12th century glazed pottery found at Maharana Prataprsquos fort

  • | Monday | 23rd July, 2018

Udaipur: Experts have discovered zinc smelting retorts and Muslim glazed pottery ware from the legendary king Maharana Pratap's fort at Chavand, located about 50 km south of Udaipur. Thus Chavand is the first location as of now in Mewar from where such ancient pottery is discovered" Kharakwal claimed. Archaeologists claim Pratap’s fort is resting on an ancient settlement and zinc smelting furnaces which suggests that zinc was being smelted there prior to the arrival of the ruler. It is exciting to learn that the fort is resting on an ancient settlement and zinc smelting furnaces. Experts suggest it could be a topic of research for historians to explain how and from where the glazed pottery reached Chavand. "

Udaipur: Experts have discovered zinc smelting retorts and Muslim glazed pottery ware from the legendary king Maharana Pratap's fort at Chavand, located about 50 km south of Udaipur. Archaeologists claim Pratap’s fort is resting on an ancient settlement and zinc smelting furnaces which suggests that zinc was being smelted there prior to the arrival of the ruler. Hence, after Zawar and Kaya, Chavand is being acclaimed as the third location in the entire South Asia where zinc was smelted in the ancient times.Chavand is held to be to the capital township of Maharana Pratap where he spent maximum time of career during his reign (1572-1597 AD) in Mewar or South Eastern Rajasthan. It is also held that Maharana Pratap defeated a local ruler known as Chhapania Rathor and captured Chavand. “In our recent survey we have found that the ancient settlement including a fort is located on the right bank of a seasonal rivulet at Chavand. It is spread over 100 hectare area around the fort. The valley of Chavand is actually very fertile and surrounded by low hillocks of the Aravallis. It is exciting to learn that the fort is resting on an ancient settlement and zinc smelting furnaces. The evidence of smelting is partially exposed on the northern slope of the mound due to beautification activity of Archaeological Survey of India,” Prof Jeevan Singh Kharakwal, the head of the survey team told TOI.The zinc smelting retorts, as compared to the famous zinc smelting site of Zawar, belong to the early phase of smelting of Zinc and are datable to 12th -13th century AD. Kharakwal said " It is more interesting to learn that the zinc ore is not available in the hills at Chavand. It is likely that concentrated zinc ore was obtained from Zawar. Hence it is clear from the evidence that zinc was being smelted there prior to the arrival of Pratap thus making Chavand the third location in entire South Asia for zinc smelting in olden times.Besides evidence of retorts, Muslim Glazed ware has also been discovered from the residential structures located on the southern slope of the mound at Chavand fort. " Though many medieval settlements have been discovered in South Eastern Rajasthan for example Ahar, Bedla, Balathal, Maharaj ki Kheri, Karanpur, Kalyanpur, Iswal, Nathara ki Pal and so the Muslim Glazed ware has not been reported from any site. Thus Chavand is the first location as of now in Mewar from where such ancient pottery is discovered" Kharakwal claimed. Experts suggest it could be a topic of research for historians to explain how and from where the glazed pottery reached Chavand. " This pottery surely belongs to the 16th century as Chavand was abandoned after Pratap. So it has to be determined whether any Muslim ruler lived there after the great king" the professor said.The archaeological survey team included members Dr. Kul Shekhar Vyas, Dr. K.P. Singh. Narayan Paliwal and Soyab Qureshi.

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