The Harappan Civilization, also referred to as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations. It flourished in the northwestern regions of South Asia from approximately 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. This bronze age civilization was notable for its urban planning, advanced drainage systems, and standardized weights and measures.

The civilization was first discovered in the 1920s with the excavations at Harappa (led by Daya Ram Sahni) and Mohenjo-daro (led by R.D. Banerji). Since then, numerous sites have been excavated, each contributing to our understanding of this ancient culture.

Mohenjo-Daro (1930)

Key Findings

• Large granary
• Piece of woven cotton cloth
• Superficial evidence of a horse
• Bronze dancing girl statue
• Discovery of human skeletons indicating violent death
• Seals representing Mother Goddess, Pashupati, a bearded man, and a woman to be sacrificed
• Evidence of a ship or large boat
• Clay bangles

Lothal, Gujarat (Ahmedabad District, at the head of the Gulf of Cambay)

• Rivers: Bhogava and Sabarmati confluence
• Excavator: S.R. Rao (1957)

Key Findings

• Dockyard, indicating an important sea trade center
• Bead-making factory
• Town not divided into two sectors but into six sectors
• Remains of rice husks
• Houses with entrances on the main street
• Painting on a jar resembling the Panchatantra story of the cunning fox
• Evidence of double burial (male and female together)
• Brick-built tank-like structure
• Seal from Mesopotamia found here
• Ivory scale and terracotta model of a ship

Kalibangan, Rajasthan (Ganganagar)

• River: Ghaggar
• Excavators: Amlanand Ghosh (1953); Dr. B. B. Lal and B.K. Thapar (1961).

Key Findings

• Ploughed field
• Fire altars indicating the practice of sacrifice
• Remains of massive brick walls around both citadel and lower town
• Bones of camels
• Lack of a drainage system and lesser planning compared to Mohenjo-Daro
• Burials in circular and rectangular graves
• Decorative bricks used in flooring

ChanhuDaro, Pakistan (Sindh, near Mohenjo-Daro)

• River: Indus
• Excavators: N.G. Mazumdar (1931) and E. Makay

Key Findings

• Remains of both pre Harappan and mature Harappan culture
• Bead factory, seals, and ornaments unearthed
• Residents were skilled craftsmen
• No fortified structure

Rangpur (Near Lothal), Gujarat

• River: Madar
• Excavators: M.S. Vatsa (1931), S.R. Rao (195354)

Key Findings:

• Remains of both pre Harappan and mature Harappan culture
• Flakes, yellow and grey colored pots from the pre Harappan period

Banawali, Haryana (Hisar)

• River: Rangoi
• Excavator: R.S. Bist (197374)

Key Findings

• Centre of pre Harappan, mature Harappan, and late Harappan civilization
• High quality barley
• Ceramics, steatite seals, and fire altars
• Clay model of a plough
• Seals found only in the lower town and not in the citadel

Alamgirpur, Uttar Pradesh (Meerut)

• River: Hindon
• Excavator: Y.D. Sharma (1958)

Key Findings

• Late Harappan culture
• Impression of cloth on a trough
• Pottery and beads

KotiDiji, Pakistan (Sindh)

Excavators: Ghurey (1835) and Fazal Ahmed (1955)

Key Findings

• Pre Harappan site
• Houses made of stone
• City destroyed by force

Amri, Pakistan (Sindh)

•  Excavators: Ghurey (1835) and Fazal Ahmed (1955)

Key Findings

• Pre Harappan settlement
• Transitional culture between pre and post Harappan periods
• Evidence of rhinoceros and fire altars

Ropar, Punjab (India)

• River: Sutlej

• Excavator: Y.D. Sharma (195556)

Key Findings:

• Cemetery, seal, earthen pot
• Buildings primarily made of stone and soil
• Evidence of burying dogs below humans

Surkotada, Gujarat (Bhuj)

• Excavator: J.P. Joshi (1964)

Key Findings:

• Bones of horses
• Graveyard

Suktagendor, Pakistan (Sindh)

• River: Dasht/Dashak
• Excavators: A. Stein, George Dales

Key Findings

• Ash filled pot, copper axe, earthen bangles, and pottery
• Originally a port but later cut off from the sea due to coastal uplift
• Trade links with Babylon

Dholavira, Gujarat

• Excavator: J.P. Joshi (199091)

Key Findings

• Giant water reservoir with a unique water harvesting system
• Inscription comprising ten largesized signs of the Harappan script
• Extensive use of sandstone along with mud bricks

Rakhigarhi and Bhirrana, Haryana

Significance

• Largest Indus Valley Civilization site with two additional mounds, spanning over 350 hectares
• Shows all three phases of Harappan culture
• Fragmented artifact of thick red ware with an incised female figure, similar to the bronze ‘Dancing Girl’ of Mohenjo-Daro.

Read more: Harappan Economy and Trade Relations