Aarey Forest’s Ancient Artefacts Spark Demand for Archaeological Survey
Mumbai’s Aarey Forest, often touted as the city’s green lung, has revealed its deep historical roots, with recent discoveries of ancient artefacts sparking significant calls for archaeological intervention. On January 14, a local resident, Juber Ansari, unearthed a historical pedestal while cleaning a drainage line near a cattle farm.
Initially obscured by cow dung, Ansari’s instinct that the stone could have archaeological importance was later confirmed when intricate carvings were discovered upon washing it. Consultation with experts suggested it could be a temple pedestal, possibly linked to a structure older than the 13th century. This discovery is not an isolated event. Since 2018, Ansari has found over 20 significant artefacts in Aarey, including a shivalinga, a goddess Mahakali idol, and several pillars. The sheer frequency of these discoveries has prompted conservationists and historians to call for a thorough archaeological excavation of the site. The demand for exploration has been ongoing since 2019, with Ansari having written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) repeatedly to examine the area.
In response, an ASI official visited Aarey Forest in December 2022, producing a report in January 2023 which recommended further study, citing the presence of other ancient remains, such as caves. The report suggested that the site might date back to the Yadava period (12th-13th century CE). With the latest find, Ansari and other environmentalists fear that encroachment or unregulated construction could jeopardise the site’s preservation. Ansari has urged the ASI to act swiftly, asserting that the artefacts could hold key insights into Mumbai’s largely unexplored past. “These artefacts may be the remnants of a temple or significant historical site,” he said. “To understand their origin, the site must be excavated and protected.” Amrita Bhattacharjee, a prominent member of the Aarey Conservation Group (ACG), echoed these concerns, stating that despite previous efforts to urge local authorities to investigate, little action had been taken.
In May 2023, Bhattacharjee sent a letter to the Mumbai suburban collector demanding the exploration of the site, but the complaint was dismissed after an inspection for illegal excavation. In response to the latest discovery, over 170 members of ACG penned a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, demanding the protection and exploration of the site. The situation grew more urgent in December 2024, when reports emerged of illegal digging just 10 meters from where the artefacts were found. This has further heightened fears that valuable historical material could be lost or stolen by miscreants. “We have not heard from the ASI or the Chief Minister’s office regarding this issue,” Bhattacharjee lamented. She has now directed her focus to the state archaeology department in hopes of securing timely action to protect Aarey’s rich but fragile historical legacy. The call to excavate Aarey is not merely a local issue; it holds significant cultural and historical implications. As Mumbai’s only substantial green space, the forest’s potential to unearth long-buried elements of its history could provide crucial insights into the region’s ancient past, much of which remains obscured.
