UJJAIN is the modern name for Ujjayini. Legend has it that the
God-like king Shiva of Avanti commemorated his victory over the demon-ruler of
Tripura or Tripuri on the banks of the Narmada by changing the name of his
capital, Avantipura, to Ujjayini (one who conquers with pride).
The magnificence and the awesome spectacle of the bathing ritual
at the Simhastha defy description. Beginning on the full moon day in Chaitra
(April), it continues into Vaishakha (May), until the next full moon day. Ujjain
turns, amidst a riot of colors, into an India in miniature.
Ujjain lay on the main trade route
between north India and Deccan going from Mathura
via Ujjain to Mahismati (Maheshwar) .on the Narmada, and on
to Paithan on the Godavari, and western Asia and the West. The northern black
polished ware the NBP as it is often called which is technically the finest
pottery of the time, with a brilliantly burnished dressing almost of the quality
of a glaze in colour from jet black to a deep grey or a 'metallic blue and iron,
found their way to the northern Deccan from the Gangetic plains through Ujjain.
The articles of export to western Asia such as precious stones and pearls,
scents and spices, perfumes, silks and muslin, reached the port of
