From the Chronicles
Story of a different Indus city
Spanning 70 acres, Dholavira is one of the five largest Indus Valley sites, second only to Rakhigarhi in India.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, it lies in Khadir Bet, with its name meaning “Waterholes in a river with a white sand bed.”
Let’s take a closer look at them. Excavated for thirteen field seasons between 1989 and 2005, Dholavira is home to seven cultural stages across the early Harappan, Harappan, and late Harappan phases.
These stages shed light on the gradual rise, culmination, and fall of the urban settlements of the Harappan civilization.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, it lies in Khadir Bet, with its name meaning “Waterholes in a river with a white sand bed.”
Let’s take a closer look at them. Excavated for thirteen field seasons between 1989 and 2005, Dholavira is home to seven cultural stages across the early Harappan, Harappan, and late Harappan phases.
These stages shed light on the gradual rise, culmination, and fall of the urban settlements of the Harappan civilization.
Metallurgical Treasure
This 1,600-year-old metallurgical treasure with a unique composition that’s kept it rust-free for centuries. Since the first analysis in 1912, researchers have found it contains 0.15% carbon, 0.25% phosphorus, 0.005% sulfur, 0.05% silicon, 0.02% nitrogen, 0.05% manganese, 0.03% copper, 0.05% nickel, and the rest is pure iron. Even today, scientists and visitors are amazed by this ancient engineering marvel that has stood the test of time!
Did you know
Dholavira evolved through seven
remarkable stages, showcasing
its dynamic urbanization and
cultural transformation over time!
Dholavira reveals a complex history of urban growth, cultural advancement, and eventual decline.
Through various stages, from the skilled craftsmanship of early artisans to the introduction of new architectural styles by later settlers, Dholavira reflects the dynamic evolution of an ancient society.
These stages trace the city’s rise, its peak sophistication, the signs of decline, and the influence of external cultures that shaped its final transformation.
Through various stages, from the skilled craftsmanship of early artisans to the introduction of new architectural styles by later settlers, Dholavira reflects the dynamic evolution of an ancient society.
These stages trace the city’s rise, its peak sophistication, the signs of decline, and the influence of external cultures that shaped its final transformation.
7 Stages of Urbanization & Cultural Transformation
Early Harappan Stage 1 (2900-2500 BCE)
Early Harappan Stage 2 (2900-2500 BCE)
Mature Harappan Stage 3 (2500-1900 BCE)
Mature Harappan Stage 4 (2500-1900 BCE)
Mature Harappan Stage 5 (2500-1900 BCE)
Late Harappan Stage 6 (1850-1450 BCE)
Late Harappan Stage 7 (1850-1450 BCE)
Dholavira reveals a complex history of urban growth, cultural advancement, and eventual decline.
Through various stages, from the skilled craftsmanship of early artisans to the introduction of new architectural styles by later settlers, Dholavira reflects the dynamic evolution of an ancient society.
These stages trace the city’s rise, its peak sophistication, the signs of decline, and the influence of external cultures that shaped its final transformation.
Stage 1:
Archaeological remains, enclosed by a massive fortification wall beneath the castle, reveal skilled artisans in copper working, stone dressing, bead making, and ceramics.
Stage 2:
A 2.8-meter-thick brick wall was added to the existing fortifications and plastered 13 times with white and pink clay, indicating evolving defenses and a growing community, reflected in the variety of artefacts and pottery.
A 2.8-meter-thick brick wall was added to the existing fortifications and plastered 13 times with white and pink clay, indicating evolving defenses and a growing community, reflected in the variety of artefacts and pottery.
Stage 3:
Dholavira reached its peak in this era, with the fortified wall expanded into a castle and a bailey added.
The creation of multipurpose grounds and the discovery of Indus Valley script on seals highlight the sophistication of the society.
Stage 4:
Witnessed the apex of the Harappan civilization, comparable to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, reflecting the civilization’s grandeur.
Witnessed the apex of the Harappan civilization, comparable to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, reflecting the civilization’s grandeur.
Stage 5:
Signs of decline emerge, with deterioration in the citadel’s condition and overall city maintenance.
Signs of decline emerge, with deterioration in the citadel’s condition and overall city maintenance.
Stage 6:
A cultural shift influenced by Sind, Rajasthan, and Gujarat brings new ceramic traditions. The city shrinks within the citadel, and a new pottery style reflects evolving artistic tastes.
Stage 7:
Newcomers introduced cultural changes, replacing classical Harappan fabrics, designs, and shapes. Circular houses, called bunga or kud, became common—a tradition still seen in rural India today.
Newcomers introduced cultural changes, replacing classical Harappan fabrics, designs, and shapes. Circular houses, called bunga or kud, became common—a tradition still seen in rural India today.
Dr. R.S. Bisht is the visionary behind the resurgence of Dholavira, one of the crowning jewels of the Indus Valley Civilization.
While the initial discovery of the site in the 1960s is credited to Jagatpati Joshi, it was Bisht who truly unveiled its secrets to the world.
From 1990 to 2005, Bisht led a series of 13 thrilling excavation seasons, orchestrating a grand symphony of archaeological exploration.
While the initial discovery of the site in the 1960s is credited to Jagatpati Joshi, it was Bisht who truly unveiled its secrets to the world.
From 1990 to 2005, Bisht led a series of 13 thrilling excavation seasons, orchestrating a grand symphony of archaeological exploration.
