Atranjikhera – Ancient Indian City

Atranjikhera is an ancient archaeological site located in the district of Etah, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is an important site for the study of the Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) culture, which flourished in India during the Iron Age (circa 700 BCE to 200 BCE). The site was discovered in 1959 by a team of archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India led by B.B. Lal.

The site of Atranjikhera covers an area of about 14 hectares and is divided into two parts: the fortified town and the cemetery. The fortified town is located on a small hill and is surrounded by a massive wall made of mud bricks. The wall is about 3 meters thick and 4 meters high. The town had several public buildings, including a large granary, a bathhouse, and a temple. The granary was an important building as it stored grains and other food items that were used to feed the population during times of drought and famine.

The cemetery at Atranjikhera is located outside the fortified town. It is divided into several burial mounds or tumuli. The burial mounds are made of earth and stone and are about 2 meters high and 15 meters in diameter. The burial mounds contained single or multiple burials, which were accompanied by personal possessions, such as pottery, beads, and jewelry.

The people of Atranjikhera were skilled craftsmen and artisans. They produced a variety of objects, including pottery, beads, jewelry, and tools. The pottery produced at Atranjikhera was of high quality and was decorated with geometric designs and animal motifs. The beads and jewelry produced at Atranjikhera were made of precious and semi-precious stones, such as agate, carnelian, and lapis lazuli.

The people of Atranjikhera were also involved in agriculture. They grew a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, and pulses. They also kept domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The people of Atranjikhera were able to produce surplus food, which they could trade with other towns and cities.

The people of Atranjikhera had a system of writing, which is known as the Brahmi script. The Brahmi script is one of the oldest writing systems in India and is still in use today. The script was used to write several languages, including Sanskrit and Prakrit. The script was written from left to right and was used on a variety of surfaces, including rocks, coins, and pottery.

The people of Atranjikhera had a complex system of religion. They worshipped several deities, including a mother goddess and a male god who may have been associated with fertility. The people of Atranjikhera also believed in the concept of life after death and buried their dead with great care and respect. The dead were buried with personal possessions, such as pottery, jewelry, and tools.

The decline of Atranjikhera is not clear. The site was abandoned around 500 BCE, and the reason for the abandonment is not known. It is possible that the decline of Atranjikhera was due to environmental factors, such as climate change, drought, and deforestation. It is also possible that the decline of Atranjikhera was due to political and social factors, such as invasion and warfare.

One of the most interesting aspects of Atranjikhera is its connection to the NBPW culture. The NBPW culture was characterized by its distinctive black polished pottery, which was made by firing the pottery at high temperatures in a reducing atmosphere