Archaeological Excavation Commences at Assam's Harlong Kuruwati Site to Uncover Ancient Kingdom Legacy
Guwahati: A significant archaeological excavation has officially commenced at the Harlong Kuruwati site, located in Kampur within Assam's Nagaon district. This ambitious project aims to meticulously trace and document the historical legacy of the ancient Kapili Valley kingdom, which historical records frequently refer to as Dabak or Davaka.
Historical Significance and Gupta Empire Connection
The importance of this region is underscored by its mention in the 4th-century Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Emperor Samudragupta. This crucial historical document explicitly names Davaka as one of the frontier kingdoms of the expansive Gupta Empire, highlighting its strategic and cultural significance during that era.
Expert Team Leading the Excavation Efforts
The excavation is being conducted under the expert guidance of Nabajit Deori, the director-in-charge of the Directorate of Archaeology, Assam. Leading the on-site operations is excavation director Chabina Hassan, who is supported by a dedicated team including exploration officers Simran Sambhi and Priyanka Patir, foreman Anirban Gope, and team members Kaushik Lahon, Uttam Kumar Sahu, and Bhargav Duwarah.
Previous Discoveries and Temple Remnants
This current excavation builds upon a remarkable discovery made last year at the same Harlongkuruati village site. Officials described the initial find as a "chance discovery" in a paddy field where an excavator was digging for the construction of a mud dam. Subsequent site inspections by archaeology officials confirmed the presence of an ancient stone temple plinth, with exposed remains of the adhisthana (base) and jangha (wall section).
Archaeologists have preliminarily dated these temple remains to between the 10th and 12th centuries. The excavated earth also revealed broken deity sculptures and a linear arrangement of stone slabs, although some relics unfortunately suffered damage during the initial dam construction work.
Expanded Exploration and Additional Sites
Further exploration efforts led archaeologists to another significant site in Bundura village, located approximately 15 kilometers north of the initial discovery. Here, additional stone temple relics were found, suggesting a wider spread of historical structures across the region.
Current Excavation Progress and Challenges
Excavation director Chabina Hassan reported that work at the Harlong Kuruwati site has gained considerable momentum in recent days. "At the same site where remnants of an ancient stone temple were unearthed last year, we have expedited excavation. We are slowly getting glimpses of an alignment of a temple plinth during the ongoing work," Hassan stated. She noted that the site is somewhat "disturbed" due to previous earth-cutting and other human activities, and that rain has occasionally disrupted progress, though the team remains highly enthusiastic.
Broader Historical and Religious Context
In a detailed social media post, the Assam Directorate of Archaeology elaborated on the site's historical context: "The excavation site is situated within a region historically identified as the ancient Kapili Valley Kingdom, known across various records as Dabak, Davaka, Kapili, or Tribeg." The post further explained: "Evidence from surrounding temple ruins dating between the 5th and 12th centuries suggests that the Kapili-Jamuna valley was a significant center for Shaiva and Sakti cults. These religious traditions probably flourished under the active patronage of the Bhouma and Pala dynasties."
This ongoing excavation represents a crucial step in piecing together the rich historical tapestry of Assam's ancient kingdoms, potentially offering new insights into the region's cultural, religious, and political history during the early medieval period.
