Tilwada Excavation Unveils Massive Royal War Chariot, Sparking Global Archaeological Interest

 Badaun, – A significant archaeological discovery has emerged from Tilwada village in the Chhaprauli area of Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh, where the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a royal war chariot during an ongoing excavation. The massive wheels of the chariot, now visibly protruding from the earth, have captured the attention of archaeologists, historians, and researchers worldwide, marking a pivotal moment in the study of ancient Indian history.

The excavation, which began in a planned manner at the Aala Teela mound in Tilwada on December 10, 2024, has revealed a range of artifacts, including a copper-crafted rectangular plate, daggers, beads, small and large pots, and a coffin-like structure positioned adjacent to the chariot. The chariot’s axle, wheels, and frame exhibit intricate copper engravings, with large clay pots placed at its four corners, suggesting the burial of a high-ranking individual, possibly a warrior or elite figure. Notably, the Tilwada chariot appears significantly larger than the three chariots previously discovered in Sinauli, a nearby site in Baghpat district, excavated by the ASI in 2018.

The discovery was first highlighted by Hindustan newspaper on April 16, 2025, igniting a wave of enthusiasm among the global archaeological community. While the upper copper layers of the chariot have deteriorated over time, the engraved designs on the wheels remain remarkably intact, showcasing the advanced craftsmanship of the era. However, the upper part of the chariot is missing, likely damaged during earlier excavations or soil mining activities in the area. Sources indicate that more than one war chariot may have been present at the site, but not all could be preserved, raising concerns about the handling of the excavation process.

Dr. Amit Rai Jain, a senior archaeologist involved in the project, expressed both excitement and concern over the findings. “The discovery of a royal war chariot and coffin in Tilwada, similar to those in Sinauli, underscores the presence of a warrior culture in this region. This could significantly alter our understanding of ancient history,” he stated. However, he also criticized the failure to preserve additional chariots at the site, calling it a “shameful oversight.” Dr. Jain urged the ASI to investigate the matter and take action against responsible officials, emphasizing the need for a larger-scale excavation to confirm whether Tilwada was a settlement of elite warriors, potentially linked to a significant battle over 5,000 years ago. He plans to meet Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to demand a formal inquiry.

The Tilwada excavation had initially been paused, but following the Hindustan report, the ASI team resumed work with renewed vigor to carefully extract the chariot. The findings draw parallels with the Sinauli site, which gained global attention in 2018 for its 4,000-year-old chariots and royal burials, dated to around 2000 BCE and associated with the Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture. The Tilwada chariot, with its larger dimensions and intricate copper work, adds a new dimension to the study of ancient Indian warfare and societal structures, reinforcing the region’s historical significance in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.

As the ASI continues its efforts to preserve and analyze the Tilwada findings, the site has once again become a focal point for scholars seeking to unravel the mysteries of India’s ancient past, potentially reshaping narratives around early warrior civilizations in the subcontinent.