Guwahati: Archaeological excavation has started at the Harlong Kuruwati (Harlongkuruati) site in Kampur of Nagaon district to trace the historical legacy of the ancient Kapili Valley kingdom, referred to in historical records as Dabak (Davaka). The 4th-century Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta mentions Davaka as one of the frontier kingdoms of the Gupta Empire.Officials said on Tuesday the excavation is being carried out under the guidance of Nabajit Deori, director-in-charge of the Directorate of Archaeology, Assam. The excavation is led by director of excavation Chabina Hassan, with support from exploration officers Simran Sambhi and Priyanka Patir, foreman Anirban Gope, and team members Kaushik Lahon, Uttam Kumar Sahu, and Bhargav Duwarah.Last year, remains of an ancient stone temple were discovered at the same Harlongkuruati village site. Officials described it as a “chance discovery” in a paddy field where an excavator was digging for the construction of a mud dam.During a later site inspection, archaeology officials confirmed the presence of a temple plinth with exposed remains of the adhisthana (base) and jangha (wall section). Archaeologists believe these remains date from the 10th to 12th century. Broken deity sculptures and a linear arrangement of stone slabs were also found in the excavated earth. Some relics were damaged during the dam work.Further exploration led to another important site in Bundura village, around 15km north of the initial discovery, where more stone temple relics were found.Chabina Hassan said excavation at the same Harlong Kuruwati site has gained momentum in recent days. Despite rain disrupting the work, officials remain enthusiastic. “At the same site where remnants of an ancient stone temple were unearthed last year, we have expedited excavation. We are slowly getting glimpses of an alignment of a temple plinth during the ongoing work,” Hassan said. She added that the site is “disturbed” due to earth-cutting and other human activities.In a social media post, the Assam Directorate of Archaeology said, “The excavation site is situated within a region historically identified as the ancient Kapili Valley Kingdom, known across various records as Dabak (Davaka), Kapili, or Tribeg. The 4th-century Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta explicitly names the Davaka kingdom as one of the frontier territories of the Gupta Empire.” It added: “Evidence from surrounding temple ruins dating between the 5th and 12th centuries suggests that the Kapili-Jamuna valley was a significant center for Shaiva and Sakti cults. These religious traditions probably flourished under the active patronage of the Bhouma and Pala dynasty.”
