Prakash
Prakasha · Prakash Tapti Chalcolithic–Early Historic
Savda–Malwa–Jorwe 1900–1000 BCE → Early Historic 300 BCE–300 CE·Savda-Chalcolithic → Malwa–Jorwe → Satavahana·🇮🇳 Maharashtra, Dhule District, on Tapti river at Prakash village (Maharashtra–Gujarat border), India
About
About Prakash
Tapti river Chalcolithic–Early Historic key sequence (c.1900 BCE–300 CE Savda → Malwa–Jorwe → Early Historic punch-marked) at Prakash in Dhule — excavated 1955 by B.K. Thapar (ASI), revealing Tapti as distinct Chalcolithic province bridging Deccan Jorwe and Malwa: Savda ware (1900–1700) with burnished grey ware, then Malwa-Jorwe 1700–1000, then NBPW with Roman rouletted contact at Tapti ford. Prakash is the only Tapti mound with Indo-Roman amphorae shards proving Tapti inland water route to Gujarat Gulf.
Why it mattersOnly Tapti Chalcolithic–Roman sequence — Savda province and Tapti–Narmada inland route.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Savda ware distinct from Jorwe–Malwa despite Tapti proximity?
Theories
- 01Tapti as Fifth Chalcolithic province independent of Malwa–Jorwe
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.1900 BCE Savda village; Early Historic reoccupation c.300 BCE
- Period
- Savda–Malwa–Jorwe 1900–1000 BCE → Early Historic 300 BCE–300 CE
- Culture
- Savda-Chalcolithic → Malwa–Jorwe → Satavahana
- Builders
- Tapti Chalcolithic farmers → Satavahana traders
- Purpose
- Tapti ford farming village and Early Historic river port linking Tapti to Arabian Sea via Narmada–Gulf
- Abandoned
- c.300 CE Tapti avulsion
- Rediscovered
- 1955 Thapar ASI trench
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1900–1700 BCE
Savda burnished grey ware village
c.300 BCE–300 CE
NBPW reoccupation with Roman amphorae and punch-marked coins
1955
Thapar defines Tapti Chalcolithic province
On the ground
Structures & features
21.4200° N · 74.3300° E · 180 m · 2 mapped features
Savda Ware Lower Levels (1900 BCE)
settlementBurnished grey Savda ware houses and pit storage at base of Tapti mound
21.4210° N · 74.3310° EEarly Historic Upper Levels with Amphorae
settlementNBPW and Roman amphorae horizon on Tapti ford terrace
21.4190° N · 74.3290° E