The recent unearthing of a potentially 4,000-year-old urban settlement in Babhaniyav village, situated 13 kilometers from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, has sparked intrigue and interest among archaeologists and historians. The site was discovered by a team from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and the uncovered artifacts suggest that it might have been one of the craft villages mentioned in ancient texts.
Archaeology of Craft Villages
According to historical records, during the time of Buddha, suburban villages devoted to specific crafts were commonplace. Artifacts found at the site indicate that this settlement could have been a carpenter’s village or a chariot-maker’s village near Varanasi. Previous discoveries of similar villages have taken place in locations such as Sarnath, Tilmapur, and Ramnagar – all in Uttar Pradesh.
Findings at Babhaniyav Village
The initial survey of the site in Babhaniyav Village revealed a temple which dates back to the 5th Century AD through the 8th Century AD. Additionally, 4000-year-old pottery fragments were found alongside 2000-year-old walls. One particular notable find was a pillar inscribed with text written in Kushan-Brahmi script.
Historical Significance of Kushan-Brahmi Script
The Kushan dynasty reigned over most of the northern Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia from the 1st to 3rd Century AD. Inscriptions written under this rule typically feature texts in Bactrian, Greek script, and Prakrit, usually written in Brāhmī or Kharoṣṭhī script.
Proximity to Varanasi and its Historic Value
The proximity of the site to Varanasi, a city believed to be around 3,000 years old, enhances its significance. Experts suggest that the newly discovered site could represent a smaller sub-center of Varanasi which gradually developed into an urban town. It may have functioned as a satellite town or a feeding center for the larger region encompassing Varanasi and Sarnath.
Understanding Satellite Towns
Satellite towns are smaller cities located near larger metropolises. While they boast most necessary amenities and facilities, they often rely on their larger counterparts for employment and occasionally education.
The History of Varanasi
Positioned on the left bank of the Ganges (Ganga) River in southeastern Uttar Pradesh state, Varanasi is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited locations. Its early history reveals it as the first Aryan settlement in the middle Ganges Valley. The capital of the kingdom of Kashi during Buddha’s time, it remained a center of religious, educational, and artistic activities despite three centuries of Muslim occupation starting from 1194. By the 18th century, Varanasi was an independent kingdom and under subsequent British rule, it remained a vital commercial and religious center. Following Indian independence in 1947, Varanasi became part of the state of Uttar Pradesh.