Chirand is an archaeological site in the Saran district of Bihar, India, situated on the northern bank of the Ganga River.
[1][2] It has a large pre-historic mound which is known for its continuous archaeological record from the Neolithic age (about 2500–1345 BC) to the reign of the Pal dynasty who ruled during the pre-medieval period.
The excavations in Chirand have revealed stratified Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Iron Age settlements, and transitions in human habitation patterns dating from 2500 BC to 30 AD.
The village has undergone erosion due to which the mound abutting the Ganga River bank is exposed, revealing brick features and potsherds.
On the top of the mound there is a mosque, which was built by Sultan Abul Muzaffar Hussain Shah of Bengal in 1503 AD.
[4] Chirand is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Chhapra, the district headquarters in the state of Bihar.
The Archaeological Survey of India controls about 0.5 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi) of the area of the village.
[6] The Ganga River tends to flow beyond capacity causing flooding and deposition of alluvium in the adjoining area.
[5] W.W. Hunter, a historian known for publishing nine volumes of The Imperial Gazetteer of India, has recorded an account of this village which he visited in 1871.
[13][14] Neolithic people experienced an economy that included hunting, gathering, fishing and animal rearing.
[15] Paddy husk impressions in some potsherds indicate Neolithic involvement in cultivating rice and cereals such as wheat, moong, masoor, and barley.
[7] Neolithic people lived in circular wattle and daub huts made of mud and reeds with rammed floors.
Burnt chunks of clay with reed or bamboo impressions suggest that houses were destroyed by fire.
Waste flakes found in the area indicate prevalence of the process of manufacture in a well established microlithic industry in the area that included chert, chalcedony, agate and jasper, derived from the dry river bed of the Son river.
[citation needed] The state government proposed an annual festival titled 'Chirand Mahotsava' with the support of Chirand Vikas Parishad.