Eran - Ancient Eran

Ancient Eran

Eran is the site of first reported monument of Sati dated 510 AD in India. The archaeological site nearby Eran has revealed several Gupta inscriptions. The village of Eran has a most interesting collection of archaeological relics. There is a fort in rulings attributed to the Dangis, who formerly dominated over this region. The site had a number of Vishnu shrines but nothing now remains except some of the lower courses of masonry, four standing columns with their architrave and some beams and part of door ways. The Principal statue is a colossal Varaha about 11 feet 5" high. The excavation conducted by the Department of Archeology of the University of Sagar have yielded relics similar to those found at Maheshwar and Tripura showing that Eran formed the Northern most limit of the Chalcolithic culture in Madhya Pradesh. Excavations were carried out at Eran in 1960-61 to 1964-65; and 1987-88. Excavations at Eran have revealed about the earliest fort built by mud ramparts. Prof. K.D. Bajpai has studied coins from Eran excavations and has done a chronological analysis. He has given a note on ‘Svabhoganagara’ in the Eran inscription of Samudragupta. Eran is situated (Latitude 24°.5' North and longitude 78°.10' East) 75 km north-west of Sagar town in Madhya Pradesh. Eran comes under Tehsil Bina of District Sagar. T.S. Bart was the first to discover there a number of antiquities, some being of great historical significance 1838 AD Eran is situated on the bank of river Bina (Ancient Venva), a tributary of river Betwa (Ancient Vetravati). By encircling from their sides it, provides natural protection to Eran. In the fourth unprotected direction, there is a fortified wall and a ditch of Chalcolithic Period3. Eran is approachable by the road from Mandibamora, which passes through Gohar and Dhansara villages. Mandibamora is about 12 km. far from Bina -Bhopal railway (central railway) track. The archaeological excavation was Conducted at Eran during 1960-65 and subsequently during 1987-88 &1998 AD by Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & archaeology. Sagar University, Sagar (M.P.). The antiquities of Neolithic and Chalcolithic culture has been found from Eran. The Mauryas, the Sungas, the Satvahanas, the Shakas, the Nagas, the Guptas, the Hunas, the Kalchuris, the Chandellas and the Parmaras had their hold over Eran region respectively. The Gupta monarch Samudra Gupta visited Eran which was his 'Swabhog Nagar'. A group of Temples is situated on the south bank of Bina river, just half a km to the west of the Village. In this group Vishnu Temple, Varaha Temple, Nrisingh Temple, Garuda Pillar and other ruined Temples are of architectural importance. The various inscriptions have found from Eran, These are inscription of Budhagupta, inscription of Saka ruler Sridhar Verma, inscription of Huna ruler Tormanh, inscription of Samudragupta and Gopraj Sati Pillar inscriptions. The several Sati Pillars have found from Eran. One of the Earliest Sati Pillars of India has been found from Eran. This was discovered by General Alexander Cunningham in 1874-1875 AD. This inscriptions shows that in Gupta Era 191 (510 AD) Gopraj a warrior of Gupta ruler Bhanugupta came to Eran and lost his life in a great War. His wife became Sati in her husband's pyre. Eran is a site of archaeological importance. Eran can be called to be oldest historical town in Madhya Pradesh. Eran was known as Airikina in ancient time. Inscription and coins its name occurs as Airikina. The word 'eraka' Probably refer to a kind of grass. Which grows at Eran in abundance.

General A. Cunningham during his survey of this part of the country in 1874-75 visited Eran. Here he discovered a number of ancient copper coins. Some being of great historical value. These Included a good number of the punch-marked coins from Eran bear the figure of goddess Lakshmi other show animals horse & elephant, tree, within- railing and various other symbols, such as swastika, triratna, Indradhwaja, dharmachakra, lotus, Ujjain symbol, river with fishes semi-cercle design, crescent, cakra, bull, sadarcakra, hill, taurine and the vajra symbol, river with fish and the cross and ball symbol. Among the inscribed coins the most remarkable one is that of a ruler named Dharmapala. The legend rano dhamapalasa (of king Dharmapala) is written one the coin reversely in large brahmi letter of the Morya period. This coin presently display securely in British Museum, London. A number of very important coin and inscribed selling have been found at Eran. One copper coin bearing the name of king Dharmapala is counted among the earliest inscribed coins in India. On the paleographic grounds this coin has been assigned to the late 3rd century BC. One circular lead piece bearing the name of the another ruler Indragupta assignable to the same period has been discovered at Eran. Local uninscribed copper coins of a number of varieties have been discovered at Eran, attesting to the great importance of this town as a political seat and also as a coin-minting center. Early punch-marked and tribal coins were obtained from period II in excavation at Eran.

Several inscribed copper coins bearing the name 'Erakanya' or 'Erakana' in the Brahmi script have also been found at Eran.21 Besides giving the old name of the town, these coins exhibit a semicircle design, acresent, swastika, tree- within-railing, dharmachakra bull and the Ujjain symbol. Cunningham proposed that the symbol of the river represent the river Bina on which the village stands. He also surmised that the semicircle on the coins was representative of the old Eran town, which was probably so shaped. The Brahmi script of these coins assigns them to 1st century BC, The rest of the copper coins from Eran do not bear any inscription some of the square copper coin from Eran represent the old karsnapanas bit some typical symbols of Eran. The number of punch-marked copper coins from Eran are pretty large. The excavation conducted at Eran by the university of sagar have yielded besides numerous other antiquities, a good number of coins. An interesting thin round gold piece (diam 9", weight 20 grains) from the late chalcolithic level, assignable to about 1000 BC may be mentioned here. The piece, although well cut in a circular form, does not bear any symbols. It also does not indicate any clear signs to infer that it was used as an ornament. It appears that the piece was prepared just to serve as an object of money. The gold piece probably served as the medium of exchange for the chalcolithic people. The other finds of the period included silver and copper punch-marked coins. The excavation at Eran have yielded a hoard of 3,268 coins, in which most of the coins are made by copper and some of theme were silver coated. belonging to 2nd century BC. It seems that there was a mint at Eran for a large scale production of copper coin of particular types.

Among the coins from Eran, Cunningham found a fairly good number of punch-marked, die-struck and cast coins. The number of copper punch-marked coins was found to be much larger than the silver punch-marked coins. Most remarkable among the die-struck coins were the square karsapanas of a standard weight of 144 grains and their several denominations. coins of these occur on the tribal coins of weight of the most of the coins varies from 17.45 grains to 24.43 grains. Punch-marked coins to about 300 BC, if not a little earlier the latest phase of the copper punch-marked coins at eran comes to a close by the end of the 3rd century AD, as revealed from the excavation.

Coins of the Kshatrapas, satavahana and Nagas, of the Gupta king Ramagupta, Huna rular tormana and of the Indo-Sassanian rulers. The Naga coins found at Eran, Vidisha, Pawaya (Padmabati), and Mathura show various common features the names of rulers occurring on these coins are to be carefully studied and compared in order to arrive at a correct attribution and chronology of the Nagas. The mints at Eran and vidisha produced a large number of copper coins. Copper was available in large quantities in the Balaghat area for the mints at Eran, vidisha attesting to the great importance of this town as a political seat and also as a mint-town.

It may be remarked here that the economic condition of the Malwa and Bundelkhand areas must have been quit sound during the period of sunga-satavahana supremacy. Gold coins were unknown in the aria during this period and the silver currency in the form of punch-marked coin was also not much in use.

After the Sunga-Satavahana period, there was a political change in the region western Malwa was occupied by the Saka-kshatrapas and remained under there rule right from the middle of the 2nd century AD till about the and introduced there silver currency in western Malwa, for some time they also minted there coins in the mint at Eran which was occupied by them, although for a short time.

Excavation has been found two hundred inscribed clay sealing (size 2.2 mm) on this sealing read the following bharmi inscription written in the well-known kshatrapa style. Rajno Isvaramitraputrasya rajno, simhasrisenasya (i.e. of king Simhasrisena, son of king Isvaramitra) All though the titles 'kshatrapa' or Mahakshatrapa are replaced here by the titles 'Rajno' the style of the legend and the occurrence of the hill and river symbols, so common on the kshatrapa currency, leave no doubt that these two were kshatrapa chiefs. On the basis of palaeography the sealing can not be placed after 350 AD, the two rulers Isvaramitra and his son Simhasrisena seem to have ruled over the Eran region of eastern Malwa some time at the and of the 3rd or in the beginning of the 4th century AD

Mention may be made of a very large number of copper coins of Ramagupta from Eran and Vidisha. The excavation conducted at Eran by the University of Sagar have brought to light five type of copper coins of Ramgupta. These types are 1. Lion 2. Garuda 3. Garudadhvaja 4. Boder legend type 5. Asvamedha type which is part of the Shivlee Collection. All the coins of Ramgupta are of copper, varying in the weight from 20 to 30 grains. The coins are circular in shape and their fabric is very similar to that of Naga coins, which have been discovered in large numbers at Eran & Vidisha. The name of Ramgupta is clearly written on some of the coins excavation at Eran.

The symbols Lion Garuda and Garudadhvaja are also quite distinct on them. The brahmi legend on the coins is early Gupta, The stratigraphic. Evidence tallies with the numismatic evidence on that basis. It can be said that the coins were. Issued about the close of the 4th century AD.

Besides the coins of Ramagupta Eran has also yielded copper coin of Chandragupta Vikramadiya. These are of two types, chakra and purhaghata. The excavation at Vidisha have also brought to light copper coin of Ramgupta in size and fabric they resemble the Eran coin of that ruler. Ramgupta can be called the originator of the copper currency in the imperial Gupta dynasty. His numerous copper coins with certain characteristic features of this dynasty should be taken in to consideration when we study the coin age of the imperial Guptas, It is true that the monetary issues of Ramgupta were minted in eastern Malwa specially in the mints at Eran and Vidisha. These copper coins of Ramgupta are a king to the Naga coins and to some coins of the local Malwa rulers issued in this area prior to the Gupta period. It may; however, be clearly pointed out here that the coins bearing the name Ramgupta are not the issues of any local officer of the imperial Guptas, nor of any feudatory king named Ramgupta. This king Ramgupta was the elder brother of Chandragupta II Vikrmadiya.

During digging out excavation in Eran, post ancient era and Middle Period last layer of excavation few Mughal emperor, Bhopal and Gwalior states coins are also found. During monsoon periods various punch marked coins of Naga, Shaka, Gupta, Mughal periods Bhopal and Gwalior states coins are also flash out by rains which exposed ancient Eran economic importance.

Recently authors of these lines have acquired 460 punch marked coins in a small clay pot this clay pots was totally (Dr. Mohan Lal chadhar) damaged. Above said coins are made by silver, copper, tin and bronze alloy metal etc. and approximately 2300 years old (i.e. 3rd century BC). This coins consisting of elephant, Sun, Sadara Cakra, Taurine, Tortoise, point in circle, Tree on platform, Swastika, Ox, hills, Fish, Tween snake, Vajra, Ujjain symbol etc. On these coins obverse side mainly consisting of five sign and reverse side one or two signs. Most commonly reverse side "Swastika" are displayed. Son, sadara cakra, Fish symbols were displayed on obverse side of all punch marked coins. Three coins are having holes probably those coins are used by people as necklace or ornaments. Above mentioned symbols are considered as kingdom, capital, prime minister, head of mint etc. These symbols prove of originality of the coins. Reverse side symbol related to the mint of the coin. Approximately weight of four types coins are found in 460 coins, which are prepared in rectangle and square shape, few of them are prepared in punch marked methods and few were made by stamping methods, previous one types weighted 1.30 grams, second one types weighted 2.50 grams, third one weighted 3.80 grams and last fourth types weighted 9.60 grams are found.

During the course of preparing these coins, hot metals were spread like sheet and then marked with symbols, afterwards, they were cut down into pieced to make a coin, and therefore few marks on the coins are left half due to cutting process.

These Included a good number of the punch-marked coins from Eran bear the figure of Sun & Moon other show animals elephant & horse, tree, within-railing and various other symbols, such as swastika, triratna, Indradhwaja, dharmachakra, Ujjain symbol, river with fishes semicircle design, crescent, cakra, bull, sadarcakra, hill, taurine and the vajra symbol, These coins are displayed in archeological museum of Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sager (M.P.).

Mint of Eran producing coins till 3rd century BC to 6th century BC. An important role of Eran was performed to produce coins in ancient India during regime of various kings in Indian history. General Alexander Cunningham has considered Indian punch marked coins as basic and origins of coins concept. John Allen asserted 500 BC as origins of coins in India.

At the beginning Cunningham found a number of coins imprinted written matters and unwritten coins in Eran. Thereafter under supervision of Prof. K.D. Bajpai & Dr. U.V. Singh, Prof. S.K. Pandey & Prof. V.D. Jha number of thousand coins are found during excavation. A vital nature information pertaining to immediate Indian society, culture, Art, religion, economic system, political affairs and arrangements are acquired by study of these coins. During ancient coins production mint was established in important cities, which were situated on important trade route of Empire. Eran situated in centre between Bharruch (Bhragu Kachha), Ujjain to Kaushambi, Mathura, Taxshila trade route. In various periods coins were produced in large scale by mint of Eran, it is proved by number of thousand coins acquired in Eran.

GUPTA HISTORY OF ERAN
Samudragupta probably visited Eran more than once and stayed there for some time. It appears from his Eran inscription that Samudragupta visited place in his old age in accompaniment of his wife, sons and grandson (bahuputrapautra). Besides its beautiful surroundings the location of Eran was on the border of the eastern Malwa on the main route joining Malwa with the Vatsa kingdom. (1) The archaeological site at Eran has revealed several Gupta inscriptions, and coins. Chandragupta II spent considerable amount of time in the Eastern Malwa to attack and win over the Saka kings. The Central India which Eran belongs to has been well known for sun worship. Eran was an important place at the time of Buddhagupta when the Hunas were attacking the Gupta kingdoms. The famous Indian mathematician / astronomer Aryabhatt I was born in 476 AD during the rule of Buddhagupta. The remains in this part of the country at various places like Udayagiri, Eran etc. show that the Gupta kings were Hindus and they worshipped Vishnu in different forms. (2) MONUMENTAL REMAINS FROM ERAN (Gupta Period) (3) (Dr. Nagesh Dubey : Eran Ki Kala, Sagar, M.P.India, 1998, pp 21, Dr. Mohan Lal chadhar : Eran Ki Tamrapashan Saskriti, Krisna Publication, Sagar, (M.P.) ISBN-81-89740-07-5 India 2009 .pp 5)

1. Vishnu Temple - Vishnu Image - Height 13’5” 2. Varaha Temple – Varaha Image -Height 11’5”,Length 13’5” 3. Narsingh Temple- Narsingh Image- Height 8’5” 4. Garuda Pillar – Height 47’5” 5. MukhLinga Image - Height 4’5” 6. Surya (Sun) Image - Height 3’5” 7. Balram Image - Height 1’5” 8. Lord Krisna Image - Height 1’1” 9. Mahish Mardini Image- Height 3’5” 10.Vaisnabi Image - Height 2’2” 11.Parshuram Image- Height 1’2” 12.Sheshsahi Vishnu Image - Height 3’2” 13.Chamunda Image- Height 3’1” 14.Vayu & Varun Image- Height 1’2” 15. ShalBhajica Image - Height 1’2” 16. krisna Lila Sculpture (20 Shilafalak),Kaliya Nagmardan,Sakatmochan,Krisna Janm,Yumula-arjun Kathanak 17.Kamdev Image-3'2" 18.Yumuna-Ganga Image-3’1” 19.Gajendramoscha Sculpture 20.Kalpvracha Sculpture 21.Lord Brahma Sculpture 22.Lord Bhudha Sculpture 23.Lord Rama- Balram Sculpture 24.NagaKanya Sculpture 25.MagalGhat Sculpture (20 Shilafalak) 26.Visnu (Dasha-avtar Shilafalak) 27.Ganesha Image- 2' 1" 28.Bhudha Head Sculpture 29.Kubera Sculpture 30.Garudasheen Vishnu Sculpture

To illustrate how the astronomical concepts were expressed in terms of physical models, has expressed that the Hindus did not build models or instruments] shows statues of Varaha (Boar) Vishnu on the left, and the standing Vishnu on the right. The actual layout of the compound is shown in one can see the bottom of the Garuda (Eagle) pillar and facing it is the statue of standing Vishnu In the Hindu mythology, the Garuda is supposed to be the vehicle (Vahana) of Vishnu. The actual standing statue of Vishnu is shown. It is a very tall statue of about 13’ feet, 5” and some idea about its height can be obtained from Fig. 1 where two persons are standing near the statue. The close up view of the Varaha Vishnu . where it has been pointed out that this Vishnu is wearing a garland made up of 27 asterisms called Nakshatras in Hinduism. Each of these Nakshatras are represented by beautiful women, and the concept of this representation of the Nakshatras the 27 queens of the moon is mentioned in the Harivamsa Purana shows the Garuda facing the standing Vishnu. The top fraction of this pillar is shown in where one can clearly note the presence of an inverted bell which is reed-like striations. Such a top part can also be found on many pillars in this area and also, it is present on the Delhi Iron Pillar which is supposed to have been taken away from a place called Udayagiri not far from Eran. This Udayagiri site is also an astronomical site. (4)

Finally, shows the layout of this compound where these statues are located at. This figure shows that the standing Vishnu as well as the Varaha Vishnu are not facing East but are facing North East at an angle equal to approximately the latitude of Eran ( approximately 24 degrees as stated earlier in the Introduction). They are looking at the sunrise of a particular day called the Summer Solstice ( Dakshinayaya ). This is the largest angle - North of East, the sun makes at sunrise. After this date, the sun rises at smaller angles than this latitude angle, in a continuous manner until the Equinox day when it will rise due East. After that, it will move towards the South each day, and on the Winter Solstice (Uttarayana) day, it will rise South of East at an angle equal to the latitude of Eran. (5)

In this work a brief history of Eran and its location was discussed first. It was shown that Eran has had rich history in the times of the Imperial Guptas. The contributions of the Gupta Period towards fine arts, and astronomy was dealt with, and it was shown that the Guptas practiced the Hindu religion and erected many statues in form of Varaha Vishnu. During the Gupta Period, Madhya Pradesh became an important center and where Chandragupta II made his second capital at Ujjain. Along with this new capital, the school of astronomy was also moved to Ujjain. At Eran, several monuments were built where the astronomical concepts were expressed in terms of statues of Vishnu, and Varaha Vishnu wearing a garland of the 27 Nakshatras. These Nakshatras were shown as beautiful women. Such concepts of the Nakshatras being the 27 queens of the Moon was taken from the Harivamsa Purana. Finally, the statues of Vishnu looking at the sunrise of the Summer Solstice ( Dakshinayana ) was expressed in a very subtle and sublime manner, and not known to the historians / astronomers to this date. (6)

REFERENCES 1.Dr. Nagesh Dubey : Eran Ki Kala, Sagar, M.P.India, 1998, pp 21 2.Dr. Mohan Lal chadhar : Eran Ki Tamrapashan Saskriti, Krisna Publication, Sagar, (M.P.) ISBN-81-89740-07-5, India 2009, pp 5 3.Prof. K.D., Bjpai:- Sagar through The Ages, Sagar 1964, pp. 11 4.Dr. Mohan Lal chadhar : Eran Ki Tamrapashan Saskriti, Krisna Publication, Sagar, (M.P.) ISBN-81-89740-07-5 India 2009, pp 9 5.Dr. Nagesh Dubey : Eran Ki Kala, Sagar, M.P.India, 1998, pp 28 6.Prof. K.D., Bjpai:- Sagar through The Ages, Sagar,1964, pp. 14