ASI discovers 9th century treasures after 85 years in Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), after a gap of nearly 85 years, has resumed exploration and documentation work of ancient caves, temples, remains of Buddhist structures, and statues of Vishnu Dashavataras in the Bandhavgarh reserve forest area of Madhya Pradesh.

The last time such an exploration took place was in 1938, when the exercise was led by ASI archaeologist N P Chakravarti.
Reports suggest that in course of the exploration, more than 26 temples, 2 monasteries, 26 caves, 2 votive stupas, 46 sculptures, 24 inscriptions as well as other scattered remains and 19 water structures were also recorded. Further, many rare chaitya-shaped doors, coins, etc., have also been discovered.

Minister for Culture, Tourism And Development of North Eastern Region, G Kishan Reddy took to Twitter and shared images of the structures explored by the ASI team. He added that in the Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve, remarkable archaeological remains have been discovered.
If reports are to go by, the exploration covered time period of kings Bhimsena, Maharaja Pothasiri, Maharaja Bhattadeva, whereas the places deciphered in the inscriptions are Kaushami, Mathura, Pavata (Parvata), Vejabharada and Sapatanaairikaa. The exploration also revealed remains from the Gupta period, such as door jambs, besides 26 ancient temples/remains of Kalachuri period, i.e. 9th-11th century AD.