Bhokardan
भोकरदन · Bhogavardhana · Bhokardan Fort Mound
Chalcolithic to Yadava (1500 BCE–1400 CE)·Savaldas–Malwa to Satavahana–Vakataka–Yadava·🇮🇳 Maharashtra, Jalna District, Bhokardan Taluka, Bhogavardhana mound, India
About
About Bhokardan
Bhokardan is a 2000-year tell (1500 BCE–1400 CE) on the Kelna–Girja confluence, ancient Bhogavardhana, capital of Bhogavardhana kingdom mentioned in Mahabharata. Deo and Gupte (1958–74) cut 14 levels from Chalcolithic (Black-and-red ware) through Satavahana (coin hoard 120 coins), Vakataka brick fort (3 m wide wall) and Yadava layers. At 512 m Deccan trap, the 900×750 m mound (12 m high) shows early iron (1200 BCE) and Indo-Roman rouletted ware (50 CE). The Vakataka fort moat and Satavahana inscription 'Bhogavardhana' anchor the toponym.
Why it mattersTextbook Deccan tell with Mahabharata toponym continuity 1500 BCE–1400 CE and earliest Deccan iron.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chalcolithic to Satavahana hiatus—continuous or gap
Theories
- 01Bhogavardhana as Mahabharata janapada capital—epic geography anchor
- 02Kelna–Girja trade node linking Paithan and Ujjain
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1500 BCE (Chalcolithic), urban phase 300 BCE (Satavahana)
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Yadava (1500 BCE–1400 CE)
- Culture
- Savaldas–Malwa to Satavahana–Vakataka–Yadava
- Builders
- Bhogavardhana kingdom and Satavahana viceroys
- Purpose
- River-confluence market town and fortified capital on Deccan–Vidarbha route
- Abandoned
- 14th century (Yadava–Khalji conquest)
- Rediscovered
- 1958–74 Deo–Gupte excavation (Deccan College)
- Excavation
- Excavated
1500–1200 BCE
Chalcolithic Black-and-red ware hamlet
300 BCE–200 CE
Satavahana brick town with coin hoard
250–550 CE
Vakataka fort and moat (3-m wall)
1958–1974
Deo–Gupte stratigraphic cut
On the ground
Structures & features
20.2611° N · 75.7875° E · 512 m · 3 mapped features
- Western Stratigraphic Cuttell12-m-deep trench exposing 14 levels from Chalcolithic to Yadava with iron slag and rouletted ware20.2614° N · 75.7872° E
- Vakataka Fort Wall and Moatfortification3-m-wide brick wall with 8-m moat and laterite counterscarp on southern mound edge20.2608° N · 75.7878° E
- Satavahana Coin Hoard FindspotinscriptionCentral mound pit where 120 Satavahana lead coins and 'Bhogavardhana' inscription found20.2611° N · 75.7875° E
Gallery