|12|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4=Balarampur| numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Balarampur, Purulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|20|24|N|86|21|36|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5= Purulia| numbered5=M| mark-title5= [[Purulia]] (M) |shape-color5=#800000
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|16|43|N|86|26|32|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6=Anaijambad| numbered6=H| mark-title6= [[Anaijambad]] (H) |shape-color6=#AA6666
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|19|52|N|86|10|20|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7=Arsha| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Arsha, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color7=#C42222
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|5|10|N|86|14|2|E}} | label-pos8=right|label8=Baghadih| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Baghadih]] (R) |shape-color8=#C42222
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|21|28|N|86|23|14|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9=Bongabari| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Bongabari]] (R) |shape-color9=#C42222
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|14|23|N|86|19|32|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10=Chakaltor| numbered10=R| mark-title10= [[Chakaltor]] (R) |shape-color10=#C42222
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|18|55|N|86|20|10|E}} | label-pos11=right|label11=Chakda| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Chakda, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color11=#C42222
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|22|52|N|86|25|1|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12=Chharra| numbered12=H| mark-title12= [[Chharra, Purulia]] (H) |shape-color12=#AA6666
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|18|16|N|86|36|43|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13=Daldali| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Daldali]] (R) |shape-color13=#C42222
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|18|0|N|86|39|0|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14=Hura| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Hura, Purulia]] (R) |shape-color14=#C42222
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|16|10|N|86|11|34|E}} | label-pos15=right|label15=Sirkabad| numbered15=R| mark-title15= [[Sirkabad]] (R) |shape-color15=#C42222
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|20|45|N|86|24|22|E}} | label-pos16=right|label16=Hatuara| numbered16=R| mark-title16= [[Hatuara]] (R) |shape-color16=#C42222
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|22|55|N|86|7|52|E}} | label-pos17=right|label17=Deulghata| numbered17=H| mark-title17= [[Deulghata]] (H)|shape-color17=black| label-size17=13|label-color17=black 
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|21|40|N|86|20|23|E}} | label-pos18=left|label18= Sidho Kanho Birsha University| numbered18=F| mark-title18= [[Sidho Kanho Birsha University]] (F) |shape-color18=#967117
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|21|0|N|86|20|27|E}} | label-pos19=left|label19= Sainik School| numbered19=F| mark-title19= [[Sainik School, Purulia]] (F) |shape-color19=#967117
|mark-coord20={{coord|23.2487|86.4524}}| label20=Kangsabati River| label-color20 = #77A1CB| label-angle20=15| label-pos20=top| label-size20=10| mark-size20=0| mark-title20 =none
|mark-coord21={{coord|23.1894|N|86.1528|E}}| label21= Ajodhya |labela21= Hills| label-color21 = #C42222 | label-angle21=0| label-pos21=bottom| label-size21=10| mark-size21=0| mark-title21 =none}}

===Location===
Deulghata is located at {{coord|23.3796|N|86.1311|E|display=inline}}

<small>Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.</small>

==Background==
Deulghata, on the bank of the [[Kangsabati River|Kangsabati]], some 6 km south of [[Jaypur, Purulia|Jaypur]] and about 25 km from [[Purulia]] town once had 15 temples and some small shrines, built around the 9th-10th century. The Archaeological Survey of India has taken over the place that includes three tall surviving temples.<ref name="censushandbook">{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf | title = District Census Handbook, Puruliya, Series 20, Part XII A| work= Deulghat - Pages 99-100: Brief Description of Places of Religious, Historical or Archaeological Importance and Places of Tourist Importance of the District |publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal |access-date = 21 January 2020}}</ref>

==History==
In 1864–65, E.T. Dalton, Commissioner of Chhotanagpur, visited the place and found three large temples in the midst of the ruins of many more.<ref>Notes on a Tour in Manbhoom in 1864-65, Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Volume XXXV, Part I, Page 187-189</ref> J.D. Beglar, of the Archaeological Survey of India, also reports the three temples in 1872–73.<ref>Beglar, Joseph David, Freedone, Melik, Cunningham Alexander (1878):Report of a Tour through the Bengal Provinces|Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73. Archaeological Survey of India.</ref>

===Rekha deul===
[[David McCutchion|David J. McCutchion]] says that the predominant traditional architectural style for temples in the western areas of Bengal in the pre-Muslim period is the tall curvilinear ''[[Deula|rekha deul]]'' and it went on developing from the late 7th century or early 8th century to around the 12th century, increasing its complexity and height but retaining its basic features. Such temples had “curvilinear ''[[shikhara]]'' with ''[[chaitya]]'' mesh decoration, surmounted by a large ''[[amalaka]]'' and ''[[Kalasam|kalasa]]'' [[finial]]. Examples of such dilapidated {{transl|bn|deuls}} are still standing at [[Sat Deul|Satdeula]] (in Bardhaman), [[Bahulara Ancient Temple|Bahulara]] and [[Sonatapal]] (in Bankura) and Deulghat (in Purulia). On the brick {{transl|bn|deuls}} already mentioned here, plus [[Jatar Deul|Jatar]] (in 24 Parganas) and [[Para, Purulia|Para]] (in Purulia), “we find extensive and remarkably fine [[stucco]] work on carved brick”.<ref>McCutchion, David J., ''Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal'', first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 3,13. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, {{ISBN| 978-93-81574-65-2}}</ref>

==Present scenario==
There are three tall brick {{transl|bn|deuls}} with [[stucco]] decoration. The other temples at Deulghata, mostly of stone, have fallen down. “All the three have triangular [[corbelled]] entrances with towers built up by interior corbelling. The corbelled entrance of the southern temple is high and graceful with a delicate curve. All of them have rich curved brickwork with stucco application. They depict chaityas and miniature rekha motifs. The stucco application includes scrollwork with geese and foliation, dwarfs familiar from [[Pala Empire|Pala]]–[[Sena Empire|Sena]] age art. The stucco is fine and would appear to date from the same period as that on the [[Bahulara Ancient Temple|Bahulara]] and [[Sat Deul|Satdeulia]] temples.” <ref name="censushandbook"/>

The first temple is 60 feet tall with distinctive decoration. “Floral designs and Hindu and Jain symbols can be seen on the walls”. The second temple is similar to the first. “A small image of Ganesh is distinguishable inside. There are also images of divinities similar to figures in the Nepali Hindu paintings.” The third temple is in bad shape.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/next-weekend-you-can-be-at-deulghata/cid/1286198| title = Next weekend you can be at… Deulghata|first=Rangan|last= Dutta| publisher = The Telegraph, 3 March 2013|access-date = 23 January 2020}}</ref>

“Many scholars believe that a trade route passed through Purulia. The district’s temples and deities are mainly Brahmanical but have Jain influences at several places like [[Telkupi]], [[Pakbirra]], Deulghata, [[Budhpur, Purulia|Budhpur]] and [[Suisa]].” <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/68984/rediscover-purulias-timeless-heritage | title = Rediscover Purulia’s Timeless Heritage | first= Amitabha | last= Gupta| publisher = Outlook traveller, 22 August 2018 |access-date = 28 January 2020}}</ref>

==Picture gallery==
<gallery widths="250" heights="200">
File:Two Brick Deul temples at Deulghata.jpg|Two brick {{transl|bn|deuls}}
File:Deuls of Deulghata in Purulia. 04.jpg|The first {{transl|bn|deul}}
File:Deuls of Deulghata in Purulia. 07.jpg|The second {{transl|bn|deul}}
File:Deuls of Deulghata in Purulia. 11.jpg|Goddess Durga
File:Decorative Elements on Deul temple in Deulghata at Purulia.jpg|Decorated wall
File:Decorated walls of temple at Deulghata.jpg|Decorated wall
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}

{{Purulia topics}}
{{Temple towns in West Bengal}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Purulia district]]

Deulghata - Revision history

>JohnnyBflat at 07:59, 24 May 2021