4500-Year-Old Civilization Mahabharata, Maurya and Saraswati-Era Discoveries in Deeg, Rajasthan

A remarkable chapter of India’s ancient history has emerged from the soil of Rajasthan. In an extraordinary discovery, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed the remains of a 4500-year-old civilization in Bahaj village of Deeg district, revealing a site that bridges the Vedic, Mahabharata, and Mauryan eras. This finding could potentially reshape the historical and cultural understanding of ancient India’s heartland.

A Civilization Lost in Time

The excavation, which began several months ago under the supervision of ASI's Jaipur Circle, uncovered evidence of continuous human settlement from around 3500 BC to 600 AD. The site revealed a fascinating sequence of cultural layers spanning several important phases of Indian history — from the Post-Harappan period to the Mauryan and Gupta empires.

One of the most astonishing aspects of this discovery is the presence of an ancient river system found deep beneath the site. Geologists and archaeologists believe this to be a paleo-channel of the long-lost Saraswati River, often mentioned in the Rigveda. If confirmed, this would be one of the most compelling pieces of evidence for the existence and route of the Saraswati, a river central to ancient Indian civilization narratives.

Finds from the Mahabharata and Maurya Periods

Among the thousands of artefacts recovered are sculptures linked to the Mahabharata era, including idols of Shiva and Parvati, terracotta figurines, and ritual structures like yajna kundas (sacrificial fire pits). These findings hint at an established tradition of Vedic worship and ritualism that may have continued unbroken for centuries in this region.

Moving forward in time, the excavations also brought to light artefacts from the Maurya and Shunga periods. This includes sculptures from the Mauryan era, coins of the Shunga dynasty, and several seals bearing inscriptions in early Brahmi script. These relics provide valuable insight into the religious, economic, and administrative practices of ancient Indian kingdoms.

Urban Life and Craftsmanship

Archaeologists have uncovered buildings made of clay pillars, extensive drainage systems, furnaces, and even bone tools such as needles and combs — signs of a sophisticated urban settlement. The presence of semi-precious stone beads, metal artefacts, and shell bangles indicates that Bahaj was not just a religious center, but also a thriving hub of craft and trade.

Significantly, over 800 artefacts have been unearthed so far, ranging from pottery and weapons to decorative ornaments and ritual installations. Silver and copper coins discovered in miniature earthen pots point towards an organized system of trade and commerce, possibly stretching across the broader Indo-Gangetic plains.

A Window to the Saraswati Civilization

Perhaps the most historically significant aspect of the Bahaj excavations is the 23-meter-deep paleo-channel found beneath the site, believed to be part of the ancient Saraswati River system. Experts from the Geological Survey of India and ASI suggest that this river would have supported early agricultural settlements in the region, connecting Bahaj to other ancient cities of the Saraswati basin.

This discovery adds to growing archaeological evidence that several ancient settlements across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat may have once thrived along the banks of a mighty river system that dried up thousands of years ago.

A Treasure Trove for History

The remains of five continuous civilizations — from the Post-Harappan and Vedic periods to the Mauryan, Shunga, Kushan, and Gupta dynasties — have been unearthed here. Among the most important finds are:

• Seals with Brahmi inscriptions

• 15 yajna kundas (ritual fire pits)

• Terracotta idols of Shiva-Parvati and fertility goddesses

• Iron and copper tools and weapons

• Bone tools and needles

• Semi-precious stone beads and ornaments

• A 1700-year-old human skeleton, now undergoing scientific analysis for age verification and genetic study

The Bahaj excavation site in Deeg district isn’t just another archaeological dig — it’s a time capsule buried under layers of earth, preserving within it the echoes of India’s earliest civilizations. From the fabled river Saraswati to the epic age of Mahabharata, from the might of the Mauryan empire to the intellectual brilliance of the Gupta age, this single site offers a rare, continuous narrative of India’s ancient history.

As experts continue to study the findings, Bahaj promises to become one of the most important archaeological discoveries in India’s history, helping scholars piece together the mysteries of a past both rich and profound.