Excavations – 2000-2005 – Tripura
Thakurani tila, dt. South Tripura
Excavations at the site during the field season 2000-01 has revealed remains of small brick shrines. A Siva linga is also found enshrined within a big temple.
Shyam Sunder Tila, dt. South Tripura
The site was subjected to excavations during the field seasons, 2000-01. The excavations has unearthed a crucified plan of a brick built stupa with large number of terracotta plaques depicting the contemporary socio-economic scenes of drummers, musicians and number of plaques depicted the gods and goddess of Buddhist panthenon.
Boxanagar, dt. West Tripura
Boxanagar lies about 40 km west of Agartala. The site subjected to excavation during 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04. The excavations have laid bare a massive brick built stupa, a chaityagriha and a monastery. The stupa is square on plan measuring 15.40 m X 15.40 m. The basement of the stupa arranged in eight mouldings is gradually diminishing order over which the tapering medhi set with the help of mud mortar and burnt bricks (brick size: 30 x 23 x 6 cm; 31 x 24 x 5 cm; 31 x 25 x 6 cm). The upper portion of the stupa is badly damaged due to brick robbing and natural weathering.
The remains of a chaityagriha was exposed to the eastern side of the stupa. It is rectangular on plan & the exposed structure measures 18.10 m x 10.65 m. The superstructure is completely damaged except for the side walls with its extant height reaching up to 1.60 m. It had a central nave and two side aisles. A small staircase was provided on the eastern side to enter into the chaityagriha.
The monastry was laid bare on the eastern side of the chaityagriha and stupa. The brick built cellular structures with a long corrider between rows of five cells on either side resembling a monastry with massive architectural plan. The monastery was constructed in three successive stages.
The noteworthy antiquities form the excavation include 150 nos of clay sealings of Buddhist creeds discovered from the central chamber of the stupa, three images of Buddha in seating posture, silver coins ; carved bricks with kumuda motifs , fragments of vases, terracotta spindle whorls, hopscotch, beads; iron pins, copper rings and votive objects .
The pottery assemblage mostly comprises of red ware which are mostly wheel turned. The shapes include bowls, vases, shallow dishes, handis, medium size pots, sprinklers, button knob lids.
On the stylistic ground the site can be dated to 6th cent. A.D.