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The ancient site known as Raja
Karna-ka-Kila, is a huge mound about 5-km west-southwest of Thanesar. The
mound is about 10 m high from the general ground level. The excavation in
the main mound revealed a three-fold sequence.
Period I: No sherd of the Painted Grey Ware was obtained form the
deposits of the period. The earliest occupation in this part of the mound
seems to have begun by about the fourth century BC.
Period II: This period was marked by the occurrence of the 'Plain
Ware' and 'Red Polished Ware', and may be dated to third century AD. Among
the finds, the most notable were three clay sealings, bearing legends in
Brahmi script of the early centuries of the Christian era and a few
terracotta figurines. Thereafter, the site remained deserted till it was
re-occupied in the late medieval times.
Period III: The use of 'lakhauri' bricks and pre-Mughal 'glazed
ware' characterized this period. To this period belonged two parallel
walls and revetment was of 'lakhauri' bricks. The whole complex seems to
have formed part of a late medieval fortification. Another interesting
structure of this period was a 'hauz' of 'lakhauri' bricks, plastered with
lime.
Traces of Protohistoric Habitation
In a mound located 200m to the east of the main mound, the excavation
revealed a protohistoric habitation, belonging to the late phase of the
Harappan culture, which was based right on the top of the natural soil and
was 1 m to 1.50 m in thickness. A structural complex of mud-brick walls
consisting of twin rooms, was exposed. A fireplace, a refuge pit, an oven
and a corn bin were encountered in the bigger room. The smaller room is
almost square in plan with a small entrance on the southeast.
Two structural phases were noticed. The bricks used in the structures are
of the size 40x20x10 cm. Noteworthy finds of the period included a large
number of beads of agate, crystal, faience, jasper, steatite and
carnelian; a beautiful figurine of a stag and circular and triangular
cakes among other things.
How To Get There
Air: The nearest airport is at
Chandigarh .
Rail: The nearest rail junction is at Kurukshetra.
Road: Kurukshetra has a bus stand of its own.