PAGE 3
According to the Punjab Govt. Gazzette " Agroha" was a very big ancient city. The primary efforts to discover its historical past were made in the year 1888-89, when the Indian Govt. started excavations at the ancient agroha site under archaeologist C.T. Rogers. However the intial excavations were carried out only for 15 Days. The excavation was restarted in the year 1938-39, though even this could not be carried on for long due to the IInd world war but it provided major historical input towards Agroha's existence.In 1978-79 the Archaelogical Department of Haryana Govt. began excavation work under the guidance and supervision of Mr. J.S.Khatri and Mr. Acharya. It is quite apparent from the excavations that below the mounds existed a big, well planned progressive town.Some of the materials collected from the excavated site :
Coins : Large number of coins have been found at the excavated site. The coins are predominantly of silver & bronze in different shapes and sizes. The Script and signs on the coins depict that they belong to different periods. The bronze coins have "Agadke,Agach, Janpads" in prakrit language inscribed on them. A coin dated 200 BD called die struck or counter struck has been found besides Roman , Kushana , Yodhaya and Gupta dynasty coins .
Seals : The seals that have been found at Agroha have been inscribed with words like"Pitradutt" " Sadhu Vridhasya" "Shamkar Malasya" ". Madrsya" etc.
Artifacts : From the excavation site many statutes made of stone and sand have benn unearthed. Masks, Terracotta Animals and Toys have also been found. Utensils belonging to 2C B.D. in black ,brown and red polish have also been discovered.
Shri Shri 1008 Shri Maharaja Agrasen
The icon of non-violence, messenger of Peace, Emperor Agrasen was the eldest son of King Ballabh of Pratapnagar. King Ballabh was a Suryavamshi ( lineage from the Sun). According to the Mahalakshmi Vrath, the age then was the last stages of Dvaapar Yug. The birth of Maharaja Agrasen took place about 5185 years ago according to the current calendar. Even when he was very young, Prince Agrasen was well known for his compassion. He never discriminated against anyone and the subjects were very pleased with the way he conducted himself. When Agrasen became a young man, he attended the Swyamvara of the daughter of the King Nagaraj, Princess Madhavi. Many kings from around the world attended including Indra, the King of the Devas. In the Swayamvara, Princess Madhavi selected Prince Agrasen, by putting the garland on him. This marriage merged two different family cultures, because Prince Agrasen was a Suryavanshi and Princess Madhavi was a Naagavanshi.