Mansar
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Mansar (मनसर) is a town in Ramtek tehsil of Nagpur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Recent archaeological discoveries strongly suggest that the Pravarapura site is to be identified with an extensive settlement found near Mansar in Nagpur district.[1]
Variants
Location
Mansar town is located 5 km west of Ramtek and 45 km northeast of Nagpur city. Mansar is located at 21.4°N 79.25°E. It has an average elevation of 471 metres (1545 feet).
Origin
History
In 1972, an image of a deity, later identified as Shiva Vamana was found from a hillock in Mansar, locally known as Hidimba Tekri. Important excavations were carried out at the ancient sites of Mansar since 1997-98, under the aegis of the Bodhisatva Nagarjun Smarak Samstha Va Anusandhan Kendra, Nagpur and under the directions of Jagat Pati Joshi and A. K. Sharma.
So far 5 sites have been excavated in Mansar, which are designated as MNS 1, MNS 2, MNS 3, MNS 4 and MNS 5. Exposed Brick Structures containing the Buddhist Monastery, Buddhist Box Pattern Stupa, Small Temples and the Palace Structure. Various Stone images also exposed during the Excavation. Identified as the Capital of Vakatakas. The evidence of Purushamedha and the construction of Sheyna-Chiti is the important point. These excavations have resulted in the discovery of various shrines (MNS 3, 4, 5) and a palace complex (MNS 2), identified as Pravarapura, the capital of the Vakataka king Pravarasena II (1st half of 5th century). Adjacent to this palace, on Hidimba Tekri (MNS 3), an extensive temple complex has been unearthed, identified as Pravareśvara.[2] A 3 m tall lime model of a male human figure in crouching position was found underneath one of the terraces of MNS 3. Significant 5th-century sculptures of Hindu deities, artefacts and some coins have been discovered in the excavations.
The water reservoir around the site and findings of ancient tools and other objects point to the fact that a large population inhabited the area 1600 years ago. The discovery has made Mansar one of the prime archaeological sites in the country [3]
मनसर
मनसर भारत के महाराष्ट्र राज्य के नागपुर ज़िले की रामटेक तहसील में स्थित एक कस्बा है। यह रामटेक से 5 किमी पश्चिम और नागपुर से 45 किमी पूर्वोत्तर में बसा हुआ है। मनसर भारत की एक प्रमुख पुरातात्विक महत्त्व का स्थान है। यहाँ खुदाई में वाकाटक राजा प्रवरसेन का 'प्रवरपुर' नामक राजमहल तथा 'प्रवरेश्वर' नामक विशाल मंदिर प्रांगण के भग्नावशेष मिले हैं।
References
- ↑ Bakker, Hans (2008). Mansar, Pravarasena and his Capital. University of Groningen.p.4
- ↑ Proceedings of the international symposium at the British Museum, London, 2008
- ↑ Excavations reveal Wakataka relics, Indian Express
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