PGW Ceramic Assemblage of Karsola; Haryana

Arunima Sinha1 1. Deccan College Post Graduate Research Institute, Pune- 411006, Maharashtra, India

(Email: sonisinha.1920@gmail.com)

Received: 18 August 2016; Accepted: 27 September 2016; Revised: 24 October 2016 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016): 816-830

Abstract: Karsola is located (29° 09' 02.9" N, 76° 25'.36" E) in the Julana Tehsil of Jind district, Haryana. The ceramic industries/assemblage reported during initial explorations and excavation included PGW, Black Slipped Ware, and Stamped Ware of the Early Historic Period. A detail survey of the site revealed the presence of pottery belonging to three different cultural phases, including Late Harappan, PGW, and Early Historic (Kushana /Gupta). Present paper has attempted a precise study of PGW pottery assemblage at Karsola. Looking into the pottery assemblage, this paper has looked into the question of transition from Late Harappan to Painted Grey Ware cultural phase.

Keywords: PGW, Haryana, Karsola, Exploration, Ceramic Assemblage, Pottery, Late Harappan

Introduction Painted Grey Ware (PGW) as a pottery tradition has come to occupy a very crucial position in the proto-historic and early historic archaeology. This culture is associated with the Later Vedic period and marked by beginning of the use of iron. It is associated with the village settlements unlike large cities like those of Harappan civilization. The PGW culture was mainly distributed in the Gangetic Plain and the Ghaggar-Hakra Valley (Tripathi 1976). According to B.B. Lal, the PGW culture is known to have existed from 1100-800 BCE recovered from the site of Hastinapur (Lal 1954-55). The sites are geographically compressed within modern Punjab, Haryana, northern Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh. Roughly the PGW zone was spread up to Sutlej in west, towards the deserts in south-west and the Aravalli ranges in the south and the river Chambal in the southeast, in the north expanded towards the Himalayan ranges. The regional distribution of this culture is well defined towards the north and south. On the west, this ware is reported from the site named Sardargarh on the Indo-Pakistan border. However, the actual occurrence of this ware on the Pakistan site is not clear enough (Tripathi 1976). However, some sherds of PGW are reported from the site Lokhiyopir in Sind from N.G. Majumdar’s exploration (Dhavalikar 1999).

Literary data regarding the river drainage pattern of PGW zone is very resourceful among the other evidences. Rivers Ghaggar and Chautang have been identified

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respectively as the ancient Sarasvati and Drisadvati prominently in the early Vedic text.

At several sites, PGW comes between the OCP and the NBPW strata. The PGW zone is limited by the Sutlej on the west and the Aravalli range in the South; the Chambal in the South-east and the Himalayas in the North. This ware is concentrated in a small region and generally not found in major parts of the subcontinent, making it one of the unique ceramic traditions. Therefore, the question arises about its origin that whether it is indigenous or imported from outside (Dhavalikar 1999). This pottery is well fired and thin in form. It is grey in color and has paintings in linear and dotted patterns in black (Tripathi 1976).

Figure 1: Map of Haryana showing location of the site of Karsola

(Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

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Karsola is located (29° 09' 02.9" N, 76° 25'.36" E) in the Julana Tehsil of Jind district, Haryana (Fig. 1). The ceramic industries/assemblage reported during initial explorations included PGW, Black Slip Ware and Stamped Ware of the Early Historic Period (Singh 1981:86-87). A detailed survey of the site revealed the presence of pottery belonging to three different cultural phases, including Late Harappan, PGW, and Early Historic (Kushana/ Gupta) (Shinde et al. 2010-2011).

Karsola is located about 1.5 km east of the village on the right side of the Julana-Fategarh Road. It is spread over an area of about 7 ha and stands to a height of about 5 m above the surrounding ground level. A Hanuman temple of Baba Madhu Nath was located at the centre of the mound where excavation was undertaken (Shinde et al. 2010-11). This temple area covers a locality of about 1 ha. excluding the temple and its land, the periphery portions of the mound and surrounding lands are in possession of the village farmers living nearby. Many of these peripheral areas have been flattened completely for the agricultural purposes. The presence of the temple had protected the intact portions of the mound.

Exploration Earlier explorations carried out around Karsola, revealed the locations of two previously unknown archaeological sites, Karsola- 1 (29°09'02.9"N, 76°25'36.3"E) and Karsola-2 –(29°08'8.10"N, 76°25'32.2"E) (Singh 1981; Dangi 2009). The ceramic industries reported during initial explorations included Painted Grey Ware (PGW), black slipped ware, and stamped ware of the Early Historic period (Singh 1981:86-87). Recent explorations by Tejas Garge (2011) confirmed the presence of Late Harappan pottery at the site.

Karsola Excavation (2010-11) Before the excavation began, an intensive survey was done by the excavators of Deccan College and the Archaeological Survey of India. They collected Mature Harappan, Late Harappan, PGW, and Early Historic Rang Mahal pottery and Stamped pottery. These data suggested that Karsola might have been an ideal site to investigate cultural processes responsible for the shift from Mature to Late Harappan as well as the relationship between Late Harappan and Painted Grey Ware cultural phase. However, the excavation did not reveal a separate horizon of the Mature Harappan phase at Karsola and hence the cultural process of shift from Mature to Late Harappan phase could not be studied here.

Regarding the possibility of transition from Late Harappan to PGW culture, cultural sequence gave required information during the course of excavation. This excavation shed light on the chronological positions of both these cultures. The excavation exposed two important cultural sequences:

Period-I: Late Harappan Phase Period-II: Painted Grey Ware Phase.

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Though few amount of Early Historic (Kushana/Gupta) pottery on the surface of the settlement was found, possibly the Early Historic occupation at Karsola was very small and short-lived. It appears that there was a cultural gap between the Late Harappan and Painted Grey Ware (PGW) at Karsola. Considering the nature of pottery at the site, it appears that the late phase of PGW was present at Karsola, contrasting to the early phase that was found at Bhagwanpura. It hints towards tentative two phases in the PGW cultural tradition in the study area. The Late Harappan phase at Karsola could be dated to 1900 to 1500 BC based on comparisons between its material culture and other sites, whereas the PGW phase at Karsola could be dated between 800 and 600 BC. At Karsola, layers 6 to 4 belong to Period-I (Late Harappan) and 3 to 1 to Period-II (Painted Grey Ware). Out of the total habitation deposit of 3.5 m, the upper 1.5 m belongs to the Painted Grey Ware and the lower 2 m to the Late Harappan period.

Figure 2: Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Karsola Kheda, with the location of trenches and modern temple (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

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Painted Grey Ware Phase The cultural deposit represented by Period-II designate the PGW culture here. The people of PGW culture came to Karsola around 800 BC and settled on the remains of the Late Harappan occupation (Shinde et al. 2010-11). The PGW pottery found at Karsola is coarse and thick in section, typical of materials associated with the later phase of the PGW culture. It is therefore clear that there was a gap of more than 500 years between the Late Harappan and PGW occupations at Karsola.

The cultural remains of PGW phase at the site are very poor, dissimilar to the evidence from most of the excavated sites in this region and the Doab. The average thickness of the PGW deposit at the site is slightly above one meter, divisible into three distinct layers. There are a few sherds belonging to a fine variety of PGW in the lower levels, some percolating into the Late Harappan levels. The excavations carried out in the PGW levels at the site produced evidence of flimsy temporary structures and features indicative of a lowly, rural way of life. The following trenches (Fig. No. 2) were taken at the PGW level, Trench YB1, Trench YB2, Trench XB1, Trench XC4, Trench KX6, and Trench LY7 (Fig. 2).

The ceramics recovered from the Index Trench LY7 belonged to the following three cultural periods (from earliest to latest):

I. Late Harappan II. Painted Grey Ware III. Early Historic

The pottery assemblage from Karsola contains the following wares: Plain Red, Red Slipped, and Black on Red, Rusticated Red, Bichrome, Coarse Black, Black Slipped, Coarse Grey, Plain Grey, and Painted Grey. Table 1 presents these wares along with their sub-types.

Table 1: Different Types of Ceramics at Karsola 1. Red Ware 2. Black Ware 3. Grey Ware Untreated Variety Untreated Variety Untreated Variety Slipped Variety Slipped Variety Painted Variety (PGW) Black on Red Variety _ _ Rusticated Variety _ _ Bichrome Variety _ _

Pottery Analysis: The pottery from Karsola comprises of three major periods i.e. Late Harappan, Painted Grey Ware (Figs. 3 and 4) and Early Historic. This paper paid focus on the PGW pottery assemblage of this site. The analysis was carried out by studying the rim sherds to determine and describe them accordingly to have an idea about the appropriate shape and size of the vessel. In addition, morphological study of the pottery assemblage here includes the motifs and paintings.

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Figure 3: Painted Gray Ware from Karsola

Figure 4: Painted Gray Ware from Karsola

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Painted Grey Ware Pottery 1. Untreated Grey Variety: This variety has a rough surface without any surface

treatment. These are well fired, with oxidized grey cores and coarse fabrics. The main shapes include incurved bowls and basins with tapered or rounded rims, and miniature pots with everted rims.

2. Unpainted Grey Variety: the unpainted grey variety is similar to the painted variety of grey ware, with a very fine fabric but lacking painted motifs. They are well fired, with oxidized grey cores. Shapes include convex sides, straight, tapered, rounded, everted rim, etc. Most of the ceramics belonging to this variety are very thin.

3. Painted Variety: This variety has a very fine fabric with painted designs and a well fired, oxidized grey core. Painted designs such as check patterns, basket patterns, groups of semi circles, opposite triangles, plant like motifs, horizontal lines with dots, circles with dots in centre, thick and thin bands on the rim, vertical lines, double loops, intersecting circles, dots and wavy lines.

Black Ware 1. Untreated variety: This variety has medium coarse fabric with well and medium

firing. A few of these sherds are quite thick with a coarse fabric. The shapes include bowls and dishes with straight, convex sides, and tapered, incurved rims.

2. Slipped variety: The black slipped variety is well fired and of medium coarse fabric. The shapes are bowls, basins, and small pots with convex sided tapered rims. Small pots have external projecting triangular and squared rims. The bases are disk shaped, the slip is thick with lustrous.

Red Ware 1. Untreated red variety: In red ware this variety has a medium or coarse fabrics that

are medium or ill fired. The shapes include bowls, basins, jars and pots. This ware is either handmade or slow wheel thrown, decorated with incised lines, dots, mat impressions or mud applique designs. The pots have high or constricted necks with flat tops.

After analysing the assemblage based on rim sherds, the PGW assemblage of Karsola could be divided into four broad categories viz. 1. Grey Ware, 2. Painted Grey Ware, 3. Black Ware and 4. Red (coarse) Ware.

Grey Ware Grey ware is the signature pattern of Karsola PGW assemblage. This ware is present all-over the PGW strata. During analysis, Grey Ware has also further been divided according to its colour. Colours vary from light to dark grey. Fabric of this particular ware is coarse. Few fine varieties of this ware were also present. This grey variety has a

rough surface. This indicates that there were nospecific ware. Medium and fast wheel ware. Thin lines of groove were noticed in this type. In this specific ware, the bowl shape has a thicker rim than the body. Few numbers oxidized core. Some weathered base fragments are found which are illhave oxidized black cores. In this type of ware, dominating shapes are basins and bowls with tapered or rounded rims and miniature pots with eveare medium to fast wheel made

Figure 5: Grey Ware (Coarse and thick variety)

Figure 6: Straight sided bowl (Grey Ware)

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rough surface. This indicates that there were no surface treatments given to this specific ware. Medium and fast wheel processes were used by the potters to make this ware. Thin lines of groove were noticed in this type. In this specific ware, the bowl shape has a thicker rim than the body. Few numbers of sherds have a thin layer of oxidized core. Some weathered base fragments are found which are ill-treated and have oxidized black cores. In this type of ware, dominating shapes are basins and bowls with tapered or rounded rims and miniature pots with everted rims. Potteries are medium to fast wheel made (Figs. 5 and 6).

(Coarse and thick variety) (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

Straight sided bowl (Grey Ware) (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

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surface treatments given to this used by the potters to make this

ware. Thin lines of groove were noticed in this type. In this specific ware, the bowl of sherds have a thin layer of

treated and have oxidized black cores. In this type of ware, dominating shapes are basins and

rted rims. Potteries

(Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

(Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

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Painted Grey Ware The culture phase of PGW is denoted by its signature Painted Grey Ware. However, at the site of Karsola this variety is heavily outnumbered by plain grey ware. Unlike the grey ware, painted variety has a very fine fabric. Deep basinsdominating shapes in this variety. Not much painting on the pottery is noticed. Motifs are found very rarely. Designs painted on the potteryas horizontal lines, dots, circular and semiopposite triangles, intersecting circles, wavy lines, thick and thin bands on rims both inside and outside are found. Very few evidence of check and basket patterns are found on some sherds. Some of the painted potteries type of surface treatment is very rare. Some pots have painting on them in a very light russet colour red, instead of black. These potteries are well fired, with oxidized grey coloured core. Rims are thinner in case of bowls. Thicker rims are common in basins. Deep bowls with featureless rim is a prevailing shape in this ware. Miniature pots are absent in painted variety. Most of the painted potteries are fast wheel made. Grooves are seen lesser in this variety. An interesting feature noticed is that the surface painted grey wares are totally black from inside. Some sherdswere found to be treated from outside with grey wash

Figure 7: Painted Grey Ware

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phase of PGW is denoted by its signature Painted Grey Ware. However, at the site of Karsola this variety is heavily outnumbered by plain grey ware. Unlike the grey ware, painted variety has a very fine fabric. Deep basins and bowl

s in this variety. Not much painting on the pottery is noticed. Motifs are found very rarely. Designs painted on the pottery surface are also very simple sas horizontal lines, dots, circular and semi-circular dots, plain circle, circle with dots,

ite triangles, intersecting circles, wavy lines, thick and thin bands on rims both inside and outside are found. Very few evidence of check and basket patterns are found on some sherds. Some of the painted potteries look like treated with slip.

f surface treatment is very rare. Some pots have painting on them in a very light russet colour red, instead of black. These potteries are well fired, with oxidized grey coloured core. Rims are thinner in case of bowls. Thicker rims are common in basins.

eep bowls with featureless rim is a prevailing shape in this ware. Miniature pots are absent in painted variety. Most of the painted potteries are fast wheel made. Grooves are seen lesser in this variety. An interesting feature noticed is that the surface painted grey wares are totally black from inside. Some sherds with internal painting were found to be treated from outside with grey wash (Figs. 7, 8 and 9).

Painted Grey Ware (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

phase of PGW is denoted by its signature Painted Grey Ware. However, at the site of Karsola this variety is heavily outnumbered by plain grey ware. Unlike the

bowls are the s in this variety. Not much painting on the pottery is noticed. Motifs

surface are also very simple such circular dots, plain circle, circle with dots,

ite triangles, intersecting circles, wavy lines, thick and thin bands on rims both inside and outside are found. Very few evidence of check and basket patterns are

look like treated with slip. This f surface treatment is very rare. Some pots have painting on them in a very light

russet colour red, instead of black. These potteries are well fired, with oxidized grey coloured core. Rims are thinner in case of bowls. Thicker rims are common in basins.

eep bowls with featureless rim is a prevailing shape in this ware. Miniature pots are absent in painted variety. Most of the painted potteries are fast wheel made. Grooves are seen lesser in this variety. An interesting feature noticed is that the surface treated

with internal painting

Figure 8: Painted Grey

Figure 9: Painted Grey Ware

Black Ware The black variety can be divided into two suband slipped variety. This black ware has different firing te

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Painted Grey Ware (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

Painted Grey Ware (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

The black variety can be divided into two sub-categories, coarse or untreated variety and slipped variety. This black ware has different firing technique for both varieties.

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categories, coarse or untreated variety chnique for both varieties.

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The untreated or coarse ones areslip variety is quite similar with the Early Historic Black Ware. The PGW level black wares found at Karsola are a Slipped black ware fabric is medium fine to coarse in texture. In case of bowls and basins, as these are the open type vessel, slip was applied on well as exterior. Interestingly, for the surface treatment mica was used. Slip applied to this ware was lustrous and thick. Bowl with slightly thickenedcommon shape in this ware. Miniature pots with external projecting squared rims are found frequently. Again, the regular shapes are bowls, basins, and small pots. Untreated variety of black ware is medium to coarse in fabric. In this type, the rims are quite thick. The colour in the core varies from black to dark grey. This variety is well to medium fired. Grooves are prominent in untreated black variety. It suggests that this ware was medium wheel made. Untreated variety includes shapes like bowl and dishes with convex sided, taper

Figure 10: Black Slip Ware (Dish)

Red Ware Red varieties are found very rarely in this site. This type is either handmade or slow wheel made. Red ware was noticed to have very coarse fabric. The clay was not well levigated. No wash or slip was used. This lines dominate this variety. The incision is light in this ware. Only external incision is found on the neck or rim of the sherds. Mud applique and mat impression was given to this ware other than incision. Thisjars were found. Shapes also include bowls and basins. Rims with external projection, short necked are common (Fig

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The untreated or coarse ones are medium-fired. The slip varieties are well fired. The slip variety is quite similar with the Early Historic Black Ware. The PGW level black

a little thin in section than the early historic black ware. Slipped black ware fabric is medium fine to coarse in texture. In case of bowls and basins, as these are the open type vessel, slip was applied on both sides, i.e.

erestingly, for the surface treatment mica was used. Slip applied to this ware was lustrous and thick. Bowl with slightly thickened featureless rim is a common shape in this ware. Miniature pots with external projecting squared rims are

gain, the regular shapes are bowls, basins, and small pots. Untreated variety of black ware is medium to coarse in fabric. In this type, the rims are quite thick. The colour in the core varies from black to dark grey. This variety is well to

Grooves are prominent in untreated black variety. It suggests that this ware was medium wheel made. Untreated variety includes shapes like bowl and dishes with convex sided, tapered, or rounded incurved rims (Fig. 10).

Black Slip Ware (Dish) (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

Red varieties are found very rarely in this site. This type is either handmade or slow wheel made. Red ware was noticed to have very coarse fabric. The clay was not well levigated. No wash or slip was used. This type was either medium or ill fired. Incised lines dominate this variety. The incision is light in this ware. Only external incision is found on the neck or rim of the sherds. Mud applique and mat impression was given to this ware other than incision. This ware was used for storage purpose, big

re found. Shapes also include bowls and basins. Rims with external projection, Fig. 11).

fired. The slip varieties are well fired. The slip variety is quite similar with the Early Historic Black Ware. The PGW level black

little thin in section than the early historic black ware. Slipped black ware fabric is medium fine to coarse in texture. In case of bowls and

, i.e. interior as erestingly, for the surface treatment mica was used. Slip applied to

eatureless rim is a common shape in this ware. Miniature pots with external projecting squared rims are

gain, the regular shapes are bowls, basins, and small pots. Untreated variety of black ware is medium to coarse in fabric. In this type, the rims are quite thick. The colour in the core varies from black to dark grey. This variety is well to

Grooves are prominent in untreated black variety. It suggests that this ware was medium wheel made. Untreated variety includes shapes like bowl and

Red varieties are found very rarely in this site. This type is either handmade or slow wheel made. Red ware was noticed to have very coarse fabric. The clay was not well

type was either medium or ill fired. Incised lines dominate this variety. The incision is light in this ware. Only external incision is found on the neck or rim of the sherds. Mud applique and mat impression was given

ware was used for storage purpose, big-mouthed re found. Shapes also include bowls and basins. Rims with external projection,

Figure 11: Red Incised Ware

Discussion The PGW assemblage of Karsola has been studied in detail. As mentioned earlier, analysis of dominating shapes among the whole assemblage have given main priority to this present research. Also an attempt was made to verify the utility of individual shapes. Some of the shapes are limited in numbers. It shows that PGW was used as a deluxe or table ware. Common shapes found in this site are bowls, basins and dishes. Compare to other PGW sites, Karsola gradually lacking the variations in shapes and motifs.

There are four different types of pottery found at Karsolathese four types, grey ware is most commonly found followed by the painted variety of grey ware and the black variety. Perhaps the grey ware was used as a substitute of PGW. Sites like Bhagwanpura and Hastinapur haof grey ware. It can be said that grey ware has a direct relation on the origin of PGW.PGW pottery at this site is heavily outnumbered by the grey ware. As discussed earlier not much variety in paintings in PGW are found from this site. People of this site did not show any improvement on PGW ccondition throughout the phase. This site was occupied by PGW people for a very short time period. Judging by the average thickness of PGW deposit at this site, it is evident that they were some sort of nomad or semiwhy probably they did not get much time to produce high quality PGW pottery. Also lack of variation in shapes indicates

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Red Incised Ware (Courtesy: Shinde et al. 2011)

The PGW assemblage of Karsola has been studied in detail. As mentioned earlier, analysis of dominating shapes among the whole assemblage have given main priority to this present research. Also an attempt was made to verify the utility of individual

Some of the shapes are limited in numbers. It shows that PGW was used as a deluxe or table ware. Common shapes found in this site are bowls, basins and dishes. Compare to other PGW sites, Karsola gradually lacking the variations in shapes and

ere are four different types of pottery found at Karsola as discussed earlier. Among , grey ware is most commonly found followed by the painted variety of

grey ware and the black variety. Perhaps the grey ware was used as a substitute of W. Sites like Bhagwanpura and Hastinapur have the same features bearing in case

n be said that grey ware has a direct relation on the origin of PGW.PGW pottery at this site is heavily outnumbered by the grey ware. As discussed earlier

ot much variety in paintings in PGW are found from this site. People of this site did not show any improvement on PGW ceramic. It has continued rather in a simple condition throughout the phase. This site was occupied by PGW people for a very

riod. Judging by the average thickness of PGW deposit at this site, it is evident that they were some sort of nomad or semi-nomad people back then. That’s why probably they did not get much time to produce high quality PGW pottery. Also

n shapes indicates that these people did not do any experiments like

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The PGW assemblage of Karsola has been studied in detail. As mentioned earlier, analysis of dominating shapes among the whole assemblage have given main priority to this present research. Also an attempt was made to verify the utility of individual

Some of the shapes are limited in numbers. It shows that PGW was used as a deluxe or table ware. Common shapes found in this site are bowls, basins and dishes. Compare to other PGW sites, Karsola gradually lacking the variations in shapes and

as discussed earlier. Among , grey ware is most commonly found followed by the painted variety of

grey ware and the black variety. Perhaps the grey ware was used as a substitute of the same features bearing in case

n be said that grey ware has a direct relation on the origin of PGW. PGW pottery at this site is heavily outnumbered by the grey ware. As discussed earlier

ot much variety in paintings in PGW are found from this site. People of this site did in a simple

condition throughout the phase. This site was occupied by PGW people for a very riod. Judging by the average thickness of PGW deposit at this site, it is

nomad people back then. That’s why probably they did not get much time to produce high quality PGW pottery. Also

that these people did not do any experiments like

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other sites. Also limited number of deposit at this site indicates that, there might be substitute ware at that time for daily use. No cooking vessels were found in PGW assemblage. So it is rather be easy to state that the use of PGW was only for serving purpose. But gradually the nature of PGW assemblage at this site started to decline. Impurities found in clay mixing, lacking of designs and recurrence of shape indicate PGW phase at this site was quite poor. There is no match in the pottery assemblage at this site. The variation may be perceived in the form of time gap of around five hundred years between two phases. It is a matter of further study at what time period, the specific pottery forms of Karsola came to usage. Present paper shows the significance of pottery for regular usage that has hitherto remained neglected in archaeological study as a period marker. Other cultural materials found from this site suggest that, Karsola was an agricultural village. The structural remains can prove that, small number of occupants lived here. At this site, elaborate structures did not come to light during the excavation. Evidences of architectural collapse were traced from trench KX6, which did not have the indication of repair or reconstruction. Unlike Bhagwanpura, from where a thirteen roomed house was found (Joshi 1975-76:39), Karsola does not carry such evidences. This also suggests that there is a clear cultural gap between Late Harappan and PGW cultures. Structural remains proved that the PGW inhabitants of this site levelled down the earlier structures before they settled down at Karsola. The archaeological evidences collected from PGW phase also hint to the existence of artisans.

Acknowledgements I would like to show my gratitude to Prof. Vasant Shinde, my research guide, for the guidance and support throughout the research. I am thankful to all the scholars whose excavation report is available for providing data for this study.

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