Map Work

Abohar (Firozpur, Punjab)

1. Built by a Bhatti rajput king. The governor of Multan revolted against MBT and was defeated here. Ibn Batuta speaks of it in his book.

Abu / Arbud (Sirohi, Rajasthan. 1995)

1. Place of Dilawara temples and the rajput yajna according to Prithviraj Raso.

Achalgarh (Abu, Rajasthan)

1. Capital of Parmars of Malwa. Temple of Achaleshwar Mahadev. Rana Kumbha built the Kembhaswami temple here which has a huge nandi bull and also the Achalgarh fort. A stone inscription describes the history of Parmars and Solankis of Gujarat.

Adam (Nagpur)

1. It was a part of the Assaka mahajanpad.
2. It was a Satvahna mint city. A stupa, Roman gold coins have been found as well. 

Adamgarh Hills (Hoshangabad, MP)  

1. Lower and middle Paleolithic sequence has been found. 
2. It is a Mesolithic site as well and pottery remains have been found.
3. Neolithic - Chalcolithic traditions have been found too.  

Adichannalur (TN)

1. It is a pre-megalithic / iron age burial site dating from 1500 BC. Cairn circles (stones arranged in circular form over the grave) are absent. 
2. Megalithic iron artifacts and red and black ware have been found. Artifacts associated with Murugan i.e. trident, cock etc. have been found.

Aguada (Goa)

1. The Portuguese built a fort here in 1612. Marathas fought a war over it but failed and the fort went back to Portuguese.

Ahar (2008)

1. Ahar Culture --> PGW. 
2. It is a chalcolithic site of Ahar culture. Its pottery was black-and-red ware on which linear designs were made in white. Large quantities of copper implements have been found. Earliest iron implements in the sub-continent have been found here too. Houses were made of mud and wood and grass with stone foundations.   

Ahichchatra / Ahikshetra / Ramnagar (Barelli, UP. 2007. 2004)  

1. The OCP phase was followed by a break before the PGW phase. The OCP pottery didn't show any links with Harappan. 
2. PGW phase --> This as the 1st PGW site to be discovered. People practiced  domestication and grew 2 crops per year. Houses were wattle and daub. Most of the implements found are related to wars than for common use. King Divodasa of the 10 tribe battle fame was from here.
3. NBPW phase --> It was the capital of Panchala mahajanpad. 
4. In Kushana period, it was a major urban centre for terra cotta sculpture. 
5. A Gupta period terraced temple has been found here. 

Ahmednagar (Maharastra. 2001)

1. It was the capital of nizamshahi muslim sultans (founded in 1490 by Malik Ahmed) following the breakup of Bahmani kingdom. Chand Bibi hosted her resistance to Mughals from here and after her Malik Amber. In 1633 it was annexed by Shahjahan. Ahmednagar paintings are famous and are influenced by styles of Bijapur and Golconda. A high circular horizon is a speciality of these paintings. Ahmednagar sultans were fond of planting gardens.

Ahraura (Mirzapur)

1. Asokan mRE 1. The rock edicts are highly worn out and defaced. Except the last line they resemble mREs of Sahsaram and Bairat.

Aihole (Karnataka. 1998)

1. Pulakesin II's inscription of 634 AD created by Jain poet Ravikirti has been found and talks about defeat of Harsha. 70 temples are found here including Ladkhan temple (a square temple from Chalukyan period) and Durga temple (a Buddhist shrine used as a Hindu temple).

Aï-Khanoum (Afghanistan)

1. It shows a great city built by Indo-Greeks around 280 BC but was destroyed by nomadic invaders in 145 BC. A coin hoard has been found along with some unstuck bronze bases indicating this was a mint town. In this age, the silk route used to pass through here and it was a prosperous town.
2. Indo-Greek king Agathocles' coins have been found here showing Krishna and Balram indicating the spread of Krishna cult.  

Airan / Eran (Sagar, MP, 2010. 2006)

1. Malwa culture --> BRW phase. Iron objects were found in BRW phase ~1300 BC.  
2. Gupta phase --> Samudragupta's prashasti inscription. There is another inscription on a vishnu boar image in the reign of Toramana, the Huna king. From 510 AD we find a memorial inscription telling us about a sati incident.

Aizawl (2000)  

1. It was a trade center connecting Silchar and Dacca, it was en route Suvarnabhoomi. The Mizos moved here from China then Burma then here from 5th cent AD. 

Ajanta (2002)

1. Buddhist caves from 1 cent AD to 7 cent AD have been found with most belonging to Gupta era. Triple storied cave viharas have also been found. The early caves represent a large pillared chaitya with a stupa in the centre. Later caves have more ornamentation. The caves are of 2 types - meditation (chaitya) and residence (vihara) type. The paintings are fresco style, Buddhist religious, plaster of clay, sand, dung and hay was applied first, smoothened and then outlines were drawn and colored.         

Ajmer / Ajaymeru (2001)     

1. Built by Chauhans in 12th century AD, it had strategic importance and lots of temples. It also has Adhai din ka jhopda built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, shrine of Khwaja Nizamuddin Chisti where Urs fair is held annually.

Ajodhan

1. It was a major trade center in medieval India. It had the khankah of Sheikh Farid. 

Alagankulam / Shaliyur / Kottaimedu (Ramnathapuram, TN)

1. It was an Indo - Roman trading post from Sangam age. It shows imported African ware, NBPW, roman coins, and other roman artifacts.

Alamgirpur (Meerut, UP)

1. Late harappan site - eastern most. Lower layer has later Harappan traits while upper has BRW phase.

Amaravati / Dhanyakatak / Dhanyaghat / Dharanikot (Guntoor, AP, 2010. 2004. 2003. 1998)

1. It is famous for its Buddhist stupa. The construction began from 200 BC but lasted for nearly 400 years. The sculptures depicted various scenes from Buddha's life. It was a trade center as merchants shipped came here via Krishna. Amaravati school of sculpture was older than Mathura. 

Amarkantak (Annupur, MP. 2011)

1. It is a great pilgrimage place and is associated with Siva's burning of Tripuri (one set of ashes fell here). It finds mention in Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas. 
2. The Kalchuri rulers constructed many great temples here. It has the place where Kabir performed austerities and attained spiritual powers. World's biggest ashtadhatu Jain idol of Adinath is here. It has the famous Keshav Narayan and the Matsyendranath temples.

Amarkot (1997)

1. Humayun, Rana Veersal gave shelter. Akbar was born here.

Ambari (2008)

1. The first cultural period runs from 6 - 12 cent AD and the second one rns from 13 - 17 cent AD. Excavations have shown it was a prosperous town from 6 cent AD and later came under the Palas. It was mentioned as a prosperous town of the east by Huen Tsang.
2. 2008 excavations showed that it had Sunga period settlement as well. Prior to this no Sunga period settlement was found in NE. A flight of stairs leading into a tank, ceramic industry including roman pottery from 1-2 cent AD have been found.

Ambek (1999)

1. It is a place near Chedi mahajanpada's capital Shaktimati in MP. PGW, NBPW, iron implements and terracotta figures have been discovered here.

Amber (2006)

1. Built by Kachhwaha kings, it remained strategic city. The fort presents unique blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Amri (Sind)

1. It is a pre Harappan and Harappan site showing a clear transition from pre Harappan to early to mature Harappan traditions. The early Harappan stage had mud brick structures, wheel turned pottery, copper, bronze and stone objects. 

Anagwadi (Karnataka)

1. Paleolithic site.

Anantpur (AP)

1. It was a major diamond mining center in the early medieval age.

Anegondi (Karnataka. 2006)

1. Anegondi was the original capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire when Mohammad Tughluq defeated the King of Anegondi and appointed Malik Nayab as his representative to rule over the city. During this time the brothers Harihar and Bukka organized a group that successfully recaptured Anegondi without bloodshed by sneaking into the Anegondi fort and taking Malik Nayab prisoner while he was drunk.
   

Anhilwara / Patan (Gujarat. 1995)

1. It has the famous Karnameru temple built by the Solanki rulers of Gujarat. Well known Jaina scholar Hemraj lived here and wrote on grammar, language, history and philosophy.
2. In Sultanate era, it was a famous urban centre. Alauddin captured it in 1299 and it remained under the sultanate till 1401. After that Ahmed Shah shifted his capital to Ahemdabad and it declined. It was a famous center of trade, pilgrimage and jaina literature.

Anjira (Baluchistan)

1. Neolithic site in NW. 

Antichak (Bhagalpur. 2008)

1. It has a fortification wall from early historical period. Also some stone pillars and stone images of Buddha, Siva, Surya and Vishnu have been found.

Anuradhapur (SL. 2007. 2005)

1. It was the capital of Ceylon (until it was shifted to Polonnaruva to protect from Chola Rajaraja's attack) and was founded by Anurodh, ambassador of an Indian prince. Asoka's son Mahendra planted a sapling of Bodhi tree here and built a stupa. In 4th cent AD, a teeth of Buddha was brought here and placed in the stupa.
2. Potsherds have been discovered at Anuradhapur from 5th cent BC which have brahmi inscriptions (these could be the earliest inscriptions in brahmi but is debated).

Apsadh (Gaya)

1. It has an important inscription of the later Gupta kings mentioning their rivalry with Maukharis. It also has a large temple from 6-7 cent AD.

Arikamedu (Pondicherry. 2006. 2000)

1. Brick built dyeing vats from Sangam age have been discovered indicating dyeing was a thriving business here. 
2. It was an important port for the Indo-Roman trade and Roman settlements have  been found here.   

Arnala (Maharastra)

1. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat built a fort here in 1530 but gave it to Portuguese in a treaty in 1535. It was later captured by Marathas and subsequently given to £. It was an important trade center.

Asirgarh / Ashvathamagiri (Burhanpur, MP. 1999. 1997)

1. Strong fort in Khandesh. Initially under the ruler of Malwa, it was captured by Delhi sultans, then after MBT's death it passed under the rulers of Khandesh until Akbar captured it in 1601.

Atiranjikhera (Etah, UP)  

1. OCP Phase --> BRW Phase -->  PGW Phase --> NBPW Phase.  
2. OCP doesn't show Harappan links. People lived in mud houses supported by wood.  
3. BRW Phase--> The discovery of BRW was the first independent BRW find in the country.
4. PGW Phase--> 1st remains of rice in PGW phase were found here from 8 cent BC. Few kuchcha wells have been found. Wide range of iron implements have been found.   
5. NBPW --> Mud brick walls, terracotta, coinage, script come up. 
6. Post-Mauryan phase--> A temple has been found. The temple is on a raised platform around which there is a circumambulatory path. The discovery of of a Gaja-Lakshmi plaque suggests it was a Lakshmi temple.   

Attala (Idukki, Kerela)

1. Megalithic phase --> Hunting scenes have been depicted in  paintings found in rock shelters. 

Attirampakkam (TN)

1. It is the richest paleolithic site in TN. Covers lower, middle as well as upper paleolithic period. 1st paleolithic tool in India was discovered here in 1863 - a cleaver.
2. Tools were made of quartzite which was not available locally and very little waste material is here suggesting tools were made elsewhere and brought here. 

Attock / Ohind (Pakistan)

1. Alexander crossed Indus here. Mahmud of Gazni defeated the Hindushahi rulers here. Akbar built a strong fort.

Aurangabad / Khidaki (1997)

1. Satvahnas were followed by Vakatakas, then Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. It grew in importance under Malik Amber.
2. It has Buddhist caves from 6th cent AD and has sculptures of Buddha and Tara. 

Badami / Vatapi (2010. 2003. 2001. 2000)

1. It was the capital of Chalukyas of Badami. From late 6 cent AD, sculptures of Hari-Hara (half Vishnu, half Shiva) have been found in the Badami caves. There are 3 brahmana caves and 1 jaina cave.

Badoli (Chittorgarh)

1. It has many panchyatan style temples from early medieval age. A siva temple Ghatehwar Sivalaya is most famous and resembles Odisha style.  This style has a sanctum, dome, gallery and pinnacle. 

Bagasra / Gola Dhoro (2009)

1. Harappan site. It has given a hitherto unknown kind of seal. Bangles, pottery, copper artifacts etc. have been found.
2. Also a chalcolithic site.

Bagha Caves (Gwalior, MP)  

1. These caves are 4th generation Buddhist caves in Gupta period. The paintings are fine example of Gupta age paintings. They have a materialistic theme. 

Baghai Kor (Mirzapur, UP)

1. Mesolithic site. Both ceramic and pre-ceramic mesolithic phases can be found here.

Bagor (Bhilwara)   

1. It is a Mesolithic site. People used chalcedony for making tools which is only found ~ 100 km SE in Deccan trap. Evidences of Copper too have been found. They migrated SE in the dry season. House floors were made of stone slabs.  
2. Evidences of a chalcolithic and then an iron age too have been found.   

Baghor (MP)    

1. It was from upper paleolithic. In the middle of a circular platform made of sandstone rubble, a rock with concentric triangles painted in light yellowish red to dark reddish brown have been found. This indicates pagan worship. The pieces of the rock when joined together form a triangle itself. 
2. It was a Mesolithic site as well. The proportion of finished tools is very less. This suggests that the tools were made here and then taken elsewhere. Some large shelters have been found too from post holes.   

Bahal

1. It was a part of the Jorwe chalcolithic culture of Deccan. It was a large village (500 - 1000 people). 

Bahapur (Delhi)

1. Asokan mRE 1.

Bahawalpur (Pakistan)

1. Pre Harappan site. Also a Harappan site which was on the banks of Saraswati. 

Bahiri (W Bengal)

1. Chalcolithic site of east India. Gives evidence of iron ore and slag from 1100 - 800 BC.

Baijnath (Rewa)

1. It has the famous Vaidyanath temple of nagara central india style. The shikhara of the temple is somewhat low.

Bairat / Bhabru / Viratnagar (Jaipur, 2010)

1. It was also called Viratnagar, capital of Matsya mahajanpad. 
2. Asokan mRE 3. Also remains of ancient Buddhist monastery found. 
3. Indo-Greek coins including those of Menander have been found here.

Bajaur (NWFP)

1. Menander built a stupa here over Buddha's relics. 

Balakot (Manshera)

1. Its a pre and early Harappan site. Wheel turned painted pottery like Harappa, humped bull figurines, terracotta, shell and bone objects etc. have been found. Houses used unburnt bricks. A bath cim toilet has been found.

Balasore (Odisha. 1995)

1. £ opened their factory in Odisha in 1633.

Balathal (Udaipur, Rajasthan. 2009)  

1. It was a chalcolithic site of Ahar culture. A massive mud fortification wall was found with bastions in it. Terracotta figurines, copper, stone and bone tools were found as well.  They had close contact with Harappa, built large brick and mud houses.

Balbhrameshwar (Shringeri, Karnataka. 1999)

1. Saint Kaundinya established his ashram here and penetrated the Aryan culture in S India.

Bamiyan / Vasmati

1. Buddha. Major buddhist site with many viharas and buddhist paintings.

Banavasi / Vaijayanti (Kanara, Karnataka)

1. It was the capital of Kadambas. It has an inscription talking about grant to a Jinendra temple (lord of Jinas). 

Banawali (Hissar. 2008)

1. Pre, mature and post Harappan site. It is larger than a village but smaller than a town. The brick ratios were 3:2:1 in the earliest phase which changed to 4:2:1 in the mature phase. It has a citadel.

Banskheda (Shahjahanpur, UP)

1. Copper plate land grant inscription of Harsha found here. It tells us about tax structure, administrative structure, lineage of Harsha along with their religious beliefs.

Barabar (Gaya)

1. Caves were cut in rocks and donated to the Ajivika sect by Asoka. The entry to these caves were decorated. The caves are simple.  

Baran (Bulandshehar, UP)

1. Mahabharata legend tells us it was founded by grandson of Abhimanyu. 
2. Rajput kings fought Mahmud of Gazni here in 1018. It came under Delhi sultans in 1193. Ziauddin Barani was born here.

Barbaricum (Indus delta)

1. Major port in post Mauryan age but silting of estuary led to a shift and eventual decline.

Bargaon (Saharanpur)

1. Later Harappan site.

Baror (Shriganganagar, Rajasthan)

1. It has a pre, early and mature Harappan settlement. In the pre harappan level distinct pottery has been found. No brick structures have been found indicating people lived in mud houses. Mature harappan period shows a well planned city, industrial economy, special red ware / red slipped ware. A fortification wall, terracotta, beads etc. also have been found.

Basarh / Basad (Vaishali. 2003. 2000) 

1. It was the capital of Licchavis of Vajji Mahajanapada. A coronation tank of Licchavis from 2 cent BC has been found.  
2. In Gupta period, it had a major fort. A large number of seals and sealings have been discovered from a room in the fort indicating it was used to store important documents. These sealings show Vaishnava symbols.    
3. Some sealings found tell us about the importance of guilds in the Gupta period.

Basholi (Jasrota, Jammu. 2011)

1. During Akbar, pahari style of painting developed here. Later under the local rulers it flourished. Basholi school of painting is closer to Mewar school because of the variety of colors used, simplicity and appeal to passions. Colors have been chosen for their symbolic value. Pearls and other precious stones were added to the paintings. It is a fusion of local hill arts and Mughal style.

Basin / Besin / Bassein / Daman / Vasai

1. Bahadur shah sold it to Portuguese in 1534. Portuguese held it until Marathas captured it in 1739. Treaty of Bassein was signed here in 1802.

Bayana / Banpur (2008. 1995)

1. Huge hoard of Gupta gold coins belonging to Chadnragupta II and Kumargupta have been found. 
2. Bayana fort was built by Vijaypal of Karawali dynasty who also fought Mahmud of Gazni. It was captured by Ghori in 1196 AD. Khanua is near Bayana. Later it came under Jats of Bharatpur. It was known for cultivation of indigo.

Bedsa (Karle, Maharastra)

1. Buddhist caves representing 3rd phase of cave architecture evolution have been found where there is a long hall with a stupa at the end and pillars parallel to the walls creating a circumambulatory path. The entry of the cave has a apsidal structure which has cells on three sides meant for monks to live. 

Begram (Kabul)  

1. Kushana era treasure was found here. Numerous Kushana equestrian terracotta figurines (indicating the Kushana love for horses), Roman trade evidences (amphorae, pottery etc.), elaborate ivory sculptures (representing Indian subjects) have been found.    

Behmanabad / Patal (1999)

1. It was here Alexander decided to dispatch a part of his army back home via sea. Vincent Smith believed it was called so after Behman Shah of Iran (425 AD) but the discovery of a far more ancient civilization has pushed it back. It is mentioned in Greek records as well as Kavya Mimansa.
2. When Muhammed bin Qasim conquered Sind he chose to make this his capital.

Belan Valley / Chopani Mando (Mirzapur, UP)  

1. Sequence of lower paleolithic to neolithic to proto historic settlements has been found. 
2. Sheep and goat bones have been found here but they were not indigenous here so they were brought from NW from Mesolithic layers. 
3. Round huts have been found too made of wattle and doab from Mesolithic layers. 
4. Pottery of Mesolithic age has been found as well. 

Belur (Karnataka. 1997)

1. Hosyala period temples are found. The Chennakeshav temple is most famous which applies to stone the technique of an ivory worker or a goldsmith. It is a complex of temples. Elaborate sculpture. 

Besnagar / Vidisha (MP. 2005. 2000. 1998)  

1. Mauryan level shows mud fortification. A temple of Vishnu from same phase has been found from 3 cent BC. The temple had a shrine with elliptical structure and another smaller outer ellipse which had a rectangular projection. The temple was built on an elevated platform, had a brick plinth and the superstructure was made of wood, mud etc.
2. The pillar erected here by Heliodorus - the Greek ambassador to Sunga king - is the only example of pillar making in the post-mauryan age. The pillar inscription talks about a Vishnu temple in the area. It was the western capital of Sungas and lied on the trade routes connecting N India with deccan and W sea ports. A yaksha image holding a money bag (Kuber) has been found  indicating yakshas were associated with money also. 

Bhadarabad (Haridwar)

1. OCP site.

Bhadrawati / Bhandak (Chandrapur. 1999)

1. Capital site of Vakatakas. Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang visited Bhadrawati in 639 AD and called it a place of numerous monasteries where 1400 monks lived. 3 elaborate Buddhist caves with large Buddha statues and viharas have been found. Besides it has Jaina, Naga and Vishnu temples.

Bhadreshwar (2008)

1. The Solanki rulers changed its name from Bhadrawati to Bhadreshwar and built famous Jain temples. The main temple is Bhadreshwar built by Solankis. There is a Shiv temple as well and another Pandava temple. The jain temples are one of the oldest Jain temples in India.

Bhagwanpura (Kurukshetra, Haryana. 1998)

1. PGW site + late Harappan pottery overlapped between 1600 BC to 1000 BC. Zone of interaction of Aryans and late Harappans.   
2. No iron objects have been found => old PGW phase was not iron age and horse bones have been found here.  

Bhaja (2000)

1. 100 BC Buddhist cave represents the 3rd phase of cave architecture evolution. The two rooms were merged into one, pillars were erected parallel to the walls to create a circumambulatory path. The central hall has higher vaulted ceilings, side paths have lower half-vaulted ceiling, horse-shoe shaped arch at entrance.  

Bhakkar (Indus)

1. It was a major urban center in medieval India under the sultanate. It had a khankah (sufi center) in the middle of the town where travelers used to eat.

Bharatpur

1. Built in early 18th century by Badan Singh jat, it was the capital of Jat kingdom.

Bharhut (Bundelkhand, MP)

1. Sunga age stupa has been found here the gates of which are guarded by yakshas and yakshis and other minor gods. A sculpture here shows a huge sea monster engulfing a ship and its crew indicating sea trade.  

Bharukaccha / Bharuch / Broach / Bhrigukachcha (2000. 1998)

1. International port since pre-Mauryan days. In Mauryan times too, it was an important port. Bead making, ring wells were important. There was a mud fortification along with a moat. 
2. It was the most important port to carry out trade with West during the post-Mauryan age. It served Sakas, Kushanas as well as the Satvahnas. Two silk routes from north vis the uttarapath (Taxilla --> Punjab --> western part of Yamuna--> course of Yamuna --> Mathura --> Ujjain --> Broach) and Taxilla --> lower Indus basin --> Broach served it.  

Bhatkal

1. It was a part of Hosyals then came under Vijaynagar. Cholas invaded Bhatkal in 10th century and built the Solesvara temple and left their inscriptions here. Later on Portuguese exerted their influence here.

Bhatinda (Punjab)

1. Large fort built by Bhatti rajputs. It went under the control of Delhi sultans and was a part of the line of defence against Mongols.

Bhatner / Hanumangarh (1996)

1. It was an important fort built by Bhatti rajputs in medieval India.

Bhattiprolu (Guntur, AP)

1. 2 cent BC stupa has been found. The stupa has mostly solid core with a wheel plan in central portion. It represents an intermediate style between the early solid core stupas and the later spoked wheel plan stupas. 

Bhir (Taxila)

1. It belongs to pre mauryan age level and is the only site to have been horizontally excavated but it is too far from the Gangetic valley to be generalized.

Bheraghat (Jabalpur, MP)

1. 2nd cent AD --> Famous 64 yogini temple (associated with Shakti worship) came up. Only one of the 5 such temples in India.
2. Chalukyan inscription has been discovered here which tells us of their victory over Bengal rulers.

Bhimbetka (2007. 2004)

Bhimtal (Bundi)

1. A 5 cent AD mukhalinga has been found. It is on white sandstone, the temple compound was made of bricks. 

Bhinmal (Jalore, Rajasthan)

1. It finds mention in ancient Jaina and Sanskrit texts. It was an important town in early historic period. Roman trade evidences, Gupta period remains and medieval remains have been found as well.

Bhirrana (Fatehabad, Haryana)

1. It gives an understanding of process behind Harappa civilization formation. It has Hakra ware, early Harappa, transition to mature harappa and mature harappa levels. The early harappa levels show mud bricks in standard ratio (3:2:1), a six-room house, terracotta figurines, beads and bangles.

Bhita (Allahbad. 2001)

1. Mauryan bricks have been found.
2. In Gupta period, it shows many structures of reused or broken bricks. Numerous seals and sealings have been found too.  Some seals show Lakshmi. A buddha image has been found too.

Bhitargaon (Kanpur. 1999)

1. The Gupta-era temple is made of terracotta and brick. It provides earliest example of true arch. The walls have terracotta panels depicting mythological scenes. 

Bhitari (Ghazipur, UP)

1. A stone pillar inscription of Skandagupta has been found which talks of is Huna wars and a land grant to a Vishnu temple. The terms of the grant have not been mentioned.  

Bhokardan (Aurangabad)

1. In Satvahna age, it was located on the trade route from Ujjain to Paithan. Punch-marked, Satvahna and Kshatrap coins have been found here. Roman trade connections too. Anthropomorphic pot and lid with three female figures has been found as well. 
2. Several Vishnu temples in underground caves have been found from 8 - 9 cent AD.

Bhoomra (Satna, MP)

1. It has got a famous Siva temple of Nagara style from Gupta age. On the left and right side of the entry gate are Ganga and Yamuna and there is a shivlinga in middle.

Bhubneswar (2001)

1. Long time capital. Parshurameshwar temples is one of the first. Lingaraja temple is the most famous and was built in 11 cent AD. 

Bidar (Hyderabad. 1995)

1. It was plundered by Alauddin and became a part of Delhi sultanate under Ghiasuddin Tughluq. In 1347 it became a part of Bahmani kingdom and in 1422 became independent. In 1619 it was captured by Bijapur. It was an important center for architecture. It has 12 mausoleums the most famous being of Sultan Ahmedshah. Mahmud Gawan built a large madarssa here. 

Bijapur (Shalapur, Karnataka. 2005. 1999)

1. It became independent under the Adilshahi sultans and was a part of the confederacy which defeated Vijaynagar @ battle of Talikota. It lost Goa to Portuguese in 1510. By 17th century it became very weak in face of Marathas and Mughals and was annexed by Aurangzeb in 1686. 
2. It was a prominent center of learning. It has the best architecture in S India, buildings are well known for their design and grandeur and are highly ornamented. Domes and beams are particularly ornamented. Gol Gumbaj is here and has the largest dome in the world.

Bikaner

1. It was founded by Rana Bika of Rathore rajputs in 15th century. They made an alliance with Akbar and built a fort which is a fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Bilhari (Katni, MP)

1. It was a center of Kalchuri rulers. An inscription is found from 10th cent AD which details their military campaigns, construction of the Laxmansagar lake by Kalachuris.

Birbhanpur (Burdwan, W Bengal. R. Damodar, 2010)

1. Chalcedony tools and a factory site have been found from Mesolithic age. 

Bisauli / Badaun (2011)

1. It led to the discovery of OCP phase. Pottery is ill fired, wheel turned, medium to fine fabric, thick red slip and painted in black designs. It leaves ochre color on fingers when rubbed. 

Bodh Gaya / Uruvela (Gaya. 2002)

1. Buddha attained enlightenment here.

Brahmagiri / Siddhpur / Maski / Kupgal (Chitradurg, 2008)

1. Period 1 was megalithic. People lived on granite hill tops in wattle and daub houses. Copper/bronze objects and hand-made grey ware have been found. People were mainly pastoral as indicated by cattle bones with cut marks, cattle figurines of humped cattle and predominance of cattle in the rock paintings at Maski and Kupgal. 
2. It has the Siddhpur village where Asokan mRE 1 & 2 are found and which marked the southern boundary of his empire. 

Budaun / Badaun (UP)

1. Important medieval town. Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya born here. Shrine of Iltutmish, built on the remains of Neelkanth Mahadev temple is an important monument.

Budihal (Gulbarga)

1. Neolithic and ash mound site of S India. A tool making industry has been found. Ash deposits were located at the center and it showed the presence of a long duration habitation site directly associated with the ash mounds. 

Bundi (2008)

1. 10k years old mesolithic paintings were found. These rock paintings are in ochre, dark red colors and depict humans, animals, hunting scenes, geometric designs, dancing postures, bullock carts and chariots. 

Burzahom (Srinagar. 2008. 2005.)

1. Neolithic site. Bone tools, pit dwellings, dog burials.

Buxar (Patna)

1. BoB.

Calicut (2007. 2003)

1. Vasco da gama arrived here and the king Zamorin welcomed him. Pepper was the chief export from Calicut and it was a center of cotton manufacturing and shipbuilding.

Chabroli (AP)

1. Mauryan age site. Used to lie on the trade routes.

Champa / Champapuri (Bhagalpur. 2004) 

1. It was a river port and capital of Anga Mahajanapada. A mud fort from 5 cent BC is also found. Spices and precious stones from south were brought here. It was an important Buddhist town. It was annexed by Bimbisara.
2. In the Kushana phase, brick fortifications and houses come up. 

Champaner (Baroda. 1996)

1. It had a strong fort in medieval times which was captured by ruler of Gujarat Mahmud Begara in 1484. Subsequently Humayun defeated Bahadur Shah and captured Champaner fort in 1535. Akbar reconquered it later.

Chandarmager / Chandannagar (1997)

1. It was built and developed by French in 1673  and was won over by English in 1757.

Chandawar (Kanauj)

1. Battle between Ghori and Jaichand was fought here in 1194.

Chanderi (Gwalior. 2006. 1997)

1. It was an important medieval town in trade and politics. Routes from Malwa passed from here. It was captured by Babur as the local ruler sided with Rana Sanga in the battle of Khanua. Later it came under the control of Scindias.

Chandoli

1. Chalcolithic culture of deccan.
2. Under Marathas it was an important fort.

Chandor (Goa)

1. It was an important city from Mauryan times. It became a port of international repute as trade with Arabs grew. A broken bull image from Chalukyan times has been found.

Chandragiri (Mysore)

1. According to Jaina tradition, CGM performed santhara here after migrating along with Bhadrabahu.  There is a small temple here called Chandragupta Basti.

Chandraketugarh (24 Parganas, Bengal, 2008)

1. In Kushana period, it was an important urban centre of terracotta figurine manufacturing. Most figurines were of highly ornamented women including the Panchachuda goddess who has 5 weapons coming out of her hair. 

Chandravati (Abu)

1. It was the capital of Parmaras. It had hundreds of Jaina , major and minor Hindu god temples. Hundreds of idols as well as temple sculpture has been found here. It was devastated by Bahadur Shah.

Chanhudaro (2010)

1. Mature harappan town. It doesn't have a fort like other major cities. Burnt bricks, pottery, seals, weights etc. have been found. Bead making factory was found. This town was devastated twice by floods.

Chaul

1. Important port on the west coast in medieval India. It was a post Mauryan age port but was revived under Bahmani kingdom. Arabs and Europeans used to trade here and it was finally captured by Portuguese.

Chausa (Karmanasha, Bihar)

1. Battle between Humayun and SSS was fought here in 1539 and Humayun had to run for his life. 

Chech Kutubpur (Patna)

1. Chalcolithic site of middle gangetic valley from 3 - 2 millennium BC. Lot of bone tools have been found like Chirand.

Chidamberum (1999)

1. It has the famous natraj temple from the Chola age and also several bronze natraj statues. The temple has very high shikhara and gopurams and thousand pillar mandap.

Chinsura (1995)

1. English defeated the Dutch here and ended their power in India.

Chirand (Chapra. 2011)

1. Bone tools from neolithic age have been found. Major neolithic site as the number of artifacts discovered are second highest after Burzahom.
2. The neolithic continued into chalcolithic into iron age. Pottery was BRW. Beads of terracotta, steatite and semi-precious stones and microliths continued. 
3. One of the earliest cities to emerge in NBPW age. The town continued to prosper in Kushana phase and many brickworks have been found.   

Chittoor

1. Major Buddhist site.

Chitradurga / Chandravali

1. Major town under Satvahna, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Hosyals, Vijaynagar and Hyder Ali.

Chitrakuta (Banda. 2001)

1. Ramayna says lord Rama spent 13 years of his exile here. Birthplace of Tulsidas who wrote Ramcharitmanas.

Chittagong / Chatgaon (2007. 2005)

1. Major medieval port. Initially under the ruler of Bengal but Arkanese occupied it from time to time. Finally under Aurangzeb, Saista Khan drove out Arkanese pirates and made it a prosperous port. 

Chittor (1995)

1. Alauddin, Karnavati, Akbar.

Chopani Mando (Belan Valley)

1. Discovery of wild rice in mesolithic levels.

Chunar / Charnadri (Mirzapur. 2002)  

1. Asokan pillars were made here and then transported. The pillars made here used greystone.    
2. In the medieval time it was a strong fort en route to any attack on Bihar. Humayun fought SSS here and then later Akbar fought Afghans here.

Dabarkot (Sind)

1. Harappan site.

Dabhol (Ratnagiri)

1. Important medieval town. Malik Kafur defeated ruler of Devgiri and captured Dabhol. Later it came under Bijapur but Portuguese snatched it from them and ended their marine trade.

Dadheri

1. PGW site.

Dadupur (Pratapgarh)

1. One of the early iron finds of India. The excavations reveal iron implements from 2nd millennium BC. Red ware dominates the pottery, while the black-and-red ware is nominally represented

Daimabad (Ahmadnagar, Maharastra. 1998)  

1. Its a Savalda culture chalcolithic site. A phallus shaped object has been found.
2. It had 5 periods. Savalda Culture (2300-2200 BC) --> Late Harappan Culture (2200-1800 BC) --> Daimabad Culture (1800-1600 BC) --> Malwa Culture (1600-1400) --> Jorwe Culture (1400-1000).
3. The late Harappan phase shows relations with Harappa. Harappan script has been found here, pottery was red ware with designs painted in black. Copper, bead, terracotta were important crafts.
4. Daimabad Culture layer had black-on-buff ware pottery.
5. In Malwa layer, houses were mud with wooden posts, big. Fire altars were present. Pottery was fine fabric, uniformly fired, thick buff / orange slip, designs in black / brown and had deep bowls and spouted pots with flaring mouths. Terracotta, copper, stone and bone were important crafts. 
6. Jorwe Culture --> It is one of the large sites. There was a mud fortification wall with bastions. Specialization of labor was indicated by presence of specialists' houses. There was an elliptical structure with approach paths plastered with cow dung and a horde of pots probably containing offerings. A terracotta seal shows a horse drawn chariot. 

Damb Sadat (Baluchistan)

1. Neolithic site. We don't find pottery in the first level but subsequent levels show pottery as well as evidences of copper.

Damdama (Pratapgarh, UP)

1. 41 burials including 4 multiple burials have been found from mesolithic age. 
2. Domesticated rice has been found too from 7 millennium BC i.e. the mesolithic level. 

Damoh (MP)

1. Lower Paleolithic tradition has been found.   
2. During Akbar's time, it formed a part of the Malwa province, it had many temples, images and a fort. It came under Marathas later.

Dangwada (Ujjain)

1. From pre-Gupta age, a Siva and a Vishnu temple has been found. It had the elliptical architectural form and had stone plinth and mud plinth.  

Daojali Hading (Assam. 2009)

1. A neolithic site. Quartzite, sandstone tools have been found along with hand made pottery. Indirect evidence of shifting agriculture found too.

Dashpur / Dasaur (Mandsaur, MP)

1. Gautamiputra Satkarni won it over from Saka king Nahapana. It has a famous inscription of Kumargupta which tells us about the immigration of silk merchants en mass from Bharuch to this place. The inscription also talks of sun worship. It tells us about the temple which had multiple shikharas. Ganga and Yamuna acted as the gate keepers and the temple entry was adorned.

Daulatabad / Deogiri (Aurangabad. 1996)

1. It was under Chalukyas then Yadavas. Alauddin plundered it. Then MBT made it his capital. Later it came under Bahmani kingdom. Deogiri fort was very important. It was a cotton textile manufacturing center as well and was located on the trade route from north to deccan. 

Daurai (Ajmer)

1. 3rd and last battle between Aurangzeb and Dara was fought here.

Davak / Dacca

1. Mentioned in SG's Prayag inscription. Fine muslin making center.

Debal (2005)

1. Ancient port on mouth of river Indus. Cotton goods and indigo were exported to Iran and Arabia from here. It was a famous sword making center and an international port in the early medieval age. It also lied on an important trade route with western Asia.

Deedarganj (Patna)

1. A beautiful yakshini statue found here from mauryan period. She holds a broom of whiskers and her physical beauty is marvelously carved out on stone.

Deeg

1. Important palaces built by Jat rulers. There is a double awning on all sides of the palace - the upper awning provides an extension of the roof and was used as a resting place after sunset. Lower awning with its extended shadow protected against the sun.

Deepadeeh (Sarguja, Chattisgarh)

1. Bright star of India architecture. A temple complex found here which is spread over 5 sq. km. area. It has all Siva temples built in different styles. Sculpture is exquisite.

Deepalpur (Punjab, Pakistan. 1995)

1. Saka coins found here. After Multan, this is the oldest continuously occupied site.
2. Important fort and formed a line of defence against Mongols under Balban. Alauddin had posted Ghiasuddin Tughluq here. It was a major urban center of medieval India.

Deogarh (Jhansi)                                                                      

1. It has the Dasavatar Vishnu temple which is the earliest example of the fusion of the Nagar and the Dravidian styles. It has got a shikhara. While other temples had only 1 mandap, this one had 4 mandaps situated in each direction. The tempe sculpture shows many scenes associated with krishna, narsinha, dwarf avatars of Vishnu. The motifs used are animals, birds, swastikas, dwarves, mithuns.    

Deorkothar (Rewa, MP)

1. Asokan stupas (multiple, brick and stone both) have been found. Rock shelters with paintings too have been found. 

Desalpur (Khirasara, Gujarat)

1. Mature and late harappan site. Mesopotamian trade artifacts have been found as well apart from usual things.

Devnimori (Sabarkantha, Gujarat, 2008)

1. In Gupta era, it was a major Buddhist centre. Saka kshatrap coins tell us of a stupa and a monastery here.

Dhalbhum (Jharkhand)

1. It had gold mines from where also Kushanas got their gold for the coins. 

Dhamekh (Sarnath. 2004. 2003)

1. The Dhamekh stupa of Sarnath is the only example of stupa in Gupta age. 

Dhara (Gwalior. 2001)

1. The Pratihara ruler Bhoja shifted his capital here from Ujjain and made it a center of culture and education which it remained in medieval india as well. Alauddin annexed it later. It became a major center of wheat and beetle leaves production.

Dharmat (Ujjain. 1995)

1. Aurangzeb fought Murad here. 

Dharnikota (Amrawati)

1. It gave birth to the Amrawati town. It was a major trade center from 400 BC to 1 cent AD. Roman and Satvahna trade signs have been found.

Dharwad (Karnataka)

1. Iron was found here in Megalithic culture in 1000 BC. It also has vesara style jain temples from early medieval age.

Dhauli (Puri. 2007. 2003)

1. Asokan MRE. #11-13 replaced by separate #1-2.  There is also a rock sculpture of front part of an elephant. It shows forward movement and looks like the elephant is coming out of the hill.  

Dholavira (2002. 1998)

Dholpur

1. Important fort. Also has famous cave called Raja Muchkund. 

Dhulikatta (Karimnagar)

1. From 3 cent BC, there was a Buddhist stupa here. Also a fortified town in early Sangam age. 

Didwana (Nagaur, Rajasthan) 

1. Lower Paleolithic remains of 400k years ago have been found. The sequence extends from early to middle paleolithic. 

Dihar (Bankura, W Bengal)

1. Chalcolithic culture of east india. BRW, copper objects, microliths, beads found here. Later iron age developed. High tin bronze has been found as well.

Dudhai (Lalitpur)

1. Early Medieval Age --> Site of the famous Yogini cult temple. Only one of the 5 such temples in India.

Dvarsamudra / Halebid / Divaravalipura (hassan, Karnataka. 2006)

1. It was the Hosyala capital and has large number of temples. The largest is Hosayalesvara temple and is the best example of Chalukyan style. Malik Kafur raided this city.
   

Dwarka (2002. 1999)

Edakal (Kerala, 2010)

1. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions saying "Sri Vazhumi" have been found with an anthropomorphic figure. The figure indicates fertility cult and Vazhumi indicates Sanskrit "Brahma". 
2. Earliest Malayalam inscription from 4 cent AD have also been found - "i pazhama" which means this is ancient pointing to an anthromorphic figure drawn on the cave wall.

Elephanta / Dharapuri (2001)

1. They are from Gupta age. Temples cut into caves have been found. Mahesh, dancing Siva, marriage of Siva and Parvati are famous images. One cave is a Buddhist cave. 

Ellichpur (Berar, MP. 1996)

1. Alauddin vanquished Ramchandradev who ruled it and when he stopped paying tribute, Alauddin invaded again.

Ellora / Verul (Aurangabad. 2001. 1996)

1. It has 34 cave temples, 1 - 12 buddhist, 13 - 29 hindu and 30 - 34 jain. They are from 6 - 10 cent AD. Chalukyas built buddhist and hindu caves while Rashtrakuta built all 3 caves. Buddhist caves host the statues of Buddha, Bodhistava and Tara belonging to Vajrayan school and represents tantric traditions. Siva is shown in Mahakal, Mahayogi and Natraj forms. Jain caves represent Digambar school. Images of yakshas and yakshis are also present. The most famous cave is 16th which has the Kailash temple.

Erragudi (Kurnool, AP)

1. Asokan MRE. Asokan MRE 1 & 2. 

Faizabad

1. Built by Sadat Ali Khan in 1730 - first Nawab of Oudh, it was his capital. It has beautiful palaces, gardens and mausoleums.

Farukhabad

1. It was built by a mughal governor under Farukh Siyar. It has an Asokan pillar and many buddhist stupas.

Fatehpur Sikri (2005)

Ganeshwar (Nim-Ka-Thana)

1. It is a chalcolithic site from Ganeshwar-Jodpura culture. It used to supply copper to early and mature Harappa as is evident from the discovery of Harappan pottery from Ganeshwar and Ganeshwar items from Harappan sites. 
2. From 2000 BC in the megalithic phase, there was a decline in microliths indicating decline in importance of hunting. It was a major centre for copper artifacts.  

Gangai Konda Cholapuram (Trichinapalli. 2008. 1995)

1. Rajendra Chola built it after he crossed Kalinga and defeated the rulers of Bengal and Magadha. It has a huge temple.

Ganweriwala (Bhawalpur)

1. Harappan site.

Garhwa (Karchana, Allahbad)

1. 1 inscription of Chandragupta II, 2 of Kumargupta and 1 of Skandagupta have been found. They indicate presence of a Vaishnava institution there.

Gaur / Lakhnauti (Maldah, Bengal. 2008. 1995)

1. Banabhatta talks of Shashank as the king of Gaur. Then it passed under Palas and later Senas (12th cent). It is famous for Bengalis style of Indo-Islamic architecture. Famous are Chota Sona and Bada Sona mosques.

Gazni (1996)

Gavimath (Raichur, Karnataka)

1. Asokan mRE 1. 

Ghaligai (SWAT Valley)

1. Neolithic settlement from 3000-2000 BC. Stone tools were absent. Similar to Burzahom. 

Ghantshal (Krishna delta, AP)

1. Ancient port and used to carry out port with SE Asia. It has a stupa from 1-2 cent AD.

Ghargaon (Jhalawar. 1995)

1. It was earlier ruled by Parmars and had a fort which had 92 temples. Alauddin's attack here was repelled. It has a dargah of Hamidudin Chisti. The fort was considered invincible and very strong and even SSS and Akbar were impressed by it. Aurangzeb built Buland Darwaza here.

Ghor (1996)

Gihlot / Udaipur (1999)

1. It was the home of Guhil rajput. When Akbar invaded Chittor in 1567, Rana Udai Singh took shelter here and built a beautiful palace.

Giddlur (AP)

1. Paleolithic site.

Gilund (Udaipur)

1. It was a site of chalcolithic Ahar culture. Main pottery was BRW. Burnt brick structures and terracotta humped bull figurines have been found here. Banas culture also found.

Girdharpur (Mathura)

1. Has a Kushana era inscription which tells us that guilds used to act as banks and accepted deposits for religious and charitable purposes.

Girnar / Girinagar (Junagarh, 2008. 2002)

1. Asokan MRE. 
2. Rudradaman, western kshatrap of Kardamaka dynasty, had his inscription here. It talked about the Sudarshan lake and his victories over Gautamiputra Satkarni and other areas. This is the first sanskrit inscription.

Ginjee / Jinjee (Viluppuram, TN. 2008)

1. The Vijaynagar rulers built a formidable fortress here. It fell to Bijapur after the battle of Talikota and later Sivaji captured it and offered resistance to Mughals from here.

Gokul (Mathura. 1999)

1. It became a popular center of Bhakti movement and was popularized by Vallabhacharya as a religious site. 

Golabai Sasan (Khurda, Odisha)

1. Chalcolithic culture of eastern India. Pottery was dull red and grey in color. It has produced a rich bone tool industry and evidence of circular and rectangle kuccha houses. Stone celts and extended human burials found too.  

Golconda (Hyderabad. 2007. 2003)

1. It has a fort built by the Kakatiya Kings of Warrangal during the 13th century. It became important under the Qutub Shahi dynasty (1518 to 1687) until it was annexed by Aurangzeb. This is where the priceless Kohinoor diamond was found and it was a diamond mining center as well. 
2. It also has the Mecca Masjid whose bricks were brought from Mecca. It is the second largest mosque in the country. The architecture consists of single slab granite columns and five arches each on three sides. Construction started under the Qutub Shahi kings but was completed by Aurangazeeb in 1694.
3. A bilingual inscription from Qutub Shahi sultans in Telugu and Persian has been recovered from the Golconda fort.

Gopalgir (Mewat)

1. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq constructed a strong fort here to end the tyranny of the local dacoits.

Gudimallam (Chitoor, AP)

1. 2 cent BC, Siva temple has been found. In the early phase the mukhalinga was placed inside a stone railing. The temple was roofless and evidences of animal sacrifices are here. With time a superstructure was built but the same mukhalinga remained the object of worship. 

Gufkral (Kashmir)

1. Neolithic site. Evidences of wheat, barley, masoor and arhar found along with sheep and goat bones.

Gujjara (Datia, MP. 2003)

1. Asokan mRE 1. Only inscription apart from Maski which contains name of the king. 

Gulberg (Karnataka)

1. It was founded by bahmani sultans and remained the capital until it was shifted to Bidar. They built massive buildings here. It represents a fusion style. Jama Masjid and mausoleums are famous.

Gumla (Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan)

1. It is a neolithic site. Cooking hearths, pottery, terracotta female figurines have been found. There are similarities between female figures of Gumla and Turkmenistan.  
2. It was an early and mature harappan site as well. The designs of 'horned deity' have been found on the early harappan phase pots.             

Gyaraspur (Vidisha. 2009)

1. It has remains of 2 temples from 9th and 10th cent AD - Athkhamba and Hindola Torana, Chaukhamba, Mala Devi temple (Jain and hindu images). It also has a stupa from 6th cent AD. 

Haldighati (Udaipur)

Halebid (2011. 2006)

1. It was the Hosyala capital and has large number of temples. The largest is Hosayalesvara temple and is the best example of Chalukyan style.

Hallur (Karnataka. 2009)

1. Period 1 is neolithic with hand-made grey ware.
2. Period 2 is megalithic with painted BRW, stone and copper tools. Oldest iron finding in S India from 2nd millennium BC. Pastoral activity was important due to cattle bones with cut marks, humped cattle figurines and cattle paintings in rock caves of Maski and Kupgal.    

Hampi (2007. 2005)

1. Capital of Vijaynagar. Lotus palace. Hajararam temple of Krishnadev Rai has all episodes of Ramayana engraved on the walls.

Hanamkonda (Warrangal)

1. Kakatiya rulers built a temple on a star shaped plinth. The temple had no idols in the shrines which were dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Surya. But the temple walls had the images carved out in them.

Hanamsagar (Gulberg)

1. Megalithic site. Over 1000 memorial burials found.

Hansi (Haryana. 1997)

1. It was a great sufi center. It was built by maternal grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. The Qutub ud din captured it. Ibn Batuta says the town was a prosperous town and Firuz built 5 canals here. It was a major urban center in medieval India.

Harappa (2001)

Halasi (Belgaum)

1. A Kadamba inscription here talks about grant of land for a Jinendra temple (lord of Jinas). It also has a famous Kadamba temple from 5th cent AD which is similar in architecture to the Madhukeshwar temple built by them in Banavasi.

Hastinapur (2002)

1. Evidences of horse found from this PGW site.

Hathigumpha (Bhubneshwar)

1. Kharvela's inscription in pali that Kharvela defeated the Magadhan king and brought back the idol of 1st jina tirthankar which had been taken away by a Nanda ruler.

Hinglajgarh (Mandsor)

1. It was the chief center of Parmar sculpture and over 500 statues have been discovered here. These statues have charming gestures, light figures and are predominantly Shakti / Gauri images.

Hire Benakal (Karnataka)

1. Megalithic phase --> Hunting scenes, animals, people dancing in groups are shown in paintings. Numerous big megalithic tombs are found from 1000 BC.                     

Hirehadagalli (Bellary)

1. Earliest Pallava royal land grant copper plate inscription found here.  

Hissar

1. It was built by Firuz. It has an Asokan pillar.

Honawar (Karnataka)

1. It was a major port in Chola period.

Hoskote (Bangalore)

1. A mid-6 cent AD Pallava inscription talks of construction of a temple of Jina arhats. 

Hulas (Saharanpur)

1. Late harappan site.

Hunsgi (Gulbarga, Karnataka)

1. It made specialized lower paleolithic tools for hunting. They used a variety of stones which were not even found locally. They had setup granite blocks for support of their temporary shelter. Settlements tended to be close to scrub jungles and watering places.

Hutti

1. Gold mine in medieval age.

Inamgaon (Pune. 2005. 1998)

1. It had 3 periods. Malwa Culture (1600-1400 BC) --> Early Jorwe Culture (1400-1000 BC) --> Late Jorwe Culture (1000-700 BC).
2. Malwa Phase --> Houses were rectangular, conical roofs, mud with wooden posthole. Pottery had fine fabric, uniformly fired, thick buff slip with black / brown designs and deep bowls and spouted pots with flaring mouths. 
3. Jorwe Phase --> It was a large Jorwe Culture site. Element of planning as houses were laid out in a row. Specialization of labor is indicated by specialists' houses. Inequality in society is indicated by houses of artisans on one corner and rich on other and the grave goods. A large 5 room house close to a granary in the middle indicates presence of chief. In the later Jorwe phase, the chief moved to the eastern corner. Stone embankment wall and irrigation channels suggest presence of political authority. Prosperity declined from early to late Jorwe phase.  Pottery was black-on-d or black-on-orange, wheel turned, well baked and fine fabric.

Indalwai (Nizamabad)

1. Famous for its iron works (swords, knives etc.) in medieval age.

Indore

1. Holkar of Indore. First Malhar Rao Holkar and then Ahilya Bai were famous ruler.

Isipattan / Sarnath (2010)

1. This place later became Sarnath. Buddha took his first sermon here.

Iswal (Udaipur)

1. Pre-historic to medieval site. Shows iron smelting from 5 cent BC.

Ittagai (Hyderabad)

1. It has famous Mahadev temple in vesara style from early medieval age.

Jaggeyapet (AP)

1. Earliest specimens of Amaravati school of sculpture have been found here from 150 BC.

Jahazpur (Bhilwara. 1999)

1. Under the Khalji rulers it became an important center of Indo - Islamic art and music.

Jajnagar (Jajpur, Odisha)

1. Huge statues of Buddha, Chamundi, Indrani etc. have been found from 6th cent AD. It was earlier the capital of Odisha.

Jakhera (Etah)

1. It was  proto-urban PGW site. Baked bricks have been found here. Irrigation works, dam, fire altar, terracotta snakes and iron objects have been found. in the later PGW phase, iron implements used in agriculture were found. 
2. One of the earliest iron finds in India which helped push back iron usage in India to 2nd millennium BC.

Jalalabad (Kabul. 1999)

1. It had a 200 ft high stupa built by Asoka as per Huen Tsang. In medieval period it was of strategic importance. Akbar crossed Jalalabad when he attacked Kabul.

Jalalpur (Jhelum Basin)

1. Lower Paleolithic remains of 500-700k years ago have been found.

Jalore

1. This was the last rajputana state conquered by Alauddin in his conquest. It was an important and strong fort.

Jalilpur

1. Neolithic site in NW. Level 1 shows handmade pottery, stone flakes, gold ornaments and baked bricks. Level 2 shows painted wheel turned pottery, copper and lapis lazuli which could have come only from Afghanistan.

Janjira (Raigarh, Maharastra. 1997)

1. It is an island and in 1490 Nizam Shah of Gujarat made it a naval base. Due to the opposition from the Janjira ruler it became necessary for Sivaji to maintain a navy.

Jatinga (Chitradurga)

1. Asokan mRE 1 & 2. 

Jaugada / Jaugar (Ganjam, Odisha. 2003. 2000)

1. Asokan MRE. #11-13 replaced by separate #1-2. Evidences of bead making, wooden post holes and rammed house floors found.   

Jaunpur (2009. 1997)

1. Firuz founded it.

Jejuri (Pune)

1. It has the Khandoba temple built by Marathas but which shows clear influence of Islamic style like minarets, domes etc.

Jhansi (2000)

1. It was ruled by the Chandela rajputs of Khajurao. Later it came under Bundelas.

Jhinjhana

1. It was an OCP site where OCP was followed by a break before PGW. 

Jodhpur (1996)

Jodhpura (Sikar)

1. Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture --> OCP --> BRW --> PGW. 
2. It was a chalcolithic site of Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture. Typical pottery was ill fired, wheel turned, orange to red and incised designs. Typical pot was a dish on stand.     
3. OCP phase --> Houses were made of mud-bricks joint by mud mortar.    
4. PGW phase --> Iron smelting furnace has been found.

Jogalthambi (Nasik)

1. Satvahna age coin hoard has been found. It includes coins which were issued by Saka king Nahapana but were restruck by Gautamiputra Satkarni.

Jogimara (Sarguja)

1. Mauryan period caves have been found with colored wall paintings. They give a glimpse of the recreational activities of the contemporary society.

Jorwe (Ahmednagar. 2011)

Junagarh (1997)

Junnar (Pune. 2010)

1. Famous Buddhist chaitya are present here from post-Mauryan age. Western Kshatrap Nahapana of Kshahrata dynasty had his inscription here.   
2. Satvahna coin of Gautamiputra Satkarni and his queen Naganika has been found. 

Kabul (1996)

1. In Rig Veda it was known as river Kubha which  joined Indus.

Kahaum (Gorakhpur)

1. A pillar inscription from Skandagupta's reign shows setting up of 5 Jina tirthankara images. 

Kaimur / Sohagighat (Mirzapur, UP)

1. Mesolithic layer has given the remains of pottery. At Sohagighat, India's first rock paintings were discovered from Mesolithic age.    

Kajangal / Kayangal / Rajmahal (Rajmahal, Bengal)

1. Milindpanho says the buddhist monk Nagasen was born here. Huen Tsang tells us Harsha held an assembly here after subduing the eastern princes.
2. Later raja Mansingh bulit his capital here.

Kalahandi

1. Site of the 64 yogini temple from early medieval India. One of only 5 such temples in India.

Kalibangan (Rajasthan, 2007. 2006. 2004.)

1. It had an early harappa phase where script, seals, beads, stone tools, pink / red pottery and terracotta figurines have been found. Bricks were mud bricks but had standard ratios 3:2:1. Horned Deity has also been found from this level.

Kalinganagar / Mukhalinga (Ganjam. 1998)

1. Asoka, Kharvela all mention it. Prominent town of Kalinga.

Kalinjar (Banda. 2010. 2006)

1. Important fort. Even Mahmud Gazni couldn't capture it despite a long siege and had to sign a treaty.

Kalpi (Jalaun, UP)

1. Earliest human occupation site in Gangetic Valley. Middle paleolithic and bone tools have been found here. 
2. Chandels ruled here. Birbal was born here.

Kalsi (Dehradun. 2000)  

1. Asokan MRE. 

Kalyan (Thane. 2001)

1. Famous ancient sea port (mentioned in Periplus of the Erithrean Sea). Junnar inscription mentions it as a large sea port. It traded in bronze, timber and textile.

Kalyani (Bidar)

1. After Chalukyas, Yadavs ruled here. then under Delhi sultans.

Kampil (UP)

1. Important PGW site. Iron evidence found as well.

Kanchi / Kanchivaram (2002. 2000)

1. It was the capital of Pallavas. SG's Prayag inscription talks about the Pallava king of Kanchi who he subdued. Famous temples are Kailashnath (built by Narsinghvarman) and Baikunth Perumal. It was also a famous center of learning in India. Ramanuja studied here, Sudrak wrote here.

Kandahar / Qandhar (2009. 1999)  

1. Asokan MRE (only 12 & 13). Asokan pillar edict.

Kandhar (Nanded, Maharashtra)

1. It has an old fort from Rashtrakuta times. The fort has inscriptions of MbT, AUrangzeb and Ibrahim Adilshah. It has old jain and buddhist temples as well.                                           

Kanganhalli (Gulbarg, Karnataka)

1. Asokan stupa is there. A sculpture showing Asoka and his queen and attendants has been cut into the stupa walls. 

Kangra / Kangara (HP)

1. It was an important center since Gupta age. It formed the eastern boundary of Hindushahi rulers. Mahmud Gazni plundered it.

Kanheri (Mumbai. 2000. 1998)

1. Famous Buddhist cave from post-Mauryan age is present here, 4th generation. Main hall is separated from the entrance by 2 apsidal rooms.  Central roof is high and vaulted, side roof is plain. The entry is guarded by twin mithun figures.

Kanishkpur (Srinagar)

1. Built by Kanishka.

Kankali (Mathura. 2004. 2003)

1. A Jaina stupa called Devanirmit stupa has been found here from post-Mauryan times.                                     

Kannaur (Kerala)

1. Major port under Cholas.

Kanyakubj / Kannauj (1999)

Kaote

1. Chalcolithic culture of deccan. Belonged to the Savalda culture.

Kapilvastu (Basti, UP 2004) 

1. This was the capital of Koshala Mahajanapada. Large number of sealings and a pot lid bearing the name of Kapilvastu monastery have been found here. The Sakyas (Buddha's clan) built a stupa here. Burnt brick structures have been found dating between 600 BC - 200 BC.  

Kapisha (Afghanistan)

1. It was a major buddhist center with hundreds of viharas and thousands of monks since the pre - Mauryan days. There is a 18 ft high image of Buddha.

Kara (Allahbad. 1997)

1. Alauddin killed his uncle Jalaluddin here. Later Shah Alam II gave its zamindari to Nawab Shuja under the pressure of £.

Karad

1. Major industrial center in post Mauryan age.

Kargil (2011. 1999)

1. Mahmud Gazni invaded Kashmir via Kargil.

Karimnagar / Peddabankur (AP) 

1. Early Satvahna coins have been found here supporting the hypothesis that Satvahnas began from AP. It was the iron hub and the mint of Satvahnas. Architecture reveals burnt bricks, tiles, brick wells. Villages have been found where peasants lived on one side and artisans on the other. An iron figurine of naga has been found indicating naga worship.     

Karimpudi (AP)

1. Paleolithic site.

Karle (Pune, 2010. 2004. 1998)    

1. A Satvahna inscription of Gautamiputra Satkarni indicates land grant indicating his control extended here.  
2. 4th generation Buddhist cave from post-Mauryan times present. Pillars have capitals and elaborate work. Central roof is high and vaulted, side roof is plain. The entry is guarded by twin mithun figures.    

Karnal (Haryana)

1. Nadir Shah defeated Muhammed Shah's army here. It got its name from Karna of mahabharat fame.

Karnasuvarna / Rangamati (Murshidabad. 2005)

1. Huen Tsang talks of seeing an Asokan stupa here. Later it came under Sashanka (Harsha's nemesis).

Karuvur / Karur / Vanji (Tiruchirapalli)

1. This was the Chera capital. It was an important jewel making site and evidences of Roman trade have been found here.  

Karwar (Maharashtra)

1. Major international port in post Mauryan times.

Kasia (Deoria, UP)

1. In Gupta era, it was a major Buddhist centre. 

Kasimbazar (Murshidabad)

1. All european traders had factories here. After BoP £ snatched it from Siraj. Major silk producing center.

Katni (Jabalpur, MP. 1996)

1. It was an important industrial town in medieval age. Rulers of Kalinjar had strong influence here.

Kausam / Kosam (Paithan, Maharashtra)

1. It was a Satvahna town and several ring wells, terracotta figurines etc. have been found from that era. It is also known for its human form Siva images during the Gupta age.

Kaushambi (Allahbad. 2006. 2002. 2001. 1998)                                                                            

1. This was one of the earliest "proto-town" in India to emerge during the close of later vedic period. 
2. It was the capital of Vatsa Mahajanapada and is located on the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
3. Asokan pillar edict. Asokan minor pillar edict also schism type. It had no capital. 
4. In post-mauryan period, the size and population of settlement grew but due to security reasons, most of the population now resided within the city walls. Fire altars have been discovered along with human bones indicating human sacrifice. It was a major terracotta sculpture centre.  

Kayal (TN)

1. Important port in Pandya era. Continued in medieval times and Marco Polo visited it.

Kayatha / Kapitthak (Ujjain. 2000. 1998)

1. It was a site of chalcolithic Kayatha culture. Its typical pottery was wheel turned with thick brown slip and designs painted in violet or deep red  in the top of the pot only.  It has similarities to Harappa in the form of early pottery and steatite micro-beads.
2. Kayatha culture --> Ahar culture --> Malwa culture --> Early historic age --> Sunga-Kushana-Gupta age.
3. Varhamira was born here.

Keshavraipatan (Kota)

1. It has a 2500 years old Jina statue. It is also a pilgrimage center of hIndus as a 4 armed stone statue of Vishnu is here in a temple. It has the finest sculpture in the region.

Khajua (Allahbad)

1. Az fought his brother Shuja here.

Khajurao (1999)

1. Also has the famous 64 yogini temple. Only one of the 5 such temples in India.

Khalkapatna (Puri. 2007. 2003)

1. Early-Medieval phase --> It yields evidences of Chinese and Arab products indicating it was an important port centre. 

Khambat

1. Important port since early medieval age.

Khandgiri (Puri. 2007. 2003. 2000)  

1. It is a Jina cave. These caves are also called Hathi-Gufa and Ganesh-Gufa. Kharvela's Hathigumpha inscription has been found here where he talks about Nanda king's attack, his attack on Magadha and retrieval of the Jina image.  

Khanderi (Mumbai)

1. Strong fort built by Sivaji here to counter Siddis of Janjira.

Khandgiri (Bhubneshwar)

1. Hathigumpha inscription. Jina caves from 1 cent AD also found here.

Khoh / Nagda (MP)

1. Gupta age Cu plate inscriptions regarding land grant to brahmins and temples.
2. Also the site for one of the early finds of iron.

Khuldabad (Daulatabad)

1. It has mausoleums of many rulers like Az, Abul Hasan (last sultan of Golconda), Malik Ambar, Nizamshahi sultans, Asaf Jaha (1st Nizam) etc.

Khyber Pass (1996)

1. Connects Kabul with Peshawar. All invaders came through this pass.

Kibbanhali (Tumkur, Karnataka. 2011)

1. Lower paleolithic site. Ragi cultivation found here.

Kile Gul Muhammed (Quetta , Pakistan. 1998) 

1. It is a neolithic site. We don't find pottery in the first level but subsequent levels show pottery as well as evidences of copper. They lived in mud houses, had black-on-red pottery and microliths. Copper remains have been found here.  

Kishangarh (Ajmer. 1995)

1. Major rajput school of painting. It is independent from the Marwar school of painting despite the founder being a son of Raja Udai Singh of Jodhpur. Subjects were Krishna and Vaishnavism, elongated faces and features.

Kochin

1. 1st portuguese factory in 1502.

Kodumanal (Erode, TN)

1. It is the oldest town ~400 BC in S India. In Sangam literature, it is a major industrial centre with gems, jewelry, iron and steel, textiles, beads, shell industry etc. An inscription is found referring  to guilds here which can be the earliest inscription on guilds. In Sangam age only it was a famous center for semi precious stones.
2. Megalithic site and recently 2 cist burials  and a big pot with Tamil - Brahmi inscriptions have been found.

Kolar

1. Capital of Gangas for 700 years until 11th cent AD.

Koldihva (Allahbad, 2009. 2001)

1. It shows continuity from neolithic to iron age. Remains of rice (both wild and domesticated) were found in neolithic levels on the pottery (from 5 - 6 millennium BC).  It constituted an early independent culture of rice cultivation.                  

Kolhapur (2007. 2003)

Konark (Puri. 2006. 1997)

1. Narsingh Deo built the Sun temple in 13th cent AD. It is shaped like a chariot driven by 7 horses. The sculpture is influenced by tantricism.

Kondivte / Kondana (Mumbai)

1. 100 BC, it represents 2nd stage if cave architecture evolution. Cave became perpendicular to the rock, and a stupa appeared in the second smaller circular room. A circumambulatory path was left in the room.  

Kondapur (Medak, AP)

1. From the Satvahna layer, large number of terracotta and their moulds have been found indicating it was a major terracotta sculpture centre. Roman gold coins found too and it was a major industrial and trade center.

Korkai (Tiruneliveli, 2010)

1. This was the important Pandya port in Sangam Age. It was famous for its pearls fisheries.  

Kot Diji (Sind, 2007. 2003. 1998)

1. It has early and mature Harappan levels. The early level has a limestone and mud brick wall fortification, a citadel and a lower residential area. Terracotta figurines, bangles, beads etc. have been found. The pottery is short necked ovoid pot and had animal, fish scales and pipal leaves designs on them. It was called Kot Dijian pottery and shows similarities with Harappan pottery.

Koteshwar (Kuchch)

1. It was an ancient port as well as pilgrimage center due to Koteshwar Siva temple.

Kotia (Allahbad)

1. Part of BRW megalithic phase. Animal burials outnumber the human burials. Many megaliths are devoid of human remains indicating they were built in memorial. Iron implements have been found from here unlike other sites in Gangetic Valley of this phase.

Kottaimedu (Ramnathapuram, TN)

1. It was an Indo - Roman trading post from Sangam age. It shows imported African ware, NBPW, roman coins, and other roman artifacts.

Kottayam (Cochin)

1. St. Thomas migrated here in 53 AD.

Kuchai (Mayurbhanj. 2009)

1. Neolithic site. They cultivated rice. Red colored pottery has been found.

Kulli (Baluchistan)

1. Neolithic and early harappan site. The neolithic level also shows evidences of trade contacts with central persian gulf, painted pottery and use of metal.

Kumbharia (Kuchch. 2011)

1. It was founded by Kuchch Gurjars or Mistris in 7th cent. It has famous Subramaniam temple.

Kumrahar (Patna, 2000)

1. Remains of the Mauryan 80 pillared palace have been found as referred to by Megasthenes. 
2. From Gupta period, remains of a Buddhist monastery have been found. 

Kunal (Hissar)

1. It belonged to Hakraware culture. Potter designs included pipal leaves and a bull with very curved horns. 
2. It had early to mature harappa traditions as well. Pit dwellings gave way to mud brick houses with bricks of standard ratios (3:2:1. Seals and beads have been found. 

Kundagrama (Muzaffarpur, Bihar. 2003. 2000)  

1. Mahavira was born in the Jnatrika kshatriya clan. 

Kundalvan (Srinagar. 1999)

1. 4th Buddhist council held here under Kanishka in 120 AD.

Kunjhun (Sidhi, MP)

1. Neolithic site. Evidence of rice cultivation found. It constituted independent culture of rice cultivation. 

Kupugal (Bellary)

1. Phase 1 was megalithic. It had extensive rock paintings on granite rocks made by rubbing dry color on the lock. Humped cattle is the most dominant theme followed by anthropomorphic figures including those riding cattle.

Kuran (Dholavira)

1. Harappan site. Shows parts of skeletons buried under heap of rocks.

Kushinagar / Kushinara (Deoria, UP. 1998)   

1. One of the earliest towns to emerge in NBPW phase and also the capital of Malla mahajanpad. Buddha died here in 483 BC.   

Kuttini / Kudaitini (Bellary)

1. It had a major iron smelting factory in megalithic phase and has well preserved sarcophagus burials.

Kuvanshi / Kuntasi (Morvi, Gujarat)

1. Harappan site and port. Imports were gold and sapphire from Afghanistan and exported to Oman.

Lahore (1996)

Lahuradewa (Sant Kabir Nagar, UP)

1. Early neolithic site of ganga plains ~ 7 - 8 millennium BC. Center of rice cultivation. One of the early iron finds in India.

Lalitgiri (Cuttack. 2011)

1. Important buddhist site with numerous viharas and stupas discovered. It forms a part of the diamond triangle vis Lalitgiri - Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. Colossal buddhist images of Mahayana sect have been found too.

Lalkot (Delhi. 2009)

1. The fort was built by Tomar rulers and renamed Qila Rai Pithora after Prithviraj Chauhan after he conquered it. It also has the Kuwwat - ul - Islam mosque which was the first Turkish mosque in India.

Lampak (Kabul)

1. Asokan minor rock edict. 

Langnaj (Gandhinagar)

1. It is a mesolithic site from where pottery has been discovered. Most famous mesolithic site of India.

Langudi / Pushpgiri (Cuttack)

1. 2 statues of Asoka have been found here. Numerous stupas, viharas and buddhist caves found as well.

Lauriya / Nandangarh (Champaran)  

1. Asokan pillar edicts.
2. Post-Mauryan age stupa has been found. 

Lekhahia (Mirzapur, UP)

1. The mesolithic rock shelters have been found. Tools become progressively smaller in upper layers. Burials and pottery have been found from the mesolithic layer. 

Lohanipur (Patna)

1. A naked and headless torso identified to be that of a jina tirthankara has been found from Maurya level. This could be the earliest Jina image find in the country.  

Lothal (2001)

Machilipatnam (Krishna, AP. 2009)

1. Important port since Satvahna age. Mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythrean sea.

Madapollum (Narsapur, AP)

1. Important ship building center on the coromandel cost in medieval India.

Mahabalipuram / Mammalapuram (2004)

1. Important pallava architecture.

Mahadaha (Pratapgarh, UP)

1. One of the oldest mesolithic site in India. Also one of the first sites where post holes were found. Microliths were made of quartz, chert etc. which are not found locally and must have been brought from Vindhyas across the river.
2. 28 burials of 30 individuals including 2 instances of man and woman buried together have been found. The burials were elliptical and their bases sloping. People were tall but the average life expectancy was around 30 years.   

Mahagara (Allahbad)

1. Neolithic site. Evidences of rice cultivation found.

Mahasthamgarh / Mahasthan (Bogra, Bangladeshl. 2008)

1. Copper plate inscription detailing CGM's famine relief  measures. 
2. In the Kushana period, it was linked with important routes from W Bengal into Assam.
3. In Gupta period, burnt brick fortifications have been found.   

Maheshwar / Mahishmati (Indore)

1. Chalcolithic culture of central India.
2. It was also the southern capital of Avanti mahajanpad.

Mahisadal (Birbhum, W Bengal. 2009)

1. Chalcolithic site. Many tools, weapons, mud brick houses, copper bangles found.

Mahishur / Mysore

1. Asokan mREs.
2. Inscriptions from 11th and 12th cent AD also tell us of trade guilds.

Mahoba (Hamirpur, UP)

1. Capital of Chandel rulers. They were defeated by Prithviraj and finally by Turks. They built some great temples here.

Mahurjhari (Nagpur)

1. Megalithic site. A steel chisel found here. A grave has a horse skeleton which bears cut marks indicating it was sacrificed. One grave of an adult male had his mouth gaping and an arrowhead near his collarbone. Another grave had the male stabbed in his chest with a dagger of iron blade and copper hilt.

Malhar

1. Chalcolithic site of ganga plains. Habitation dating back to 2200 BC and iron smelting dating back to 1800 BC have been found. One of the earliest iron finds.

Malkhed / Manyakhet (Gulberg. 2002)

Mallapadi (Tiruppatur, TN)

1. Megalithic site of rock paintings. Fighting scenes, cattle raids, hunting scenes are shown. They are painted in white color. 

Mammalapuram / Mahabalipuram (1998)

Mandapam (Kancheepuram, TN)

1. Pre-megalithic / iron age urn burials from 1500-1000 BC have been found. They don't have cairn circles (stones arranged in circular format over the graves)

Mandagapattu

1. Mahendravarman inscription on the 1st cave temple of TN. The cave temple has 5 cells. The inscription claims that the temple was built without brick, wood or mortar.

Mandargiri (Bhagalpur)

1. Gupta era cave paintings have been found. 

Mandaur (Jodhpur)

1. Setup by Gurjar rulers as their capital in 7th cent AD and had an important fort. There is an important vishnu and a jain temple inside the fort.

Mandu / Mandavgarh (Dhar, Malwa. 2011, 2006)

1. It was the capital of Parmars earlier. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked it in 1531 and conquered it. Baz Bahadur of Roopmati fame was its ruler during Akbar's reign. Mughal armies defeated him and Roopmati consumed poison. There are numerous important mosques and palaces here.

Maner (Patna)

1. Important center of sufism as a Pir Hazrat Maneri lived here. His mausoleum is called Badi Dargah.

Mangalkot

1. Chalcolithic culture of eastern India. It yields high tin bronze and also iron in late chalcolithic period.
2. From Kushana Gupta periods, large number of terracotta figures have been found.

Mangulam / Madurai (2002. 2000)

1. A Sangam age inscription on guilds indicates that guilds enjoyed a high status in Pandya kingdom. One of its members has the title kaviti which was only given by the king to select few. 

Manikapatna (Chilka)

1. It was an important port centre in early medieval age since chinese products have been found here. 

Manimangalam (Chingalpattu, TN)

1. Pallava ruler Narsinghvarman defeated Pulakesin II here. It also has Chola king Rajaraja's inscriptions.

Manshera (Hazara, NWFP)  

1. Asokan MRE.   

Mansura (Sind. 2009)

1. It was the earlier capital of Sind during early medieval age. Mahmud Gazni destroyed a shiite mosque here.

Martand (Anantnag)

1. It has famous sun temple built in 8th cent AD. It was built on the top of a plateau from where one could see whole valley. It is a fine example of Kashmir style.

Masaulipatnam

1. Important medieval age port. Also famous for carpet and textiles.

Maski (Raichur, Karnataka. 1998)  

1. Period 1 is megalithic. People lived on granite hill tops in wattle and daub houses. Black-on-red ware was found and copper/bronze artifacts and terracotta figurines as well. People were pastoral indicated by cattle bones with cut marks, humped cattle figurines and cattle rock cut paintings at Maski and Kupugal.
2. Asokan mRE1. Name of the king found. 

Mat (Mathura. 2004. 2003)

1. Kanishka's headless statue found here near a temple sanctum indicating the possibility that Kanishka's images were worshipped. 

Matkal

1. It was a major international port on the west coast in the early medieval age.

Maylapur / Sen Thome

1. It was a major international port on the Coromandel coast in the Chola period but declined in 14th century. Then Portuguese setup a military establishment here.

Mayidavolu (Guntur)

1. Earliest Pallava royal land grant copper plate inscriptions found here. They help us trace the origins of Pallavas.

Mehi (Baluchistan)

1. Early harappan site.

Mehrgarh (2005. 2004. 1998)

1. It is a neolithic site. Level 1 is the aceramic level. We find pottery and evidences of copper from level 2. 

Mehtakheri (Nirmar, MP)

1. Ostrich shell from upper paleolithic age has been found. 

Minnagara (Karachi)

1. Capital city of Western Kshatrap king Nahapana of Kshahrata dynasty. 

Modhera (Gujarat. 2008)

1. Sun temple from 11th cent built by Solankis - suryavanshi line. It was a PPP venture. It was destroyed by Alauddin.

Mohenjodaro (2005. 2002)

Mottupalli (AP)

1. It was a major port in early medieval age which declined in the 13th century.

Mudalaikulam (TN)

1. From 2 cent BC, it seems to refer to a tank construction by a village assembly and if it is true, it will be the earliest reference to village assemblies.  

Mudbadri (Kanara, Karnataka)

1. Associated with CGM and Bhadrabahu. The feudatories of Vijayanagar rulers built several jain temples here. In 15th cent AD the tribhuvan chudamanimahachaitya temple was built in Gupta style indicating the continuation of Gupta style until then though it had disappeared in north under foreign impact.

Mukhalingam (2011)

1. It has one of the more popular siva temples - Srimukhalingeswara. It was built by the eastern gangas in 8th cent.

Multan (2010. 1997)

1. It was a major trade center in the medieval India.

Mundigak (Qandhar)

1. It is a neolithic site. A terracotta figurine of a humped bull was found. Apart from that, cooking hearth, pottery and copper objects were found. 
2. It is an early harappan site as well.

Munger

1. Important town since Anga mahajanapada days. 
2. In the tripartite struggle, Pratihara king Nagabhatta II defeated Pala king Dharmpala here.

Murshidabad (2006. 1997)

Muziris / Marichipatam / Muchiri / Tiruvenchikulam (Kringanor, Kerela, 2008)                                                                

1. It was an important Chera port in Sangam Age. The Romans built 2 outposts and a temple of Augustus here to protect their interests. It was a major center exporting black pepper. It is mentioned in greek literature. Documents involving a contract between an Alexandrian importer of pepper and a local financier have been recovered here indicating large volume of trade.

Nachna (Bhumra, MP)  

1. It was the capital city of early Vakatakas. It has got a famous temple of Parvati in Dravidian style. The beginning of the nagar style shikharas came up here in the Mahadeo temple.    

Nagapattan / Nagapattinam (TN)

1. It was an ancient port and capital of Pandyas. It has yielded hundreds of buddha bronze images from 13th cent AD proving Buddhism was not extinct by then. In 11th cent AD the Shailendra kings built a vihara here and from 15th cent AD a pali inscription has been found referring to the vihara. The pallavas also built a dockyard here and maintained navy.

Nagari (Chittorgarh)  

1. PGW site as well. 
2. 1 cent BC inscription talks about building stone enclosure to a Vishnu temple. The temple itself belonged to 3 cent BC and followed elliptical architecture. The plinth was made of bricks and superstructure of mud and wood.  

Nagarjunkonda / Vijyapuri (Nalgonda, AP. 2006. 2003)  

1. It is a multi-cultural site with Buddhist stupas as well as hindu temples present from Satvahna and Ikshavaku times. It was the capital of Ikshavakus. Mukhalinga from Satvahna age has been found. The temples followed the oblong, apsidal and square architecture. Some of them had mandaps (pillared hall). They were made of bricks and pillars of stone. Most stupas had spoked wheel plans and 5 ayaka pillars at the 4 cardinal points.    
2. Images belonging to the Amaravati school from post-Mauryan times have been found here. 

Nagaur

1. Famous sufi center in Rajasthan after Ajmer. Earlier ruled by Chauhans.

Nagda
Nageshwar (Gujarat)

1. Mature harappan shell working site.

Nagpur (1997)

1. Bhonsle of Nagpur.

Nagula (Nalgonda, AP)

1. It has many old temples built by kakatiya rulers and has many inscriptions from them.

Naikund (Nagpur)

1. Megalithic site from 700 BC.

Nal (Baluchistan)

1. It is a neolithic site. The neolithic level also shows evidences of trade contacts with central persian gulf, painted pottery and use of metal. Fractional burials have been found here. Extensive designs on pottery are found. They had 2 kind of irrigation systems : one is terracing on hill slopes and other was collection of water on low lying basins. 
2. It was an early Harappan site as well.     

Naliyasar (Jaipur)

1. It reveals many coin hordes from punch marked, Indo Greek, Saka and Kushana period and throws light on the history before Chauhans. It also throws up many images.

Nandivardhan / Nandardhan / Nagardhan (Nagpur)

1. This was the capital of the Nandivardha branch of Vakatakas who split after the reign of Pravarsena I. It was the capital of Prabhavati - daughter of CG II. 

Naneghat (Pune)

1. Early Satvahna inscription found indicating Satvahnas began in Maharastra. A cave with 8 life size sculptures of Satvahna kings and queens has been found. In the same cave, an inscription of Queen Naganika has been found who ruled in the name of her son. This inscription is the first inscription recording a land grant. 

Narhan (Gorakhpur)

1. Chalcolithic site between 1300 - 700 BC. Bone tools, beads etc. were used. 2 iron pieces found in the upper layer around 700 BC.

Narsapur Peta

1. Important ship making center on the coromandel coast in medieval India.

Narsinghpur (Narmada)

1. Throws up lower paleolithic remains as well as sequences of mesolithic and neolithic ages. It shows choppers and cleavers from the paleolithic age which resemble those found in Sohan.

Naur

1. Major international port in post Mauryan times.

Narsipur (Mysore)

1. Neolithic-chalcolithic site in S India. We can see the gradual evolution of communities into food growers here.
2. Also known in mythology as dakshina kashi by saint Augstya. From Vijaynagar period we have the famous Gunja Narsimha Swamy temple.

Nasik (Maharastra. 2000. 1997)   

1. Early Satvahna inscriptions from here suggest Satvahnas first established power in this area and then spread. More than 8K silver coins of Saka king Nahapana have been found here which were restruck by Gautamiputra Satkarni. Gautamiputra Satkarni's mother Gautami Balashri has got an inscription there recounting glory of her son. Satkarni himself has got an inscription here recounting grant of land to Buddhist monks that was earlier under Nahapana.
2. Three Buddhist viharas from Satvahna times are also found here carrying the inscriptions of Nahapana and Gautamiputra. These viharas represent the 4th stage of cave architecture evolution when cave making got royal patronage. The pillars have capitals, the central roof is vaulted while the side roof is plain.      

Nausharo (Baluchistan)

1. Early harappan site. Dwellings similar to Mehrgarh. A terracotta elephant head has been found.

Navadwip / Nadia (Bengal)

1. It was the capital of bengal before Bakhtiyar Khalji - the commander of Ghori invaded Bengal. The Sena ruler fled. Nadia was also the birth place of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It remained an important center of learning.

Navdatoli (Nimar, MP)

1. It was the largest settlement of Malwa chalcolithic / megalithic culture. Pottery was coarse with thick buff or orange slip with plant, animal, human and geometric designs painted in black or brown. There was little planning, houses were haphazard, wattle and daub with wooden post holes. Copper was scarce and more stone tools have been found compared to copper tools. Tools were evenly distributed indicating each household made its own tools. Beads of terracotta, steatite and semi-precious stones and terracotta making were important activities. Largest variety of food grain evidences have been found here. A fire altar pit has been found from a house indicating rituals. A huge jar has been found decorated with a woman, a lizard / alligator and a shrine in between. The opposite side of the jar had a tortoise.

Neemach (Mandsaur)

1. Raja of Udaipur gave it to the Scindias of Gwalior as a repayment of a loan he had taken. It became a center of 1857 revolt.

Nelsida (Kerala)

1. Major international port in post Mauryan time.

Nevasa (Ahmednagar)

1. Lower and middle paleolithic sequences have been found.  
2. The central and peninsular stone tool industry is called Nevasan industry. Jasper, chalcedony stone was used and many scrapers have been found. 
3. In Satvahna period, it was a major terracotta sculpture manufacturing centre. 

Niglai Sagar / Nigliv (Lumbini)

1. Asokan minor pillar edict. Commemorative type. It talks about Asokan visit and enlargement of a stupa. 

Nittur (Bellary)

1. Paleolithic site.
2. Asokan mRE 1 and 2. Name of the king found and also he claims his empire is vast. 

Noh (Bharatpur)  

1. OCP--> BRW --> PGW.
2. Period 2 is BRW from where some iron pieces have been found.
3. Period 3 is PGW and reveals iron weapons (spearhead and arrowhead) and an iron axe.  
4. Period 4 is Maurya which reveals the town planning in the age.
5. Period 5 is Sunga-Kushana which coins and statues (of yakshas and yakshis).

Odantpuri / Udantpuri (Bihar)

1. Gopala built a big vihara here. It was a major center of Buddhist learning until destroyed by Turks. The first student from here became the principal of Vikramshila university.

Ojiyana (Bhilwara)

1. Ahar culture site.

Orchha (Bundelkhand. 1995)

1. It was the capital of Chandels. After them it lost it glory until it became the capital again of Bundelas. It came under Mughals during Akbar's reign. Jahangir handed over the whole territory to Virsingh Bundela. Its later ruler Jujhar Singh then revolted against Shah Jahan but was killed by the Gonds.

Osia / Osian (Jodhpur)

1. Has famous sun temple of central india nagara style of early medieval age built by chandela rulers. It also has famous Jain temples.

Padari (Bhavnagar, Gujarat)

1. Pre Harappan and Harappan site. A 9 room complex has been found indicating some sort of collective organization.

Padmadurg (Murud, Maharashtra)

1. Sivaji built this fort in the hope of containing Siddis of Janjira. But it served no purpose and Sambhaji lost it to Siddis soon. Finding it to be of no use, the Siddis built an outpost here.

Padmavati / Padmapavya (Gwalior)

1. A Gupta era yaksha temple has been found. It is also described in Bahvbhuti's play Malati Madhav.
2. Before the Guptas it was the capital of Naga rulers who were devotees of Siva.

Paithan / Pratisthan (Aurangabad. 2010. 2005. 2004.)

1. This was the Satvahna capital established by Vashishthiputra Pulumayi (130-154 AD). He feared a Saka invasion so built his second capital here. It was a major terracotta sculpture manufacturing centre. 

Palampet (Warrangal)

1. It is well known for its medieval age temple. THe most famous was built by Kakatiya kings in 13 cent AD. 

Piyampalli (TN / Karnataka)

1. Neolithic site as well. In megalithic phase, an iron smelter has been found. Rock pantings carrying fighting scenes, cattle raids and hunting scenes have been found. 

Palitana (Gujarat. 2000)

1. The Jain temples here are considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage places of Jains. There are > 1300 temples here carved out in marble. The main temple is dedicated to the 1st tirthankar Rishabdeva. Most famous is the chaumukha temple.

Palkigundu (Raichur, Karnataka)

1. Asokan mRE 1. 

Pallavanesvaram / Puhar / Kakandi / Kaveripatnam (2007. 2005. 2001)

1. A 4 cent Buddhist vihara and a 6 cent large, multi-storeyed temple have been found. Two bronze Buddha images have been found as well. 
2. It was founded by the Chola king Karikala and made his capital. It was a great centre for trade and commerce and had a dockyard. But under his successors, the Chola power declined and Puhar was overrun and destroyed.  

Pallavaram (Chennai)

1. One of the 1st paleolithic tools was discovered here in 1863 - a hand axe.

Panaiyapuram (Villupuram, TN)

1. Chola age temple (from Rajendra Chola's time) is there. The temple is dedicated to Naynar saint Sambandar and is threatened by a highway project.

Panchmadi

1. Large number of cave paintings have been found form 5 - 8 cent AD. The oldest could be 10,000 years old. Hunting, dancing, musical, archer, charioteer, ritual scenes etc. 

Panchwati (Nasik. 1999)

1. Ramayna legend - Lakshman cut Surpnakha's nose here. Lakshman rekha drawn here only.
2. There are ancient sacred trees here, one cave called Sita Gufa. 

Pandharpur (Deccan)

1. When the caste status of the excluded groups improved in S India, their deities also found their way in the Puranic tradition. An example is the Panduranga or Vitthala of Pandharpur which evolved from the local hero stones to become a manifestation of Vishnu. This made the place a famous center of bhakti in deccan and attracted many later bhakti saints like Namdeva.

Pandu Rajar Dhibi (Burdwan, 2010)

1. Chalcolithic culture of eastern India. It is associated with King Pandu of mahabharat fame. 
2. Later period here was the iron period.

Pandua (Lakhnauti)

1. It was the old capital of Bengal. It has famous Jama Masjid from 14th cent built by the governors of Bengal. It also has one of the finest mausoleum in Bengal. Then it became a sufi center.

Panguraria (Sehore, MP, 2011)

1. Asokan mRE1. It tells us that as the heir apparent he had come here to meet the monks living in the caves.

Panipat (1995)

Panna

1. After Aurangzeb's death, Bundel king Chatrasal made it his capital.

Parkham / Patal (Mathura. 2004. 2003)

1. Mauryan era 2.6 m high image of Yaksha has been found. It is made of grey sandstone. It has a Brahmi inscription telling us about its sculptor.

Parenda (Osmanabad, Maharashtra)

1. It has a fort built by Mahmud Gawan. When Mughals captured Ahmadnagar, the sultans shifted their capital here. Then it was captured by Bijapur's sultan Adil Shah and subsequently passed under Mughals during SJ.

Patne (Tapi Valley, 2009)

1. Middle, upper paleolithic and mesolithic tools have been found.
2. Ostrich shells with colored lines have been found. 

Pattadakal (Bagalkot, Karnataka. 2006)

1. Chalukyas of Badani --> vesara style temples i.e. fusion of dravidian and nagar style. The Virupaksha temple is the finest. Another is the Papanath temple which has a dravidian structure but a northern style shikhara. They have elaborate sculpture and inscriptions. 

Pauni (Bhandara, Maharashtra)

1. Ancient Buddhist city. Also known as temple city as it has 150 temples and in almost all these temples, Garuda dhwaj has been established. Has a fort wall surrounding it.

Paunar

1. It was a flourishing town in Deccan under the vakatakas.

Pavapuri (Rajgir, Bihar)

1. Mahavira died here. 

Pehava (Kurukshetra)

1. It has a temple of goddess saraswati built by Marathas as it is said to be on the banks of saraswati. It also had old temples which were looted by Mahmud Gazni.
2. It was also a famous horse trade center in the early medieval age and good quality Arabian horses came here. The horse dealers were mainly brahmans. It may have developed as a horse trade center from traditional fairs.

Penukonda / Penugonda (AP. 2011)

1. It was a great trade center under Vijaynagar kingdom and the trade organizations here resembled corporations. After the defeat @ Talikota a brother of Raja Ram Rai of Vijaynagar rebuilt the kingdom here.

Peshawar / Purushpur (1996)

Piklihal (Raichur)

1. Period 1 was neolithic and an ash-mound site. Handmade grey pottery and terracotta figurines were found.
2. Period 2 was megalithic. Copper/bronze artifacts were found. Wheel turned black-on-red ware appeared. People were pastoral indicated by  cattle bones with cut marks, humped cattle figurines and cattle rock cut paintings at Maski and Kupugal.

Pipravah / Piprahara (Lumbini, Nepal)

1. Buddha was born here in a Shakya kshatriya clan. 

Pirak (Pakistan)

1. Neolithic site.

Pitalkhora (Ajanta)

1. Post-Mauryan Buddhist cave representing 3rd phase of cave architecture evolution has been found here. There is a long hall with stupa at the end and pillars running parallel to the wall creating a circumambulatory path. Central roof is high and vaulted while side roof is low and semi-vaulted.    

Pithund / Pihund / Poddayum (Chennai)

1. Kharvela's inscription tells us his armies ravaged this town on his S India campaign. It was an important trade center of Pandya kingdom and also mentioned in Roman records. Jaina literature tells us that in the days of Mahavira merchants from Champa used to set sail for Pihund.

Polonnaruva (SL)

1. After losing to Rajaraja the capital was shifted here.

Pomrang (Laholpsiti, HP)

1. Megalithic site. Among the graves found here the central grave has a large menhir kept on top of it. 

Porkalam (Thrissur. 2010)

1. Megalithic site. It is known for umbrella stones. 3 dolmens found here. Iron objects found as well.

Potna

1. Capital of Ashmaka mahajanapada.

Prabhas Patan (Gujarat)

1. Harappan site (late).

Pragjyotishpur (Guwahati)

1. It was the old capital of Assam. Kalkipuran tells us that it is here Brahma stayed and created all the planets. Kalidasa gives a description of this place in his play Raghuvansham. The prayag inscription says that SG subordinated the ruler of Pragjyotishpur. The Apsadh inscription also says that the later gupta rulers too defeated Pragjyotishpur. It became a center of tantricism.

Prakash (Dhulia, MP)

1. Malwa culture --> short break --> BRW phase --> NBPW. Iron was found in BRW phase. The clay pottery discovered here resembles that in nagda and maheshwar. 

Prayag (1998)

1. Asokan edict, SG inscription, Harsha's buddhist conclave.

Pulankurichi (Sivganga, TN)

1. A 5 cent AD inscription of Pallavas records creation of a brahmadeya and mentions superior rights of the brahman beneficiary over the cultivators. 

Pulicat

1. Dutch company Indian headquarter. Important port on easter coast in medieval India and a major shipbuilding center as well.

Purandar (Pune)

Puri (1997)

Pushkalavati (Charsada, Peshawar. 1998)

1. NBPW Phase --> It had a ditch and mud fortification by 4 cent BC. It lay on the important trade routes to C Asia. Legend has it was founded by son of Lord Rama's brother, Bharat. 
2. It was an important city under Indo-Greeks but declined under Kushanas. It was a planned city and also had a stupa. 

Pushkar

1. Lower and middle paleolithic remains have been found in reddish brown soil indicating more vegetation in early periods. Upper paleolithic tradition also exists. 

Quilon (Kollam)

1. Ancient and medieval port city, traded with Romans, Greece, Iran, China and Arabs. Arab sources tell us Chinese traders going to Arab countries changed their ships here. Malik Kafur also invaded it.

Rabatak (Baghlan, Afghanistan)

1. It has a Kanishka inscription. The inscription talks about divinity of the king, throws lit on lineage of Kanishka and the extent of his empire.  

Raichur (1995)

1. It has a fort built by ruler of Warrangal in 13th cent. It remained a bone of contention between Bahmani and Vijaynagar kingdoms.

Raigarh (Colaba)

1. Sivaji was coronated here. He built a fort and made it his residence.

Rajahmundri (AP. 1997)

1. It was under the kakatiya rulers and then the Vijaynagar kingdom.

Raja Nal Ka Tila

1. One of the earliest iron finds in India from 2nd millennium BC.

Rajgriha / Girivraja / Rajgir (2000)

Rajdi (Gujarat)

1. Late harappan site.

Rajim (Chattisgarh. 2010)

1. It has a famous ancient vishnu temple and is a fine example of Mahakoshal architecture. 

Rajula (Kurnool)

1. Asokan mRE 1 & 2. 

Rakhigarhi (Haryana, 2010)

1. There was a an early harappa tradition. Elements of planning were visible. Beads, designed pottery, terracotta figurines have been found. A stacked set of hopscotches (pithu game) have been found. 

Rameswaram

1. It has a 16th cent AD temple built in Dravidian style. 

Rampurva (Champaran)                                        

1. 2 Asokan pillar edicts. Bull capital.   

Rana Ghundai (Pakistan)

1. It is a neolithic site. They practiced irrigation. Terracotta female figurines called 'Zhob Mother Goddess' have been found. It is famous for the painted humped bull on their pottery.  

Ranakpur (Falna, Rajasthan)

1. It is famous for swetambar jain temples. The main temple is called Chaumukha temple from 15th cent AD and has statues of 1st Jain tirthankar Adinath here made in white marble looking in each direction. There is one Vaishnava temple as well dedicated to sun god. 

Rangmahal (Bhilwara)

1. Excavations here throw light on life of villagers during Kushana period. Pottery, coins, clay seals etc. have been found.

Rangpur (Saurashtra)

1. Mature harappan and late harappan site. Later layer shows glazed pottery making had developed into an industry and geometrical designs were preferred to natural designs.

Ranthambore

1. After the defeat of Prithviraj his son fled and setup his capital here. Chauhans ruled for 100 more years until captured by Ala-ud-din. 

Ratnagiri (1997)

1. It was built by sultans of Bijapur in 16th cent. Sivaji made it the headquarters of his navy.

Redh (Jaipur)

1. Sunga and post Sunga period clay figurines have been found. Urn like pots have been found which could have been used to keep the remains of the buddhist monks.

Rehman Dheri (Gomal Valley)

1. Its an early harappan site with mud fortification, terracotta figurines, bangles and beads. 

Renigunta (Tirupati)

1. 
   

Rohankheda (Wardha, Maharashtra)

1. Rashtrakuta age temple town. The Kailash temple of Ellora resembles the siva temple here.

Rohtasgarh (Sahasram)

1. Strategic town known as second gateway to Bengal (after Chunar) in medieval India and had many strong forts. An inscription of Sashanka has also been found here.

Ropar (2002)

1. Harappa and post Harappa site. 

Rummindei (Lumbini, Nepal)

1. Asokan minor pillar edict. Commemorative type. It talks about Asokan visit there and exempting villagers from paying bali and bhaga. 

Rupnath (Jabalpur, MP)

1. Asokan mRE 1.   

Sahsaram (2008. 2005.)

1. Asokan mRE 1.  SSS.

Saipai (Itawah)

1. Copper hoard phase has been found in the OCP context. 

Sakala / Sagala (Sialkot)  

1. This was the capital of Greek king Menander. It was an important city on the trade routes.  

Saket (Ayodhya)

1. In Kosala mahajanapada, Jeevak (court physician of Bimbisara) came here to treat the ailing wife of a merchant and got 10K coins and 2 slaves in return.

Salsette

1. It became a bone of contention between the Marathas and the Portuguese. Under Baji Rao Marathas recovered it, the £ got frightened and signed a treaty with marathas and were allowed to carry on their trade.

Samaana

1. It was a major urban center in medieval India. It has the tomb of a descendent of Prophet Muhammad making it an important Shia pilgrimage site. It was captured later by Ghori and also had an ancient panchmukhi temple.

Samanamalai / Madurai (2002. 2000)

1. Tamil-Brahmi script inscriptions have been found engraved on the hills datable to 2 cent BC. These have Jina connections. Earlier, Jina connections were thought to be no more than 9-10 cent AD old. 

Sambhal (Moradabad)

1. It was a major urban and strategic center in the sultanate period. Babur gave Sambhal to Humayun but he fell ill and went to Agra. After Babur it was given to Askari (brother) by Humayun. It was also a pilgrimage center in ancient India.

Sambhalpur (Odisha)

1. Has the famous 64 yogini temple from early medieval age. One of the only 5 such temples in India.

Sambhar

1. Chauhan rajputs and also important center between 1000 BC to 300 BC.

Samtata

1. Asokan stupa here was seen by Huen Tsang. 

Samugarh (2011)

1. Dara Shikoh lost a battle against Aurangzeb here and ran towards Punjab where he got help from the Sikhs.

Sanauli (Baghpat, UP)

1. It is a late Harappan site. A cemetery has been found with 125 burials all in N-S direction and most are primary burials though some are secondary and multiple as well. Grave goods contain vessels, swords, figurines etc.

Sanchi (Raisen, MP. 2002)

1. Asokan stupa. Asokan minor pillar edict - schism type. The stupa was later encased in stone, railings built and nearby monasteries also built.   

Sanganakallu (Bellary)

1. Phase 1 was neolithic and void of pottery and copper. It was an ash-mound site.
2. Phase 2 was chalcolithic and had wheel turned pottery as well as copper. Pottery was black-on-red ware. Terracotta, beads were important crafts. Settlements were on hill tops and people lived in wattle and daub houses. People were pastoral indicated by cattle bones with cut marks, cattle scenes in rock paintings of Maski and Kupugal, humped cattle figurines.

Sanghao (Potwar, Pakistan)

1. Upper paleolithic site.

Sanghol (Ludhiana, 2011)

1. From post-Mauryan age, a stupa (with railings buried in the ground so as to save them from communal attacks) and 117 sculptures from  Mathura school of art have been found. Saka and Kushana coins found here as well.
2. It was also a later Harappan site and then a PGW site. But there was a gap between the later harappan and PGW levels.

Sanjan (Mumbai)

1. In the 7th century, Arab armies invaded Persia and some Parsee settlers came to west coast to form settlements. Arab officials were appointed by the Rashtrakutas in this area.

Sankarjang (Angul, Odisha)

1. Neolithic site. Many of the stones give a resonance when struck and judging from the use-wear traces and shape, the stone bars appear to have belonged to finished and unfinished lithopones.

Sankisa (Farukhabad)

1. It belonged to panchala mahajanapada. It was here that Buddha agreed on request of his disciple Ananda to open the sangha for women. Asokan pillar with elephant capital has been found. 

Sannati (Gulbarga. 2010. 2005)  

1. Asokan MRE. Portions of #12, 14 and separate edicts #1-2 found on a temple stone.
2. In post-Mauryan times, it was a major terracotta sculpture centre.   

Sarai Khola (N. Punjab, Pakistan)  

1. It is a neolithic and early Harappan site. In early harappan phase there was a transition from pit dwellings to mud brick structures. Beads, terracotta figurines and stone tools have been found. Lapis lazuli is found here which could have come from Afghanistan only.
2. In the late megalithic phase, iron objects have been found. 

Sarai Nahar Rai (Pratapgarh, UP, R. Ganga)

1. One of the oldest mesolithic site in India. Also one of the first sites where post holes were found. Evidence of a large conflict found too. 11 human burials have been found here along with one skeleton with a arrowhead buried in the rib. Multiple burials have been found too along with animal bones.   

Sardargarh

1. Important PGW site. Iron found as well.

Sarjuga (Chattisgarh)

1. Major political, religious and cultural center in ancient India. Paleolithic, mesolithic sites have been found.  Later major temples built by Kalchuri rulers.

Sarkhej (Ahemdabad)

1. One of the largest indigo producer under the Mughals. The indigo produced here was inferior to bayana indigo. Akbar's governor of Gujarat gave a crushing defeat to the rebels @ Sarkhej in 1584.

Sarnath / Varanasi (2004. 2003. 2002)

1. Asokan minor pillar edict. Schism type.
2. Dhamekh stupa in Gupta times. 

Sarutaru (Guwahati)

1. Neolithic site. Main implements were shouldered axes with round handles. Pottery is similar to Dajoli Hading. It is believed that the stone age continued till 1 cent AD here.

Sasan Gir (Saurashtra. 2000)

Satara (1997)

1. Tara Bai setup her son's capital here when Shahuji came back. It was later annexed by Dalhousie.

Satgaon / Saptagram (Hooghly)

1. One of the most important port on eastern coast in medieval india to trade with malacca. It declined after the Portuguese established Hooghly as a trade center.

Sattanikonda

1. Major industrial center in post Mauryan age.

Savalda (Shirpur, Maharastra)

1. It was a site of Savalda chalcolithic culture. Typical pottery was wheel made chocolate colored pottery, medium to coarse fabric with thick slip. The designs on the pottery include tools, weapons and geometric motifs. 

Semthan (2009)

1. Neolithic site in Kashmir.

Sen Thome / Mayapur (Chennai)

1. Famous port of chola period. Exported textiles and muslin to Malacca. Was later revived by Portuguese and other europeans.

Senuwar (Rohtas, Bihar)

1. Chalcolithic culture of eastern India from 3 -2 millennium BC. Lot of microliths and bone tools have been found. Rice was the main crop.

Shahbazgarhi / Peshawar / Purushpur (2002)

1. Asokan MRE.   
2. Important city under Kanishka. His twin capital.

Shankargarh (Nagod, MP)

1. It has an important gupta era siva temple built before the deogarh temple. Site of ancient jina ruins. It also has an important mukhalinga idol.

Shatrunjai (Palitana, Gujarat. 1999)

1. It is a sacred hill which has a famous Jain temple. It is also mentioned in ancient Jain texts. It also had temples of mahavira and parsavnath on the top.

Shivheri / Shivneri (Junnar)

1. 50 Buddhist caves from Satvahna age. Elaborate work but different architecture from others in the sense there is no twin row of pillars creating a circumambulatory path. Near the entrance of the main room, there are pillars running parallel to the entrance. 

Shortugai

Shravasti (2002)

1. It was the capital of Kosala mahajanpad. Buddha gave many sermons here.
2. In the Mauryan period, many monasteries, shrines and stupas have been found. One of the stupas contains bones.
3. A Kushana period tank complex has been found.  

Sia Dambh

1. Neolithic site in NW

Siddapura / Siddhpur / Jating rameshwar (Chitradurga. 2007. 2004)

1. Asokan mRE 1 & 2. It tells us about the early personal life of Asoka.

Sigiria (SL. 2011)

1. Stone age site form 7000 BC. Buddhist monastery from 3rd cent BC. 

Sihava (Raipur)

1. Has 6 temples built in 12th century by the Kalchuris. Folklore has it that in the ancient days 7 rishis performed austerities here.

Sikandara (Agra)

1. Has the mausoleum of Akbar.

Sindhudurg (Malavan, Maharashtra)

1. Most impregnable sea fort built by Sivaji. It also has a beardless statue of Sivaji which is perhaps the only statue of its kind.

Singhbhum / Baganmati

1. Coins of Roman emperor Constantine have been recovered as a trade route from tamralipti passed through here. It also has ancient temples and coin mints.

Sinsini

1. This was the heartland of Jat revolt and Bishensingh Kachhwaha was able to defeat the Jats and add it to his jagir.

Sirhind / Tabarhind

1. 2 sons of Guru Gobind Singh were buried alive here by Aurangzeb's governor.

Sirkap (Taxila, 2006. 2004. 2000)

1. It was an important city under the Sakas and Kushanas. It had many stupas and houses with rooms arranged around a rectangular courtyard. A large Buddhist apsidal temple, Dharmrajika stupa (the stupa has wheel shaped plan) and a shrine of two eagles has been found here. The temple carvings reveal three types of doorways - a toran type, a chaitya arch type and a Geeek arch.  

Sirpur (Adilabad, AP. 2011. 1999)

1. From the early medieval age, the beginning of nagara style shikharas came up here in the Lakshman temple.  The temple has striking similarities with bhitargaon temple in terms of its shikhara and sculpture. Numerous bronze images of Buddha have been found as well.

Sisupalgarh / Tosali / Kalinganagara (Odisha. 2007. 2005)

1. It was the capital of Kharvela. It had a big fortification. Remains of a big pillared hall and Roman trade have been found. Asokan MRE.

Sitabengara (Sarguja)

1. It has Mauryan period caves which are believed to be the oldest theatre in India. An artist called Devdin fell in love with a devadasi Sutnuka and attracted the wrath of the authorities. So he came here and engraved his story on the walls.

Sittanavasal (Pudukottai, TN. 2009)

1. Jaina cave paintings from pandya age. Also has Jaina Bramhi inscriptions from 9 - 10 cent AD.

Sivana (Jodhpur)

1. It was ruled by Chauhans until Ala-ud-din attacked it in 1306. It was a strong fort and he could capture it only by treachery. Even Amir Khusrau praises the rana here. Later it passed under rathores and then Akbar. 

Sivaner (Junnar, Maharashtra)

1. Fort of Shivaji. His grandfather had received it from the Bahmani ruler as a fief. The fort is surrounded by ~50 buddhist caves.

Sohgaura (Gorakhpur)

1. Bronze plate inscription detailing CGM's famine relief measures has been found. Post Mauryan coins and inscriptions have been found as well.
2. Chalcolithic site of ganga plains between 3000 BC to 2000 BC.

Sohagpur (Rewa)

1. It has famous Virateshwar temple of central india nagar style of early medieval age. Its shikhara has 7 sections.

Somnath / Veraval (2006. 2004. 2003)

1. The temple was a Siva temple built by Chalukyas. 

Somnathpur (Mysore)

1. Hosyal period Keshav temple found. It is a triple shrine with star shaped projections on three sides. Several stories form Ramayna, Mahabharat and Purans are sculpted. 

Sonargaon (Bangladesh)

1. Muslin was first made here in Sultanate era which was exported to malacca and Sri Lanka. It was also famous for its silk production.  Laxman Sena fled from Bakthiyar Khalji to this place when he attacked his capital.

Sonari (Bhopal)

1. Asokan stupa have been found which holds the remains of a great buddhist monk. It also has a brahmi inscription.

Sonegaon

1. Chalcolithic culture of deccan.

Sonkh (Mathura. 2004. 2003)

1. 7 layers of Kushanas and only 1 Gupta layer have been found here indicating the declining trend in urbanization and trade.
2. Pre-Gupta --> An elaborate stone and brick apsidal temple of naga has been found. It had carvings, vaulted roof, numerous sculptures etc. indicating it was a major temple. Another temple of Matrikas (7 mothers) has been found from the same phase. This temple was initially a small structure and enlarged over time.    

Sopara / Suraparaka (Thane)  

1. Asokan MRE (# 8, 9). 
2. It was an important port on west coast to carry out sea trade with Romans during the post-Maurya age and with Arabs in the early medieval age.                                                  
3. Buddhist texts tell us that the first king of SL - Vijay - sailed from here to SL.
4. Agnipurana mentions of a sword making industry here in early medieval age.

Sravanbelgola (Hasan. 2002)

1. CGM spent his last days here. Has the big (56 ft) Gomteswar Jain statue of bahubali from the Ganga rulers.

Sringeri (Kadur, Karnataka)

1. It contains the first matha established by Shankaracharya (other 3 established by him were @ Nasik, Puri and Dwarka). It also contains a temple from Vijayanagar times.

Sringverapura (Allahbad. 2001)  

1. This is the oldest NBPW site to be discovered (700 BC). Ramayna mentions it as the place where Rama crossed Ganga. 
2. Kushana era brick works have been found. These bricks were reused in Gupta era. By 200 BC, the settlement reached its maximum size. A tank complex and a channel to bring the river water to it have been discovered along with a Kushana structure. 

Srirangapatnam / Sriranga (Trichi. 2007)

1. Hindu pilgrimage place in early medieval times. Vaishnavite saint Ramanuja lived here and it has a famous Vishnu temple built by the Pallavas. It was a very large town during the Pallavas and Cholas. The temple saw further expansion under Vijaynagar rulers.
2. Also associated with Tipu and Hyder Ali and he planted the tree of liberty here and died while defending it.

Srughna / Sughana (Saharanpur. 1998)

1. It had strategic importance as it lay on the route from doab to Punjab. Mahmud Gazni and Timur returned via this route. Babur to followed the same route as he marched on Delhi. 
2. Gupta era bricks and coins have been found. It was also a major buddhist center in gupta and post gupta age.
3. Also a late harappan / PGW site with gap in between.

Suivihara (Bhawalpur, Pakistan)

1. Remains of Kushana era buddhist vihara found. Kanishka's inscription found here too indicating his kingdom had expanded to this place.

Sultanganj (Bhagalpur)

1. A 2 m high bronze image of Buddha from Gupta period has been found. Major buddhist center and several buddhist viharas and a stupa have been found. 

Sunet (Ludhiana)

1. Urban site discovered from 300 BC and also a large heap of coins. Under Kushanas it was a mint and mould making city as many coins and moulds have been found. 

Surat

Surkotada (Kuchch)

1. Mature harappan site. A fort made of unbaked bricks and surrounded by a wall of crude stones has been found. Horse remains found as well but these claims are doubted and the remains could be those of an ass or an onager.

Sutkajendor

Talakad (Mysore)

1. Capital of Gangas.

Talgunda (Shimoga, Karnataka)

1. A detailed pillar inscription of kadambas is given which outlines their genealogy.

Talikota / Bannihatti (Bijapur. 2006. 1997)

Talwandi (Kasur, Pakistan)

1. Guru Nanak was born here and is pilgrimage of sikhs.

Tamluk / Tamralipti (W Bengal. 2008. 2004. 2003)                                                           

1. Post-Mauryan remains indicate Roman trade (amphorae and pottery). It was also a major terracotta figuring manufacturing centre.    
2. According to Buddhist tradition, Asoka visited this place to see off his son while on way to SL. Huen Tsang mentions seeing an Asokan stupa here.              

Tanjore / Tanjavur (TN, 2006. 2002)  

1. It was capital of Imperial Cholas. Famous Brihadeshwara temple of Rajaraja was here and it has the images of the Chola king and the queen. Shiva is depicted in the Tripurantaka form - destroyer of three demonic cities. City of Gangaikoondacholapuram is also a village in same district.  
2. Under Vijaynagar empire, it was a great centre of Carnatic music.  

Taradih (Gaya)

1. Chalcolithic culture of middle gangetic valley between 3 - 2 millennium BC. Bone tools and microliths have been found like Chirand.

Tarain (Thaneshwar, Haryana)

Taxila

Tekkalkota (Bellary. 1998)

1. Period 1 was neolithic. Handmade grey ware was found. Gold earrings found here show that the likely source of Harappan gold was here.
2. Period 2 was megalithic. People lived on granite hill tops on wattle and daub houses. Copper, gold, beads, terracotta artifacts have been found. People were pastoral indicated by cattle bones with cut marks, humped cattle figurines and cattle rock paintings at Maski and Kupugal. 

Tenmalai (Quilon, Kerela)

1. It was a late Mesolithic site from 5000 BC. 

Ter / Tagar (Osmanabad, Maharashtra. 2009)

1. It was an important trade (largest in Deccan) and religious center (buddhism and hinduism) in post Mauryan age. Satvahna coins (Pulumayi) as well as chaityas and the chariots of Mammalapur have been found here.

Tera (Kutch)

1. It has a fort which has several frescos depicting the scenes from Ramayan. It has many ramayan stories but the fort was damaged by the earthquake.

Teri (Tinnevelly, TN)

1. It is a group of coastal mesolithic sites. Had a good flake industry made of quartzite.

Thanesar / Thaneshwar (Kurukshetra. 2002. 1996)

Thatta (1996)

1. Major silk textiles producing center in medieval India. MbT died here. Merchants from Arabia and Persia used to stay here. It was well linked to other cities via trade routes.

Thiyaganur (Perambalur, TN)

1. 2 bronze Buddhas have been found from 11 cent AD.

Thotalkonda

1. Major buddhist center in the post mauryan age.

Tighwa (Jabalpur)

1. It was once a village of temples but now all are in ruins. It has a famous Vishnu temple of Nagara style from Gupta age. Ganga and Yamuna stand as door keepers. The pillars are adorned with images of lion and kalash. One temple has a flat roof while the other (possibly later) has a shikhara.             

Tilwara (Rajasthan)

1. Mesolithic site. In phase 2 it has presence of iron together with microliths.

Tirhut (Muzaffarpur. 1995)

1. It means land surrounded by 3 rivers - Gandak, Kosi and Ganga. It fell initially under the vajji mahajanapada but was later taken over by Magadha.

Tirukkampulipur (TN)

1. Remains from 3 cent BC to 3 cent AD have been found. Urn burials found as well. It was a major center in Sangam age.

Tiruneliveli (TN)

1. Well known for krishnapur temple which has the life size statue of Rati in a romantic pose.

Tirupati 

1. The temple is associated with Ramanuja.

Tondi / Tondis (Kerala)

1. It was an important Chera port in Sangam Age. 

Topra / Topana (Ambala. 1998)  

1. Asokan pillar edict. This pillar has 7 edicts. It was found by Firuz.    

Trankibar (TN)

1. Only fort held by Denmark in India. It was leased to them by the king of Tanjore in 17th century. 

Trichinapalli

1. It has an ancient fort from Pallavas time.

Tripuri (Jabalpur. 2010. 2004)

1. It was the capital of Kalchuri rulers. Its temples and sculpture is as elegant as Khajurao. 

Tulja

1. Buddhist cave from post-Mauryan times. There is only one circular room with a stupa in the middle and pillars running at in an inner concentric circle creating a circumambulatory path. Also has viharas.

Uchh (Punjab, Pakistan. 2009)

1. It was a major trade center in medieval India. It was also a center of Persian literature.

Udayagiri (Vidisha, MP. 2007. 2005. 2000)

1. Gupta era caves show Vaishnava, Jaina and Buddhist elements. An inscription in Kumargupta's reign refers to setting up of an image of Jina tirthankara here. This is the best example of brahman cave architecture. A varah image is found here which has got the body of a human being but head of a boar and he is lifting the earth with his tusks.

Udaigram (Pakistan)

1. Important trade and urban center in Mauryan age.

Udbhandpur (Ohind, Pakistan)

1. Ambhi's envoy met Alexander here. Panini was born here and this place also finds mention in Rajtarangini.

Uddandpura / Odantpuri (Bihar)

1. Early Medieval age --> It was an important Buddhist centre of learning. According to the Tibetan records there were about 12,000 students 

Udegolam (Bellary)

1. Asokan mRE 1 & 2. Name of the king found here. 

Ujjain (Malwa. 2003. 2000)

1. It was first the capital of Avanti mahajanapada. 
2. Its significance lay in that it was the convergence point of many trade routes going to Broach port in Mauryan, post-Mauryan and Gupta times.    
3. Ring wells, coins have been found from Mauryan level. 
4. In post-Mauryan, bead making, terracotta and Roman trade evidences have been found. 
5. Kalidasa mentions the presence of a large number of devdasis in the Mahakal temple there. 

Uraiyur / Tiruchillapalli (2007. 2003. 1998)                                                                                                  

1. It was the Chola capital initially.  It was famous for fine textiles and dyeing industries and carried out Roman trade.                                                                       

Utnur (Mahbubnagar, AP. 2009)

1. Ash mound neolithic site of S India. The size of the enclosure was large and it could have accommodated 500 - 800 cattle. It was rebuilt many times and burnt. Cattle hoof prints were found on the ash. Other traits similar to Piklihal and Kodekal.

Uttaramerur (TN. 2009. 1996)

1. 2 inscriptions from Imperial Chola age have been found which describe the functioning of sabhas in the brahmadeyas. 

Uttarbani (Jammu)

1. Lower Paleolithic remains of 2.8 mya have been found.                                                                                                                                                                

Vadamdurai (TN)

1. Paleolithic site.

Vaijayanti / Banavasi (Kanara, Karnataka)

1. It was the capital of Kadambas. It has an inscription talking about grant to a Jinendra temple (lord of Jinas). 

Vaikatpur (Patna)

1. Has an ancient siva temple which was renovated by Man Singh under Akbar.

Valabhi (Gujarat. 2000. 1998)

1. Jaina religious texts were compiled here in 6 cent AD as the 3rd Jain conference was held here. It was also an important trade center.                                                                                                                    
2. It also hosted a famous Buddhist monastery which has 10 viharas and 6000 monks studied. Sthirmati and Gunamati were the scholars of fame here. Like Nalanda, subjects apart from buddhist philosophy were also taught. The graduates form here were appointed to high government posts.                                                

Vangchhia / Kawtchhuhah Ropui (Champai, Mizoram)

1. Menhirs here are the 1st ever ASI protected site of the state. They depict hunting scenes.

Varanasi (2002)

1. It was the capital of Kasi mahajanpad.                                 

Vatsagulma / Washim (Akola)

1. It was the capital of Vatsagulma line of Vakatakas after Pravarsena I. 

Vellur / Belur

1. It has the Hosayala period Keshav temple. It was the capital of Hosyals before shifting to Halebid.

Vengi (Ellore, AP. 1997)

1. Capital of eastern chalukyas and remained a bone of contention between the chalukyas and the pallavas.

Venni (Tanjore)

1. The first Chola ruler Karikala was removed form his office. But he staged a comeback by winning a decisive battle here.

Vijaynagar

Vijaydurga / Gheria

1. The fort was built by Bijapuri rulers but was restored by Sivaji. It was one of the strongest forts. The £ defeated Maratha navy here in 1756.

Vijayawada

1. It has an ancient temple which was visited by Shankaracharya as well. Also has relics of Prophet Muhammad.

Vikramshila (Bhagalpur. 2011)

1. The university was destroyed by Bhaktiyar Khalji in 1202 AD.

Vilaspur (HP. 1999)

1. It was setup in 17th century and Guru Teg Bahadur went to Vilaspur where he purchased a land from the ruler and raised a new habitation there. Later on it became famous as Anandpur Sahib.

Vilinam (Thiruvananthpuram. 2011)

1. In the Chalukya - Pallava - Pandya struggle, the Pandya king Varaguna I was attacked by the Pallavas. He defeated the Pallava ruler and took control of the port town of Vilinam as well.

Warrangal (2005. 1999)

1. Capital of kakatiya rulers in 12th century. Invaded by Malik Kafur and then annexed by Tughluqs. Later it came under the Golconda rulers.

Watgal (Raichur.)

1. Period 1 is Mesolithic.
2. Period 2 is Neolithic and an ash mound site. Transition can be seen from hand made to wheel turned pottery. Terracotta figurines including one of a female torso can be found.
3. Period 3 is megalithic (2000 BC). Pottery was BRW, beads, terracotta figurines, copper/bronze artifacts have been found.                      
4. Period 4 is late megalithic (1500 BC). Iron remains have been found. Burials were chamber type. One of the earliest iron finds in India.

Yedurwadi (Karnataka)

1. Lower Paleolithic remains of 350k ya have been found. 

Yelleshwaram (Nalgonda)

1. Largest number of terracottas and their moulds from the post-Mauryan age have been found here.  

Yerragudi / Erragudi (Kurnool)

1. Has the long and short inscriptions of Asoka i.e. MRE.

Zawar (Udaipur)

1. It was a major zinc smelting site since ancient India and continued up to 19th cent AD. The technique used here since ages was later patented in England in modern times.

Somapura (Paharapura, Bangladesh)

Somapura was situated in East Pakistan. King Devapala (AC 810-850) is said to have erected the Dharmapala-Vihara at Somapura. The ruins of these buildings cover an area of about 1 square mile. There was a large gate and the buildings were surrounded by a high-wall. There were about 177 cells for monks in additions to the shrines and image houses. A common refectory and a kitchen are among the ruins, Remains of three -strayed buildings are to be seen. This university flourished for about 750 years before it was abandoned after the Muslim invasion.

Lalmai

Mainamati

1. Important Buddhist center in early medieval eastern India.

Jagaddala

King Ramapala (1077-1129) is said to be the founder of this University. Jagaddala University was the largest construction works undertaken by the Pala Kings. This was a centre for the study and dissemination of Tantric Buddhism. It followed the methods, practices, and traditions of Nalanda. According to Tibetan works many books were translated to the Tibetan language at Jagaddala. The Buddhist teacher Sakya Sri Bhadra, seeing that Nalanda, Vickramsila, and Odantapuri were in ruins after the Muslim invasion, entered Jagaddala for his studies. It is said that his pupil Danaseela translated ten books to Tibetan Sakya Sri Bhadra was responsible for the propagation of Tatntric Buddhism in Tibet. He lived for seven years at Jagaddala. In 1027 the Muslim invaders sack and destroyed Jagaddala.