Report on the Excavations at Pātaliputra (Patna): The Palibothra of the Greeks
Overview
This 123-page archaeological report by Lieutenant-Colonel L. A. Waddell, M.B., LL.D., I.M.S., published in Calcutta in 1903, documents systematic excavations at Pataliputra—the ancient capital city of the Mauryan Empire known to the Greeks as Palibothra. The report represents early scientific archaeology in India and provides foundational documentation of one of ancient India’s most significant urban centers.
Historical Context
Although not India’s oldest city, Pataliputra served as the seat of India’s most powerful ancient dynasties and represents “the first fixed landmark in Indian chronology.” The site’s importance stems from its role as capital of the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE), particularly under Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka. Waddell’s excavations came at a time when archaeological methods were developing in India, contributing crucial evidence for Mauryan period chronology and urbanism.
Content
Structure: The report is organized into chapters covering:
- Historical introduction to Pataliputra
- Search for and discovery of the lost site
- Excavations of the city walls
- Excavations of the Mauryan palace
- Detailed artifact descriptions and stratigraphic analysis
Nine Appendices Cover:
- The Mauryas - dynastic history and chronology
- Origin of stone building and sculpture in India
- Legend of Pataliputra’s founding
- Descriptions from Chinese pilgrims’ records (Fa-Hien, Xuanzang)
- Upagupta - Ashoka’s high priest and Buddhist patriarch
Archaeological Findings: Documents discovery of massive timber palisades, structural remains of fortifications, palace architecture, pottery sequences, and various artifacts crucial for understanding Mauryan material culture and urban planning.
Significance
This report provided early scientific documentation of Pataliputra, establishing baseline data for subsequent archaeological investigations. The work was significant for:
- Confirming ancient literary descriptions (Indian and Greek sources)
- Establishing Mauryan period construction techniques
- Contributing to chronological frameworks for ancient Indian history
- Documenting the scale and sophistication of Mauryan urbanism
The excavations revealed evidence supporting historical accounts of Pataliputra as a magnificent capital city, including remains of massive fortifications and palace structures. While some of Waddell’s interpretations have been revised by later archaeology, the report remains valuable primary documentation.
How to Access
Available through Internet Archive (DLI collection) with full text freely accessible. The report is also held in the Archaeological Survey of India Central Archaeological Library. Essential reading for anyone studying Mauryan period archaeology, ancient Indian urbanism, or the history of Indian archaeological practice.