Question : EXCAVATION AT BALIRAJGARH FORT IN MADHUBANI BIHAR

(a) whether the Union Government had declared the ancient Fort of Balirajgarh in Madhubani district of Bihar as national heritage after acquiring it during 1905;

(b) whether the Union Government and Government of Bihar had carried out partial excavations in this fort;

(c) if so, whether some rare archaeological remains dating back to the Pal era in Eighth century to Second century B.C. have been found;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government propose to carry out further excavations and develop this fort;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said works are likely to be completed?

MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)

(a) In 1938, the Archaeological Survey of India had declared the ancient site of Balirajgarh in Madhubani District of Bihar, as a site of national importance under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904 which continues to be under protection.

(b) Excavations were conducted at the site by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1962-63, and by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Bihar, in 1972-73 and 1974-75.

(c) & (d) The excavation yielded a sequence ranging from the Northern Black Polished Ware period (pre-200 B.C.) to the 10th-11th A.D. (the Pala period). A defensive wall, constructed in the 2nd century B.C. during the Sunga period, with phases of subsequent construction and repairs was also brought to light. The important excavated finds include human and animal terracotta figurines, cast copper coins, a terracotta sealing with svastika symbol, and other usual potteries and minor objects of different periods, in addition to the remains of a temple.

(e) & (f) Since the cultural sequence of the site has been established, no further excavation is proposed.