Pawaya Archeological Site – History

Pawaya Archeological Site – History

Pawaya was called as Padmavati in ancient times. Pawaya was ruled by the Naga kings during the 3^rd – 4^th century CE and was considered as the ancient capital of Naga Kings. Ganapati, the last Naga king, was defeated by Samudragupta and the Naga dynasty came to an end about the middle of the 4^th century CE. Their territories became part of the Gupta empire. It was an ancient Indian city mentioned in several classic Sanskrit texts, Vishnu Purana, Vayu Purana Malati Madhavam of Bhavabhuti, Harshacharita of Bana and Sarasvati Kantha Bharana of Raja Bhoja.

Bhavabhuti describes the city with tall mansions and temples with shikharas and gates, located between Para and the Sindhu rivers. This Sanskrit play helped in identifying the ancient Padmavati. Alexander Cunningham identified Padmavati with present day Narwar near Gwalior. M B Garde carried out excavations at Pawaya in 1924-25, 1933–34 and 1941. He identified Pawaya with Padmavati rejecting Cunningham’s identification with Narwar.

The excavation in Pawaya unearthed huge cache of Naga coins belonging to several Naga rulers, who have been dated between 210-340 AD, have been found at Pawaya. The Manibhadra Yaksha image found at Pawaya has an inscription dated to 1st century CE at its pedestal. Padmavati is also mentioned in the Kokkala Grahapati inscription of Khajuraho. The inscription assigns the foundation of Padmavati to mythical king of the Padma dynasty. The brick temple might be built during 3^rd century CE. The temple was renovated in 5^th century CE as per the inscriptions found on the bricks.