Introduction
Periplus of the Erythraean Sea , the mid 1st century book describes navigation and trading opportunities from Roman Egyptian ports like Berenice Troglodytica along the coast of the Red Sea and others along the Horn of Africa, the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, including the modern-day Sindh region of Pakistan and southwestern regions of India. The book throws light on multiple important trade and transit centers of the era. The trade centers include Cayliena (Kalyan), Ozene (Ujjain), Paethan (Paithan), Argaru (Uraiyur), Suppala (Sopara), Poduca (Puducchchery) etc. Along with all these, Tagar was also one of the most important trad center of the era. The place is known as Ter in today’s times. The place is situated in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, at a distance of 17 km from district headquarter and 50 km from Latur.
Excavations and history
The town is very important in historical terms, because it consists of a confluence of history and monuments associated with Hindusim, Buddhism and Jainism. This is very evident from the various articles that have been discovered here in multiple excavations. The first excavation was carried out by The Director of Archives and Museum, Government of Maharashtra in the year 1957-58. This excavation proved that the region was inhabited as back as 4th century BCE and upto 4th century AD. This excavation also discovered multiple terracotta figurines, toys, many copper coins and iron tools.
The second phase of excavations here happened between 1966 to 1969, carried out by The Director of Archives and Museum, Government of Maharashtra. Before this, a local landlord named Ramlingappa Lamture informed the government about multiple objects in his possession, which were found in the village by local villagers. Th excavation was carried out to examine the stratigraphic horizon of these articles. This excavation revealed an important aspect of the historical settlement in the region. The earliest settlement was in Mauryan era (300 – 100 BC). This settlement came to a close by a flood. Second settlement was assigned to period 100 BC to 100 AD, when a major fire broke out and destroyed many houses. The third phase belonged to late Satvahana era (50 – 200 AD). This was the time when Tagara developed trade contacts with Romans, and flourished as an important trade and transit center. Thereafter, the place remained mostly abandoned till the medieval period.
Traces of houses with multiple Roman era objects have been discovered beyond the present Terna river. This could be said to be a settlement of Roman traders / local traders with frequent contact with the Romans. Among the objects found here were multiple terracotta and kaolin figurines; lamps depicting roman work; Roman coins and beads of semi precious stones. The walls of these houses were raised on strong pebble foundations, indicating that there were constants floods and this was precautionary measures against the floods.
In further stage of this phase, a large Stupa with wheel shaped plan was discovered. A coin from Pulumavi (a member of Satvahana synasty) discovered at Stupa, indicates that the Stupa was dated latter half of the second century. One apsidal structure built by bricks, with wide poarch (probably supported by wooden pillars earlier) was also discovered nearby the Trivikrama temple.
This stage also brought to light many non-Indian objects like carnelian seals, clay bulls and special type of lamps (these objects have also been found at some sites in Eastern India. Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, mentions that exportable goods (especially clothes) were first brought to Tagar, and then sent to the ports situated at the western coast via Paithan. As an evidence to this, many vats for dying clothes were discovered in the excavations.
The third phase of excavation happened in 1974-75 by Deccan College of Post Graduate, Pune and Marathwada University. This excavation was taken up to confirm the cultural sequence of the site and to know the nature of pre-Satvahana habitation. This excavation further confirmed the three stages of human inhabitation at the site. It also reconfirmed the fact that Tagara flourished heavily as a trade center during the Satvahana era. They also discovered a large Stupa like mound at Irle, around 16 km south east of Ter. This mound today has a temple atop it.
The fourth phase of excavations here happened between 1987 to 1989, carried out by The Director of Archives and Museum, Government of Maharashtra. In this excavation, a large water tank built of brick was discovered. Close the the tank, an apsidal structure was also discovered. Multiple limestone pillars, broken sculptures, pottery, ruins of constructions and multiple other artefacts were discovered in the excavation. Further in 2020, when digging was being done for a new archeological building construction, a well from the Satvahana era was discovered.
Multiple mounds in Ter and surrounding region have been marked for further research and excavation. We can be hopeful of finding many more interesting artifacts and structures in the coming years.
Present Day
Today, Ter is a small village situated close to the district headquarter Dharashiv (earlier known as Osmanabad). The village is mostly famous for the temple of Saint Goroba Kaka, a medieval saint from the Bhakti / Varkari tradition. A temple of Goroba Kaka is situated on the banks of Terna river. Same temple complex also houses Kaleshwar temple, an ancient temple with Apsidal structure. The temple roof is a mixture of apsidal and pillared structure.
Another apsidal structure of Trivikrama temple, is well known to the temple and archaeology enthusiast. The Trivikrama temple is said to be one of the only two surviving monuments with an apsidal structure, the other one being the Kapoteshwara in Chhejerla near Guntur. The temple tells us about an important step in the evolution of temple building, that started from the cave temple and evolved further in stand alone temples with square Garbhagriha.
The temple was initially a free-standing apsidal structure, which is characteristic of early Buddhist apsidal chaityagriha design. A flat roof square Mandapa was later added to the structure; probably from the 6th century CE. The apsidal structure seems to be contemporary to the great apsidal temple found in Sirkap, Taxila, which is dated to 30 BCE-50 CE. It would have been built under the Satavahanas. The front of the apsidal temple is decorated with a chaitya-arch, similar to those found in Buddhist rock-cut architecture. The Trivikrama Temple is considered as the oldest standing structure in Maharashtra. Today, it hosts a sculpture of Vamana incarnation of Vishnu; hence the name Trivikrama.
While apsidal structure is very rare in today’s temples, the village has multiple apsidal structures discovered in excavation. This points towards the importance of the town as the link in temple construction evolution. Another important brick temple in the town is the Uttareshwar temple. The temple is dated to 6th century by multiple historians. This temple represents the continuation in use of wood and stone in temple construction. The door frame (Dwarashakha) at the Garbhgriha of temple has a very exquisite carving, and is said to be the oldest wooden artwork in India. The doorframe is currently placed in the Ramlingappa Lamture museum in Ter.
Multiple Buddhist monuments like Stupas and Chaityas were also discovered in the excavations here. Ter also had revealed pottery and symbols with a ‘Triratna’ (a Buddhist symbol representing the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha). This emphasizes the existence of Buddhist community in large numbers in the region. The nearby Dharashiv caves also has Buddhist sculptures, further strengthening the point. The Satavahanas were adherents of the Vedic tradition, but were also supporters of Buddhism. They also gave grants to Buddhist stupas as is evident from the inscriptions at the stupa in Sanchi. Ter had a flourishing presence of Hindu or Vedic traditions and Buddhists during the Satavahana era.
Ter also has a Digambar Jain temple, which is of very importance in the tradition. The temple is referred as Atishay Kshetra (most revered place) by the followers of Jainism. The history of Jainism in the region can be dated to very early period. The existence of Jain sculptures in nearby Dharashiv caves establishes the fact. The current temple at Ter is dated back to 12th century. Many Jain sculptures were discovered during reconstruction of the Parshvanatha temple, indicating the existence of much larger structure here. These sculptures are presently kept in the temple complex.
The town also has an archaeological museum here, named after landlord Ramlingappa Lamture, who had collected many artifacts much before the excavations started here. The museum holds many beautiful artefacts and sculptures that were discovered in the excavation here.
How to reach
To reach Ter, one can travel by train to from Latur or Osmanabad. Both places are connected by train to Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad etc. Alternatively one can reach Solapur, which is an important junction on the Mumbai- Bengaluru and Mumbai-Hyderabad route.
There are no good stays available at Ter. One has to stay in Latur, nearby major city.
A fun fact
Khichdi, the humble member of our culinary company, has been playing a long, long inning in the taste match. It’s score: Nearly 2,000 years. This was proved by the discovery of burnt pieces of rice and green gram, aka moong dal, that were cooked together. This discovery at Ter dates 1st century AD, this proving that Khichadi existed in our plates for over 2 millenia.
Dr Janki Thaker
Guest Author
Informative post