Bhosari in Pune losing heritage to urbanisation

Known for its controversial bullock cart races, the suburb of Bhosari has a history which goes back to the megalithic era. With the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the local authorities turning a blind eye, Bhosari is losing this priceless heritage.

Archaeologists pointed out how Bhosari’s scattered remains hold the key of a very perplexing question of human antiquity. They claimed Bhosari was the place where transition of human civilisation, from hunter to agriculturist, took place.

However, in all probability, this question will remain unsolved as the remains are being destroyed at an alarming rate. According to Dr Vasant Shinde, archaeologist of Deccan College, Bhosari is the area which boasts of the earliest human inhabitation
in Pune.

The evidence of it, he points out, is scattered all around Bhosari. “Bhosari has historical remains dating back to the megalithic era (1,000 BC) till the 2nd century BC, which constitutes the early Iron Age for mankind,’’ he said.

Mostly in the form of megalithic tombs, stone circles and menhirs, these are scattered around Bhosari. There is a mention of Bhosari in the Gazette of India, 1886, about its historical importance and also lists the place as one of the archaeologically important sites. In particular, it mentions the makeshift temples of Kanoba, Khandoba and Bapujibua, located in the village.

These makeshift temples, according to the Gazette, were signs of megalithic habitation and burial grounds. The gazette also mentions the existence of a veergal (martyr stone) and praises it for the beautiful carving.

Especially important was the stone circle outside the temple of Bapujibua in Bhosari. A miniature version of its famous cousin in England, this stone circle, has a large menhir beside it. Such stone circles point out to megalithic burial grounds. The site is preserved because of the religious significance attached to it.
The only archaeological study ever undertaken in Bhosari was by the late HD Sankhali of Deccan College, in 1945. Acting at the behest of the Gazette, he had conducted a field visit to Bhosari and had reported it in the annual report of the Deccan College the following year.

Sankhali had stressed the importance of a proper dig in Bhosari to preserve archaeological remains, but it was never undertaken.
Most of the sites mentioned in the Gazette and Sankhali’s report are now lost forever. Also, a majority of the stone circles have been lost to the rapid urbanisation of the area.

DNA was able to locate the veergal mentioned in the Gazette close to the new bus stand in Bhosari. However, work on laying of a water pipeline threatens to destroy this too.

Expressing his anguish at the loss of Bhosari’s heritage, Shinde said, “For want of proper conservation, a very important piece of Pune’s history will be lost forever.”