History · 23 Oct 2026

Kashipur Govisana excavation

Consider the following developments associated with the Govisana (Kashipur) mound in Uttarakhand:

  1. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang describes a fortified town with Buddhist monasteries and an Ashokan stupa.
  2. Alexander Cunningham identifies Kashipur with Xuanzang's Kiu-pi-shwang-na.
  3. Painted Grey Ware-using communities settle at the site.
  4. A soil-brick temple platform is built in the Gupta period.
A4 - 3 - 1 - 2
B3 - 4 - 1 - 2
C3 - 1 - 4 - 2
D1 - 3 - 4 - 2
This question is based on: The Spade and the Epic: What the Kashipur Dig Can Prove and What It Never Will
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About this question

Why in news

The ASI's Dehradun Circle began a new excavation season at the Govishana mound in Kashipur in October 2026. Its stated aim is to establish the site's full cultural sequence.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests sequencing across archaeological cultures and travellers' accounts (PGW, Gupta period, Chinese pilgrims). This question also tests the habit of dating a site by its layers rather than by legend.

Prelims summary

Kashipur is identified with Govisana, recorded by Xuanzang (7th century CE) and identified by Cunningham. Its pottery runs from PGW (c. 1100-500 BCE) to the early medieval period. A Gupta-period temple platform was traced in the 1939-40, 1965-66 and 1970-71 digs.

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