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Rupnagar
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Ropar - Witness To Six Ancient CivilizationsRopar is a 21 metre high ancient mound overlaying the Shiwalik (also spelt Sivalik) deposition on the left bank of the river Satluj where it emerges into the plains. It has yielded a sequence of six cultural periods or phases with some breaks from Harappan times to the present day. The excavations were carried out by Dr. Y.D. Sharma of the Archaeological Survey of India. The migration of people from Harappa to Ropar has been postulated through the lost Saraswati River to the Satluj as both rivers once belonged to one system
Period I
At Ropar excavations at the the lowest levels yielded Harappan traits in Period 1, which falls in the proto-historic period. A major find was a stealite seal in the Indus script used for the authentication of trading goods, impressions of seals on a terracotta lump of burnt clay, chert blades, copper implements, terracotta beads and bangles and typical standardised pottery of the Indus Valley civilization. They flourished in all the Harappan cities and townships.
The earliest houses at Ropar were built with river pebbles available in abundance but soon they made use of cut slabs of lime with the same ratio of 4:2:1. Sun baked bricks were sometimes used in the foundations. Houses were built to suit climatic conditions. Walls were plastered with water repelling sticky clay. In the north, flat roofs were common but deep-pitched roofs were used along the west coast - Bengal and Assam - due to heavy rainfall.
The dead were buried with the head generally to the north and with funerary vessels as unearthed in cemetery R-37 at Harappa. What led the Harappans to desert the site is not known.
Period II
Period II belongs to the Painted Greyware period which followed the Period I. Typical pottery of this period consisted of fine greyware painted black, terracotta bangles, semi precious stones, glass, bone arrowheads, ivory kohl sticks and copper implements. This period is identified as the period belonging to the Great War Epic - Mahabharata.
A new settlement sprang up here by about 600 BC - chronologically Period III at Ropar. Grey pottery of Period II still continued. This period belongs to circa 600 BC to 200 BC. It yielded early coins, copper and implements. An important find was an ivory seal inscribed in the Mauryan Brahmi script
Minutely carved and polished stone discs with a figure and motif associated with the cult of the Mother goddess of fertility have also been unearthed in the excavations from Taxila (now in Pakistan), Patna in the state of Bihar and other Mauryan sites. Houses of mud and kiln fired bricks were by no means rare. A 3.6 metre wide fired brick wall traced to a length of about 75 metres probably encompassed a water tank which collected water through inlets. The upper levels have soak wells lined with terracotta rings of the Sunga and Kushana periods.
Period III To V
From Period III to V there are fairly rich dwelling complexes with houses of stone and mud bricks. Full layouts of buildings could not be exposed owing to the vertical nature of excavations carried out.
Period IV
The next phase, Period IV revealed evidence of the Sunga, Kushan (also spelt as Kushana) and Gupta periods. With a hoard of copper coins from the Kushan and Gupta periods being found. This includes a gold coin issued by Chandragupta Kumardevi of the Gupta dynasty, which is also known as the golden age in ancient Indian history.
A large number of terracotta figurines of the Sunga, Kushana and Gupta periods were also discovered. Among them was a Yakshi figure with cherubic expression and a beautiful seated figure of a woman playing the lyre reminiscent of Samudragupta’s figure in a similar position on gold coins from the Gupta dynasty. A set of three silver utensils for ritualistic purpose with Greek influence depicts the fine craftsmanship of the Gupta dynasty in its chased decoration.
The pottery of this period in the upper levels is for the most part red ware and is frequently decorated with incised motifs. After a short break, there is evidence of a fresh occupation identified as Period V commencing around the early 6th century and continuing for three or four centuries. The coins of Toramana (circa 500 CE) and Mihirakula (circa 510CE-40CE) have been recovered from these levels. The spacious brick building of the fifth period were constricted neatly and evidences showed a good measure of prosperity during this period.
Probably after desertion, a new town sprang up here around 13th century CE on the same site named Period VI and it continues to flourish to the present day.
An archaeological museum has been set up to house some of the antiquities found along with photographs displaying excavation material.
GeographyRupnagar is located at . It has an average elevation of 260 metres (853 ft).
Rupnagar district, included in the Patiala Division of Punjab falls between north latitude 30°-32' and 31°-24' and east longitude 76°-18' and 76°-55'. Rupnagar (formerly known as Ropar) town, the district headquarters is 42 km from Chandigarh, the state capital. The district adjoins Nawanshahar, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib Districts of Punjab. The district comprises 3 Tehsils, Rupnagar, Anandpur Sahib and Chamkaur Sahib and includes 617 villages and 6 towns namely Rupnagar, Chamkaur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Morinda, Kiratpur Sahib and Nangal. All towns except Chamkaur Sahib have railways connections. The Satluj river passes close (2 to 5 km) to the towns of Nangal, Rupnagar and Anandpur Sahib.
The climate The climate of Rupnagar District is characterized by its general dryness (except in the south west monsoon season), a hot summer and a bracing cold winter. The year may be divided into four seasons. The period from about middle of November to February is the cold season. This is followed by the summer season from March to about the end of [June]. The south-west monsoon season commences late in June and continues up to about middle of September. The period from mid September to the middle of November constitute the post-monsoon or transition season. The temperature ranges from minimum of 4 °C in winter to 45 °C in summer. May and June are generally hottest months and December and January are the coldest months. Relative humidity is high, averaging about 70% during monsoon. The average annual rainfall in district is 775.6 mm. About 78% of the annual rainfall is received during the period from June to September.
SoilsThe soils of the District vary in texture generally from loam to silty clay loam except along the Satluj River and chos where some sandy patches may be found. Chamkaur Sahib and Kharar blocks have sodic soils. The soils of Anandpur Sahib and Rupnagar blocks are undulating.
DemographicsAs of 2001 India census, Rupnagar had a population of 48,165. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Rupnagar has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 72%. In Rupnagar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
District Administration
- The Senior Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Police Service and other Punjab Police officials.
- The Divisional Forest Officer, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service is responsible for managing the Forests, environment and wild-life related issues of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Punjab Forest Service and other Punjab Forest officials and Punjab Wild-Life officials.
- Sectoral development is looked after by the district head of each development department such as PWD, Agriculture, Health, Education and Animal husbandry. These officers belong to various State Services.
Important cities and towns - Anandpur Sahib
- Chamkaur Sahib
- Kiratpur Sahib
- Morinda
- Nangal
- Rupnagar
- Kamalpur
Colleges- Govt. College Ropar (Since 1954) (college of Humanities,Commerce and Science)
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- inifd.ropar@gmail.com[Inter National Institute Of Fashion Design]
Designer House- Fashion Virus, Near Govt. College (m) 09876665661
Statistical Data Of Ropar District
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