Bhilai to Raipur on bike: Chapter 3: Mahant Ghasi Das Memorial Museum, Raipur: Part 10 Chhattisgarh AdmirableIndia.com

Bhilai to Raipur on bike: Chapter 3: Mahant Ghasi Das Memorial Museum, Raipur: Part 10

29th April 2009, 03:07 am

Copper Hoard Culture: Copper was discovered about 6000 years ago by humans. He made weapons and tools from Copper. A lot of these weapons were found from the Ganges-Jumna Doab and the Indus valley (Sindhu Ghati) area. It is believed that copper was used by Aryans. Copper made tools were used from 2500 BC to 1500 BC. After that iron was discovered and copper was replaced by iron. The biggest collection of copper hoard was discovered in Gungeria, Balaghat district in 1870 AD. About 102 silver ornaments and 424 copper tools were collected from Gungeria and few of them are displayed here. These tools can be 3000 to 4000 years old.

Chalcolithic culture: During the Chalcolithic (chalco = copper and lithic = stone) period, both metal and stone were utilized for the manufacture of the equipment in day-to-day life. The Chalcolithic people subsisted on farming and hunting. Since this is the first metal age, copper and its alloy bronze which melt at low temperature were used for the manufacture of various objects during this period. The objects displayed here are from 2300 Bc to 1500 BC. All these objects are collected from the excavations in Pasewa in the Chambal valley.

Terracota Objects: A variety of Terracota art objects and sculptures acan also be seen in this museum. Different types of earthen lamps, earthen toys, and pots recovered from the excavation at Sirpur have been displayed here. Moreover, several elliptical shaped sealings are also on display on which the figure of Bodhisattva and Buddhist “Bijmantra-Ye Dharma Hetuprabhva” etc. has been embossed. The oldest seal displayed in this museum is of King Dhanadeo of Kausambi. It contains the figure of a bull and the name of the king inscribed in “Brahmi” script. A number of other materials related to the folk lifestyle and trade practices of the old period can be seen here. Example: Small collection of equipment of iron smiths, jewellers, etc.

Iron objects from Sirpur excavation, 8th century AD:

Stone and copper plate inscriptions: The historical inscriptions are one of the most significant documents to rediscover the history of Chhattisgarh. These inscriptions also reveal the social, administrative, economic and religious system of the human society of the periods concerned. The inscriptions displayed in the museum have been collected from Arang, Sirpur, Bhoramdeo, Kanker, Ratanpur and Kirari, which belongs to the periods of Sharabhapuri rulers, Kalachuris of Tripuri, Nagwanshis of Kawardha, and Kalachuris of Ratanpur. The inscriptions belong to the period between 1st century to the 15th century AD.

Copper plate inscription of Prithvidev, 12th century AD, Script: Nagri, Language: Sanskrit: This copper plate inscription was found in Ghotia village of Balaudabajar Tehsil, Raipur district.

Wooden art, Bastar: Muria Tribes, Gond Tribes and Maria Tribes of Chhattisgarh are expert in this art and they make wooden doors, masks, etc. The carvings done on the wood are simply amazing.

Metal sculptures: Sirpur was one of the most prominent sites in ancient India known for its metal sculptures belonging to the period of 7th to 11th century. The metal sculptures collected from Sirpur are in this museum. These had been manufactured by moulding and casting method. Subsequently the body was guilded with gold, the eyes were brightened through silver and copper was used on lips to give them a real look. Moreover, black metal wires were used on head which looked like the real hairs. Precious stones and gems were also fixed in place of ornaments. The Manjushri image, a symbol of traditional art of this region, has been exhibited in a number of countries abroad.