Dholavira: Harappan Civilization

Dholavira is an archaeological site that provides insights into the ancient Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization. Located on the Khadir island of the Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat, India, Dholavira is one of the five largest Harappan sites, showcasing the advanced urban planning and engineering skills of this ancient civilization.

Let us learn more about Dholavira!

History of Dholavira: Harappan Civilization

Dholavira is a special place in India with a very old story. It was part of a big city during a time called the Harappan Civilization, which happened a really long time ago, around 4,000 years back.

1. The Time of the Harappans

• Dholavira was like a big city that was part of the Harappan Civilization, which was one of the first big civilizations in the world. This happened a super long time ago, from about 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.

2. Smart Planning and Building

• Dholavira was a well-planned city with different parts, kind of like neighborhoods. They were good at building things and had cool structures, like a big bath and clever ways to save and use water.

3. Water Saving Tricks

• The people of Dholavira were really smart with water. They had big pools and channels to save and use water wisely. The Great Bath was one cool place where they did this.

4. Doing Business and Making Things

• People in Dholavira were busy with work. They made things and traded with others. Artifacts and special stamps show that they were good at doing business.

5. The Time Things Changed

• Just like many other places from that time, Dholavira saw changes around 2100 BCE. The big city started to become empty, and we’re not exactly sure why. Maybe the weather changed, or people moved to new places.

For more Reference Please look at this table:

Aspect	Information
Location	Khadir island of Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat, India
Period	Approx. 2650–2100 BCE (Mature Harappan Phase)
Discovery	1967 by J.P. Joshi, an archaeologist from the Archaeological Survey of India
Excavation	Conducted by R.S. Bisht in the 1990s
Layout	Well-planned city with three distinct zones – Citadel, Middle Town, and Lower Town
Water Conservation	Sophisticated water conservation system, including large reservoirs and channels
Trade and Economy	Evidence of trade links with Mesopotamia; possibly involved in bead making and shell working
Artifact Highlights	Unique ten large inscriptions on wood, known as the Dholavira Signboard; bronze and ivory objects; seals with Harappan script
Decline and Abandonment	Declined around 2100 BCE, reasons uncertain; possibly due to changes in climate or shifts in trade routes

Culture of Dholavira: Harappan Civilization

While the archaeological site of Dholavira primarily reveals insights into the urban planning and engineering of the Harappan Civilization, aspects of their culture can be inferred from the artifacts and structures discovered. Here’s a glimpse into the possible cultural aspects of Dholavira:

1. Urban Life

• Dholavira was a well-organized city, suggesting a complex and structured social life. The different parts of the city, such as the citadel, middle town, and lower town, likely served specific functions, indicating a division of labor and social organization.

2. Art and Craftsmanship

• The artifacts found in Dholavira, including pottery, seals, and tools, reflect the craftsmanship and artistic abilities of its inhabitants. Intricate carvings and designs on seals and pottery suggest a rich artistic culture.

3. Trade and Economy

• Dholavira’s location near the Arabian Sea and the discovery of seals and artifacts associated with trade activities indicate a thriving economic culture. The people engaged in trade with neighboring regions, showcasing a connection with broader trade networks.

4. Water Management Rituals

• The Great Bath, a large and well-engineered structure in Dholavira, might have played a role in cultural or religious practices. While its exact purpose is not fully understood, it could have been a place for rituals or communal activities related to water.

5. Symbols and Writing

• The ten signboards found in Dholavira, though not fully deciphered, indicate a form of written communication or symbols. This suggests a system of communication, possibly for administrative or ritualistic purposes.

6. Possible Religious Practices

• The layout of the city and the presence of certain structures might suggest areas for communal or religious gatherings. However, the exact nature of religious practices in Dholavira remains speculative.

7. Social Structure

• The division of the city into citadel, middle town, and lower town could imply a social hierarchy or different functions for each area. The presence of a well-defined citadel suggests the possibility of governing or administrative structures.

8. Daily Life

• Artifacts found in Dholavira, such as cooking utensils, indicate aspects of daily life. The presence of different types of pottery suggests the preparation and storage of food.

While much about the specific cultural practices and beliefs of the people of Dholavira remains uncertain, ongoing archaeological research continues to provide new insights into the lives and cultural aspects of the Harappan Civilization. The artifacts, structures, and the overall organization of the city contribute to our understanding of this ancient culture’s societal dynamics.

Three Divisions of Dholavira

Dholavira town is divided into three parts.

The Citadel

• Raj Mahal of the Raja, which is at height was built here. It was enclosed by strong defenses collectively. There were four gates in this fort. A series of nine reservoirs were built to the east and south of the Citadel. The Citadel was in the walled city.  A ramp that runs for 30-40 feet turns left into the citadel. To the right side of the ramp, there is a large region of open area, which has been recognized as a stadium. On each side of the stadium, there are remnants of the audience stands.
• Through the sacred gates of the Citadel, we can find raised platforms on each side and a rectangular hall on the right. There is a flat area of land on which several houses were built. There was a courtyard for the children to play in. Two pillars were embedded in the ground on the far left. There were wells from which the water was drawn. There were big water bags to draw water from the well, and the people used bulls to pull the ropes. These implementations have been passed on to the next generations.
• There were reservoirs, which were built partially on stone beds, and partially mason-made. The tanks were fed by water pipes which were used to collect water from different parts of the city. These reservoirs were of two levels. The higher level stored the clean water, and the lower level, which was a step-down, was used to allow deposition, in which the dust would settle at the bottom of the reservoir. The Middletown and Lowertown were located on the east side of the site.

The Middletown

It was the habitat of other officers. It also had a defense wall and two to five rooms. The Middle town is comprised of a central street running down a slope with houses or shops on each side. There were well-laid drainage systems. Earthen pots were found submerged in the ground and also covered in rust.

The Lowertown

The brick-built houses of ordinary town residents were built here. Working class people used to stay in the Lower town. There were remains of many houses.

Interesting Facts About Dholavira

• Dholavira took its name from a present-day village, which is 1 km south of it. This village is at a distance of 165 km from Radhanpur. 
• It is locally called Kotada timba (large fort).
• Dholavira consists of ruins from an ancient Indus valley civilization or Harappan city. 
• It is located on the Tropic of Cancer. It is situated on Khadir bet island in the Kachchh desert wildlife sanctuary, which is in the Great Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat in western India. The site was discovered by J.P. Joshi of ASI, in 1967-68. It has been excavated by the R S Bisht team of ASI. The 120 acres of the quadrangular city lie between two seasonal rivers, the Mansar in the north and Manhar in the south.
• It is the fifth largest of eight major Harappan sites and it is the most important archaeological site in India, that belongs to the Indus valley civilization. 
• The area was occupied from c.2650 BCE. It slowly declined after 2100 BCE.  It was stranded for a short period of time. It is reoccupied until c.1450 BCE.
• The Dholavira town had three citadels. These three citadels were improved than Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. They had an inner closure as well.

Conclusion: Dholavira – Harappan Civilization

In conclusion, Dholavira stands as a captivating window into the enigmatic world of the Harappan Civilization. This archaeological site, nestled in the Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat, India, unravels tales of a highly organized and sophisticated urban center, flourishing during the Mature Harappan phase around 2650 BCE to 2100 BCE.

Dholavira’s urban planning, showcased through the meticulous layout of the citadel, middle town, and lower town, underscores the advanced engineering skills of its inhabitants. The city’s prowess in water management, epitomized by the Great Bath and intricate channels, reflects a society attuned to the importance of sustainable resource use.

FAQs On Dholavira: Harappan Civilization

Why is Dholavira famous?

The most well-known Indus Valley Civilization archeological site in India is the Dholavira site. The site is the bigger of the two most amazing excavations from the 4,500-year-old Harappan Civilization.

What are the three parts of Dholavira?

Dholavira is divided into three parts:

• The Citadel.
• The Middletown.
• The Lower town.

On which river is Dholavira?

Dholavira is located along the Luni River’s bank.

What is the old name of Dholavira?

Kotada timba is the old name of Dholavira.

Who invented Dholavira?

In 1968, archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi made the discovery of Dholavira.