Hastinapura
Hastinapur · Kuru Capital · Mahabharata Capital
PGW 1100–600 BCE (Kuru) → NBPW 600–300 BCE → Historic·Kuru Mahajanapada (PGW culture) → NBPW Early Historic·🇮🇳 Uttar Pradesh, Meerut District, Mawana Tehsil, Hastinapura town 37 km NE of Meerut on old Ganga plain (Ganga 8 km east today), India
About
About Hastinapura
Hastinapura — capital of Kuru Mahajanapada (c.1100–600 BCE, PGW 1100–600 BCE, NBPW 600–300 BCE) at Hastinapur, Meerut district, excavated 1950–52 by B.B. Lal (ASI). Hastinapura is Kuru capital per Mahabharata and Purana, described in Mahabharata as Kaurava–Pandava seat, flooded by Ganga per Puranas (Ganga shifted 8 km). Deep stratigraphy: Ochre Coloured Pottery → PGW (1100–600) with houses → NBPW → Sunga → Gupta. PGW type-site: black-and-red painted grey ware, wattle-and-daub houses, copper. Upper Ganga plain type-site for PGW culture matching Mahabharata horizon.
Why it mattersKuru capital per Mahabharata — PGW type-site confirming Upper Ganga Early Iron Age horizon
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Ganga flood that destroyed Kuru capital — layer evidence?
Theories
- 01PGW as Kuru–Panchala material correlate (Lal)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1100 BCE PGW Kuru capital; later NBPW 600 BCE
- Period
- PGW 1100–600 BCE (Kuru) → NBPW 600–300 BCE → Historic
- Culture
- Kuru Mahajanapada (PGW culture) → NBPW Early Historic
- Builders
- Kuru kings (Parikshit, Janamejaya per epic) and PGW artisans
- Purpose
- Kuru Mahajanapada capital on Upper Ganga plain controlling Ganga–Yamuna doab
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1100–600 BCE
PGW Kuru capital with wattle-and-daub houses
c.600–300 BCE
NBPW city rebuilt after Ganga flood
1950–52
B.B. Lal excavations prove PGW stratigraphy and flood silts
On the ground
Structures & features
29.1700° N · 78.0200° E · 205 m · 2 mapped features
PGW Habitation Mound (Southern Sector)
settlement1100–600 BCE PGW houses with painted grey ware and copper south
29.1710° N · 78.0192° ENBPW and Flood Silt Horizon (Northern Sector)
horizonNBPW rebuilt after Ganga flood silts with Northern Black Polished Ware north
29.1685° N · 78.0211° E
Gallery