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Late Harappan Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Daimabad

In Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

  • Southernmost Harappan and Late Harappan site.
  • Chalcolithic and Late Harappan phase found.

Multiple periods:

  • Period I:- Savalda culture
  • Period II: Late Harappan culture
  • Period III:- Daimabad Culture
  • Period IV: Malwa culture
  • Period V: Jorwe culture

Late Harappan:

  • Pottery: Fine red ware with linear and geometric designs in black.
  • Seals: Seals with Harappan writing and inscribed potsherds.
  • Tools: Microlithic blades, stone and terracotta beads, shell bangles, gold beads, terracotta measuring scale.
  • Copper: Smelted locally.
  • Agriculture: Millets, gram, moong, horse gram.

Daimabad culture:

  • Pottery: Black-on-buff/cream ware.
  • Copper-smelting: Furnace found.
  • Burials: Three different types - pit burial, urn burial, and symbolic burial.
  • Agriculture: Millets, gram, moong, horse gram, hyacinth.
  • Burials: Except for one late Harappan burial, all were of infants and young people.

Navadatoli

About Navdatoli:

  • Located in the West Nimar district of Madhya Pradesh, Navdatoli is an archaeological site from the Chalcolithic and Late Harappan periods. 
  • It is recognized as the largest settlement of the Malwa culture. 

Habitation Features:

  • The ancient village at Navdatoli was inhabited through four stages and featured circular and rectangular houses. 
  • Houses were constructed using circular wattle-and-daub techniques, with post holes indicating the structure's framework. 
  • Floors of the houses were plastered with lime, providing durability. 
  • Evidence of chulhas (hearths) and storage jars found within the houses suggests a settled lifestyle with cooking and storage activities. 

Pottery:

  • Pottery fragments recovered from the site include Black Red Ware (BRW) and grey ware with painted designs, indicating a variety of pottery styles and uses. 

Subsistence and Tools:

  • Evidence of animal domestication suggests that the inhabitants relied on domesticated animals for various purposes. 
  • The presence of microliths (small stone tools) indicates the use of specialized tools for hunting or gathering activities. 

Kayatha

In Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh:

  • Time Period: Chalcolithic and late Harappan period. 
  • Pottery: Found fine, sturdy, wheel-made pottery. 
  • Houses: Constructed from mud and reed, with mud-plastered floors. 
  • Animal Remains: Discovered bones of domesticated cattle and horses, but no grain remains. 
  • Artefacts: Included microliths made of locally sourced chalcedony, copper axes, chisels, bangles, and ornaments made from agate, steatite, and carnelian beads. 
  • Origin of Axes: Some axes were sourced from Ganeshwar. 
  • Occupation Timeline: Experienced an abrupt break in occupation around 1800 BCE, later reoccupied during the Ahar/Banas culture phase. 

Ahar

Location: On the banks of the Ahar River in southeastern Rajasthan. 

Time Period: Chalcolithic and Late Harappan era. 

  • Pottery: Black and Red Ware (BRW) featuring linear and dotted designs. 
  • Pottery Shapes: Includes bowls, bowls-on-stands, and vases. 

Habitation:

  • Single, double, and multi-roomed houses. 
  • House shapes include rectangular, square, and circular. 
  • Construction materials: Stones and mud bricks, with walls plastered using mud. 

Subsistence Pattern:

  • Cultivation of wheat, barley, and other crops. 
  • Animal rearing. 
  • Hunting. 

Trade Links: Established trade connections with the Harappan civilization. 

Gilund

  • Rajsamand District in Rajasthan
  • Chalcolithic and Late Harappan Site
  • Largest Site of Ahar-Banas Complex

Lothal

  • Lothal is an archaeological site of an ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilization located in the state of Gujarat, India. 
  • It was one of the southernmost cities of the Harappan culture and is known for its well-planned dockyard, which is considered one of the world's earliest. 
  • The name "Lothal" means "the mound of the dead" in Gujarati. 

Historical Significance:

  • Lothal dates back to around 2400 BCE and was a thriving trade and commerce center. 
  • The city's location near the Gulf of Khambhat facilitated maritime trade with other regions, including Mesopotamia and the Arabian Peninsula. 
  • Lothal was known for its bead-making industry, and various artifacts, including beads, seals, and pottery, have been excavated from the site. 

Archaeological Features:

  • The most prominent feature of Lothal is its dockyard, which measures about 220 meters long and 35 meters wide. 
  • The dockyard was connected to the Sabarmati River, allowing ships to access the city. 
  • Other notable features include a sophisticated drainage system, residential areas, and public baths. 
  • The city's layout reflects advanced urban planning, with a grid pattern of streets and well-defined residential and industrial areas. 

Decline:

  • Lothal's decline is believed to have occurred around 1900 BCE, possibly due to ecological changes, such as river course alterations and siltation of the dockyard. 
  • After the decline of the Harappan culture, Lothal continued to be inhabited, but its significance diminished, and it became a smaller settlement. 

Modern-day Lothal:

  • Today, Lothal is a protected archaeological site and a popular tourist destination. 
  • The site provides valuable insights into the maritime trade, industry, and urban planning of one of the world's earliest civilizations. 
  • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) continues to study and preserve the site, contributing to our understanding of ancient Indian history. 

Rangpur

  • Location: Saurashtra peninsula, Gujarat. 
  • Cultural Phases: Mature and late Harappan phase, as well as a post-Harappan period. 
  • Construction Material: Acacia wood was used in building structures. 

Artifacts Found:

  • Dishes 
  • Black Red Ware (BRW) and high-necked jars 
  • Evidence of shell working 

Plant Remains:

  • Bajra (pearl millet) 
  • Rice 
  • Millet 

Rojdi

  • The site is located in Rajkot district, Gujarat. 
  • It dates back to the Mature Harappan, Late Harappan, and Palaeolithic periods. 

Houses:

  • The houses were constructed on stone foundations. 
  • No bricks were found at the site. 

Pottery:

  • The pottery found at the site is hard and red in color. 

Graffiti and Script:

  • Graffiti with signs from the Indus script was found, including a jar sign. 
  • A short Harappan inscription was discovered on pots. 

Tools:

  • Copper or bronze flat axes were among the tools found at the site. 

Bet Dwarka

In Gujarat:

  • Remains of a submerged port-city, including fortification walls and stone anchors, possibly dating back to around 1500 BCE. 
  • A late Harappan seal featuring Harappan writing. 
  • A three-headed animal motif resembling those found on certain Persian Gulf seals, indicating the continuation of trade with the Persian Gulf. 
  • Elements of Harappan urbanism such as cities, script, seals, specialized crafts, and long-distance trade declined in the late Harappan phase but did not completely vanish. Some late Harappan sites like Bet Dwarka can still be considered urban. 

Desalpur

In Kutch district, Gujarat:

  • Archaeological site with evidence of a small mature Harappan and late Harappan phase, but no early Harappan phase. 
  • Features a very large fortification constructed of stones with mud filling inside. 
  • Presence of BRW (Black Red Ware) pottery. 
  • Occupation continued during the post-Harappan period. 

Chanhudaro

In Sindh, Pakistan:

  • A small Harappan site. 
  • A Mature and Late Harappan only. 
  • No fortification. 
  • Mud-brick platforms. 
  • Streets covered drains made of burnt bricks. 
  • Pottery kilns. 
  • Centre of craft activity: 
  • Carnelian, agate, amethyst, and crystal as well as finished and unfinished beads. 
  • A bead factory, mostly made of steatite. 
  • Seal making, shell working, and the making of stone weights. 

Amri

Harappa: 

  • Harappa is an archaeological site located in Punjab, Pakistan, on the banks of the Ravi River. 
  • It was one of the major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and social organization. 
  • The site was first excavated in the 1920s and has since revealed a wealth of information about the life and culture of the people who lived there during the Bronze Age. 

Mohenjo-Daro: 

  • Mohenjo-Daro is another prominent archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in Sindh, Pakistan, along the Indus River. 
  • Like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro was a major urban center known for its sophisticated grid layout, advanced drainage system, and impressive public buildings. 
  • The site was also excavated in the 1920s and has provided valuable insights into the daily life, economy, and culture of the Indus people. 

Jhukar

Late Harappan Culture in Sindh, Pakistan:

  • Pottery from this period shows some continuity with the mature Harappan style. 
  • Urban features present in earlier times disappeared during this phase. 
  • Artefacts from this period include stone weights and female figurines, which became increasingly rare. 
  • A notable find is a circular stamp seal with a geometric design, but lacking Indus script. 
  • There was a decline in long-distance trade during this period. 

Mitathal

In Bhiwani district, Haryana:

  • Village type late Harappan site.
  • House of mud brick and kitchen found with chulha.
  • Coins of Kushana.

Alamgirpur

Harappan Site in Saharanpur District, UP:

  • Location: Easternmost Harappan site in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Site Period: Mature and Late Harappan period. 
  • Early Harappan Level: No evidence of early Harappan level found. 
  • Late Harappan Period Findings: Burnt bricks and copper objects discovered. 
  • Transition to PGW: PGW (Painted Grey Ware) preceded by a late Harappan level. 
  • Occupation Gap: Break in occupation noted between Late Harappan and PGW periods. 

Bhagwanpura

In Kurukshetra district, Haryana:

  • The Late Harappan phase exhibits craft activities, including the creation of clay tablets and sherds featuring graffiti. 
  • There is an overlap between the Late Harappan period and the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture. 
  • A significant discovery includes a large, 13-room house constructed from baked bricks. 
  • Various artefacts have been found, including those made of stone, bone, and terracotta. 
  • However, there is no evidence of iron artefacts in the region. 

Ropar

In Rupnagar district, Punjab:

  • IVC, PGW, and NBPW: The site has evidence of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), Painted Grey Ware (PGW), and Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). 
  • No Early Harappan Level: There is no evidence of an early Harappan level at this site. 
  • Transition from Village to Town: The site shows a transition from village to town between 600–200 BCE, with findings of NBPW, punch-marked coins, and copper coins. 
  • Brahmi Inscription:. seal with an inscription in Brahmi script was found at the site. 
  • Houses: The houses at the site were made of stone, mud-brick, and burnt brick. 
  • Iron Workshop and Agate Beads: Evidence of an iron workshop and agate beads was found in the NBPW context. 

Harappa

  • Location: Along the banks of the Ravi River in Punjab, Pakistan. 
  • Phases: Early, mature, and late Harappan phases have been identified here. 
  • Discovery: Harappa was the first site of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) to be discovered. 
  • Urban Culture: The urban culture was supported by surplus agricultural production and commerce. 
  • Trade: There was trade with Sumer in southern Mesopotamia. 
  • Living Quarters: The site had differentiated living quarters, flat-roofed brick houses, and fortified administrative or religious centers. 
  • City Planning: Harappa followed a grid planning system. 
  • Granaries: A row of six granaries was found, indicating storage of surplus grain. 

Burials:

  • Harappa is the only place with evidence of coffin burial
  • There is also evidence of fractional burial and coffin burial. 

Grave Goods:

  • Cemetery-H was found to contain alien people
  • Harappa had a citadel and fortified city. 
  • Seals and stone figurines were discovered, including a torso of a naked male and female figure in a dancing pose. 
  • Evidence of bronze smelting was also found. 

Gumla

  • The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the oldest urban cultures in the world, known for its advanced city planning, architecture, and social organization. 
  • It flourished around 2500 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India, along the fertile plains of the Indus River and its tributaries. 
  • The civilization is famous for its impressive cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, which featured well-planned streets, drainage systems, and public buildings. 
  • The people of the Indus Valley were skilled in various crafts, including pottery, weaving, and metallurgy, and they engaged in extensive trade with neighboring regions. 
  • Despite its achievements, the civilization declined around 1900 BCE for reasons that are still debated by historians, such as climate change, shifting river patterns, or invasions. 
  • Today, the Indus Valley Civilization is recognized for its significant contributions to human history and its influence on subsequent cultures in the region. 

Location:

  • The Indus Valley Civilization was located in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. 
  • It was situated along the Indus River and its tributaries, which provided fertile land for agriculture. 
  • Major cities of the civilization, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. 

Period:

  • The Indus Valley Civilization flourished between approximately 2500 BCE and 1900 BCE. 
  • This period is known for the emergence of urban centers, advanced infrastructure, and a high level of craftsmanship. 
  • The decline of the civilization occurred around 1900 BCE, but the reasons for this decline are still a topic of research and debate among historians. 

Mundigak

In the  Neolithic,Chalcolithic,and Harappan period, various artifacts such as painted pottery depicting scared fig leaves and tiger-like animals, as well as items like hump bulls, human figurines, shaft hole axes, and terracotta drains were discovered. 

During the  Harappan period, 

  • significant structures like a palace, temple, and city wall were built. 

Akhnoor / Manda

Akhnoor District, Jammu and Kashmir:

  • Located on the banks of the Chenab River, Akhnoor is the northernmost Harappan site. 
  • The site dates back to the Mature and Late Harappan periods. 
  • Archaeological findings include bangles, potshards with Harappan writings, and bone arrowheads from the Harappan period. 
  • From the Kushana period, artefacts such as pottery, terracotta figurines, iron daggers, and copper rods have been discovered. 
  • The site also produced various types of pottery, including Black Red Ware (BRW), red ware, and grey ware. 
  • Akhnoor was a source of timber for Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) sites
  • The Akhnoor Fort, built by Raja Alam Singh in 1802, is a notable landmark in the area. 

Late Harappan Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

The document Late Harappan Sites | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) is a part of the UPSC Course History Optional for UPSC (Notes).
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FAQs on Late Harappan Sites - History Optional for UPSC (Notes)

1. What are the key characteristics of Late Harappan sites?
Ans. The Late Harappan sites are characterized by a decline in urban planning and architectural sophistication compared to the Mature Harappan period. Key features include the use of smaller, less organized settlements, a shift to rural agricultural practices, and a reduction in trade activities. Pottery styles also changed, with the introduction of painted and plain wares.
2. Which regions are known for Late Harappan archaeological sites?
Ans. Late Harappan archaeological sites are primarily found in the regions of present-day Pakistan and northwest India. Notable sites include the areas around the Ghaggar-Hakra river system, particularly the sites of Kalibangan and Rakhi Garhi, as well as sites in the eastern Punjab region.
3. What led to the decline of the Harappan Civilization during the Late Harappan period?
Ans. The decline of the Harappan Civilization during the Late Harappan period is attributed to several factors, including climate change, which led to reduced rainfall and agricultural productivity, as well as possible shifts in trade routes and socio-political factors that contributed to urban disintegration and population decline.
4. How did the Late Harappan culture differ from the earlier Harappan culture?
Ans. The Late Harappan culture differed from the earlier Harappan culture in several ways. There was a marked decrease in the complexity of urban centers, with a move towards smaller, more localized settlements. The material culture also saw changes in pottery styles, tools, and the prominence of new agricultural practices, indicating a shift from a highly organized urban society to a more rural and agrarian lifestyle.
5. What is the significance of studying Late Harappan sites in understanding ancient Indian history?
Ans. Studying Late Harappan sites is significant for understanding the transition from urban to rural life in ancient India. It provides insights into the socio-economic changes that occurred after the decline of the Harappan Civilization, including shifts in trade, culture, and settlement patterns. This knowledge helps historians and archaeologists trace the evolution of early Indian society and its adaptations to changing environmental and socio-political landscapes.
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