Indus Valley Civilization is known as the earliest urban culture. It was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent from around 2600 BCE to 1800 BCE. The Harappa civilization, also known as the Indus Valley civilization, was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent from around 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. It was spread across a vast area covering present-day Pakistan and northwestern India. The civilization was spread across a vast area covering parts of present-day Pakistan and northwestern India.
It began in the Indus River valley. Civilization provides us with much information about ancient India and its people. It makes us aware of the religious, social, political, and economic aspects of that time. Some of the major Harappan sites are as follows:
HARAPPA
This city, after which the civilization is named, is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is expected to built around 2600 BCE. Harappa site is called the “city of granaries” and was excavated by Dayaram Sahani in 1921. It was located on the banks of river Ravi. Copper or bronze implements, terracotta figurines, the two rows of granaries with brick platforms, a citadel on an elevated platform, a supposed workmen’s quarter, furnaces, etc. have been found at this location.
MOHENJO-DARO
This important site was excavated by Rakhal Das Banerjee. Mohenjo-Daro means “Mound of the dead”. At present this site is in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Remains of the Great Bath, Great Granary, Assembly Hall, Bronze image of a nude woman dancer, etc were found here. Apart from it, two Mesopotamian seals and seals of Pashupati Mahadeva were also found. It is the most populated and largest Harappan site.
KALIBANGAN
Kalibangan refers black bangles. This important site lies in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, located on the banks of the Saraswati River (now dried up). The site was first discovered by Italian Luigi Pio tesitori. Later it was excavated extensively by Amlananda Ghosh. Remains of bathrooms and toilets have been found here. Remains of fire altars, charging bulls, tiled floors, bones of camels, etc are found here. Fire altars suggest the worshiping of Agni.
LOTHAL
Lothal is located in modern-day Gujarat and was an important center for trade and commerce. It was built around 2400 BCE and was abandoned by 1900 BCE. It was a coastal town. The Lothal site was excavated by S R Rao in 1957. A Dockyard, a Terracotta figurine of a horse, fire altars, double burial (burying a male and a female in a single grave), and a painted jar were found here.
BANAWALI
Banawali was excavated by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921-1923. This site is located in the Hissar district of Haryana. This site is known for high-quality barley.
CHANHUDARO
Chanhudaro is located on the banks of the river Indus in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It was excavated by M G Majumdar in 1931. Unlike other sites, no citadel was found at this site. Inkpots, Lipstick, breadmakers shops, and Bronze toy carts were found at this site.
DHOLAVIRA
It was excavated in 1992 by R S Bisht. It was discovered by J P Joshi in 1956. The site is spread over an area of 100 hectares. It is the largest Indus Valley Civilization site within the boundaries of present-day India.
SURKOTADA
This site is located in the Bhuj area of Gujarat. it was excavated in 1962 by Dales. Skelton of horses were found here indicating that the Indus Valley Civilization people have knowledge about the use of horses. Apart from it, Pot burials and the oval grave were also found at this site.
RANGPUR
This site was excavated by M S Vatsa in 1931. It is located 50 km from Ahmadabad in Gujarat. Painted black and red ware and high-necked jars, axes, beads of steatite, and earthenware were found here.