Hazaribag: A cluster of unassuming villages in Hazaribag district’s Chauparan block may be sitting atop one of eastern India’s most significant archaeological discoveries in recent times. Emerging evidence from surface finds, scientific surveys and decades of documentation suggests the presence of a vast, layered settlement in the Mohane river basin, potentially dating back nearly 3,200 years and spanning multiple historical periods.The findings, discussed at a national seminar hosted by IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in March this year, have prompted historians, scientists and conservationists to call for immediate intervention by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to safeguard what could be an invaluable heritage site. Experts warn that without timely protection and systematic excavation, crucial evidence may be lost to unregulated construction, environmental exposure and possible theft.The focus of the discovery lies in the villages of Dehar, Sohra, Mangarh and Hathinder, where residents have been unearthing artefacts during everyday activities such as farming and digging foundations since decades. Locals recount finding sculpted stones, pottery fragments, idols and even chamber-like underground structures just a few feet beneath the surface, suggesting that the present-day habitation stands directly over an ancient settlement. Scientific validation has strengthened these claims. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys carried out by teams from IIT-ISM Dhanbad and Visva-Bharati University have revealed extensive subsurface anomalies, including habitation layers, debris zones and large buried structures. In some areas, these underground formations stretch over 100 feet, leading experts to believe they may be remnants of temple complexes, administrative centres or even palace-like structures, indicative of an organised urban settlement rather than scattered habitation.One of the most striking examples of this living archaeology is found in Dehar village, where dozens of terracotta ring wells estimated to be around 2,500 years old are still in use. Local researcher Shashi Shekhar said these wells, constructed with remarkable precision, descend to depths of 35 to 40 feet and maintain a uniform circumference of about 1.9 metres. He said supported by durable Jamun wood bases, these wells reflect a sophisticated understanding of water management systems often associated with early historic urban centres, particularly during the Mauryan period. The continued functionality of these wells has surprised researchers and underscores the advanced engineering capabilities of the settlement’s inhabitants.Shashi who is carrying his research from last two decades said the archaeological richness of the region is further highlighted by the widespread presence of artefacts across households. “Villagers often describe Dehar as a “city of 52 wells and 53 alleys,” a phrase that hints at a structured and densely planned habitation pattern buried beneath the present landscape,” he said. “From carved stone pillars to fragments of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW), the findings point towards a prosperous and culturally active settlement. The recovery of NBPW some ten years ago was a turning point in the research work of ASI which attracted national attention,” Shashi added.In nearby Mangarh, a large mound rising prominently from the surrounding fields, has drawn significant academic attention. Scholars believe this structure could be a Buddhist stupa, possibly the largest discovered in Jharkhand. The site is littered with NBPW, a high-quality ceramic associated with the Indian Iron Age between 700 and 200 BCE, typically found in early urban centres. The presence of such material strengthens the argument that the region was once a thriving hub of trade and habitation.Some historians have also linked the site to ancient Buddhist traditions. Based on textual references to the distribution of relics after the Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, it has been hypothesised that a portion of these relics may have reached the Chotanagpur region. If proven, the Mangarh mound could represent a relic stupa, potentially elevating Chauparan to the status of major Buddhist centres such as Bodh Gaya, Shashi said.Sohra village offers further insight into the region’s complex cultural and religious history. A prominent sculpture identified as Maa Tara features intricate carvings of Buddha figures in various mudras, representing a rare fusion of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Across the area, several idols currently worshipped as Hindu deities have been identified by archaeologists as Buddhist figures such as Marichi and Tara, dating from the 5th to the 12th centuries. This overlap suggests a gradual cultural transition and coexistence of religious traditions, likely under the influence of the Pala dynasty.Archaeological evidence from the region indicates a long and continuous sequence of habitation, stretching from the Stone Age through the Iron Age and into the medieval period. Findings such as iron slag point to early metallurgical activity, while various types of pottery and structural remains reflect sustained socio-economic development over centuries.The geographical location of Chauparan further adds to its historical significance. Situated along the ancient Uttarapath trade route, which later evolved into the Grand Trunk Road, the region would have been strategically positioned for trade and cultural exchange. Its proximity to Bodh Gaya suggests it may have functioned as a satellite settlement, facilitating the movement of monks, traders and pilgrims across eastern India.Researchers and local historians also believe the region may have been connected to the ancient pedestrian route associated with Gautama Buddha. Since Chauparan lies along the historic Uttarapath corridor linking Bodh Gaya with eastern and northern regions, experts suspect Buddhist monks, pilgrims and travellers may have passed through these villages during ancient times. Ongoing field studies are attempting to trace these possible ‘Buddha foot routes’ through archaeological remains, old water systems and settlement patterns found along the Mohane river basin.
