Sisupalgarh is an ancient archaeological site located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and is believed to be a 2500-year-old walled city. This site holds immense significance as it provides valuable insights into urban planning, architecture, and societal organization during ancient times in India.
Sisupalgarh is characterized by its square-shaped layout with eight gateways, massive laterite blocks forming up to 18 layers of ramparts, and a well-defined grid pattern of streets within the city. The ramparts measure 1.1 kilometers on each side and rise up to 9 meters above the ground.
Though its exact historical context remains debated, Sisupalgarh is believed to have been continuously inhabited from the middle of the 1st millennium BCE to the 4th-5th centuries CE. This site reflects the urban planning and architectural principles described in ancient texts, such as Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
Sisupalgarh was first excavated by senior archaeologist B.B. Lal in 1948, revealing evidence of its ancient past. Subsequent studies, including resistivity and gradiometry surveys, conducted by archaeologists Monica L. Smith and Rabindra K. Mohanty in the early 2000s, further illuminated its significance.
The excavations uncovered a thick cultural deposit spanning from the 1st millennium BCE to the 4th-5th centuries CE, indicating continuous occupation and architectural evolution over time. The city was home to over 25,000 people and boasted robust infrastructure, including reservoirs, wells, and tiled-roof houses.
Despite its historical importance, Sisupalgarh faces threats from illegal construction and neglect. However, recent efforts by the Archaeological Survey of India to demarcate and protect the site signify a step towards its preservation and conservation.
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