India, Oct. 4 -- Ujjain, recently in the news over the demolition of a portion of the Shahi Masjid, is a town of undisputed antiquity. Its antecedents comprise being one of the capitals of Mauryan empire and the Malwa sultanate, the setting of unforgettable classical literary works such as Meghdoot by Kalidasa and Padataditaka of Shyamalika, and much later for the firmans by emperor Aurangzeb granting clemency and lands to priests and religious establishments.

Early history

According to the eminent archaeologist, the late V. S. Wakankar, four thousand years ago humans were living in and around Ujjain, as is evidenced, according to him by Chalcolithic finds discovered near the village of Kaytha. Northern Black Polished Ware (700-200 BCE)...