It is highly recommended to visit the Indian Museum, Kolkata to discover the roots of our ancestors. Below are some highlights from my visit in August 2023.
The sculpture of Mahisasuramardini at Kolkata Indian museum, archaeology finding dated 12th Century C.E. from Manbhum made of chlorite, earlier part of Bihar now part of West Bengal. Manbhum was a thriving ancient city.
Astabhuja Durga dated 11th century C.E., archaeology finding from Bihar displayed at Indian Museum, Kolkata. It is made of Hornblende, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
For reference:
Igneous means fire; formed from the cooling and solidification of molten (melted) rock.
Metamorphic rock starts as a different kind of rock and transformed with heat or pressure.
With dedication, we too can achieve the 8 siddhis like Durga.
Brahma 10th Century C.E. North Bengal. There isn’t sufficient info about the city where it was found.
My view is that the left hand holds pyramid upside down to show geometry and precision. Looking closely to reveal base of lingam.
Composite of Surya and Shiva made of Khondalite, archaeological find from Konark, Odisha dated 13th century C.E. displayed at Indian Museum Kolkata.
For reference:
Khondalites are quartz, a regional rock name rooted in the history of petrological research in the Indian subcontinent.
Petrological; a science that deals with the origin, history, occurrence, structure, chemical composition, and classification of rocks.
Shiva Parvati 5th Century C.E. Kausambi, ancient city, Uttar Pradesh. This is now displayed at Indian Museum Kolkata.
Kausambi was also known as Vatsa and the famous Ashoka pillar was found here during excavation.
HariHara Basalt sculpture from Nalanda, Bihar dated 10th Century C.E. Hari is Vishnu and Hara is Shiva. Nalanda, Bihar was once a thriving education institution.
Dancing Shiva Parvati Halebid Karnataka 12th century C.E.
Halebidu is located in Karnataka in the district of Hassan. Halebid (or Halebidu) is famous for the beautiful Hoysala Temples of Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara built in 1121 AD. These statues are displayed in the Indian Museum of Kolkata, Bharat.
Halebidu was the capital of the Hoysala kingdom in the 12th Century. Halebidu was previously called Dwarasamudra, meaning “the old city”.
Temple sites to visit for reference:
The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva built on a star shaped platform.
The Kedareswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva is built in Chalukya style.
Lady holding a mirror, made of Granite, dated 12th Century C.E. from Halebidu, Karnataka.
Sarasvati, made of Granite, dated 12th Century C.E. from Halebidu, Karnataka.
The sculpture of Uma Mahesvara is dated 11th Century from Bihar displayed at Kolkata Indian Museum.
Discover the roots of our ancestors from the archaeological findings by visiting this museum.
This sculpture is one of the 64 forms of Lord Shiva.
Parvati 12th century C.E. Bangladesh at Kolkata Museum.
Sada Shiva 12th Century C.E. Bangarh, Dinajpur, West Bengal. The sculpture is made of Basalt. Bangarh was once a thriving ancient city of eastern Bharat known as Devikota. The consort of Sadashiva is Adi Parashakti Durga (Highest form of Goddess Parvati).
Sequel to Sada Shiva. This is Chandramukha five face Lingam from Java Indonesia dated 7th/8th Century C.E. made of sandstone. Four of his five faces are shown emerging from the column of the lingam, but his fifth and upper face is not shown because the fifth face is beyond space and time (formless).
Marvellous sculpture of Vishnu on mount of Garuda 8/9th Century C.E. Bihar. Did our ancestors saw and sculpted this extraordinary sculpture of Vishnu and Garuda or did they receive a vision to sculpt? Nevertheless, it’s magnificent! Visit this museum to discover the roots of our ancestors.
Various Ancient Coins displayed at Indian Museum Kolkata used domestically and during the trade routes. The process is also described in below photos.
Lotus medallion and vase of prosperity, made of limestone Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 2nd century C.E. Displayed at Indian Museum, Kolkata. Amaravati, now capital of Andhra Pradesh is known for the Amareswara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva dated 2nd century BCE. It was was once the capital of the Satavahanas and the Pallava kings. Amaravati was a seat of Buddhism prior to the rise of Satavahanas, and a stupa and monastery were built during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC) under Mauryan Empire.
Background to The Archaeology Gallery.
Note: All photographs copyright belongs to me. All credit for archaeological findings goes to the archaeological team and for displaying them beautifully at the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
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Thank you for stopping by to view this article and be educated. This post is relevant to those who can't afford to travel to view these artefacts. Please treat this for educational purpose only.