ANCIENT CIVILISATION

Due to its proximity to the Indus Valley and due to its location on natural migration route, for Kachchh was then an island accessible from Sindh, Gujarat formed the part of Indus Valley Civilisation in ancient times. The spread of this Civilisation upto the mouth of river Kim in South Gujarat was confirmed through the excavations spearheaded by Archaeological Survey of India under the direction of the then Director General Mr. S.R. Rao. These excavations, carried out in the late nineteen fifties were necessitated by the division of subcontinent into India and Pakistan whereby all the Harappan sites fell within Pakistan. The site first explored was Rangpur near Limbdi on the basis of the evidence available. The findings at this site necessitated a chain of excavation leading to the discoveries of more than 50 sites representing different phases of Indus Valley civilisation.

Of all the sites of this period the site of DHOLAVIRA, locally known as Kotda, in the Khadir Island of Kachchh, stands apart. It is remarkable for its magnificent planning and enormity of area and deposit. On the present showing, it is one of the two largest settlements in India and the fourth or fifth largest in the subcontinent, the others being Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Gharo Bhiro (all in Pakistan) and Rakhigarhi (in India). Dholavira has to its credit the unique distinction of yielding an inscription of ten large sized signs of the Harappan script.

Important feature is variety of funerary structures. Occupying an area of more than 100 hectares, the site surprises the visitors for its distinctive Harappan features of town planning. The part of the site constituting the acropolis has a majestic 'castle' in fair insulation and defended by double ramparts whereas the embattled middle and lower town has definite built-up areas and open spaces.

Access - Dholavira could be reached from Bhuj (Kachchh), distance 140 kms, via Rapar. Road is good. State Transport Bus services are available.

LOTHAL
Another important site of this period is LOTHAL, the Mound of Dead, for the word lothal is derived from the words loth (dead-body) and thal meaning sthal or a place. What name could be more appropriate for here lied buried for centuries the treasures of this great ancient civilisation, hidden from the public gaze, apathy and curiosity. It is essentially a single culture site with two sub-periods. First period (2440-1900 BC) represents the mature Harappan culture with noticeable exuberance and second period (1900-1600 BC) represents Late Harappan Culture in the state of decline. Apparently Harappans were attracted to Lothal not only by its sheltered harbour with a rich cotton and rice growing hinterland but also by its bead-making industry. The attractive beads of gems processed at Lothal were in great demand in the West, and the enterprising Harappan merchants must had thought of establishing a colony here to ensure regular supply. The immediate concern of the settlers was to guard the town against flooding. Similar situation at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa had taught them to build houses on terraced platforms further safeguarded by a peripheral wall. Similar measures were adopted at Lothal also. The Indus dichotomy of dividing the city into a citadel or acropolis and a Lower Town was also followed in planning Lothal. The ruler and his entourage lived in the acropolis where houses were built on 3 mt high platforms and provided with all the civic amenities including paved bats, underground drains and well for potable water whereas the lower town had the commercial centre and residential quarters.

Lothal engineers accorded high priority to two other needs. The first one was the dock for berthing ships and the second a warehouse for storing and examining cargo. The dock built on the eastern flank of the town is an engineering feat. Its location, away from the main current avoided siltring yet at the same time ships could have access to the dock in high tide. The second need was that of a warehouse which arose from the large volume of cargo, which Lothal had to handle. A warehouse was built near the acroplis on a 3.5 mt high podium of mud bricks. A wharf to facilitate the hauling of cargo was also built along the arm of the dock with provision of ramp. The arterial streets giving access to individual houses with underground and surface drais built of a kiln fired bricks ensured quick disposal of waste and storm water.

All in all the harappan port town of Lothal enjoyed great prosperity owing to foreign trade around 2350 BC. It was a busy industrial port importing copper and producing bronze celts, fish-hooks, chisels, spearheads and ornaments; particlarly the beads and shells.

Withering of the Civilisation
Harappan civilisation suffered great calamity and resultant destruction due to floods in 1900 BC.The floods swept away all the Harappan towns and villages in the delta regions of major rivers in Saurashtra, Sindh and South Gujarat. It was an irony of nature that the civilisation that had flourished the banks of the water by twist of events got perished due to it. It was a sad end of a great civilisation that left its imprint of lasting values and cultural ethos in the subcontinent.

Access - Lothal is situated at a distance of 85 kms. from Ahmedabad via Bagodara on Ahmedabad Bhavnagar highway. It could also be reached via Bhurkhi by rail.