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News: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun excavation at Bihar’s historic Balirajgarh site, which is believed to be the gateway to ancient Mithila.
About Balirajgarh Site
- Balirajgarh site is an archaeological site located at Madhubani district, Bihar.
- It was declared a site of national importance in 1938.
- Findings: The site has shown evidence of a fivefold cultural period- Northern Black Pottery Ware, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, followed by Pala Period.
- Other findings also included remains of a rampart in three different phases, structural remains of burnt bricks laid in mud mortar, and some other structures of residential building.
- Among the antiquities are terracotta objects like animal and human figurines, beads, semiprecious stones beads, sealings, bone tools, copper objects, punch-marked coins, etc.
- The excavation also indicated a massive brick fortification spanning approximately 176 acres. According to some scholars, the Balirajgarh fort was built by the last King of the Janaka Dynasty in Mithila.
- Historical and Cultural significance: The local folklore identifies it as the capital of the legendary King Bali.
- Some scholars also believe that it served as a major administrative hub of the ancient Videha Kingdom.
