They are often used in Maharashtra to store grain and spices like turmeric underground to prevent them from being infested by pests. However, these underground storage pits or granaries, called ‘pevs’, may have been in existence for centuries, suggest archaeological excavations at an early historic site in Solapur district of the state.
In 2019-20, archaeologists from the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University had excavated a site at Narkhed near Mohol in Solapur. They are in the process of compiling a report based on these excavations. The pre-Satavahana era site is located on the banks of the Bhogawati river, which originates in Dharashiv (Osmanabad) district and is the tributary of the Sina river, which further merges into the Bhima.
The Satavahanas (2nd century BC-2nd century CE) are among first indigenous dynasties and rulers of Maharashtra. The line was founded by Simuka. Gautamiputra Satakarni, who defeated the western satrap king Nahapana, is considered to be one of its greatest kings. The ‘Gatha Saptashati,’ a collection of poems and folk songs, was compiled by the king Hala Satavahana. Scholars like S.H. Joglekar have stated that the Satavahanas may have originated from the Andra Maval near Pune.
“This is a pre-Satavahana era to Satavahana era settlement dating to around 3th-4th century BCE,” said Maya Patil (Shahapurkar), head, department of archaeology, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University. She added that they had found an underground grain storage facility, which is called ‘pev’ in Marathi. This ‘pev’ was around 20 feet deep and almost 4 feet wide.
“These pevs were built till the British era. Wadas (palatial mansions of the rural or urban elite) had underground storage rooms called ‘ladni’, where grain was stored. They are airtight to prevent pest infestations. Traditionally, these facilities have been used to store surplus grain for a rainy day. Such ‘pevs’ are found in the drought-affected regions,” said Patil.
The ‘pevs’ in Sangli district are used even today for storing turmeric rhizomes. The district is famous for production of the spice. They are also found in Solapur and Dharashiv and are used to store grain like jowar and wheat.
Patil added that the ‘pev’ found at Narkhed was one of the oldest such discovery of this structure in Maharashtra. However, similar structures dating to the historical period are found elsewhere in India.
“This is pre-Satavahana era settlement. We have found remains of criss-crossware pottery, which is otherwise found on the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The black and redware pottery, which is the feature of megalithic to early historic cultures, the remains of which are found in Vidarbha, were also found,” she said. Copper coins from the Satavahana period, beads made of shell, terracotta, carnelian, and lapiz, were also found.
The archaeologists also discovered a skeleton, which was buried in a manner that indicates a ritual burial. It was found with salt, which has impeded its carbon dating, and yellowish granules or powder. The skeleton had a copper earring in the right ear and a thread that was used to tie a nail around the neck.
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