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

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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.