Abstract
Kurukshetra, revered as the Land of the Kurus, holds a central place in the religious, historical, and cultural traditions of ancient India. Within this sacred landscape, Raja Karan Ka Tila/Qila stand out as a prominent archaeological mound, linked through legend to Karan of the Mahabharata and significant for its material traces of long- term settlement. The site has previously been excavated, yet in recent decades its condition has changed considerably due to natural processes and human activities. The present study aims to re-examine Raja Karan Ka Tila Through a series of field explorations conducted between 2024 and 2025. The primary objective is to assess the current state of the mound in comparison with earlier excavation reports, to identify visible alterations on the surface, and to evaluate the impact of ongoing religious and domestic use on its preservation. A further aim is to highlight the cultural importance of the site within the broader archaeological context of Kurukshetra and to emphasize the urgent need for systematic conservation strategies. By combining present observations with a review of past studies, this research seeks to contribute to the understanding of Raja Karan Ka Tila’s archaeological significance while drawing attention to the pressing challenges of heritage management in the region.
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