Uttar Pradesh: Ancient history and archaeological sites

Uttar Pradesh is described by the state portal as one of the most ancient cradles of Indian culture. No Harappa or Mohenjo-Daro has been found here, but antiquities from Banda (Bundelkhand), Mirzapur and Meerut link its history to the early Stone Age and the Harappan era. Its sites carry the story of janapadas, the Buddha, Jain Tirthankars and the Mauryan, Kushan and Gupta periods.

Prehistoric and Early Finds

• Rock drawings: chalk or dark red drawings by primitive men are found widely in the Vindhyan ranges of Mirzapur district.
• Utensils of that age have been found at Atranji-Khera, Kaushambi, Rajghat and Sonkh.
• Copper articles have been found in Kanpur, Unnao, Mirzapur and Mathura.
• Ballia: excavations by Banaras Hindu University found relics of the black and red ware civilization (1450-1200 B.C.) at sites such as Bhumapardih, Bijulipur, Godabirgarh, Maira Dih and Pakka Kot.
• Bareilly: finds at Ahichhatra give a cultural sequence from the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC up to the 11th century AD.

Janapadas and Ancient Capitals

• Kosala: in ancient times the Ballia region lay in the kingdom of Kosala. By Puranic tradition, the solar dynasty founded by Manu gave Kosala a systematic government; Ikshvaku was its first ruler and Rama its greatest.
• Kaushambi: capital of the Chedi-vatsa janapada. The Satapatha Brahmana mentions Proti Kaushambeya, a native of the city. By the Puranas, Nicaksu, sixth in line from Pariksita, moved his capital from Hastinapura to Kaushambi after floods and locusts.
• In Buddha's time, Kaushambi was one of the six most important towns of India, where main north-south and east-west routes met. Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien and Yuan-Chwang visited it.
• Kaushambi ruins: a chain of mounds with a circuit of about 6.45 km; the rampart averages 9 to 10 meters high, with bastions up to 21.33m; about 17m of habitation deposit.
• Kushinagar: identified with Kusavati (pre-Buddha) and Kushinara (post-Buddha). Kushinara was the capital of the Mallas, one of the sixteen mahajanpads of the 6th Century BCE, and later part of the Maurya, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta, Harsha and Pala empires.
• Bareilly (Panchala): Ahichhatra, capital of Northern Panchala, lies near Ramnagar village in Aonla Tehsil; nearly five thousand coins older than the Guptas came from it. The Mahabharata names the Panchala region as Draupadi's birthplace.
• Shravasti: capital of North Kaushal Janpad and described as the birthplace of the third Tirthankar Sambhavnath. Fahiyan described it in the 5th century AD. Idols and inscriptions dug up at Sahet Mahet are kept in museums at Lucknow and Mathura.

Mauryan Period

• The Mauryans emerged in the 3rd century B.C. Ashok is said to have visited Sarnath and Kushinagar and ordered Stupas and Viharas there.
• Remnants of Ashokan pillars, all built of Chunar stones, are found at Sarnath, Allahabad, Meerut, Kaushambi, Sankisa and Varanasi.
• The Lion Capital of Sarnath is called an excellent specimen of Mauryan Art; historian Vincent Smith praised its blend of realistic treatment and idealistic dignity.

Kushan Period and the Mathura School

• The Mathura School of Art peaked in the Kushan Period. Its key work was the anthromorphic image of the Buddha, who was earlier shown only by symbols.
• Mathura artists were among the pioneers in carving Buddha images; images of Jain Tirthankars and Hindu deities were also made.
• Colossal images of Kushan emperors Vim Kadphises and Kanishk and Saka ruler Chashtan were found at Math in Mathura district.
• Stone carvings show Hellenistic influence; Sarnath also saw building of monasteries, temples and Stupas.

Gupta Period

• The Gupta Period is called the golden age of Indian Art. The stone temple of Deogarh (Jhansi) and the brick temple at Bhitargaon (Kanpur district) are known for their panels.
• The Mathura and Sarnath schools reached their zenith: examples are the standing Buddha in Mathura and the seated Tathagat in the Sarnath museum.
• Stone and terra cotta statues were found at Rajghat (Varanasi), Sahet-Mahet (Gonda-Bahraich), Bhitargaon and Ahichhatra.

Varanasi and Sarnath

• Varanasi (Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities and a centre of learning for over 3000 years; it is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
• It is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.
• Sarnath, about 10 km away, is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment.
• Ayurveda is said to have originated at Varanasi; Maharshi Patanjali, preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was linked with the city.