An Earthenware Martban and Two Lotas 6

In the large earthen chati, more commonly called a globular pot today, were found what Sahni called lotas, used colloquially to designate drinking vessels, and are now referred to as pointed base goblets though these are not the exact ones found in that chati (A 238). Similarly what archaeologists at the time called a "martban" is the traditional name for a jar used to store pickles and sauces.

"(8) The jar known as martban for keeping pickles of the type which is used to this day. (A 276.)"

- Daya Ram Sahni, Annual Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey [of India], Hindu and Buddhist Monuments, Northern Circle for the Year Ending 31st March 1921, p. 12.

"The two vessels on the right and left are pointed base goblets that could not stand on their own and were probably used as disposable drinking cups. The central vessel has a flat base and may have been used to serve liquids or store food such as pickles as noted by the excavators. Pointed base goblets are commonly found at the largest Indus sites such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro. For comparative vessels from the HARP excavations see pointed base goblets and burial pottery."

- Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, 2021.

ASI Description: 

A. 15 [sic, must be error though clearly labelled as in Report refers to "Head and chest (height 1 7/8") of a bull of coarse clay."

A. 276 Earthen martban (height 6") still used for pickles.

A. 174 Lota (height 5"). Type 5. Found in a large chati.

[Appendix D and Original caption] 2750 An earthenware martban (A 276), a lota (A 15) Do. and another lota (A 174).

ASI Number: 
524/86
Punjab Volume: 
Silver Plate: 
2750
(Item) Serial Number: 
A 15
A 276
A 174
Trench: 
A
A
A
Find spot: 
15 x 9 [sic]
6 x 19
22 x 3
Depth (ft.): 
4
3
4
Depth (in.): 
6
6
0