Harappan Civilisation: Latest Archaeological Findings for UPSC
Introduction to the Harappan Civilisation
The Harappan Civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), is one of the most fascinating urban cultures of the ancient world. It developed around 3300 BCE and flourished until about 1300 BCE in regions that today include Pakistan, north-western India, and parts of Afghanistan. Archaeological evidence reveals that this civilisation was marked by well-planned cities, advanced drainage systems, specialised crafts, and extensive trade networks.
For UPSC aspirants, the Harappan civilisation holds immense significance due to its insights into early urbanisation, social organisation, and economic structures, as well as its enduring mysteries, including the undeciphered Indus script.
Expanding Geographical Frontier: New Archaeological Sites
1.Harappan Presence in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan
Ratadiya Ri Dheri Excavations
Recent excavations at Ratadiya Ri Dheri in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, have confirmed a Mature Harappan settlement dating between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. Archaeologists discovered red and wheat-coloured pottery decorated with geometric designs, blades made of chert, clay and shell bangles, terracotta cakes, and fragments of standardised bricks. Together, these remains indicate the presence of a well-organised settlement belonging to the Mature Harappan phase, dated between c. 2600 and 1900 BCE.
Key Significance of the Site
- First Harappan settlement deep in the Thar Desert, beyond previously known sites in northern Rajasthan.
- Evidence of furnace structures and advanced brickwork, linking it to larger Harappan centres like Kanmer (Gujrat) and Mohenjo-Daro (Pakistan )
- Strategic location bridging northern Rajasthan and Gujarat, revealing patterns of cultural spread.
- Community involvement in discovery highlights the growing role of public participation in archaeology.
2.Early Harappan Settlements in Kutch, Gujarat
Lakhpat Village Findings
Archaeological surveys in Lakhpat village, Kutch, uncovered an Early Harappan settlement dated approximately 5300 years ago. This site represents a formative phase prior to fully urbanised Harappan centres. Artefacts include small-scale housing remains, pottery, and tools, reflecting regional cultural development.
Contribution to Understanding Early Settlements
- Sheds light on Early Harappan settlement patterns. The site forms part of a cluster of early settlements located close to Juna Khatiya.
- Demonstrates continuity of habitation supporting later urban centres like Dholavira.
- Suggests Harappan civilisation emerged through a network of interconnected settlements, adapting to diverse ecological zones.
3. Earlier Human Occupation Before Harappan Urbanism
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Khadir Bet Island Discoveries
Research in the Great Rann of Kutch, especially around Khadir Bet Island, revealed human activity dating back to 10,000 BCE. Findings include shell middens and stone tools, indicating repeated use of coastal environments by prehistoric communities long before urbanisation.
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Coastal Resource Use and Cultural Evolution
- Mollusc shells show dependence on coastal ecosystems for sustenance.
- Long-term environmental adaptation may have shaped early agricultural practices and exchange networks.
- Pushes back the timeline for human occupation in the Indus region, showing deep ecological knowledge.
Archaeological Science and Environmental Contexts
Climate Studies and the Harappan Decline
Multi-Century Droughts
Earlier theories suggested invasion or sudden collapse caused Harappan decline. However, recent palaeoclimate studies (2025) indicate prolonged droughts over centuries that stressed agriculture and water systems, leading to gradual urban decline.
Monsoon Weakening and Urban Contraction
- Weakening monsoons and recurring river droughts reduced water access.
- Stressed cities led to population dispersal and reorganisation of settlements.
- Decline was gradual, shaped by ecological vulnerability rather than sudden catastrophe.
Water-Management and Settlement Sustainability
Sophisticated Drainage and Reservoir Systems
Excavations at Rakhigarhi reveal complex drainage systems, large reservoirs, and residential planning, highlighting Harappan prowess in urban water management.
Agricultural and Urban Implications
- Ensured potable water supply.
- Supported agriculture and food production.
- Enabled response to drying rivers like the Drishadvati, linked to Saraswati river system.
These discoveries underscore the Harappans’ engineering genius and capacity for sustainable urban planning.
Material Culture, Technology, and Social Complexity
Urban Planning and Craft Specialisation
Grid Street Patterns and Civic Amenities
Harappan cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Dholavira, and Kalibangan feature:
- Grid-based streets
- Private and public wells
- Drainage systems
- Bathing complexes
Workshops and Trade Networks
- Bead-making, metallurgy, and pottery workshops
- Extensive trade links with Mesopotamia and beyond
- Exchange of carnelian, lapis lazuli, and exotic goods
This reflects a highly coordinated economic system with administrative oversight.
Script and Symbolism: Emerging Research Directions
Indus Script and Computational Analyses
The Indus script remains undeciphered despite computational and machine learning analyses. Researchers are studying visual similarities with scripts from the Tibetan-Yi corridor, hinting at cross-cultural transmission.
Cultural Transmission Insights
- Suggests broader regional interactions beyond West Asia.
- Integrates archaeology with AI to decode ancient communication.
- Holds potential to unlock one of history’s biggest linguistic mysteries.
Regional Interactions and Cultural Continuities
Southern Contacts and Cultural Exchange
Evidence from Tamil Nadu shows Late Harappan interactions through trade or symbolic exchange, including carnelian beads and graffiti pottery, indicating subcontinental cultural integration.
Peripheral Sites and Post-Harappan Transformations
Sites like Banawali show continuous habitation from Pre-Harappan to Post-Harappan phases, reflecting:
- Cultural adaptation
- Long-term influence of Harappan society
- Gradual transformation rather than sudden disappearance
Conclusion
Recent archaeological discoveries, climate studies, and scientific analyses have deepened our understanding of the Harappan Civilisation. From Rajasthan’s Thar Desert to Gujarat’s Kutch region, findings reveal urban sophistication, environmental adaptation, and regional connectivity. The civilisation’s gradual decline due to climatic stress rather than sudden collapse offers valuable lessons on human-environment interaction.
For UPSC aspirants, the Harappan civilisation is not just a historical curiosity—it’s a case study in urban planning, trade networks, and societal resilience, making it crucial for understanding ancient Indian history.
FAQs
- What is the significance of Ratadiya Ri Dheri in Harappan studies?
It is the first confirmed Harappan settlement deep in the Thar Desert, showing urban planning and craft networks beyond traditional sites. - How did climate affect the decline of the Harappan civilisation?
Prolonged multi-century droughts and weakened monsoons stressed agriculture and water systems, leading to gradual urban contraction. - What makes the Indus script unique?
It remains undeciphered, with computational studies hinting at links to scripts from distant regions, reflecting complex cultural transmission. - How do peripheral sites contribute to our understanding of Harappan culture?
They show continuous habitation, cultural adaptation, and the transformation of Harappan traditions into post-Harappan societies. - Why is Harappan water-management considered advanced?
Harappan cities had sophisticated drainage systems, wells, and reservoirs, ensuring urban sustainability and agricultural support even under environmental stress.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
