Samipya 1991 Vol 08 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 10

Haryana formed peripheral areas where Harappan culture was introduced by means of waves of migrations. The Harappans in these areas were by implication, late comers on the scene. It was also assumed that these Harappaas had carried with them a watered down version of socio-cultural life and hence they gradually "degenerated" and disappeaed. Latest evidence points to the contray. Geopolically though entire western India made a single unit, at micro-level it had various shades of Harappan political control. The bigger cities were under the direct dispensation of chief administrators or plenipotentiaries of a centralized authority. The peripheral" areas stood on the same footing as the central zone and there were many more cities than the twin capitals" Apart from Mohenjo-dero and Tarappa, Ganweri wala ( Bhavalpur ), Rakhigahi (Taryana) Dholavira (Kutch ) and Lothal on Saurashtra Coast are other urban centres with well developed economical infrastucture,
The recent excavations at Dholavira have unearthed parts of a great metropolis spreading over an area of 100 hectres with compartmentalized planning and double fortifications. The Early Tarappan levels push back the beginning of settled life at Dholavira to at least 2600 B.C. on the present evidence and this writer will not be surprised if it is taken earlier. Clearly, therefore, the Harappans not only found their settlements in the greater Indus valley but at the same time in areas like Kutch and Haryana. Cities like Dholavira were more centres of primary economic activities than secondary outposts of alien invaders. The use of polished sandstone pillars, their pulley shaped bases and a large terracotta plaque with Harappan letters have not been reported even from Mohenjo-dero or Harappa.Architecturally highly polished sandstone pillars are ascribed of the Mauryas, particularly to Ashoka. But now their use goes back to at least 2500 B. C. Therefore, we Indians are not in debt even on this score to the Achanemeians. It is apparent that a concomitant cultural facies had developed in areas outside the Indus zone proper. The large site of Dholavira its high mounds rising from the edge of the dismal vista of the great Ranns disappearing in the shimmering horizon tell a story which is no less glorious than what we hear from Sind.
The tradition of multiple fortifications probably developed outside the Indus zone and Dholavira might have seen the beginnings of such a development. Apart from the urban settlement proper, a number of walled enclosure in the vicinity of the city point to an elaborate support system that fed the Harappan metropolis with finished products and economic surplus. Dholavira was in fact an important seat of administrative and political control and it is quite possible that it was not a part of regimented set-up of what is often referred to as the “Harappan empire". The location of the city close to the Rann of Kutch has led scholars to suggest that it might have bcen a port since the Ranns are thought to be extended quarters of the Arabian Sea. Geomorphological evidence supports this hypothesis as the Ranns held 4 m. of water in 2000 B. C. This water is enough for plying medium
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| Samipya : April, '91-March, 1992