Chapter – 4

Ancient Terracotta Art of West

Bengal: A Note

62
Though ancient Bengal is mentioned as Vanga, Vangala, Suhma and other names in
ancient literatures, little account of the political and economic life of ancient Bengal
people can be known from the Buddhist and Jain texts, foreign accounts, the Arthasastra
and other texts (see Majumdar 1943). The history of Bengal‟s past has been known from
different archaeological explorations and excavations. The earliest excavated site is
Bangarh (1938-39 to 1940-41) and consequently the sites like Birbhanpur,
Chandraketugarh, Tamluk, Ballal Dhipi, Rajbaridanga, Bharatpur, Mangalkot, Dihar and
others were excavated.

Various archaeological explorations and excavations have proved the occurrence of a rich
cultural history of Bengal since Lower Palaeolithic up to Medieval period. The
palaeolithic sites are mostly confined to the south-western part of the state covering
districts like Purulia, Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum, Purba and Paschim Medinipur
(Roychoudhury 2009). There are 175 reported Palaeolithic find-spots so far in West
Bengal (Chattopadhyaya, Sengupta and Chakrabarty 2005).Mesolithic sites are spread
mainly over the Western plateau of the state including districts of Purulia, Bankura,
Birbhum, Paschim Medinipur and Bardhaman. There are 333 reported find-spots for
microlithic artifacts so far. The most important and the only excavated site yielding
microliths till date is Birbhanpur in Bardhaman district (Chattopadhyaya, Sengupta and
Chakrabarty 2005). The Neolithic artefacts are mostly found in the foothills of Himalaya.
However, in Western plateau Neolithic artefacts are reported in association with
microliths. There are 70 find-spots reported so far yielding Neolithic artifacts
(Chattopadhyaya, Sengupta and Chakrabarty 2005, Roychoudhury 2009). The
Chalcolithic period in West Bengal began around 2nd millennium BCE and continued up
to c. 400 BCE (Roychoudhury 2009).

The Chalcolithic sites are located in the districts of Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum and
parts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur. Due to the presence of iron objects and rare
presence of copper arifacts in most of the sites there is controversy regarding the
identification of Chalcolithic sites and for Chattopadhyaya, Sengupta and Chakrabarty

63
(2005) this phase should be labelled as Black-and-Red Ware culture. They mention that
there are total 84 find-spots yielding Black-and-Red Ware so far in West Bengal.

The Early Historic period gave rise to several large settlements mostly in the southern
part of West Bengal (Lower Bengal) especially in the coastal areas. The term Early
Historic period in Bengal can be assigned to the time period approximately between
middle of 1st millennium BCE to 500 CE (Roychoudhury 2009). The urbanisation in
Bengal probably started in Mauryan period (Chakraborty 2000). Northern part of West
Bengal also witnessed an urban phase. One of the important sites in northern part of the
state is Bangarh (see Goswami 1948) in Dakshin Dinajpur district which yields a cultural
sequence from Early Historic to Medieval times. The important sites situated in the
coastal regions of southern West Bengal are Chndraketugarh (in North 24 Parganas) and
Tamluk (in Purba Medinipur). Other important excavated sites are Mangalkot, Pokhanna,
Kotasur, Rajbaridanga etc. There are several explored sites like Atghara, Harinarayanpur,
Natsal and others which have yielded important information. From the material evidences
of different excavated sites, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana and Gupta periods can be defined.
The material culture revealed from these Early Historic sites though varies but has certain
general attributes. Ceramic assemblage generally includes Northen Black Polished Ware,
Black Slipped Ware, Rouletted Ware etc. Punch marked and cast copper coins are
important findings. Bone and ivory objects, terracotta seals and sealings, beads of semi
precious stones, copper and iron objects, terracotta figurines and plaques etc. comprise a
rich material culture in this phase (Roychoudhury 2009). The material culture revealed
from various sites indicates their close resemblance with the corresponding north Indian
sites. The contact with Roman world can be attributed from the findings like Rouletted
ware, gold-foil beads, double handled amphora, terracotta and other materials
(Chakraborty 2000). One of the important aspects of ancient Bengal‟s material culture
was its terracotta art.

West Bengal is very famous for its Early Historic terracotta art. There is a prolific
presence of terracotta art in the state starting from Chalcolithic period and continuing up
to Post-Gupta period. As mentioned earlier, even in Medieval time when the other parts

64
of the country was lacking this art, Bengal showed evidences of brick temples decorated
with terracotta panels (Dhavalikar 1999). The easy availability of clay in the riverine
plains of Bengal might be one of the reasons for its enriched terracotta tradition
(Mukherjee 2002). Another plausible reason was the easy-moulding nature of clay and
the scarcity of stone in Bengal.

Different academic bodies excavated different sites which revealed a variety of terracotta
objects from stratified contexts. Among the important terracotta yielding sites,
Chnadraketugarh and Bangarh were excavated by the Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art,
University of Calcutta; Tamluk was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India
(Eastern Circle); Pandu Rajar Dhibi and Tilpi were excavated by the Directorate of
Archaeology and Museum, Government of West Bengal; Mangalkot and Rajbaridanga
were excavated by the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta; recently
Mangalkot was also excavated by the Centre for Archaeological Studies and Training
Eastern India, Kolkata. Except some new find-spots, 35 terracotta yielding sites have
been reported from the state and among them 16 sites have so far been excavated
(Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

However, assigning date to the Early Historic terracotta art of West Bengal is
problematic. Most of the terracotta materials are recovered through explorations or
accidental discoveries. Lack of proper reports and absolute dates are also responsible for
this problem. Hence, determining a chronological framework of the terracotta is difficult
(Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007). As stylistically there is a close
correspondence between ancient terracotta art of Bengal and stone sculptures from other
parts of India (Saraswati 1962, Dhavalikar 1977), one can determine the relative time
frame of Bengal terracotta through „stylistic analogy‟ which means comparing the
terracottas with stylistically similar stone sculptures recovered from the different
excavated sites of the country (Roy Chowdhury 2002). As Bengal lacks stone sculptures
from Early Historic period, the comparison has been done with the stone sculptures and
with terracottas from the northern Indian sites such as Ahichchhatra, Kaushambi, Sanchi,
Bharhut, Mathura, and others (Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

65
Therefore, although West Bengal has a large amount of terracotta evidences, there is a
persisting problem related to their dating.

Major Terracotta Art Forms of West Bengal:

The rich assemblage of West Bengal terracotta art forms can broadly be categorized as
figurines in round and plaques. Figurines in round consist of human figures both male
and female and a variety of animal figures. Female figurines mostly include Mother
Goddess and mother and child figures. Male figures were also prevalent. Male and
female heads are also found. Plaques were most numerous among the terracotta findings
of Early Historic Bengal. As plaques were mould made these were manufactured in large
scale. A wide range of motifs were depicted on these plaques. These can be divided into
several categories on the basis of their thematic depiction. Other terracotta forms include
toys, rattles, toy carts, animal riders, ornaments like beads, pendants etc. Among the
terracotta female forms of West Bengal most common are the Mother Goddess, mother
and child and the lady with auspicious hairpins commonly denoted as Panchachuda or
Yakshi or Apsara. The most common male forms are pot bellied grotesque figures termed
as Yaksha or Gana or Kubera.

Given below is a list of major categories of terracotta art forms reported from different
Early Historic sites of West Bengal, inspired by the classifications of S. S. Biswas (1981),
Sharmi Chakraborty (2000), Sima Roy Chowdhury (1995-96), and Gautam Sengupta,
Sima Roy Chowdhury and Sharmi Chackraborty (2007).

1. Figurines in round:
These are generally hand modelled or double moulded (made with the help of two
moulds). Sometimes the use of wheel was also found. Following categories
represent the figurines in round.

a. Mother Goddess:
Female figures having broad hips, heavy breasts and narrow waists.
Mother Goddess figurines are mostly „timeless‟ with simplistic features.

66
 Sometimes the facial resemblances of these figurines with animals or birds
are seen.

b. Mother and Child:

Female figure carrying a child in her arms.

c. Toys, Rattles and Wheeled Figurines:

A large number of animal and bird and other figures served as toys
including toy carts.

Rattles are mostly double moulded figures, having small stones or

terracotta beads for producing rattling sound while shaken. These are
mostly represented by animals or birds or pot-bellied semi-divine figures.

Wheeled figurines generally represented by bejewelled animals including

ram, horse, elephant, etc. and semi-divine or mythical beings. These
figurines have two holes at the bottom, providing space to attach wheels.

d. Animal Figures:
A wide variety of animal figures are represented which includes horse,
elephant, humped bull, goat, cow, deer, etc. and a variety of birds.

e. Animal Rider:
Male or female figures or sometimes both riding on animal mostly
represented by horse and elephant.

f. Divine and Semi-Divine Figurines:

Represented by mostly Kubera or Yaksha, which is a pot bellied man
wearing a turban or crown and Naga or Nagi figurines – terracotta hooded
snake often described as having half human and half snake features.

g. Male and Female head:

Different male and female heads with details of facial expressions,
sometimes with headdress have been reported.

67
2. Plaques:
These are generally mould made. Following categories represent the plaques.

a. Mother Goddess:
Mother Goddesses mostly of „timed variation‟ are depicted in terracotta
plaques.

b. Mother and Child:

Plaques depicting a female figure with a child in different postures.

c. Divine and Semi-Divine Plaques:

Includes female figurines with elaborate headdress with auspicious
hairpins as weapons often termed as Apsara, Yakshini/Yakshi or
Panchachuda. Winged figures both male and females and divine male
figures termed as Yakshas are also reported.

d. Narrative Plaques:
Most of the narratives depict contemporary local oral traditions, Buddhist
Jatakas, etc.

e. Plaques depicting Daily Life:

Daily life scenes like harvesting, hunting, music and dance, etc. are found.

f. Erotic and Amorous Plaques:

Plaques depicting sexual scenes termed as Mithuna and amorous couple
termed as Dampati.

g. Plaques with Animals

Different animal figures like horse, elephant, bull, rhino etc. are reported.

h. Plaques depicting Animal Rider:

Plaques showing an animal like horse or elephant or tiger or unidentified
animal with male or female or both riders.

68
 i. Plaques depicting Human Figures:
There are evidences of plaques portraying single female figure, female
figure with attendants and also male figures in different postures.

Beside these categories of art objects evidences of seals and sealings sometimes with
artistic depictions and terracotta ornaments such as beads, bangles, ear studs etc. are also
reported from various sites.

Ancient Terracotta Yielding Sites in West Bengal:

The Early Historic terracotta yielding sites of West Bengal are located throughout the
districts of Lower Bengal with a few exceptions. Besides the excavated sites there are
several other explored and accidental find-spots. Among them Farakka (IAR 1975-76,
1976-77) in Murshidabad; Atghara (IAR 1956-57, 1957-58), Gosaba (Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007), Harinarayanpur (IAR 1955-56 to 1964-65 and 1971-
72) in South 24 Parganas; Mahanad (trial excavation, ASI-AR 1934-35) in Hugli; Natsal
(Datta 1997) in Purba Medinipur; Panna (IAR 1957-58 1958-59), Tilda (trial excavation
by University of Calcutta, IAR: 1954-55) in Paschim Medinipur are worth mentioning.
These explored sites have significant terracotta findings with potential for future
excavations to further enrich the terracotta assemblages of West Bengal. Following map
of the state (Fig. 4.1) shows important terracotta yielding sites.

69
Fig. 4.1 Map of West Bengal showing important ancient terracotta yielding sites

70
The excavated sites of West Bengal offer huge terracotta evidences from different
cultural phases of Early Historic period. In the following brief descriptions of each of the
16 excavated sites of the state are given.

Chandraketugarh
(22° 41′ N, 88° 42′ E; District: North 24 Parganas)

The site is located about 37 km or 23 miles north-east of Kolkata under Deganga Police
station near Berachampa in North 24 Parganas district. The name Chandraketugarh is
associated with the Medieval mythical king „Chandraketur garh‟ which means the fort of
the Medieval King Chandraketu (De & De, 2004 and Shri Dilip Maite in personal
communication). The site covers an area of three square kilometres and consists of
villages such as Deulia or Devalaya, Berachampa, Shinger Ati, Hadipur, Shanpukur,
Jhikra, etc. (Biswas 1981, Ghosh 1989, Roy Chowdhury 1995-96, Haque 1996, Sengupta,
Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007). The site is situated in the alluvial delta of lower
Bengal and is adjacent to the dying stream of Vidyadhari, once a large and important
branch of the river Bhagirathi. The presence of palaeo-channels suggests that the site was
positioned on the river bank (IAR 1955-56, Haque 1996, Chakraborty 2002; Sengupta,
Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007). The excavations yield evidences to prove that
the site was an ancient flourishing port city (De and De 2004).

The site was first visited by A. L. Longhurst in 1907. He recovered early historical
pottery and bricks (ASI-AR 1922-23). After that the site was explored for several times
by R. D. Banerji, K. D. Datta, P. C. Dasgupta and D. P. Ghosh respectably. The site was
rich in surface findings and was eventually subjected to excavation for a period of 11
years. The excavation was conducted by the Asutosh Museum of the University of
Calcutta firstly under Shri K. G. Goswami from 1955-56 to 1962-63 then under Shri C.
R. Roy Chaudhury from 1961-62 to 1962-63 then jointly under Shri D. P. Ghosh and Shri
C. R. Roy Chaudhury in 1963-64 and lastly again under Shri C. R. Roy Chaudhury from
1964-65 to 1966-67 (IAR 1956-57 to 1967-68). Under the direction of Bimal
Bandyopadhyay the Excavation Branch-IV, Bhubaneswar of the Survey undertook
extensive exploration and excavation, reported in IAR (2000-2001). Total five mounds of

71
the site area namely, Chandraketugarh (Berachampa), Khana-Mihirer Dhipi, Itkhola,
Noongola, Hadipur were excavated. Following the excavation reports published in Indian
Archaeology: A Review, and the review articles published by different scholars, a
comprehensive division of the cultural periods as given by Enamul Haque (1996) is cited
below:

Period I : Pre-Maurya (c. 600BCE – 300 BCE)

Period II : Maurya (c. 300BCE – 200 BCE)

Period III : Sunga (c. 200 BCE – 50 CE)

Period IV : Kushana (c. 50 CE – 300 CE)

Period V : Gupta (c. 300 CE – 500 CE)

Period VI : Post-Gupta (c. 500 CE – 750 CE)

Period VII : Pala-Chandra-Sena (c. 750 CE – 1250 CE)

In the absence of a concise report of the excavation, it is difficult to place the antiquities
of Chandraketugarh in a uniform way. However, a general account of the antiquities is
given below.

The site is very rich in its terracotta findings. Other antiquities include pottery, coins,
beads, bangles, bone and antler artifacts, seals and sealings, some ivory figurines and
plaques, steatite casket, some metal artifacts, etc. Following table (Table no. 4.1) gives an
account of different antiquities, other than terracotta, found from the site.

72
Table no. 4.1 Antiquities, other than terracotta reported from Chandraketugarh

Antiquities Materials/ Forms

Pottery Wares: Northern Black Polished Ware, Black

Ware, Grey Ware, Grey Ware of Coarse variety
with paintings, Red Ware, Rouletted Ware,
Buff Ware, Buff Ware with Coarse fabric.

Pottery Forms: Dish with externally grooved

rim, everted rim, incurved rim and convex
base, round base, concentric groves on the
inner base; Bowl with high neck, convex sided
bowls; Pottery with stamped designs, miniature
and large sized pots; Lipped basin; Stamped
vase, narrow necked cylindrical vase, hollow
bottomed ritualistic vase with a flared-up base
and a long narrow neck and decorated with
plant motifs; Spouted cups; Plain and decorated
jars, narrow necked jars; Globular vessels.

Coins Silver and copper punch-marked coins,

uninscribed caste copper coins, Gupta silver
coins.

Beads Materials: Semi-precious stones like agate,

carnelian, quartz crystal, garnet, jasper,
chalcedony, etc; Ivory; Glass; Terracotta.

Bangles Materials: Ivory; Shell; Terracotta

Ear Stud Materials: Terracotta

Bone and Antler Artifacts Forms: bone artefacts include points, stylus,
awls, dice, beads and combs. Antler artifacts
include arrowheads.

Seals and Sealings Terracotta seals and sealings sometimes with

Sunga, Brahmi and Gupta inscriptions.

Metal Implements Materials: Copper; Iron.

Items: wire, awls, nail, knife, arrowhead,

sickle, rod, etc.

73
Structural Remains:

The structures from Early Historic period include wattle and daub houses with mud
floors, rampart and moats. The houses were made from wood, bamboo and tiles with mud
walls. Baked bricks were used in Gupta period. The mound known as Khana-Mihirer
Dhipi in the northern sector of the site was subjected to detailed excavations. It revealed a
polygonal brick temple complex probably dated to Gupta Period (IAR 1957-58).
However, Saraswati (1976) on the basis of its plan, architecture and developed form of
the plinth ascribed it to the Pala period. The temple is facing north and measuring 19.20
square meters with 4.26 meter long projections on three sides and a vestibule attached to
the temple on the north side. A deep pit lined with rubbed bricks with obliquely
decreasing sides and a paved floor at the bottom has also been recovered (IAR 1963-64,
Ghosh 1989, Chakrabarti, Goswami and Chattopadhyay 1994). From Itkhola Period II, a
drain made out of terracotta, built of pipes each measuring 2.3 feet in length and 6.5 inch
in diameter has been reported.

Terracotta Materials:

Consecutive excavations and explorations at Chandraketugarh unearthed a large number

of terracotta figurines and plaques assigned to periods including Maurya, Sunga, Kushana
and Gupta. The concentration of terracotta plaques is considerably high among the
findings. The following (Table no. 4.2) is an attempt to compile major terracotta findings
of the site and their brief descriptions collected from several volumes of Indian
Archaeology: A Review, Eamul Haque (1996, 2001) and Mukherjee (1991).

74
Table no. 4.2 List of terracotta materials recovered from excavations and explorations at
Chandraketugarh

Year of Location Period Items

Excavation

1956 – 57 Berachampa IV (probably Fragmented human figurines

Kushana)

1957 – 58 Berachampa V A two-legged armless terracotta figurine with

pinched head, round eyes, five horizontal lines,
one on throat and two below, and rows of circles
indented on the body is possibly associated to a
serpent-deity,

Khana- II (Early Terracotta plaques of couples or Mithunas.

Mihirer Gupta)
Dhipi

1958 – 59 Khana- I (Pre Terracottas with Kushana characteristics.

Mihirer Temple)
Dhipi
III (Gupta(?) Fragments of terracotta moulds

1959 – 60 Khana- V (Gupta) Terracotta female figurines with detailed

Mihirer decorations.
Dhipi
VI (Late Terracotta plaques of animals and erotic human
Gupta) figures.

Itkhola VI (Sunga- Mithuna and female figures

Kushana)

1960 – 61 Khana- I (Pre- A circular terracotta plaque having three pairs of

Mihirer Temple) erotic figures.
Dhipi
II (Pre- Terracotta Yakshi
Temple)

IV (Gupta) Terracotta birds and rattles.

V (Late Terracotta spindle whorl.

Gupta or
Post Gupta)

1961 – 62 Khana- II (c. 6th to A fragmentary terracotta chariot drawn by two

Mihirer 3rd century headless animals.
Dhipi BCE)

75
 Year of Location Period Items
Excavation

III Terracotta toy-cart showing a human figure,

probably god Indra mounted on elephant Airvata
is found. An exquisitely-executed female figure in
a dancing-pose and other animal (elephant etc.)
chariots.

IV (c. 2nd to Animal (deer) chariot and a handmade archaic

1st century Mother Goddess.
BCE)

1962 – 63 Khana- II (c. 2nd to Terracotta human figurines and other objects.
Mihirer 1st century
Dhipi BCE)

III (c. 1st to Exquisitely moulded terracotta figurines showing

3rd century elaborate coiffure and drapery, and an erotic
CE) plaque.

IV (4th to 6th Terracotta animals and animal heads.

century CE)

1963 – 64 Khana- III A unique terracotta plaque representing a richly

Mihirer adorned dancing male figure
Dhipi
IV Terracottas of the typically Gupta period, a
unique piece in the round with applied eye-
balls, pinched-up nose and ears and outspread
ornamented short hands shown up to the waist is
an important find.

Itkhola II Terracotta plaques

III (1st to 3rd Headless terracotta Naga figure; bird-rattle; and

century CE) ram toy cart.

IV (4th to 6th Terracottas (not specifically mentioned)

century CE)

1965 – 66 Khana- Gupta Period Some Terracottas (not specifically mentioned)

Mihirer
Dhipi

Itkhola I Terracotta (not specifically mentioned)

76
 Year of Location Period Items
Excavation

III Terracotta figurines of bewildering variety

(Kushana)

Noongola II Beautiful and unique terracotta figurines including

toy cart showing a demon chewing a cobra and
holding an elephant for the next item on his menu;
and winged elephant toy cart.

Hadipur III Beautiful terracotta figurines including a female

holding a pair of fish an elephant rattle and
terracotta balls

1966 – 67 Khana- II (Sunga) Some unique terracotta figurines are reported. A

Mihirer seated ruler in the round bedecked with jewellery
Dhipi and a headless dancing figure in the round is an
important find.

III Terracotta tablets having various themes

(Kushana)

1967 – 68 Berachampa Terracottas (not specifically mentioned)

(only
exploration)

Chandraketugarh represents the major terracotta assemblage of West Bengal. The

terracotta materials reported from the site are presently housed in different museums and
private collections. The unique terracotta forms as cited by Roy Chowdhury (1995-96)
are plaques depicting birth giving mother (Fig. 4.7) variously termed as Aditi Uttanapad
(Kramrisch 1956) or Lajja Gauri (Banerjea 1956, Sankalia 1960). Although Female
figurines with five hairpins as weapons on one side of their heads have been reported
from various Ganga Valley sites like Mathura (Agrawala 1936), Kausambi (Sharma
1960), Ahichchhatra (Agrawala 1947-48), Vaisali (Sinha and Roy 1969), etc. but similar
figurines having five or six hairpins on both side of their heads are unique in
Chadraketugarh (Roy Chowdhury 1995-96) (Fig. 4.4, 4.10). Gourisankar De (2003)
relates a variety of art motifs like Svastika, Lotus, Conch, Chatra (Parasol), Chakra
(wheel), etc. with Vedic symbols and argues that ancient Chandraketugarh was
predominated by Brahminical faith. Other important features are depictions of popular

77
stories or narratives on plaques, erotic plaques (Fig. 4.9) variety of wheeled animal
figures, winged figures (Fig. 4.8) and a variety of headgears (asymmetrical turbans) for
both male and female figures (Fig. 4.2). On stylistic and thematic ground these terracottas
are comparable to those from the north Indian (middle Ganga valley) sites like Kausambi
(Sharma 1960), Ahichchhatra (Agrawala 1947-48) Sravasti (Sinha 1967), Vaisali (Sinha
and Roy 1969) etc. It also shows close resemblance to the findings from Tamluk. A
plaque depicting Roman armour and a soldier with a Roman kilt indicates the Roman
influence. This can also be inferred from the head-gears and drapery of the terracotta
figures. The presence of owl carts from Chandrketugarh can be served as an indication of
Greek contact as owl is a symbol of Goddess Athena (Chakraborty 2000). Ghosh (2002)
and Sattar (2004-2005) site an example of terracotta sealing depicting a nude bearded
male figure seated on a rock in a reclining position comparable to Indo-Greek and
Bactrian coinage where Herakles seats on a rock with his club either on the stone or on
his knee. De and De (2004) argued that the foreign contacts with the site were most
probably indirect as no Roman coins are reported from the site so far. It is important to
note that drawing conclusive chronology from Chandraketugarh terracotta is difficult
(Sharma 2002) as Chakraborty (2000) mentions that there is no true Kushana terracotta
from the site rather the site represents somewhat developed form of Sunga terracottas.

Following photographs represent some of the terracotta art forms from Chandraketugarh.

78
Fig. 4.2 A male head with an asymmetrical
turban, 1st to 3rd century CE
(courtesy: Roy Chowdhury 1995-
96)

Fig. 4.3 Above: A hand modelled deer

(courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

Below: A double moulded bird

(rattle), 1st to 3rd century CE
(courtesy: Roy Chowdhury 1995-
96)

Fig. 4.4 A mould made bejewelled female figure with auspicious hairpins on
either side of her head, 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE (courtesy:
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

79
 Fig. 4.5 A plaque depicting a female
figure holding a child (courtesy:
Roy Chowdhury 1995-96)
Fig. 4.7 A plaque depicting a birth giving mother, 1st century
BCE to 3rd century CE (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
Fig. 4.6 A double moulded grotesque Yaksha figure
(rattle), 1st to 3rd century CE (courtesy:
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty
2007)
Fig. 4.8 A plaque depicting a winged female
divinity standing on lotus, 1st century
BCE to 1st century CE (courtesy:
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury,
Chakraborty 2007)
80
 Fig. 4.9 A plaque depicting an erotic couple (Mithuna), 1st to 3rd century CE
(courtesy: Roy Chowdhury 1995-96)

Fig. 4.10 A hand modelled mould having negative impression of a female figure with
auspicious hairpins on either side of the head, 1st to 2nd century CE (courtesy:
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

81
Tamluk
(22° 18′ N, 87° 56′ E; District: Purba Medinipur)

Tamluk is a district head-quarter located on the right bank of the river Rupnarayan, a
tributary of the river Hooghly. At present the river has receded about two kilometres to
the east of Tamluk (Mandal 1987). The site is identified with the ancient Tamralipta, one
of the greatest sea ports of India in ancient times. It is also mentioned in literature as a
great emporium and seat of learning (IAR 1954-55). Pali and Sanskrit texts referred to
Tamluk under a number of synonyms such as Tamralipta, Damalipti, Tamtralipi,
Tamraliptika or Velakula. The works of Plini (1 st century CE) and Ptolemy (2nd century
CE) mention the port as Taluctae and Tamalites respectively. Hiuen Tsang calls it Tan-
mo-lih-ti (Mandal 1987).

Cultural Sequence:

The site was first explored by Archaeological Survey of India and the importance of its
antiquities was published in 1920-21. It was excavated for the first time by T. N.
Ramachandran in 1940 (Ramachandran 1951). The Archaeological Survey of India
(Eastern Circle) took up the site for excavation in 1954-55 under Shri M. N. Deshpande
(IAR 1954-55). A small scale excavation was again carried out by the Survey in 1973-74
under Shri Susanta Mukherjee (IAR 1973-74). These excavations and several
explorations by the Survey and Tamralipta Museum and Research Centre, Tamluk
brought to light a variety of antiquities predominated by terracotta. However, it is
important to note that only a few terracotta materials are coming from stratigraphic
contexts (Mukherjee 1991). The cultural sequence of the site as given in IAR (1954-55
and 1973-74) is as follows:

Period I (Neolithic and pre-NBPW): Characterized by Neolithic celts and ill-fired pottery
(IAR: 1954-55), mostly Grey Ware (Ghosh 1989). Evidences of Black-and-Red Ware
were recovered from pre-NBPW horizon which indicates the possible occurrence of
Chalcolithic culture in the area (IAR: 1973-74). Other important findings of this period
were tiny polished stone celts and a variety of bone tools.

82
Period II (c. 3rd to 2nd century BCE): Characterized by the use of Northern Black Polished
Ware, typical terracotta figurines of this time, cast copper coins and pottery bearing close
affinity to contemporary northern India. Remains of a burnt floor, made of rammed brick
grits, with a number of post-holes were also recovered from this period.

Period III (c. 1st to 2nd century CE): Marked by the occurrence of incurved bowls of Red
Ware and a number of terracotta objects of the Sunga period. Banded agate beads were
also found from this period. Presence of terracotta sprinklers and profuse occurrence of
Rouletted ware suggest the trade contacts of Tamluk with the Roman World (IAR 1954-
55). A brick-built stepped tank, a ring-well and a soak-pit ware exposed from this period.
The structural remains comprised of a series of hearths on a floor rammed with brick grits
(IAR 1973-74).

Period IV (c. 3rd to 4th century CE): Characterized by some terracottas showing Kushana
and Gupta influence. One of the noteworthy findings is an excellent terracotta figurine
(only the lower part found), characterized by graceful modelling and transparent drapery
of the early Gupta age. This period is also marked by the presence of Rouletted and Red
Polished Wares, indicating maritime trade-contact with the Roman world (IAR 1973-74).

The subsequent history of the site could not be reconstructed due to the disturbed nature
of the area. However, the sporadic finds of sculptures by the local people indicate the
existence of Post-Gupta or Pala and Sena periods (IAR 1954-55, Ghosh 1989, Sengupta,
Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

Terracotta Materials:

The site presents a rich terracotta assemblage from its different cultural phases. The
terracotta figurines and plaques recovered from Maurya, Sunga, Kushana periods are
stylistically akin to those of other Early Historic sites of Bengal. One of the most
exclusive specimens form Tamluk is popularly known as „Oxford Yakshi‟ coming from
Sunga period. This specimen is now preserved in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford
(Dasgupta 1958, Dhavalikar 1977, Biwas 1981).

83
There is no such generally agreed typological classification of the terracotta materials of
Tamluk. Following P. K. Mandal‟s (1987) Interpretation of Terracottas from Tamralipta,
the major forms found from different periods of Tamluk as represented in terracotta
figurines and plaques are given below (Table no. 4.3).

Table no. 4.3 List of terracotta materials recovered from excavations and explorations at
Tamluk

Form Description

Image of Lakshmi Female figure, mostly represented on plaques,

associated with full-blown floral motifs
especially lotus.

Yaksha, Kuvera Male figures both in round and on plaques,

mostly pot-bellied, bejewelled and holding
some object such as a nidhi or a rope etc.

Yakshini Female figures both in round and on plaques,

heavily bejewelled showing developed breasts,
narrow waists and heavy buttocks, depicting
exclusively feminine beauty and charm
(Banerjea 1974). These female figures are
shown with elaborate headdresses having hair-
pins.

Devine and Semi-divine Includes winged figures and figures with rider,
hooded snake etc.

Image of Buddha and other Buddhist Themes Image of Buddha in Dharmachakrapravartana

mudra or Dhyana mudra or Buddha head in
round or on plaques also depicting certain
Buddhist symbols like representation of Stupa,
Chakra etc. Plaques representing Buddhist
such as Jataka stories are also common.

Plaques depicting Epic Stories Few evidences showing certain episodes from
Ramayana.

Terracotta Sealings Sealings influenced by Buddhist images.

Dampati Plaques depicting amorous couples.

Individual Male and Female Figures Male and female figures are represented in
different postures

Plaques with Musical Instruments Plaques depicting men or women playing

musical instrument.

84
Form Description

Wheeled Animal Figures Mostly head of ram with wheels at the bottom.

Toy Cart and other Toy Objects Fragments of terracotta toy cart and wheels and
a variety of animal or bird figurines used as
rattles.

Plaques with Social Scenes Plaques depicting village scenes, agricultural

scenes, musical scenes etc.

Plaques with Animal Figure Animal motifs include horse, elephant, tiger,
ram, ass, bull, tortoise, boar, birds etc.

Mother Goddess and other Cult Objects „Ageless‟ type of female figurines with
projected breasts and a beautifully executed
terracotta phallus probably associated with
fertility cult.

Other Objects and Plaques Represents a repertoire of unidentified figures

and plaques with varied scenes.

The highest percentage of male figure occurred in the Kushna period and the use of
ornaments i.e. ornamented figures were maximum in Sunga period. For Dhavalikar
(1977), the terracotta plaques of Kushana period generally show crude workmanship than
the Sunga period plaques. The most graceful form of an ornamented female divinity of
Sunga style is represented by the famous „Oxford Figurine‟ (Das Gupta 1975), commonly
known as „Oxford Yakshi’ (Fig. 4.12) which is presently housed in Ashmolean Museun,
University of Oxford, United Kingdom. Stella Kramrisch identified the figurine with
Apsara Panchachuda of Mahabharata who came out during the churning of ocean. On
the other hand Johnston (1942) identified the figurine with Goddess Maya – the divinity
of the Egyptian Papyrus which was probably mentioned as Goddess Maya in the
Saundarananda Kavya of Asvaghosha (Das Gupta 1975). Terracotta art forms of Tamluk
show typical Sunga-Kushana art in Bengal having analogies with corresponding forms
found in sites like Bangarh, Pokhanna, Chandraketugarh, Atghara and Harinarayanpur.
The narrative plaques assigned to Sunga period show similarity with stone depictions of
Bharhut, Sanchi, Bodh-Gaya and Bhaja (Dasgupta 1958). Some of the forms from
Tamluk show Graeco-Roman affinity. Evidences such as double headed helmeted figure

85
(large ring above) with sharply divided chins, large eyebrows from Tamluk, according to
Dasgupta (1958), are closely resembled to the Roman War God Janus. However, features
like tilaks on foreheads and fish-like eyes are possible “Indianisation” (Fig. 4.13)
(Dagupta 1958: 31). Perhaps the site is important not only because of the graceful forms
of the Yakshas and Yakshinis, qualities and quantities of several narrative plaques,
plaques depicting Jataka stories and Buddha and Bodhisattva figures, but also because of
the “emergence of an incomprehensible emotion and pleasing individuality of different
human forms” (Dasgupta 1958: 21, Roy Chowdhury 1995-96).

Following photographs represent some of the terracotta art forms from Tamluk.

86
 Fig. 4.11 A plaque depicting a female divinity with auspicious hairpins, 1st
century BCE to 1st century CE (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury
and Chakraborty 2007)

Fig. 4.12A bejewelled female divinity with five auspicious hairpins, 2nd
century BCE known as „Oxford Yakshi‟ (courtesy: Biswas 1981)

87
 Fig. 4.14 A seated figure of a boy having
Fig. 4.13 A double headed figure with a Hellenistic characteristics, Kushana
large ring above having Roman period, 1st to 2nd century CE (courtesy:
affinity, Kushana period, 1st to 2nd Dasgupta 1958)
century CE (courtesy: Dasgupta
1958)

Fig. 4.16 A decorated wheeled ram (cart),

Kushana period (courtesy:
Fig. 4.15 A mould showing a winged figure,
Dasgupta 1958)
Sunga Period, (courtesy: Dasgupta
1958)

88
Mangalkot
(23° 32′ N, 87° 54′ E; District: Bardhaman)

Mangalkot is a large prosperous village, located on the eastern bank of the river Kunur,
44 km north of Bardhaman town and one kilometre south from the confluence of the
Ajay and Kunur. It is an important archaeological site of West Bengal having a
continuous cultural sequence from Chalcolithic (c. 12th century BCE) up to post-Gupta
(c. 7th century CE) period. Excavated remains from the mound Kachharidanga indicates
that the site was occupied in Medieval and even in Modern period (IAR 1986-87, 1987-
88, 1988-89, 1989-90, Ray 1989). The site was excavated by the Department of
Archaeology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata from 1986 to 1989. Three mounds locally
known as Vikramadityer Dhibi (Sarkaridanga), Manumiyar danga and Kachharidanga
have been excavated. More recently the site has again been excavated in 2009-10 by the
Centre for Archaeological Studies and Training Eastern India, Kolkata (Roychoudhury
and Rajaguru 2010). The following (Table no. 4.4) is the compilation of the excavated
materials as reported by IAR 1986-87 to 1989-90, Ray 1989, 1996, Ray and Mukherjee
1992, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007 and Mukherjee 1991):

Table no. 4.4 Cultural assemblages of Mangalkot

Period Cultural Materials

Period I: Chalcolithic Pottery: predominantly Black-and-Red Ware,

other wares include Tan, Chocolate and Red
(1200-600 BCE) Wares. Some of these are painted in white or
black.

Terracotta: Archaic Mother Goddess,

generalized animal forms.

Other evidences: Plenty of bone tools; beads,

iron implements including iron chunks and
slags, few copper bangles and copper slags,
wattle and daub construction.

89
Period Cultural Materials

Period II: Transitional phase
Chalcolithic and Early Historic
(600-300 BCE)
between Pottery: few Black-and-Red Ware of coarser
variety. Red Ware, Grey Ware, Brown Ware,
Black Polished Ware.
Terracotta: Typical star shaped terracotta,
stylised animal forms.

Other evidences: Bone tools, profuse iron

implements, wattle and daub houses.

Period III: Maurya-Sunga (c. 300BCE to 1st Pottery: Few pieces of Northern Black Polished
Century BCE) Ware, Grey Ware, Black Polished Ware.

Terracotta: Large number of terracotta beads,

studs, discs, stamps etc., terracotta toy cart,
animal and human figurines, terracotta bull
with punched designs, and terracotta female
heads of typical Mauryan headdresses, mould
made plaques, an elephant with punched
marks, timed varieties of Sunga terracottas
including mould, plaques showing heavily
jeweled female head of Vrksaka types and a
group of female figures, typical Panchachuda
Yakshini.

Other evidences: beads of semi-precious stones

like quartz, agate, carnelian, and also of glass,
shell. Punched marked coins, caste copper
coins, seals, bangles, amulets, lockets, evidence
of mud floor rammed with potsherds.

Period IV: Kushana. (1st-2nd Century CE to 3rd Pottery: Typical Red Polished Kushana
century CE). ceramics, characteristics shape includes footed
bowel, panhandles, sprinklers, spouted jars, etc.
few potsherds with stamped designs.

Terracotta: Terracotta human figures with

foreign influence, Yakshini, typical terracotta
plaques showing human head, Naigamesa
types showing a stylized human body with
animal face, mother and child.

Other evidences: caste coins, copper objects,

iron nails, beads of various types, ring wells
made off terracotta and bricks. Burnt brick
structures with floor of rammed brickbats, sand
and lime. Part of granary was also exposed.

90
Period Cultural Materials

Period V Gupta (400 CE to 600 CE) Pottery: Red Polished Ware with moulded
designs, Grey Ware.

Terracotta: Fine terracotta figures and plaques

showing sensitive rendering of flesh; terracotta
heads and a beautiful image of Kartikeya are
the important findings of this phase.

Other evidences: large number of seals, copper

and bronze artifacts like rings, bangles, rods,
beads of semiprecious stones, and terracotta.
Terracotta images of typical Gupta
characterises, terracotta seals with Gupta
Brahmi characters.

Period VI Post-Gupta. A much disturbed period. Ruins of brick

structures have been recovered.

A large number of terracotta art objects were recovered from Mangalkot. These include a
wide variety of human and animal figurines. All the terracottas from period I and II are
handmade. Mould made figures emerged from period III onwards. Double mould
technique was also known to the people of Mangalkot (Ray and Mukherjee 1992).

Ray (1996) argues that the terracotta artists of Mangalkot used to produce secular (see
Fig 4.19) and artistic figurines. Forms like Yakshini (Fig. 4.17), Vrksaka appear in artistic
mood having more details along with so called „ageless‟ types which are of more
generalized style. For Ray, Kushana period terracotta indicates a new category of
“demand-patronage complex” (Ray 1996:32). This period shows the influence of foreign
art idioms in case of dresses, draperies and physical features. The period also shows the
dominance of the iconic (gods and goddesses figures) over the aniconic representations.
In Ray‟s opinion, “the changes in imaginative conception from the earlier period, in the
iconic and secular traditions should not have been possible without historical-social-
cultural changes that India went through during Kushana period” (Ray 1996: 32).

Following figures represent some of the forms reported from the site.

91
Fig. 4.17 A plaque depicting a female divinity with Fig. 4.18 A hand modelled wheeled horse, 2nd century BCE
auspicious hairpins and bicornate headgear, 2nd to 1st century CE (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
century BCE to 1st century CE (courtesy: Sengupta, Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

Fig. 4.19 A mould made drummer, 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE
(courtesy: Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

92
 Fig. 4.20 A head of camel, 1st to 3rd entury CE (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

Fig. 4.21 An archaic head with pinched ears and nose, 1st to 3rd century CE (courtesy:
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

93
Pandu Rajar Dhibi
(23° 35′ 02″ N, 87° 39′ E; District: Bardhaman)

The site is located in the village Panduk on the southern bank of the river Ajay, about 10
km from the Bhedia railway-station in Bardhaman district. The mound is locally known
as Pandu Rajar Dhibi as it is associated with the legendary king Pandu (Ghosh 1989). In
1961 the Directorate of Archaeology and Museum, Government of West Bengal carried
out trial excavation at the site and microliths, sherds of the Black-and-Red Ware and
shiny black painted Red Ware sherds and other antiquities were recovered. Large scale
excavations were undertaken from 1962 to 1965 and in 1984-85 by the Directorate of
Archaeology and Museum, Government of West Bengal under Shri P. C. Dasgupta and
Shri S. C. Mukherjee respectively. The excavations revealed a cultural sequence of five
periods. The cultural assemblages of these periods are given below (after IAR 1961-62,
1962-63, 1963-64, 1964-65 and 1984-85, Das Gupta 1964, Ghosh 1989, and Sengupta,
Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007):

Table no. 4.5 Cultural assemblages of Pandu Rajar Dhibi

Cultural Period Cultural Assemblages

Period I Black-and-Red Ware mostly coarse handmade

variety, few stone tools, a single bone point.
c. 1600 to 1400 BCE Floor of muram (granular laterite), Gray Ware
showing the impression of husks of cultivated
paddy. Pale Red Ware decorated with, hatched
chord design. Evidence of burials.

Period II (Chalcolithic) Black-and-Red Ware with geometric designs.

Storage jars, lota, long necked jar, etc. of Red
c. 1200 to 900 BCE
Ware. Copper pin and knife, rings and bangles,
mortars, terracotta and stone beads, ground
tools, microliths. Bone tools like awls, points,
harpoons and arrowheads. Beads of
semiprecious stones sometimes with etched
designs. Terracotta handmade female figurines.
Animal bones are also reported. Evidence of
burials.

94
Cultural Period Cultural Assemblages

Period III (Iron Age) Most of the pottery types of this period are a
continuation of earlier style with slight
c. 900 to 600 BCE variations. Continuation of Black and Red
Ware, Painted Black Slipped Ware, iron
implements, unique leaf shaped arrowhead
with mid-rib in copper. Bangles, rings and
trinkets of copper, bone arrowheads with tangs,
microliths, beads of semiprecious stones, etc as
in earlier period. Terracotta stamped seals and
figurines of Mother Goddess with splayed hips
and figurines with beak-heads and pin-hole
decorations.

Period IV (Early Historic) Ceramic assemblage includes Northern Black

Polished Ware, Black Ware, Red Ware and
c. 600 to 300 BCE Grey Ware, Black-on-Red Ware, stamped
pottery etc. Other artifacts include bone tools,
iron implements, stone terracotta beads, stone
celts, pestles, gold bead, copper ornaments,
Brick build houses with brick paved floors. A
gold coin of Kanishka-I recovered from the
surface.

Period V Grey Ware, Black Polished Ware N.B. P. and

Red Polished Ware; iron objects; Bone objects;
c. 200 BCE to 2nd century CE terracotta heads and figurines.

Remains of a Medieval structure, probably of a shrine, and several early Medieval stone
sculptures of Brahminical and Buddhist deities have been noticed in a place lying about
50 meters to the east of the mound (IAR 1984-85).

Among the terracotta evidences from the site, beak-headed Mother Goddess with pin-
hole decorations and having large breasts and splayed hips were found from Period III
(Fig. 4.23). From Trench no. 7A of this period two hollow terracotta heads were
unearthed with a short iron sword of cut-and-thrust type (Das Gupta 1964). These
terracotta heads have long nose, large appliqued eyes, protuberant chin which are unusual
features of Indian art. According to P. C. Das Gupta, the conical helmet of one of the
figures resembles that of Hittite head-gears (Fig. 4.24). He further concludes that these

95
terracotta heads from Pandu Rajar Dhibi can be comparable with long-nosed terracotta
heads excavated from Tell-el-Ashdod in Palestine (Das Gupta 1964).

Following are some of the terracotta figurines from Pandu Rajar Dhibi.

96
 Fig. 4.22 A hand modelled male torso, 2nd to 1st millennium BCE
(courtesy: Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

Fig. 4.23 A hand modelled Mother Goddess with Fig. 4.24 A hand modelled head with conical
bird shaped face (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy headdress, 1st to 2nd century CE (courtesy:
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007) Biswas 1981)

97
Although sites like Chandraketugarh, Tamluk, Mangalkot and Pandu Rajar Dhibi have
been extensively studied sites, there are other excavated sites which yield valuable
information regarding terracotta art. In the following section important findings from
these other sites are discussed.

Bahiri
(22° 38′ N, 87° 46′ E; District: Birbhum)

The site was excavated in 1981 by Dr. D. K. Chakrabarti and J. Hassan of University of
Delhi. Three periods were identified. Period I (1000 BCE to 500 BCE) incorporates
Black-and-Red Ware, evidences of iron smelting, semiprecious stones, igneous rocks,
pottery, terracotta heads of animals, etc. Period II (500 BCE to 200 BCE) consists of Red
Ware with a few Black Slipped and Grey Ware of fine fabric. Evidence of iron smelting
continues. A few bone tools, terracotta Yakshini head of Sunga period, a terracotta
elephant, etc. are found. Period III (4th to 6th century CE) includes a „buffish‟ and ill fired
pottery. A massive burnt brick foundation has been unearthed which is perhaps
associated with Buddhist monastic complex (IAR 1971-72, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury
and Chakraborty 2007).

Bangarh
(25° 27′ 10 N, 88° 32′ E; District: Dakshin Dinajpur)

The site is located about 45 km south of Balurghat town on the eastern bank of river
Punarbhava. The Site is referred to as Nagara in the early Indian literature such as Vayu
Purana. Mentions of the site are also found in Brihat-Samhita. According to a local
tradition Bana is associated with the seat of the Asura king which is represented by this
fortified city (Biswas 1981). It was excavated from 1938-39 to 1940-41 by the University
of Calcutta under Shri K. G. Goswami. There are large numbers of mounds in and around
the locality. Excavation revealed five occupation levels (strata) dating from 3 rd century
BCE to Medieval times (Goswami 1948). Stratum – V is the lowest and earliest which
yields a ring well, stone beads, silver punch marked and copper caste coins, Northern
Black Polished Ware, and terracotta figurines. Stratum – IV belongs to Sunga period. It

98
yields silver and copper punch marked coins, uninscribed cast copper coins. It also
exposes a wall and a pit. Grey Ware, Red Slipped Ware, Polished Black Ware, beads of
semiprecious stones are found. Terracotta plaques with female figurines, Yakshini,
Mother Goddess, toys, terracotta sealings with early Brahmi legends are also recovered
(Mukherjee 1991). Stratum – III dated to Gupta period shows structures of wall and
houses (Goswami 1948). Pottery includes sherds of Red and Buff Ware. The decoration
with a conventional lotus alternating with conch shell and flower is a distinct feature.
This period also yields Goddess Lakshmi standing on lotus, male figure on horse in
motion, moulded plaques depicting various animals prominently elephants and monkey
(Mukherjee 1991). Iron implements, stone beads, terracotta human and animal figurines
are other important findings (Ghosh 1989). Stratum – II assigned to Pala period revealed
residential structures, with lime and mortar floor. Potteries with stamped designs
terracotta human and animal figurines, ivory stick, copper and iron implements, stone
beads, etc. are the important findings. Another important finding of this period is that of
seated Ganesha (Mukherjee 1991). From Stratum – I structures of Muslim period is
found. More recently Archaeological Survey of India, Kolkata Circle in 2008-09 has
carried out an excavation which revealed five periods. Various kinds of pottery, terracotta
Ganesha and other terracotta objects, ivory awl, beads of various stones and terracotta,
bangles of glass and terracotta, etc. are found. In recent excavation terracotta assemblages
of boat (Period I), games-man (Period II), plaques (Period III), seals, animal figurines,
plaques, mould (Period IV), female figurines (Period IV) are reported (Baidya and Maity
2010).

Baneswardanga
(23° 24′ N, 87° 59′ E; District: Bardhaman)

The site is situated on the bank of Brahmani river, a tributary of the Bhagirathi. It was
excavated by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums under P. C. Dasgupta in 1974
(IAR 1975-76, 1976-77). Four mounds have been excavated so far. The site reveals five
periods and at the top of the mound there is a temple of Baneswar Siva built at around
18th century. Period I assigned to Chalcolithic period reveals microliths, bone tools and

99
potsherds of Red Ware, Painted Black Polished Ware and Black-and-Red Ware. Period II
yields microliths, copper objects, bone tools, stone beads, terracotta seals, animal
figurines, etc. Ceramic tradition remains to be same as the earlier period. Period III
includes microliths, copper and iron artifacts, beads and ceramic assemblage similar to
earlier period. Period IV assigned to Early Historic period incorporates Red Polished
Ware, Grey Ware and Black Slipped Ware. Stamped pottery and terracotta objects, etc.
are important findings. Period V is assigned to Medieval period (Chattopadhyaya,
Sengupta and Chakrabarty 2005, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007). It is
important to note that apart from some conical cups and beads of terracotta, a mutilated
figure of an elephant, and a sealing the terracotta materials are rare in the site (Mukherji
1993-1994).

Bharatpur
(23° 24′ 45 N, 87° 27′ 15 E; District: Bardhaman)

The site is situated on the bank of river Damodar. It was excavated by the Archaeological
Survey of India (Eastern Circle) and University of Burdwan from 1972 to 1974.
Excavation reveals four cultural periods from Chalcolithic to Late Historical period with
intervals. Period I of late Chalcolithic phase yields handmade coarse Red Ware, Black
and Red Ware, black painted and white painted Red Ware. Other artifacts include
microliths, copper objects, bone tools, ground celts, steatite beads etc. Period II is marked
by the emergence of iron implements, ceramic tradition of the earlier period continues
with a degeneration in fabric. Upper level of this period yields Northern Black Polished
Ware, Black Slipped Ware and Chocolate Ware. Other objects include microliths, copper
ring, beads of steatite and terracotta, etc. Period III assigned to late Gupta phase
distinguished by the presence of a burnt brick structure. Period IV dated to Pala period,
exposed remains of a Buddhist stupa of fine brick work in square plan of pancharatha
type. Five stone images of seated Buddha in bhumi-sparsha mudra which used to adorn
the niches are noteworthy (IAR 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury
and Chakraborty 2007).

100
Deulpota
(22° 13′ 35‟‟ N, 88° 11′ 30‟‟ E; District: South 24 Parganas)

The site is located on the bank of the river Hooghly. It was explored for several times
(IAR 1963-64, 1964-65 and 1972-73) and excavated by the Directorate of Archaeology
and Museum, West Bengal. The site yields Northern Black Polished Ware, beads of
semiprecious stones and glass, silver punch marked coins, and uninscribed cast copper
coins, etc. Among the terracotta fins plaques depicting female figure and toy carts of
Sunga style, Yakshini figures, Gajalakshmi plaque, Gupta and Post-Gupta terracottas are
worth mentioning. Ceramic assemblage incorporates Grey and Red Ware. This is a
multicultural site and has a structural mound of early Medieval period (Chakrabarti,
Goswami and Chattopadhyay 1994, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

Dihar
(23° 07′ N, 87° 21′ E; District: Bankura)

The site is situated in the Damodar-Darakeswar river valley. The Department of

Archaeology, University of Calcutta from 1983 to 1984 and in 1991 conducted
excavation at the site. More recently in 2008-09 Department of Archaeology, University
of Calcutta has carried out small scale excavations at four mounds. Continuous habitation
has been exposed which is divided into two cultural periods. Period I which is assigned to
Chalcolithic period, includes structural remains, ceramic assemblage including Red
Ware, Black Ware, Black and Red Ware, Black Polished Ware, Cream Ware and Grey
Ware, lithic industry predominated by microliths, bone tools and some copper artifacts,
etc. Period II, which is assigned to Early Historic period, yields pottery of Red Ware,
Black Ware, Black and Red Ware, Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware. Other
artifacts include caste copper coins, beads of semiprecious stone, etc. (IAR 1983-84,
1984-85 and 1993-94, Pal 1992, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).
Terracotta objects are rare in the site. Only a few game objects and animal figurines are
found which are attributed to Early Historic period (Pal 1992). In the recent excavation
(2008-09) it is reported that the terracotta objects in large quantities are found from all
the four mounds. These objects include both hand modelled human and animal figurines

101
including female torso, animal figures with star-shaped head, etc. Apart from the art
objects spindle whorls, beads, skin rubbers, ear-studs, terracotta lamps, crucibles, game
objects, etc. are also found (Chattopadhyay, Acharya and Bandyopadhyay 2010).

Dhosa
(22° 14′ N, 88° 34′ E; District: South 24 Parganas)

The site is situated on the bank of River Piyali and was excavated by Directorate of
Archaeology and Museum, West Bengal in 2006. Structural remains of 5 th-6th century
CE, inscribed tiles, terracotta sealings, figurines, plaques, bone points, beads of semi-
precious stones, terracotta balls, iron objects, uninscribed cast copper coins are major
findings. Red Ware, Dull Red Ware, Grey Ware, Dark Grey Ware and Black and Red
Ware constitute major ceramic industry (Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty
2007).

Kotasur
(23° 57′ N, 87° 45′ E; District: Birbhum)

The site is situated on the flood plain of the River Mayurakshi. It was excavated by the
Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Visva Bharati
University under the supervision of N. C. Ghosh from 1986 to 1988. There are five
cultural periods. Period I is characterized by Northern Black Polished Ware, beads of
terracotta and stone, iron objects, etc. Period II yields Red Ware of Sunga age. It is
marked by the occurrence of moulded terracotta female figurines. Pottery includes plain
Red Ware. Period III consists of Red Ware of Kushana age. A fortification wall of burnt
brick is noted from this period. Period IV belongs to Gupta and later age probably 4 th to
8th century CE and Period V shows Pala features. A construction identified as
embankment against flood water has been noticed in Period V (IAR 1986-87, 1987-88,
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury, Chakraborty 2007).

102
Nanur
(23° 42′ N, 87° 52′ E; District: Birbhum)

The site is situated on the flood plain of the river Ajay. The site has been explored and
excavated by various institutions viz. University of Calcutta in 1945-46 (Goswami 1950)
the mound named as Chandidas, the same mound by Asutosh Museum in 1960-61
(Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007), and also by the Archaeological
Survey of India, Eastern Circle in 1963-64 (IAR 1963-64). Excavation reveals that the
site had been in occupation from Proto-historic through Early Historic, including
Medieval, to Modern times. Terracotta findings of the site include a female torso of 3rd to
4th century CE, Late Gupta female figures in akimbo, terracotta heads of 10 th century CE,
beads and bangles. Other artifacts consist of shell bangles, iron nails, beads of agate,
carnelian, etc.; different ceramic shapes of Red Ware, Grey Ware, Black Polished Ware
(Goswami 1950, IAR 1963-64, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

Rajbaridanga
(24° 03′ N, 88° 12′ E; District: Murshidabad)

The site is associated with ancient city of Karnasuvarna. The site is adjacent to the river
Bhagirathi. It was excavated by the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta
from 1962 to 1967. There are three mounds viz. Rakshasi Danga, Sannyasi Danga and
Rajbari Danga. Excavation reveals three cultural phases from 2 nd-3rd century CE to 12th-
13th century CE. Period I yielded crude and plain pottery; Period II is represented by the
presence of inscribed seals and polished sherds; Period III is marked by the absence of
inscribed seals (IAR 1962-63, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1966-67, 1968-69, 1971-72). Terracotta
seals with Dharmachakra symbol have been reported from the site. Lo-to-mo-chi vihara
which is mentioned by Hiuen Tsang is identified with the structural complex revealed
from the site. Few hand modelled animal figures (2nd-3rd-4th century CE), a female head
with fan shaped headdress of Gupta period (5th-6th century CE), terracotta plaques, stucco
figurines, beads, etc. are some of the important findings. Amita Ray (1986) notes that
stucco figurines including Bodhisattvas and the Buddha and female heads are found in

103
stratigraphic context dated to 5th-6th centuries to 8th-9th centuries CE. Ceramic
assemblage includes Grey Ware, Black Ware and Orange Ware. Other artifacts consist of
votive stupa, bronze figurines, discs, golden ring, iron implements, ivory, etc (Biswas
1981, Das 1968, Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

Pokhanna
(23° 24′ 30” N, 87° 22′ 30”E; District: Bankura)

The site is situated on the bank of the river Damodar. It was excavated by the University
of Calcutta. It yields Chalcolithic phase characterized by Black and Red Ware and mud
floors with post holes. This phase is followed by an Early Historic phase. Terracotta
findings from this site consist of Mother Goddess with splayed a hip which resembles
Pre-Mauryan type, terracotta figurine of an Apsara wearing a coiffure decorated with a
disc like medallion (IAR 1965-66, 1966-67, 1977-78, Biswas 1981, Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

Tilpi
(22° 13′ 40” N, 88° 33′ 55”E; District: South 24 Parganas)

Located on the bank of the river Piyali, the site was excavated by the Directorate of
Archaeology and Museum, West Bengal in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Some structural
remains are revealed. Pottery with Black Ware and Red Ware sometimes bearing basket
impressions and ornamental designs has been reported. Terracotta plaques depicting
female figure in Sunga style, toy carts depicting elephant, ram, divine figures, a moulded
figurine of elephant have been recovered. Another mould made elephant with a flower at
the end of its trunk is noteworthy (Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007).

Following photographs (Fig. 4.25 to 4.36) represent some of the important terracotta
findings from the sites discussed in the above section.

104
Fig. 4.25 A plaque depicting a musical scene where a
male is playing a lyre, 1st century BCE to 2nd
century CE, Tilpi (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Fig. 4.26 A hand modelled wheeled ram (toy cart), 1st to
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
3rd century CE, Tilpi (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

Fig. 4.27 A hand modelled male head with curly hair 4th Fig. 4.28 A hand modelled animal figure, Pokhanna
to 6th century CE, Dhosa (courtesy: Sengupta, (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and
Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007) Chakraborty 2007)

105
Fig. 4.29 An ornamented seated female figure, 1st to 3rd
century CE, Bangarh (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
Fig. 4.32 A hand modelled votive pedestal
Fig. 4.31 A plaque depicting two riders on an
elephant, 1st to 3rd century CE,
Harinarayanpur (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
Fig. 4.30 A hand modelled female torso on a
wheel turned base, 4th to 6th century
CE, Harinarayanpur (courtesy:
Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and
Chakraborty 2007)
depicting footprints, Post-Gupta period,
Gosaba (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
106
 Fig. 4.34 A hand modelled female figure from
Farakka (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
Fig. 4.33 A hand modelled Mother Goddess adorned
with stamped girdle and applique necklace
from Farakka (courtesy: Biswas 1981)

Fig. 4.35A hollow female bust holding a snake

Fig. 4.36 A moulded head, 3rd to 6th century CE,
hood in her left hand, having wheel turned
Panna (courtesy: Sengupta, Roy
base, 4th to 6th centuries CE, Panna
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)
(courtesy: Biswas 1981, Sengupta, Roy
Chowdhury and Chakraborty 2007)

107
From the above discussion it is clear that West Bengal is an important centre of terracotta
art objects which shows a continuous presence throughout the Early Historic period.
Although, a large amount of materials are collected from surface, several materials within
stratified context are also been recovered from different excavations. The evidence of
terracotta in West Bengal dates back to Chalcolithic period, revealed from a few hand
modelled figures from Pandu Rajar Dhibi and Mangalkot (Mukherjee 1991). Typical
Mauryan terracotta materials comparable to known evidences from sites of Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar are few from stratified contexts in West Bengal and restricted to sites like
Chandraketugarh, Tamluk and Mangalkot. Most of the Mauryan terracottas like female
heads with bicornate headgears, female figures with elaborate coiffures having circular
medallions, animal figures, etc. are surface finds. In Sunga-Kushana period, the terracotta
production increased and consequently a large number of terracottas are reported from
different sites. Most common forms of Sunga terracotta are plaques depicting heavily
jewelled female forms termed as Yakshini, and erotic plaques. A variety of forms
including secular, divine and semi-divine characterize Kushana terracotta. One of the
important forms of this period is the toy-carts (wheeled animals) with decorations. The
depiction of Buddhist Jataka stories on the plaques are also important findings of Sunga-
Kushana period (Mukherji 1991). The number of terracotta figures in Gupta period is less
compared to the earlier phase. Terracotta plaques found from this period show a wide
range of subjects and were mostly used for decorating the panels in the temples (see
Mukherji 1991). However, it is important to note that Gupta period forms are more
naturalistic (Biswas 1981, Mukherjee 1991).

The study of ancient terracotta art of West Bengal can reflect on several aspects, first, the
major terracotta yielding sites are located in Lower Bengal. The most important sites for
terracotta art such as Chandraketugarh, Tamluk, Mangalkot, Pandu Rajar Dhibi are
located in the southern districts of West Bengal which were important urban centres
and/or port cities in Early Historic period. Second, northern districts of the state have
only a few sporadic terracotta finds from Jalpaiguri, Uttar Dinajpur, Malda, Dakshin
Dinajpur, Koch Bihar, and Darjeeling. However, no comprehensive study of these
materials has been done so far (Bhattacharya 2004-2005). Third, from the large amount

108
of terracotta materials and the presence of mould and figures which were produced from
that mould in the sites like Chandraketugarh, Tamluk it can be attributed that these were
manufacturing sites. Fourth, the terracotta art objects of ancient West Bengal can be
comparable to the terracotta materials of the corroborative periods from the middle
Ganga valley sites like Kausambi, Ahichchhatra, Mathura, Sravasti, Vaisali, and others.
From this great similarity we can say that there was a connection between north India and
Bengal. Fifth, terracotta evidences of West Bengal show certain outside influences,
mostly Graeco-Roman, which indicates contact of Bengal with outer world. Suchandra
Ghosh (2002) argues that Chandraketugarh and Tamluk might have regular commercial
as well as cultural contacts between Gandhara in the north-west and coastal West Bengal
in the Early Historic period. The Gandharan art style which is influenced by Hellenistic
elements can be seen in the terracotta findings of Gangetic West Bengal (Ghosh 2002).
Sattar (2004-2005) notes the presence of Hellenistic elements as evidenced from female
and male figures wearing Greek tunic discovered from Tamluk and Chandraketugarh. To
illustrate further she gives examples of many female forms on plaques and in round
which show Graeco-Roman influence. Sixth, for the manufacturing of terracotta materials
hand modelling and mould techniques were common. Double mould technique is noticed
in Kushana period terracottas (Dhavalikar 1977). Wheel turned terracotta exemplified by
elephants are also noticed. Often a combination of different techniques is evidenced.
Forms having a wheel turned base are reported from several sites (e.g. Fig. 4.35). Use of
slip is not common in West Bengal terracottas. In case of firing the actual process is
unknown as the evidence of kiln has so far not been reported. However, for a thorough
understanding of the technique of terracotta manufacture ethnographic study on terracotta
manufacturing community is important (Sengupta, Roy Chowdhury and Chakraborty
2007).

109