Rajagriha

RAJAGRIHA OR RAJGIR:- 

                               Rajagriha (25°2' N ; 85°26' E) is often referred as Girivraja, Barhadrathapura, kusagrapura. It's located about 100 km to the south east of Patnna (present capital city of  Bihar), Nalanda district . Rajagriha was the ancient capital city which represents the early historic urbanization, emerging strongly towards the middle of the 1st millennium Bc in the gangetic plains. The city's name is mentioned in Mahabharata, Buddhist texts like ' Mahaparinibbanasutta'of Digha Nikaya, and even Chinese pilgrims. According to the Buddhist literature the Magadhan kings ruling Rajgir at the time of Buddha were Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.


                     According to the Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang, Rajagriha lies north to the valley, out in plain. He also says that the site is divided into old and new Rajagriha.Old Rajagriha is surrounded by a girdle of 5 low hills called as Baibhar-giri, Vipula-giri, Ratna-giri, Uday-giri, and Sona-giri. The city has dual fortification system : old fortification system and new fortification system.


                        Old fortification system is one of the architectural marvels of ancient India. It's commonly termed as Cyclopean wall. This wall runs all along the 5 hills and across the valley. The wall strengthened the city's defence. The wall was made up of massive undressed stone blocks ranging between 1 m and 1.5 m or more. The maximum height of the wall is about 3.65 m , found mostly on the either side of the Banganga pass. The thickness of the wall is quite uneven. Unfortunately, in some places the traces of the rock is completely lost. The wall is strengthened by bastions, which are rectangular in plan. Another important features of this fortification is Ramps and Watch Towers.
                   

               Inner fortification was made up compactly with stone rubbles . It was discovered by kittoe in 1847. It was probably build to protect the core of the city.
                     

                  A small excavation was carried out by Ghost in 1950 at the north eastern end of the valley. He showed the evidence of roads. Pottery sherds found through excavation was mainly NBPW , wheel made and almost totally unpainted. Other finds include terracotta animal and bird figurines, female figurine , terracotta beads, and a plain double-convex toy wheel.

   CHRONOLOGY on the basis of excavation done by Ghosh:

        Pd 1.    Earlier than the 5th c BC
        Pd 2.    5th c BC (or earlier) to 2nd c BC
        Pd 3.    1st c BC
        Pd 4.    1 st c AD