Indus Sites at a glance

Indus Sites at a glance

• The most accepted period–2500 BC-1750 BC (by Carbon-14 dating).
• John Marshall was the first scholar to use the term ‘Indus Valley Civilisation’.
• The Indus Valley Civilisation belongs to Protohistoric Period (Chalcolithic Age/BronzeAge).

1. Harappa

• Discovered by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921.
• Situated on the bank of Ravi River.
• Located in Montgomery, Pakistan, Punjab.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Gateway city
  • fortified wall
  • workmen’s quarter
  • copper chariot with canopy
  • R-37cemetry vanity case
  • seven layers showing preHarappan to late Harappan stage
  • two statues (red stone torso and a dancer)
  • copper specimen of bullock cart

2. Mohenjodaro

• Discovered by R.D. Banerjee in 1922.
• Situated on the bank of Indus River.
• Located in Larkana, Sindh Province.
• Meaning of the word “Mohenjodaro” – ‘Mound of the dead’

Archaeological Findings 

• • Well known for the Great Bath
  • Great Granary,
  • Collegiate Building
  • Assembly Hall
  • A steatite male head with flowing hair, long-bearded
  • bronze dancing girl and complex toys.

3. Kalibangan

• Situated on the bank of Ghaggar River.
• Located in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan.
• It is also identified as being established in the triangle of land at the confluence of Drishadvati and Sarasvati Rivers.

Archaeological Findings 

• • a grave in east-west direction
  • discovery of a plough field
  • no drainage system was found
  • wall bifurcating citadel
  • fire altars

4. Koti-Diji

• Discovered by Fazal Ahmed in 1953.
• Situated on the bank of Indus River.
• Located in Khairpur, Sindh Province.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Defensive wall
  • wheel-turned pottery
  • Blade industry and houses of stone.

5. Chanhu-Daro

• Discovered by M.G. Majumdar in 1931.
• Situated on the bank of Indus River.
• Located in Sindh, Pakistan.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Brick or Stone fortification
  • curved bricks for bath tubs
  • water tanks
  • intersecting circles painted on jars
  • toys like decorated carts with humped oxen
  • bronze shafthole axe.

6. Ropar

• Discovered by Y.D. Sharma in 1953.
• Situated on the bank of Sutlej River.
• Located in Rupnagar, Punjab.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Ware with and without slip
  • black and red ware and ochre-coloured ware
  • spouted vessels and copper objects.

7. Banwali

• Discovered by R.S. Bisht in 1974.
• Situated on the bank of Ghaggar River.
• Located in Hisar, Haryana.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Pre-Harappan and Harappan sites
  • remains of streets and drains
  • traces of barley.

8. Alamgirpur

• Discovered by Y.D. Sharma in 1974.
• Situated on the bank of Hindon River.
• Located in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
• Eastern most Indus Site.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Pottery
  • black ware, red ware
  • plant fossils
  • animal bone and copper tools.

9. Suktagendor

• Discovered by R.L. Stein in 1927.
• Situated on the bank of Dasht River.
• Located in Makran, Balochistan.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Trade point between Harappa and Babylon
  • western-most site.

10. Lothal

• Discovered by S.R. Rao in 1957.
• Situated on the bank of Bhogava River.
• Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Meaning of the word “Lothal” – ‘Mound of the dead’

Archaeological Findings 

• • A coastal site
  • dockyard built with brick
  • discovery of dyeing-vats
  • Large cemetery
  • Rice grain funnel
  • Evidence of cotton
  • Bead factory
  • pottery with the painting of ‘clever fox’
  • trace of rice cultivation.

11. Surkotada

• Discovered by J.P. Joshi in 1964.
• Located in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Archaeological Findings 

• • elaborate fortification
  • shipping complex
  • large stone-age jar with a short inscription
  • bead industry
  • antimony rod
  • remains of horses.

12. Rangpur

• Discovered by R.S. Bisht in 1931.
• Situated on the bank of Bhadar River.
• Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Surrounded by a fort
  • local Rangpur Pottery (red ware, lustrous red ware)
  • plant remains (rice, millets and possibly bajra)
  • copper rod.

13. Dholavira

• Discovered by M.S. Vats and B.B. Lal around 1985–90.
• Located in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Archaeological Findings 

• • Several cultural stages
  • three parts of city
  • unique water management
  • first evidence of stone architecture
  • largest Harappan inscription
  • use of fire-altars.