Project 2009-10
DETAILS
Exploration Of Kadwaha, District Ashoknagar, Madhya Pradesh
TEMPLES OF KADWAHA
Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest states of Indian Union and it is situated within the geographical framework of 180 to 260 30' N. latitudes and 740 to 840 30' E longitudes. It is bounded by the Aravallis in the west, the Vindhyas and Satpuras in the south and Ganga-Yamuna Doab in the north. This state has a large number of mountains and rivers. Some parts of this region are covered with thick forests. Generally the climate is pleasant. Rich flora and fauna is found in this region. The agriculture and mineral products are available in abundance. Hence, physically culturally and politically Madhya Pradesh is regarded as the heart of India.
It is also the passage way from north India to the Deccan. Large number of Mountain Rivers and forest in Madhya Pradesh made early man favored the habitation of foothills and open plateaus for raw material in order to manufacture stone tools and implements. On the river banks for availability of water and on edge for game and edible roots and fruits. Stone tools of early man and fossils of animals have been discovered at different sites in Madhya Pradesh where stone is abundantly available for construction of temples. From Sanchi pillar edict of Asoka and the Panuraria inscription of the second century B.C. and several votive inscriptions found at Sanchi and Bharhut indicates that Buddhism gained a footing among the common masses of Madhya Pradesh. These inscriptions help in tracing the evolution of the art and religion. The Besnagar pillar inscription shows that even the foreigner Heliodorus, became a follower of Vaishnavism, and erected a Garuda staff of Vasudeva.
On a whole we find a continuous cultural development from prehistoric period to the modern era in Madhya Pradesh. Traces of earliest temple activities of India can find from Sanchi, Vidhisha and Udaigiri. With the humble beginning of temple architecture in central India the Nagra style of temple architecture has been reached in to apex with full maturity and refinance what may be seen in the temples of Khajuraho, Gwalior, Lalitpur, Fatehpur, etc. From Gupta period onwards specially, in central India Pratihara, Chadella and Parmara temple styles were developed in different parts of Madhya Pradesh consequent upon which a revolution in sculptural art in 10th-12th century has been taken place. Despite of that there were some other regional styles were developed which were patronized by subordinate rulers of the principal monarch of this region. Kachchhapaghata rulers were among those who started temple architecture with great magnitude.
The district Ashoknagar (240 34' N and 770 46' E) covers a large number of Kachchhapaghata temples. Ashoknagar is a district headquarters and having old name as Pachhar which was fallen into disuse. During the reign of Akbar it was the headquarters of Mahal in the Chanderi Sarkar.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KACHCHHAPAGHATA RULERS
The earliest epigraphic records, unlike those of some other tribes of this period, contain no story of the family's mythical origin, but abruptly introduce the founders of the various branches as Kachchhapaghata-Vamsa Tilaka or Kachchhapaghatanvaya-Sara-Kamala-Martanda.
According to verbal tradition the Kachchhapaghata dynasty is said to have been come from Kusha, the son of lord Rama, who belongs to the solar clan of Kshatriyas. It is also presumed that the name Kachchhapaghata came into existence as they used to attack their enemies in the manner of kachchhapa (tortoise). Gwalior inscription of Sasa-Bahu temple is the main source to know about the genealogy of Kachchhapaghata rulers. Based on the epigraphical evidences including folklore and traditions Kachchhapaghata rulers consolidated their power by 9th Cent. A D. They were sub ordinate to Pratiharas and Chandellas. In 950 AD., the victory over Pratiharas by Vajradamana was a great event of early medieval history of India.
Moreover, there are other epigraphic records which show that in 10th and 11th centuries at least three families of Kachchhapaghata ruled in and around Eastern Rajputana and the region now known as Gwalior.
They may be conveniently designated as below:
- The Kachchhapaghata of Gwalior.
- The Kachchhapaghata of Dubkund.
- The Kachchhapaghata of Narwar.
Temples of Kadwaha
Kadwaha ( Lat.240 55 N. and Long 770 55 E ) is located about 16 kilometers away on the north of Isagarh Tehsil and about 40 kilometers from Chanderi on the northwestern side in district Ashoknagar of Madhya Pradesh. Kadwaha is a small village with a population of about five thousand, very well connected with Ashoknagar, Guna, Shivpuri, etc., by motorable roads. The nearest railway station and airport are Ashoknagar and Gwalior respectively. The name Kadwaha was anciently known as Kadamb Guha. Kadwaha is much popular for a large number of temples and sculptures of Kachchhapaghata dynasty of the 10th - 12th century A.D.
Though Kachchhapaghat as they patronized Saivism and Vaisnavism but they were tolerant towards Jainism and Buddhism too. It is also said that the Kachchhapaghata rulers donated the Kadwaha region to the Mattamayura cult of Saivism and the head priest was a Mahanta to supervise the day today affairs.
The region of Kadwaha is very well acknowledged because of the existence of various group of temples belonging to the Kachchhapaghata dynasty. Altogether, 15 temples are located in Kadwaha village named after various groups such as Bag group, Khirna group, Talao group, Pachli Marghat, and Group -7.Presently, the temples are located within a cultivated land (Fig.3).
The temples at Kadwaha are centrally protected and being looked after by the Bhopal Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India.
| Sr. | Group / Temple | Selected Temples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandla Temple | Temple-Siva |
| 2 | Talao Group of Temple | Temple 'A'- Siva | Temple 'B'-Siva |
| 3 | Garhi Temple | Temple-Siva |
| 4 | Marghatiya Temple | Temple-Siva |
List of Kadwaha Temples
| Sr. | Group / Temple | Selected Temples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandla Temple | Temple-Siva |
| 2 | Talao Group of Temple | Temple 'A'- Siva | Temple 'B'-Siva |
| 3 | Garhi Temple | Temple-Siva |
| 4 | Marghatiya Temple | Temple-Siva |
Other Structures
1. GARHI AREA
Although, the village Kadwaha is famous for its group of temples, after structures located in the village like monastery, ruined mosques, wells, tanks and baoli can not be ignored. Garhi area is located in the middle of the village Kadwaha and contains a monastery, a ruined mosque, remnants of a baoli and a beautiful Siva temple. All these structures are surrounded by a raised stone wall.
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Monastery
The monastery, locally known as Garhi probably constructed by the Mahanta of Mattamayura cult, prevailed in the 10th -12th century AD in Kadwaha. The monastery is positioned at southern side of the Siva temple . The building is double storied and having a central courtyard supported by pillared corridors on all sides with some meditation cells. On plan, it is rectangular and made of dressed sand stone. Its exterior walls are plain with double row of windows. A small entrance has been provided on the northern side of the structure.
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Ruined Mosque
A ruined mosque is located on the western side of the Siva temple. On the basis of a Nagari inscription found in the Siva temple it may be suggested that the mosque was constructed during the reign of Alauddin Khilji. The Garhi area is a unique example for the religious harmony of Kadwaha.
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Ruined Baoli
Remnants of a baoli have been noticed on the south-eastern side of the Siva temple. The baoli is locally known as Ghoda-pachd baoli. There is an entrance on the southern side with steps to get into the baoli.
2. Wells
Mention may be made of more than 25 wells finished with dressed or undressed sand stone blocks located in Kadwaha Village. Some of them are found associated with the temples of Kadwaha i.e. Temples of Group-7, Ekla Pachhali Margaht 'A'. These wells are still in usable condition.
Besides, there are number of potshreds, prehistoric stone tools, semiprecious stone fragments scattered on the cultivated land. Theses indicate that the Kadwahaor the ancient Kadamb guha was not only occupied by human beings from the 10th -12th Century but it there were more ancient cultural activities of earlier periods. The area has much more scope and possibilities to reveal the continuity of cultural activities through future excavations.