Daimabad – Indus Valley Civilization

Daimabad is located in Maharashtra, India. It is an archaeological site rich in history and significance. Dating back to the Bronze Age, it offers a glimpse into the lives of ancient civilizations that once thrived in the region. With its mud-brick structures, pottery kilns, and intricate artefacts, Daimabad provides valuable insights into early urban life, trade networks, and cultural practices.

In this article, we are going to learn about Daimabad of Indus Valley Civilization in detail, including its features and artefacts.

Daimabad

In the year 1958 Daimabad was founded by Mr. B.P. Bopardikar. Upon being excavated at 3 sites this location was then explored by the Archaeological Survey India. This Archaeological site was discovered on the banks of the Pravara River situated in the district of the state of Maharashtra. 3 sites of excavation were carried out.

• The first was which took place in the year 1958-1959 and this was carried out under the supervision of M.N. Deshpande. 
• The second time this excavation was carried out under the supervision of S.R. Rao between the year 1974-1975. 
• Finally, this excavation was carried out a third time during the years 1975-1976 and successively in the years 1978-1979. The third excavation was done under Mr. S.A. Sali.

Features of Daimabad

Here are some of the features of Daimabad :

• Mud-brick buildings: Daimabad has old structures made of mud bricks, showing how people lived long ago.
• Pottery making: People at Daimabad made pottery in special ovens called kilns, which are found at the site.
• Ancient objects: Many things like seals, small statues, beads, and tools have been found at Daimabad, giving us clues about how people lived back then.
• Water system: Daimabad had a clever system of channels and tanks to manage water, probably for farming.
• Connected to Harappan civilization: Daimabad is linked to the Harappan civilization through similar objects and layout, helping us learn more about early cities and trade in India.

Firstly, the excavated site of the Daimabad is located in the state of Maharashtra in the Ahmadnagar district. Second, this site was found as a result of three excavation which was carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is the largest Chalcolithic site which was found in the state of Maharashtra. This is known as the largest Chalcolithic site because it was a traditional copper age site that boiled down to before the Christ era (BCE).

Artefacts of Daimabad

Here are some of the artefacts of Daimabad :

• Seals: Daimabad has yielded numerous seals made of terracotta, stone, and metal, often bearing intricate engravings or inscriptions that provide clues about trade, ownership, or religious significance.
• Figurines: The site is rich in small figurines depicting humans, animals, and deities, offering insights into the beliefs, rituals, and social customs of the ancient inhabitants.
• Beads: Archaeologists have unearthed a variety of beads made from materials such as terracotta, semi-precious stones, and metals, suggesting the presence of a sophisticated jewelry-making industry.
• Tools: Daimabad has yielded a range of tools and implements, including stone blades, metal objects, and pottery-making tools, indicative of the crafts and activities practiced by the ancient community.
• Pottery: The pottery found at Daimabad displays a wide range of shapes, sizes, and decorations, reflecting the artistic skills and technological advancements of the civilization that inhabited the site.

Daimabad Hoard

The Archaeological Survey of India excavated this location of the site Daimabad three times. However, the major findings and discoveries of this location were done by the Bhil community. The Bhil community produced four bronze hoards as the findings of these site excavations these four bronze hoardings comprised of the following things : 

1. Sculpture of the man who was pulling a chariot, this chariot was drawn by two oxen and this man was known as Daimabad man,
2. Water buffalo,
3. The Rhinoceros and
4. An elephant

The details of the hoards can be elaborated as follows : 

Sculptures	Length	Breadth	Height	Description
Sculpture of a chariot	45 cm	16 cm		Yoked on two oxen
Sculpture of a water buffalo	25 cm		31 cm	Standing on four-legged platforms over four wheels
Sculpture of an elephant	27 cm	14 cm	25 cm	No wheels or axles
Sculpture of a rhinoceros	25 cm		19 cm	Standing on two horizontal bars

FAQs on Daimabad – Indus Valley Civilisation

Was Daimabad a Harappan site?

Yes, Daimabad is considered to be a Harappan site. As archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of a civilization that flourished during the Harappan period, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.

What is Daimabad famous for?

Daimabad is famous for being an archaeological site in Maharashtra, India, known for its discovery of a Harappan-era civilization and artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age.

What are the features of Daimabad?

Daimabad is characterized by its ancient settlement remnants, including mud-brick structures, pottery kilns, and artifacts such as seals and figurines, providing insights into early urban life during the Bronze Age. The site also features a unique reservoir system, believed to have been used for water management and irrigation purposes by the ancient inhabitants.

In which state is Daimabad situated?

Located in Shrirampur Taluka, Ahmadnagar District, Maharashtra State, India, the Pravara River is a tributary of the Godavari River. B. P. Bopardikar made the site of Daimabad known in 1958. The Archaeological Survey of India teams has so far conducted three excavations there.

Who was the founder of Daimabad?

In 1958, B.P. Bopardikar found Daimabad.