Union Minister G Kishan Reddy Inspects Excavation at Purana Qila; Site to be Showcased as Open Air Museum

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy inspects ongoing Purana Qila excavation, revealing Delhi’s continuous history and a rich collection of artifacts.

DESK – Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy today visited the historical site of Purana Qila in Delhi to inspect the ongoing excavation work.

Identified as the ancient city of Indraprastha, this site holds great archaeological interest, having witnessed over 2500 years of Delhi’s continuous history.

G Kishan Reddy emphasised the site’s significance, stating, “This is the only site in Delhi NCR where one can witness the continuous history of Delhi from the Pre-Mauryan to Mughal period through the excavated remains.

The findings showcase the rich cultural heritage of our country.”

The excavation restarted in January 2023, aiming to establish a complete chronology of the site. Structures from the early Kushana period have been exposed, with an excavation depth of 5.50 meters reached.

The unearthed artifacts include a stone image of Vaikuntha Vishnu, a terracotta plaque of Gaja Laxmi, a stone image of Ganesha, seals, sealings, coins, terracotta figurines, beads of various stones, and a bone needle.

Minister of Culture & Tourism and Development of North-East Region, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, announced, “The excavated remains will be preserved, conserved, and provided with a shed. The site will be showcased as an Open Air Site Museum, allowing visitors to experience the rich historical legacy of Delhi.”

Notably, the excavated remains at Purana Qila are set to be a point of interest for the delegates of the G20 summit, which will be held in Delhi in September 2023.

Purana Qila has been the subject of numerous excavations in the past. Its cultural levels represent different historical periods, including Pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, Post Gupta, Rajput, Sultanate, and Mughal.