Pauni Wainganga Fortified Settlement
Pauni Bhandara Fortified City · Hardolal Tekri Pauni
Mauryan 3rd c BCE → Satavahana 1st c BCE–2nd c CE·Mauryan→ Satavahana Deccan — Wainganga basin·🇮🇳 Maharashtra, Bhandara District, Pauni town on Wainganga River (Godavari tributary) 35 km south of Bhandara, Vidarbha, India
About
About Pauni Wainganga Fortified Settlement
Pauni Wainganga Fortified Settlement — Mauryan–Satavahana fortified city (3rd c BCE–2nd c CE) on Wainganga River at Pauni, excavated 1969–70 by S.B. Deo and later Bhilai–Nagpur University. Pauni revealed 5 km circumambulation wall (N-MH-N18) with moat, gateway, brick fort, Buddhist stupa (Suvarnagiri dome), Ashokan-style pillars, and Hardolal Tekri with 150 CE inscription of Bhagadatta. Satavahana punch-marked and lead coins, terracotta, and NBPW prove Vidarbha's major Early Historic emporium linking Deccan to Sanchi–Bharhut and Arabian Sea via Wainganga–Godavari.
Why it mattersLargest Vidarbha Early Historic city — circumvallation and Hardolal Tekri 150 CE inscription linking Satavahana to Deccan
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mauryan vs Satavahana wall phasing
Theories
- 01Wainganga as Deccan–Gangetic artery model
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.3rd c BCE Mauryan walled town; Satavahana stupa 1st c BCE
- Period
- Mauryan 3rd c BCE → Satavahana 1st c BCE–2nd c CE
- Culture
- Mauryan→ Satavahana Deccan — Wainganga basin
- Builders
- Satavahana kings and merchants (Bhagadatta inscription 150 CE)
- Purpose
- Fortified trade city controlling Wainganga–Godavari artery and Deccan–Central India exchange
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3rd c BCE
Mauryan walled town on Wainganga bends
c.150 CE
Bhagadatta inscription at Hardolal Tekri under Satavahana
1969–70
Deo excavations reveal wall and stupa
On the ground
Structures & features
20.7875° N · 79.6337° E · 260 m · 2 mapped features
Northern Circumvallation Wall and Moat
rampart5-km brick circumvallation with moat and gateway on northern Wainganga bend
20.7885° N · 79.6345° EHardolal Tekri Stupa and Inscription
stupaHardolal Tekri stupa dome with Bhagadatta 150 CE inscription base on eastern mound
20.7868° N · 79.6330° E
Gallery