The Gem of the Indus Valley Civilization shines brightly in history!
Imagine stumbling upon an ancient city that dates back thousands of years, hidden away in the heart of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, India. That’s Dholavira for you – a gem from the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest and most advanced urban cultures in history.
The Indus Valley Civilization:
From approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) flourished in present-day Pakistan and northwest India. Renowned for its exceptional urban design, architectural achievements, and societal structure, this ancient civilization included prominent centers such as Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Dholavira. Noteworthy features of their society included advanced drainage systems, uniform standards for weights and measures, and a script that continues to baffle researchers to this day.
Dholavira: Uncovering the Ancient City
The story of Dholavira’s discovery is as intriguing as the ancient city itself. It all began in 1967, when an Indian archaeologist named Jagat Pati Joshi, working for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), made a groundbreaking discovery that would shed new light on the Indus Valley Civilization.
A unique, quadrangular city of over 120 acres, Dholavira sat between two seasonal streams – Mansar in the north and Manhar in the south. It’s one of the best-preserved urban settlements from the period, boasting meticulous town planning, literacy, and a strong economic base because of its role as a vital, international trading post.
The Journey to Dholavira
Jagat Pati Joshi, an experienced archaeologist, was leading various explorations in the Gujarat region. The Rann of Kutch, with its vast, arid expanses, had long been suspected to harbor remnants of ancient civilizations, though it remained largely unexplored due to its harsh environment.
During one of his field surveys in 1967, Joshi and his team set out to investigate this remote area. Their journey was not easy; the Rann of Kutch is known for its extreme climate, with scorching temperatures and difficult terrain. Despite these challenges, Joshi's determination and expertise guided the team.
The Moment of Discovery
While surveying the Khadir Bet island in the Rann of Kutch, Joshi’s team came across several mounds that seemed unnatural in the otherwise flat landscape. Initial inspection revealed fragments of pottery and other artifacts that hinted at a human settlement.
Recognizing the significance of these findings, Joshi initiated a systematic excavation of the site. As the dig progressed, it became clear that they had stumbled upon an extensive urban settlement. The well-planned layout, the large reservoirs, and the variety of artifacts all pointed to a major center of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Unveiling Dholavira
The excavations at Dholavira revealed a city that was not only large but also highly advanced. The discovery included:
Well-Planned City Layout: The city was divided into three main parts – the Citadel, the Middle Town, and the Lower Town, each serving different purposes and indicating a sophisticated level of urban planning.
Advanced Water Management: The team uncovered a complex system of reservoirs, wells, and channels designed to collect and store water, demonstrating the inhabitants' ingenuity in managing resources in an arid environment.
Rich Cultural Artifacts: Pottery, beads, seals, and a large signboard with Indus script were among the artifacts that provided valuable insights into the daily life, trade, and administrative practices of the city’s residents.
One of the coolest things about Dholavira is its water management system. In an area with very little rainfall, the people of Dholavira built an intricate network of reservoirs, channels, and wells to collect and store water. The largest reservoir could hold up to 250,000 cubic meters of water, showing just how advanced their engineering skills were.
Culture and Technology
Dholavira was a bustling hub of trade and commerce. Artifacts like beads, pottery, and seals show that they had skilled craftsmen and traded with distant regions like Mesopotamia and Oman. A large signboard with ten letters of the Indus script was also found here, giving us a glimpse into their communication and administrative practices. The famous ten-signed inscription which is about 3m long was used during this stage. It is assumed that this probably was the first traffic sign ever used.
The city’s layout, with its standardized bricks and well-aligned streets, reflects a deep understanding of urban planning. Public buildings like granaries and assembly halls indicate that Dholavira’s society was organized and communal.
Evidence of Worship
Despite the lack of clear temples, there are several pieces of evidence that provide insights into the religious practices of the Indus Valley people:
Seals and Figurines:
Seals: Many seals have been found depicting various animals, religious creatures, and human figures. Some of these seals show figures that resemble deities from later Hindu religion, such as a horned figure in a yogic pose, which some scholars associate with a proto-Shiva or Pashupati (Lord of Animals).
Figurines: Numerous terracotta figurines, including those of women (often interpreted as mother goddesses) and animals, suggest a form of worship centered around fertility and nature.
Altars and Fire Pits:
Some archaeological sites have revealed structures that resemble altars or fire pits, which might have been used for ritualistic purposes. However, these interpretations are tentative and not universally accepted.
Deities and Symbols
what the 10 symbols of Dholavira sign board communicate. The significance of 262 Indus symbol has been listed in the book “The Dictionary of Indus Symbols”.The symbols resemble the objects that are still in use during yajna rituals and picture of such objects is a proof of the fact that the rituals are a continuum until this date.
It is interesting to understand why sign boards were in vogue during Indus civilization, as far back as 3500 years when the script of language did not exist. An insight into Vedas reveal that people performed yajnas to appease deities and the recurrent request was for rains. They had faith in deity Indra who would cut the clouds with his weapon and bring copious rain. Yajnas thus became the major activity of people for which recitation of Vedic chants by Vedic priests was mandatory. All oblations were offered to Agni- the fire in the sacred fire altars, who was revered as the celestial priest carrying oblations to the Gods in the heaven. Thus, maintenance of fire and fire altars of yajnas which required elaborate preparations and many ingredients became central activity of people. Making of the wooden vessels and ladles of specific wood, earthen utensils and ingredients for varieties of offerings, was tough for civilians and hence these were arranged to be disposed for purchase in corporate departments through agents. The place where these were purchased was indicated through symbols in very bold font so that people could notice it and approach them.
Proto-Shiva/Pashupati:
Some seals depict a figure sitting in a meditative posture surrounded by animals. This figure, often referred to as Pashupati (Lord of Animals), is thought by some scholars to be an early form of Shiva, a major deity in later Hinduism associated with asceticism and animals.
Nature Worship:
The prevalence of animal motifs, including bulls, elephants, and tigers, on seals and in art suggests that animals and nature played a significant role in their religious beliefs. Bulls, in particular, might have had a symbolic significance, potentially linked to fertility and strength.
The religious practices of the Indus Valley Civilization, However, through seals, figurines, and other archaeological findings, we can infer that their worship likely involved fertility goddesses, proto-Shiva figures, and nature deities.
The end of an era in history
Around 1900 BCE, Dholavira and other Indus Valley cities started to decline. The exact reasons are still unclear, but theories include climate change, shifting rivers, social upheaval, and invasions. Despite its decline, Dholavira’s legacy lives on, influencing later cultures and contributing to human history.
In 2021, Dholavira was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its importance and ensuring its preservation for future generations. As we continue to explore Dholavira, we uncover more about the lives of our ancestors and their remarkable achievements.
The city’s glory days lasted from 2500 to 1900 BC. But even its ruins suggest that Dholavira was a remarkably well-planned citadel. Remnants of the cityscape indicate that the settlement consisted of a castle, a bailey, a middle town, and a lower town. It was designed with wide roads, spacious dwellings, public spaces, and sophisticated systems for harvesting and distributing water. The citadel was constructed with smooth, sun-dried brick and stone masonry. Dholavira is home to circular structures, some of which are believed to have been graves or memorials.
Exploring Dholavira Now
Today, Dholavira attracts history buffs, archaeologists, and curious travelers. You can reach it by road and explore the well-preserved ruins, including the water reservoirs, city walls, and various structures that once made up this bustling city.
A visit to Dholavira is like stepping back in time. Walking through the ancient streets and marveling at the clever water management systems, you can’t help but feel awe for the people who lived there thousands of years ago.
Comments