Context
New study has advised the existence of a dockyard at Lothal, Gujarat, during Harappan Civilisation.
About
- The study has found out that the Sabarmati river used to flow by Lothal (presently, it flows 20 km far away from the place) during the Harappan Civilisation.
- There was also a travel route connecting Ahmedabad, through Lothal, the Nal Sarovar wetland, and the Little Rann, to Dholavira — any other Harappan site.
- The researchers based their study on the hypothesis that from Lothal, there was an inland network related to the Rann of Kutch.
- The study indicates that buyers came to Gujarat through the Gulf of Khambhat, probably went to Ratanpura to get substances, and carried them to Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq).
- The study supports the dockyard idea and addresses issues concerning ancient inlets, demonstrating Lothal’s importance for trade through river and sea routes.
Lothal Dockyard
- Lothal
- Lothal (‘the mound of the dead’ in Gujarati) was located underneath a mound among marshy fields of the Saragwala village.
- The presence of Harappan town making plans at Lothal inclusive of houses, bathing platforms, streets, fortification partitions, a cemetery and massive systems, without difficulty allowed it to be usual as an outpost of Harappan civilisation.
- It was focused in a northwest arch beginning at Sindh/Balochistan and going as much as modern-day Haryana.
- Since it was observed in the 50s and postulated to be a dockyard, archaeologists and experts were divided.
- Some argued that Lothal was a Harappan dockyard primarily based on discoveries on the site, consisting of a 222 x 37 metres basin (claimed to be a dockyard), a wharf to anchor the ships or boats, and artefacts including Harappan seals.
- However not all accept the dockyard idea, they argue that it was only in modern- times that Indian ports got here to be at once located on the ocean.
Other Evidences that Support Sea Trade
- There are several temples to goddess Sikotara in Gujarat, which is named after the island of Socotra, that is located at the mouth of the Red Sea and served as a haven to Indian sea-farers more than 2,000 years ago.
- Numerous inscriptions in Brahmi script show that Indians used this island as a vital halt on the trade route to the Middle East and East Africa.
Harappan Civilization
- The Harappan civilization is thought to be one of the oldest world civilizations together with Egypt and Mesopotamia.
- It was advanced alongside the river Indus and for this reason it is also called the Indus Valley Civilization.
- The Harappan civilization is diagnosed as a Bronze-age civilization since many gadgets have been found which might be made from copper based alloys.
Major Features of Civilization
- Urban Planning: Their cities have been well deliberate and they have brick houses which have been situated alongside the roads.
- Every house was equipped with a staircase, a kitchen and several rooms.
- Their courtyards had wells, toilets and that they had proper drainage systems.
- Ornaments: The Harappans wore ornaments made from gold, silver, ivory,shell, clay, semi-precious stones and others.
- Trade and Commerce: The civilization had tremendous trade networks, reaching as far as Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Peninsula.
- Religion and Iconography: Harappan artifacts depict numerous symbols and motifs believed to be associated with non secular ideals.
- These include figures along with the “Priest King” and pics of animals like bulls, suggesting possible reverence for positive animals.
- Craftsmanship and Artistry: The Harappans produced intricate pottery, which include the famous pink pottery with black painted motifs.
- They also created rings, sculptures, and seals made of steatite, terracotta, and other substances.
- Agriculture: They cultivated crops which included wheat, barley, peas, and cotton.
- Social Organization: The society was in all likelihood stratified, with proof suggesting a hierarchical form. This is indicated through versions in housing sizes and the presence of public buildings.
- Decline and Disappearance: The motives for the decline of the Harappan Civilization are nonetheless debated amongst historians and archaeologists.
Source: The Indian Express