TERRACOTTA FIGURINES AND RITUAL OBJECTS FROM EARLY HISTORIC ODISHA: A CASE STUDY OF SOUTH ODISHA SITES

Terracotta figurines and ritual objects from Early Historic South Odisha constitute a critical yet often underemphasized body of evidence for reconstructing regional religious life, craft production, and socio-economic interaction between c. 3rd century BCE and 4th century CE. Drawing upon archaeological materials recovered from sites such as Jaugada, Sisupalgarh, Asurgarh, and Manikapatna, this study situates terracotta assemblages within the wider cultural and riverine landscape of ancient Kalinga, particularly along the valleys of the Bansadhara River, Nagavali River, and Rushikulya River. Through typological classification, stylistic comparison, and contextual analysis, the paper examines female and male figurines, animal representations, plaques, lamps, and miniature cult objects to assess their symbolic functions and patterns of distribution. The predominance of female imagery points toward the resilience of fertility-oriented and household cult practices, while the presence of mould-made figurines and shared iconographic conventions indicates technological specialization and participation in wider interregional artistic networks. The study argues that terracotta artefacts from South Odisha were not merely decorative or subsidiary objects but active components of ritual performance and community identity. Their circulation across fortified settlements, hinterland sites, and port locations reflects the integration of domestic religiosity with emerging urbanization and trade systems. By foregrounding terracotta material culture, this paper contributes to a more grounded and socially textured understanding of Early Historic Odisha, emphasizing the interplay between localized devotional traditions and broader currents of cultural exchange.