The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has once again launched excavation work at the historic Dronasagar site located in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. The primary objective behind this fresh digging campaign is to thoroughly investigate the authenticity of local beliefs suggesting that Guru Dronacharya's ashram was situated here during the Mahabharata era. Archaeologists expect that systematic excavation will help shed light on the deep history and cultural sequence of this ancient location, which has long been tied to mythological traditions.
Previous Excavation Campaigns at the Site
Mohan Chandra Joshi, Superintending Archaeologist in charge of the ASI Dehradun circle, explained that Dronasagar is a significant ancient archaeological site where digging has taken place multiple times in the past. An official excavation was first conducted by archaeologist YD Sharma back in the year 1965, followed by another round of exploration during 1970-71. Various ancient structures were uncovered during these earlier operations. According to Joshi, the history of this site spans approximately 2,000 years, with evidence of Painted Grey Ware (PGW) also coming to light, prompting some scholars to link the area directly to the Mahabharata period.
Recent Discoveries During Current Digging
Explaining the ongoing efforts, officials noted that excavation work has been underway for the past 20 to 25 days, though it faced some disruptions due to recent rainfall. Initial findings from the current phase include a small brick fragment dating back to the Sunga-Kushan period. Additionally, a circular brick structure has been uncovered at the upper level, which is currently being viewed as a potential ancient well. Experts clarified, however, that definitive details about this structure will only emerge once the excavation is fully completed and the entire feature is exposed.
Unraveling the Complete Cultural Sequence
The core goal of the ASI is to carry out systematic digging down to the natural soil layer to fully comprehend the site's complete cultural sequence and origins. Archaeologists are also working to determine the exact foundation level of the circular structure and whether brick constructions were carried out here across different historical epochs. While the ongoing excavation is providing valuable clues into the ancient history of the region, authorities noted that the evidence gathered so far is not yet sufficient to conclusively confirm a direct link to the Mahabharata era.
