The recent appeal to rename Delhi as Indraprastha has reignited interest in the city’s ancient origins linked to the Mahabharata era. Excavations at Purana Qila and other archaeological sites have uncovered material evidence suggesting that the region’s history dates back to around 1000 BCE, making Delhi one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in India.
Since the 1950s, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted several excavations at Purana Qila. These investigations revealed traces of the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture, which is traditionally associated with the Mahabharata period. The findings connect Delhi’s earliest settlements to the time of the Pandavas, suggesting continuous habitation since at least 1200 BCE.
Purana Qila Excavations: Initial excavations led by B.B. Lal in the 1950s and later by Vasant Swarnkar in 2014 uncovered pottery and artifacts identical to those found at other Mahabharata-linked sites such as Hastinapur, Tilpat, and Kurukshetra.
Painted Grey Ware (PGW): This distinctive pottery, dating from 1100–500 BCE, is characterized by fine grey surfaces decorated with black geometric motifs. PGW represents a transitional phase between the late Vedic and early historic periods, bridging myth and archaeology.
Settlement Evidence: Layers from the Iron Age at Purana Qila reveal habitation patterns contemporaneous with other ancient cities mentioned in the Mahabharata. These findings strengthen the theory that Delhi may indeed have been the legendary Indraprastha.
Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal recently urged the government to honor Delhi’s civilizational heritage by restoring its ancient name, Indraprastha. His proposal includes renaming key landmarks:
The initiative aims to celebrate Delhi’s identity as the capital of the Pandavas, linking modern governance with the timeless values of dharma and justice.
Archaeologists remain divided on directly associating PGW findings with the Mahabharata. While scholars like Vasant Swarnkar consider PGW as strong evidence of Mahabharata-era habitation, others such as R.S. Bisht advise caution, emphasizing that the presence of PGW alone cannot conclusively confirm epic narratives. Nevertheless, most experts agree that Delhi’s habitation extends back to the second millennium BCE, making it one of the subcontinent’s oldest urban centers.
Excavations at Purana Qila reveal Delhi’s ancient past, possibly identifying it as Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas. Findings of Painted Grey Ware culture dating to around 1200 BCE highlight Delhi’s civilizational continuity. A proposal to rename the modern city as Indraprastha aims to honor its rich cultural legacy, reinforcing connections between India’s ancient traditions of dharma, governance, and its enduring urban heritage.
1. What is Indraprastha historically known for?
It was the capital city founded by the Pandavas and described in the Mahabharata as a symbol of righteous governance and urban prosperity.
2. Where is Indraprastha believed to have existed?
Archaeologists associate it with the Purana Qila site in Delhi, where ancient pottery and artifacts point to continuous settlement since 1200 BCE.
3. What is Painted Grey Ware (PGW) and why is it important?
PGW is a style of pottery dated between 1100–500 BCE, found across Mahabharata-linked sites. Its discovery at Purana Qila reinforces the site’s deep antiquity.
4. Who were the main archaeologists involved in the excavations?
Early excavations were led by B.B. Lal in 1954, followed by renewed ASI efforts under Vasant Swarnkar in 2014.
5. Why is there a proposal to rename Delhi as Indraprastha?
The proposal seeks to revive Delhi’s ancient identity, aligning the national capital with India’s civilizational heritage and the principles of dharma and just governance.
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