The Earliest Cities: Harappan Civilization

The emergence of newer cities in the Indian subcontinent is generally dated to around 1400 years ago, following the decline of earlier urban centers.

Lothal was a major port city of the Indus Valley Civilization and a center for bead-making, where semi-precious stones were easily accessible.

Dholavira is a prominent Indus Valley site located in the Rann of Kutch, in the state of Gujarat, India.

The Harappans sourced gold from the region of present-day Karnataka, which was known for its mineral wealth.

Raw materials are basic substances used in manufacturing, either collected from nature or produced through agricultural activities.

Faience is an artificial material created by fusing sand or powdered quartz with color and a gum, not a naturally occurring substance.

Archaeological evidence from Mehrgarh indicates that cotton was grown there approximately 7000 years ago.

Harappa is famous for its archaeological finds, including intricate seals and pottery decorated with black designs.

Terracotta, a type of fired clay, was commonly used by the people of the earliest cities to craft toys and figurines.

Storehouses or granaries have been archeologically identified at multiple major Indus Valley Civilization sites, including Mohenjodaro, Harappa, and Lothal. Therefore, all these sites are known for such structures.

Fire altars, which are associated with ritualistic practices, have been discovered at both Kalibangan and Lothal, indicating their significance in Harappan religious or cultural life.

The Great Bath is a famous, large, rectangular tank structure located within the citadel area of the Mohenjodaro site.

Harappan bricks were manufactured with an interlocking pattern, which provided superior structural stability and durability to the walls of their buildings.

The citadel was the higher, fortified part of the city, while the lower town was the residential area for the general population. They are distinct entities.

In Harappan urban planning, the citadel was the smaller, western, and higher part of the city, typically used for public or administrative buildings.

Most Harappan cities were characteristically divided into two parts: the elevated citadel and the lower town.

Harappan cities are generally dated to have developed approximately 4700 years ago, marking the beginning of the mature phase of the civilization.

The archaeological site of Harappa is located in the Punjab province of present-day Pakistan.

Harappa is famously known for its high-quality bricks, which were unfortunately scavenged by 19th-century railway engineers for ballast.

The discovery of Harappa occurred when British engineers were laying railway lines in the Punjab region approximately 150 years ago.