Ancient City of Sisupalgarh

About Sisupalgarh:

• It is located near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha.
• It was once the capital of Kalinga, which is the ancient name of Odisha.
• It is considered one of the largest and best-preserved ancient fortifications in India.
• The fortifications are over 2,000 years old and date back to the 3rd or 4th century BC. 
• The remains of the fortification were discovered in 1948 by the Indian archaeologist B.B. Lal.
• Features:
  • It was designed and constructed in a complete square shape that was surrounded by defensive walls.
  • Each side spreads for over half a mile, and the interior is full of stone ruins and sculptures.
  • The walls of the fortification are a little over nine meters (30 feet) tall.
  • There were eight gateways into the city, two in each of the four sides of the wall. 
  • The gateways were connected by streets in a grid-like arrangement with the palace in the center.
  • The gates were elaborate structures made of brick and stone.
  • There is evidence of stone-lined reservoirs that were likely used for harvesting rainwater.
  • Intelligent traffic management, pedestrian-friendly pathways, grand gateways with guard houses, wide roads, and a vast open space were some of the key features of this ancient city.
  • The city is believed to have a population of around 20,000 to 25,000.

 

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Q1) Which region was known as Kalinga during ancient times?

Kalinga, ancient territorial subdivision of east-central India. It corresponds to present-day northern Telangana, northeastern Andhra Pradesh, most of Odisha, and a portion of Madhya Pradesh states.

Source: Land mafias damage rampart of ancient fortified city of Sisupalgarh