Summary:
RAIPUR: Archaeologists claiming Patan block of Durg district as an ancient trade centre were more than happy when a junk of 200 ancient coins belonging to Mughal era was found four feet down in village Bothli on Tuesday.A group of labourers first spotted the coins while digging the ground to erect a pole. "The coins and site were being inspected and we are verifying which ruler the coins belong to while the site is very much between the human habitats itself. The coin is inscribed in Arabic words and archaeologists were trying to figure out their meaning. They immediately informed sarpanch of village and submitted the coins at collector's office.According to archaeologist JR Bhagat iin state culture and archaeology department, "About 200 silver coins belonging to Mughal era were found in a copper vessel at village Bothli in Gadadih region and were found on the banks of Kharun river, a site close to ancient Tarighat, pronounced as 2500-year-old urban centre of Chhattisgarh from 2nd and 3rd century BC. Bhagat who has been excavation director of Tarighat said that Patan region and Tarighat were the hub of trade and several stone scultures were also found in the past form the nearby places.The 2,500 year old city of Tarighat yielded not only gold and copper coins but also ornaments and means of amusement- indicating a rich and affluent lifestyle of several dynasties.In early days, traders may have hoarded the coins under the ground in fear of theft, which are being found now..