Two decades of the Mauxi rock art

Almost twenty years ago, the volunteers of Saptarang Kala Manch of Mauxi, boosted my morale and helped me actively involving in bringing to light the prehistoric heritage of the village situated at the foothills of the Western Ghats and enriched by the Zarme rivulet flowing from the Vagheri hill. Predominantly, agricultural village, the present settlers of Mauxi migrated from Bethoda of Ponda.

As per, the villagers, the rock art lying on the boulders were the creation of the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata. The temple of Puravtari, was believed to be constructed by the Pandavas during their exile and villagers wanted to build the new temple in the light of one wick and within one night. Today, the new temple of Puravtari is standing. The temple of Ravalnath, situated on the right side of the Zarme rivulet, is the chief attraction for the devotees, who throng in a big number on the occasion of the Dussehra festival. The persons, who are believed to be possessed by the ghosts and goblins are brought here and through the blessings of insignia of Ravalnath, are relieved. As the rivulet, in the past, was having a large quantity of water, the villagers were involved in doing the autumn season agriculture at Ravalnathache Vaigan and also the silt based agriculture called the Puran sheti. As per, locals, before their settlement, Mauxi had been dominated by the primitive Dhavad community. The ancestors of present settlers, treacherously assassinated all of them and established their supremacy.

On April 4, 2004, under the initiative of Devidas Gaonkar, Rupesh Gaonkar, Jaidev Gaonkar, Santosh Gaonkar, Rama Gaonkar and Sangam Patil, were successful in unearthing the hidden treasure of prehistory. Pundalik Govind Gaonkar, who completed, then 75 years of age, told, During our childhood, when we used to come for doing the silt based agriculture believed to be creation of the Pandavas,we every time, mesmerized by enjoying glimpses of these specimen of rock art.

As some boulders were taken for various purposes from the course of the rivulet, the specimen of rock art went into oblivion.

Carvings of the bull fight, dancing woman, X - ray type of bulls, foot print, trident, deer, barking deer, came to light, on account of the excavation carried out by the volunteers. Contribution of the journalist, Devidas Gaonkar, in bringing the heritage of rock art to light is indeed noteworthy and memorable.

Villagers of Mauxi, have the belief that Ravalnath of their village, is unmarried and they also do not marry with the girls from Coparde, Veluz and Dabe.

Mauxi rock carvings are unique specimens of creative mind inherited from ages, displaying hidden facets of unknown history here before.

There is an urgent need of doing in-depth research and study of the rock art of Mauxi. Recently, The Directorate of Archeology has notified it as a protected site. If proper steps aiming conservation and protection of the site are taken it will certainly help in boosting the heritage tourism of Sattari.

Carvings of the Zebu, found in Mauxi are clear indicators of transition from the hunter gatherers to the agro-pastoral society. These bovids, carved on the monolith of different shapes and sizes inside the Zarme rivulet, are the eco- geographical territorial markers that throw light on the creative talents of the prehistoric human beings.

Mauxi, etymologically, means the big sugarcane. It is situated in the vicinity of Gulle village that was associated with making jaggery. Sugarcane grown in Mauxi, might be taken to Gulle, for the production of jaggery, during the hoary past.

The rock carvings of Mauxi, are unique not only in Goa, but also in the Southern Konkan to Udupi - Malabar region, as far as styles, designs and skills are concerned. Archaeologists associated with Archeological survey of India, Goa Mini circle, had done comparative study of the rock art of Mauxi with the rock art of Maski and Piklihal sites of Raichur district of Karnataka, showcasing the heritage of prehistoric cattle herders. The rock art discovered in Virdi of Maharashtra, near to Keri of Sattari has some parallel linkages with Mauxi rock art, and the researchers have a lot of scope to study in this direction.

Petroglyphs of Barsu

While returning back after visiting the goddess Aryadurga originally worshipped in the island village of Anjadip of Goa that is believed to come to Devihosal for the intense  devotion shown by the aged devotee, we visited the plateau of Barsu on the way to Rajapur.

Barsu a village 10 kms  away from the city of Rajapur, recently is in the news as the government has decided to hand over the laterite plateau in the village for the proposed petrochemical industry, which however met with a stern opposition from the local villagers. The villagers are of the views that the Petrochemical industry,  would pose serious threat to the invaluable archeological heritage of Petroglyphs inherited, since the unknown span of the time period. Locally, the villagers call this plateau as the Tarwacha sada that means the plateau of boats. This name has been given as the locals, who were taking their cattle and buffaloes for grazing, were coming across the petroglyphs showcasing complex geometrical, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic shapes and sizes.

Barsu plateau offers excellent view of Petroglyphs of varied diversity in shapes,sizes and styles that are beyond imagination to understand and agree by the researchers. One can see the zoomorphic forms that are identified by the petroglyph experts as the Shark, crocodile, aligator and other wild animals.

Many of the Petroglyphs are accompanied with the abstract motifs and symbols, about which archaeologists continued to have differences about their age, meaning and creators. The locals used to call this area as the Tarwacha sada, on account the depiction of boats like carvings.

At Barsu, most of all Petroglyphs are unique, however the carving of a man and two tigers is indeed eye catching. The man is shown standing between two figures of tigers jumping towards him. The man has been depicted with streched arms to keep these tigers at the bay.

For the carving of tigers, markings made of stripes patterns is also different from the tiger that is seen in the Western Ghat forest.

Barsu plateau has more than 50 Petroglyphs, having a lot of variations as far as styles and patterns of carvings are concerned.

Though, the plateau where these Petroglyphs have been discovered, now has very little forestry species, but in the past, the situation however was totally different and there is need of doing extensive field study and research in unearthing the hidden secrets associated with the history and heritage of the Petroglyphs of Barsu.

The plateau has the trees like Falcornia insignis,thorny bushes and varied plants of wild berries. During the monsoon it, display excellent diversity of seasonal wild flowers, whereas after rain recedes, it is full with large tracts of grassland, that attracts a wide range of wild herbivores animals. Due to this, finds of the Petroglyphs during the rainy season and after it, is indeed cumbersome. However, when, some one able to discover, these Petroglyphs, he or she will indeed find extra ordinary experience that certainly boost to unearth the secrets associated it.

Indo -Portuguese coins found in Sattari

The earthen pot containing almost 832 Indo-Portuguese coins were found in the cashew plantation ofNanoda in Sattari, just 1 km away from the Kalasa nalla that eventually joins the Mhadei at Dusgir in Nanoda.

Vishnu Shridhar Joshi, 66 years of age alongwith the workers, while clearing the exotic weeds inside the Cashew plantation, suddenly came across, the earthen pot full with the Indo-Portuguese coins, belonging the first half of the sixteenth century.

Though the Portuguese conquered Sattari taluka in 1746 first, they took possession of it in 1782 amidst the revolt of Rane. These all copper coins, belonging to the early period of their rule and are helpful in throwing the socio-cultural and economic aspects of history of the Mhadei region.

As the area is situated on the Ghat pathway connecting British India with Portuguese India, these find of copper coins will help in unearthing the history of the Mhadei region. Just few kms away one of the biggest Hero stone depicting horses, elephants and camel and royal personnels have been discovered at Kadtari in Sonal village, locally known as the Bonelkarache Pashan. During the olden time,the travellers,traders were using the pathways going through the forest, connected to the Ghat ways.

After a major military defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by the combined armies of Deccan Sultanates,the rule lasted until 1646.Goa was under the rule of the Vijayanagara kingdom and the Bahamani Sultanates.However,when the Portuguese took over the possession of the Old Conquests , Goa continued trading relationship with the Vijayanagara and the hoard of coins that was found in Nanoda might be taken from the Old Conquests through the Ghat way to the neighbouring Kingdom by merchants. The place where the hoard of coins were found in Haddiche Bharad area of Nanoda, lies on the slope of the hillock adjacent to the Western Ghat of Sattari.

The place, where the hoard of 832 copper coins were found, lies on the trijunction of the Chorla ghat, Kel ghat and Chand Surya ghat connecting to different princely states.

Portuguese were the first among the Europeans to get footage in India. They took advantage of the internal rivalry existed among the local rulers over trade and this helped them to slowly establish forts and colonies in different parts of India. Their tactical approach paved way for them to get substantial leap in trade and commerce, making them economically powerful to start minting coins. Minting coins was not only a fiscal necessity of their government, but also a Fatah-namah-a declaration of their success in establishing the supremacy for smooth trade. Coins were minted in gold, silver, copper, tin and tutenag throughout the Portuguese territories. Minting coins continued till the Anglo-Portuguese treaty signed in AD 1880. This treaty made the Portuguese coins in India obsolete and the English Rupee and Anna system came into existence as the only legal tender.[1]

The hoard that was handed over to Goa government as per primary observation has revealed that the majority of the coins are Indo- Portuguese belonging to the sixteenth century. Immediately after exercising sway over the territories of the Old Conquests, consisting of Tiswadi,Bardez and Salcete( including Marmagoa),for encouraging trade,commerce ,the Portuguese government first introduced from 1509 to 1580,the Pardau coin .After it ,they introduced the Bazaruco copper coins,bearing the initial of Joao III,that were minted in Goa and Ceilao mints from 1522 to 1557. Bazaruco copper coins were released during the rule of Sebastiao I from 1557 to 1578,that were minted in Goa mint.[2]


Reference:

1. Indo-Portuguese Coins: A Preliminary Review by Preeta Nayar (University of Kerala) 2017

2. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/inde_portugaise-1.html#c_inde_portugaise2167

My Narayan Mama

In India, the family doesn't constitute only parents and siblings, but it includes a large number of relatives from the mother as well as the father's sides. From my childhood, I have been enjoying the companionship of paternal and maternal relatives. My days of childhood became most memorable as I got opportunities to spend my vacation under the maternal uncles' care and affection. Situated.amidst one of the tributaries of Colval, known as the Tirsoli one side and the Colval river another side, a beautiful village of Sal had connected me. From childhood with nature and the environment has enriched my understanding about society and culture.

I considered myself very fortunate, as I got immense love and affection from my maternal uncle. My Narayan mama without having any formal schooling, got the job in the Indian Navy and had immortalised his life by serving the nation with the intense degree of dedication and commitment. Joined as a naval soldier, he in due course of life was promoted as the head constable on account of his courage, strength and excellence in the naval service.

Immediately after the independence of India, the World witnessed the cold war. Though India initiated the Non Aligned Movement, there was a glaring need for the country to take needful steps not only for land frontiers, but also the sea frontiers. To consolidate strategic sea frontiers, India purchased the aircraft carrier warship from Great Britain and named it as INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in service of the nation from 1961. Immediately after, the INS Vikrant was brought into operation during Goa liberation against the Portuguese government, where it Played a crucial role.

In facilitating the Indian army to liberate Goa from their yoke. In 1971, during the Indo-Pak war, the INS Vikrant played a significant role in implementing the economic blockade of East Pakistan and thereby helped in the birth of Bangladesh. Narayan mama was involved in the Indo-Pak war, through the INS Vikrant. His interest and hardworkwon him not only appreciation from the higher authority, but he was selected for availing special naval training in Germany.

He enjoyed many occasions exploring into the deep ocean through the submarine. When he was returning home on vacation, I used to get the opportunity to listen to courageous stories from him full of thrilling experiences.

After serving in the Indian Navy, when he retired, he concentrated his attention in toiling hard in the soil, simultaneously helping in removing the dead bodies of drowned persons from the rivers.

On the occasion of the celebration of Anant Chaturdashi, he breathed his last. His deeds and contribution during the Indo-Pak war of 1971, will be remembered by me.INS Vikrant had already been decommissioned by the Government of India, however, we should not forget the contribution done by it, in protecting the sovereignty and integrity of our country. Pakistan deployed PNS Gazi submarine to hunt INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, but the dedicated officers and the soldiers like Narayan mama foiled the conspiracy and PNS Gazi submarine went mysteriously missing from the Bay of Bengal. His departed soul, certainly will rest in eternal peace. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.

Petroglyphs of Dhamapur -Salel

The huge laterite plateau that has been spread across villages of Salel and Dhamapur of Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, came to light recently for the rich archaeological heritage of Petroglyphs.The discovery of the Petroglyphs, earlier on the various plateaus of Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra, since the period of last quarter century has indeed opened the new door for understanding the history of the coastal land, connected by the waterways to the Arabian sea.

On Kudal to Malvan main road, a small road with the temple of Giroba of Mogarane, takes you to the plateau having the rock art.

The plateau has the settlement of the pastoral Dhangar,who are living with their houses and goats.The laterite plateau has operational quarrying mine of laterite bricks in Godyachivadi, where the beautiful wild flowers of Dipcadi konkanansis have been swirling over the breeze.
Vaishali Bute, from Godyachivadi told,I had been seeing the petroglyphs, from almost 20 years ago,at Avalichi ghothan.My father in law,was telling us that,these Petroglyphs were carved by the Pandavas.
Situated at the distance of about 1300.mts from the house of Vaishali Bute, these Petroglyphs visit was possible due to Pramod Salaskar.The distance between the first site of Petroglyphs and the second is about 460 mts.

The Petroglyphs that have been noticed on the laterite plateau displays varied unfamiliar geometrical figures of different shapes and sizes . These figures have been carved by using the pointed and sharp tools and it is difficult to tell , with what objectives, these Petroglyphs have been created and by whom? These Petroglyphs depicts intricate squares,circles, rectangular shaped figures .

Dhamapur, since the hoary past have been connected to the region of the western Ghats as well as of the West Coast, witnessed flourishing trading activities.The imagery, artistic techniques,contents and composition of these Petroglyphs,if properly decipher,it will certainly help in understanding the history and heritage of the region. The diversity of symbolism,forms, composition,propertion, techniques used in Dhamapur is different from the Petroglyphs that have been discovered in other places of the vicinity.
Dhamapur with the temple of presiding deity Bhagavati and other deities , have been attracting the people from various parts. Dhamapur lake has been designated as the World Irrigation Heritage Structure in 2020.The reservoir of the lake,have been created on account of the earth fill dam that was constructed by the villagers in 1530 for irrigating their agricultural and horticultural fields.With the discovery of these Petroglyphs, the tourists, researchers will visit Dhamapur to understand the ecological, archeological and cultural history of the area, alongwith enjoying the sight of the unique lake.Unearthing the secrets connected with the abstract Petroglyphs of Dhamapur,is one of the big challenge before the archaeologists and researchers, visiting the area.The Nerur copper plate inscription of the Badami Chalukya ruler,Vijayaditya of 700 A .D. make mention of Dhamapur as Sahmyapur and Walaval as Ballalvalil situated on the either banks of the river.