Excavation indicates 'Harappan capital' in Haryana

NEW DELHI, JUNE 18. A three-year-long excavation at Rakhigarhi in Haryana's Hissar district, has unearthed the remains of what could have been the ``provincial capital'' of the Harappan civilisation.

``The excavation, being carried out by the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) since December 1997, has revealed some important results. This will give us an opportunity to assess its potentiality as the provincial capital of Harappan days,'' a senior ASI official said.

``Two distinct cultures have been identified in the course of excavations-namely early Harappan and mature Harappan,'' he said. The site of excavation located in the plains of the ancient Drishadvati river, happens to be the ``largest Harappan site'' measuring 230 hectares, next to Mohenjodaro (in Pakistan).

To a question on the possibility of identification of the provincial capital of the Harappan civilisation, which had flourishing trade, he said ``among the explored Harappan sites of the Saraswati-Drishadvati valley, Rakhigarhi seems to be the largest, thereby perhaps deserving the status of provincial capital of the eastern extension of the Harappan hegemony.''

The structures are outlined by two or three courses of mud brick with post-holes at intervals. The mature Harappa, a period of urbanism characterised by walled settlement, writing and use of standardised weights and measures, has been traced at the site. The evidence of mud brick structure of granary sub-divided into cubicles indicates surplus production of food grains and storage system. The site has also yielded samples of barley, wheat and rice.

``The dead were buried in a long pit in a north-south orientation. Grave goods generally consisted of pots kept behind the head of the dead. A couple of female burials also had shell bangles in their left hand while one had a miniature model of fillet in gold,'' the official added.

The ``accidental'' discovery, in Mandi village of Muzzaffarnagar district in western U.P. late last month, was announced by the ASI Director-General, Ms. Komal Anand, last Friday.

According to ASI's Director, Excavations, Mr. R.S. Bisht, what happened to the Harappan gold is among the enduring mysteries of that civilisation. For a people so obviously prosperous, there has been little trace of their precious artefacts left behind. While stray pieces have been found at other sites, the gold, agate and onyx jewellery discovered in Mandi village is the largest ever collection found in one place. The collection was accidentally discovered by a villager. while digging his field. While 10 kg of the jewellery, including copper containers, is at present lodged with the district administration, about three tonnes of the precious stuff is estimated to have been taken away by the local villagers.

- PTI, UNI

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