Bulletin of the Indian Archaeological Society No. 28 1997-98

Editors K. N. Dikshit & K.S. Ramachandran

O.K. Printworld {P} Ltd. New : A Harappan Metropolis in the Sarasvati-Drishadvati Divide

AMARENORA NAni·

In th Harappan dynamics, Rakhigarhi (29' 16' Nand meant Rakhikhas) conlllined both Early or Pre-Harappan ,760 10' E), in tehsil NamauJ, District Hissar, is and Harappan culture horizons; Rakhi Shahpur only wit­ 2 next only to in Kutch (Gujarat). The site can be nessed the M:llure phase of Harappan , But in an appen­ approached from Delhi via , and lind. lind, dix to hi s report on Milathal', he recorded, Rnkhi Shahpur besides being the nearest railhead for the site on Delhi­ as Rakhigarhi and saw them as 'twin sites', He missed Bhatinda section of the Northern Railway, provides me complelely the presence of the other three mounds noted shonest road link through Gulkani or Namaul. 11lere is a above. In the early seventies, SHak: Ram" paid a visit to regular bus service from lind and the site and reponed, besides other Harappan antiquities, a seal, presently boused in the Gurukul Museum at lhaijar Haasi to Rakhigarhi . Private conveyances are also ayail ~ able from . The nearest guest house of the (Haryana). He too noticed Early or Pre-Harappan and Harappan elements at the sileo Sut in the early eighties a Irrigation department is at Rajthal. team of archaeologists from the Depanment of Archaeology and Museums, < Haryana noticed late . Over the Harappan mounds are the thickly populated Harappan elements here' which was later got endorsed by villages of Latc Mediaeval times. namely Rakhikhas Suraj Shan·, Thus the chronological framework of the stretching east to occupy the larger area of the mound and Harappan occupation al the site got enlarged. R.S. Bisht, the other contiguously situated Rakhi Shahpur covers observed earlier Pre-Harappan setllement in the north­ less. These settlements have largely caused irreparable western locality or.Rakhi Shahpur revenue limit', TIle damage to the site. but due to the timely action of the corpus of Indus seals and inscriptions included three seals Archaeological Survey of , a fairly large and open from Rakhigarhi, IWO of them are regular Iype of seals area of the site could be saved and protected from further while the third is a clay lump bearing eouple of seal damage and encroachment. Three such mounds have been impressions!!. In recent years , two similar ones have been numbered as RGR I 10 RGR 3 while the largest and its picked up • one of them , a fragmentary cylin­ eastern extremilies are named RGR 4 and RGR 5 respec· drical seal , is quite significant. This has now been pub­ tively. lished' but the other fragmentary terracoua sealing is yet to be published. Besides sealing, Bishl collected a large Acharya Shagwan · Dev was the first to notice number of steatite beads and other miscellaneous items. Harappan relics here. Subsequenlly Suraj Shan con­ all belonging 10 the Harappan culture. J.P. Joshi and his 1 finned its Harappan nature in 1963.64 • Suraj 8han revis­ team noticed 137 Early Harappan and 109 Mature ited the site and aseertained that Rnkhigarhi (obviously he Harappan sites in the region lD, with their main attention

·Direaor, Institute of Archaeology, Archaelogical Survey of India, New Delhi . 40 PudtallvB 28 on Rakhigarhi II , Incidently, the Allchins consider this site The si te is In the drainage system of ancient l2 as second grade settlement based on the area of the sitc , Sarasvati-Drishdvati rivers. Fig. 1· The mean altitude whereas as per the calculation of the area marked on Tapo varies from 219 m to 221 m in the surrounding plains sheet (No. 53 C/3), the site extends over 105 hectares and extending over an area of 10 Ion radius. The alluvial has established the primacy of this site area-wise. plains in the neighborhood, with occasional patches of Apparently, the status of provincial capital assigned to the sands either exposed or occurring at shallow depths, show site by Suraj Shan!) and Lal seems'" to be well found . genlie slope form north-east to south-west. The nature of Other excavated sites of the region like , , the soil is mostly alkaline and the ground water is brack­ and IS are subordinate settlements in the ish. The source of potable water lies mainly in the exist­ drainage system of ancient Sarasvati-Drishadvati rivers. ing or old stream courses or near other water sources. For

lITE PlAN SIIOWING DIST1WIUT1ON or HARAPPAN MOUNDS, ATRAKHIGARm DIS'O'. HlSSAR,IIARYANA -

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Fig RaJchigarhi: A Harappan Metropolis in the Sarasvati·Drishadvati Divide 41 potable water a few wells in the village can be seen locat· materials. copper fragments. terracotta cakes and ed near the meandering channels of old streams. On the mushtikas etc. were collected. The excessive concentra­ south-western comer of the mound lies a shallow depres­ tion of telTacoUa cakes including mushtikas at the site sion or lake-like feature which was watered from both suggest intensive involvement of the people in their craCt north-west and nonh-east side. perhaps creating an activity. impression of a confluence in a ncient times. Incidentl)'. on the southern periphery of RGR 4 and S lies an elon­ RGR 3, oVBlish on plan rises to B height of 12 m from gated watershect, stretching east-west. These channels. the sunounding plains. The parallel valley-like forntation together with those located at intervals in the easterly vil­ secn on the topo sbeet betwccn RGR 2 and RGR 3 have lages of Gulkani and are in alignment and pos­ now been partially altered in recent times by raising an sibly in ancient times a river was flowing along the south­ earthen barrier across the mound towards the nonhern ern periphery of RGR 4 & S. As per the existing belief slope with the result a pool had formed for sundry usage. the site was located on the right bank of Drishadvati. we As a matter of fact it is going to increase the moisture and may associate this palacCKhannel with that perennial create adverse effect on the cultural deposits of the river of yore. adjoining mounds. Recently, it was dcsilted and its refuse was dumped on either slopes of the mounds, thus affccl­ RGR I, stretching west to cast is 6 m high from the ing the original contour of the mounds. Further damage is surrounding plains and is on the northern extremities of caused by cutting more than knee-deep long trench acros~ RGR 3. Il is ovalish in shape. showing overlapping fea­ the northern periphery of the mound. There on the top ture of a twin mound. of which the western portion is exists a grave. under worship, of the late medieval times, higher than the eastern portion and latter merges gently maintained by the local Will Board. They have further with the surrounding plains towards the easlern side. The leased out a portion of the mound on the north· western surface shows, scanty patches of a rather Ihin vegetal slope and allowed ruthless leveling and scooping of cul­ cover. Interve"ing barren patches were strewn with liny tural dcposils for the construction of subterranean ruedi· red ware sherds; the western and southern slope of Ihe lation chamber. Similarly, the entire eastern and southern mound were found scattered with mushtikas fragmenl's slopes of the mound have been encroached upon by the along with terracolta cakes. man with pot shenk The villagers. lncidently. in one of the cenanl cuttings on the over all surface features gave an impression of a burial eastern fringe was noticed more Ihan twenty courses of mound. Currently, the villagers use the slope of the burnt-bricks and equal number of courst:s in mud· bricks mound for raising memorial structures; a couple of them raised side by side; these in a!1 probability could be two can be seen even now. phases of construction in the wall.

RGR 2. largcr than I and 3 figures on the topo sheet RGR -4 and 5 contiguously interlocked, are heavily indicating a relative height of 14 m. It is nearly trapezoid encroached upon by the people of Rakhikh .. and Rakhi in sh.pe(PI.I). However its ridge, like castern fringe gen­ Shahpur. Streching east-west, the two together. a maxi­ tly rises from nonh to south. possibly indicating covering mum height of 17 m as whh one unit is deceptively oval­ remnents concealed of a fonification wall. TIle southern ish on ptan and consists of a number of undations of vary­ and western fringes have been badly encroached upon by ing sizes. Towards the south-western ponion of the vill.gers of Rakhi Shahpur. The nonhern portion of the mound an overhanging cliff-like section provides mound ex.hibits relatively better preserved fealures of a glimpses of cullural deposit. A massive mud-brick fortifi · possible gateway and baslions. The north-eastern comer cation wall with successive mushtika beddings. overlain shows a majestic bastion. strengthened externally by radi­ by successive mud-floors, occupies a major space in me ating spoke-like earthen buttresses, while the correspond­ said cutting. The mushtilea bedding IS reminiscent of what ing bastion on nonh - western side is of low profile, seen was noticed in the cuttings of a street at exca­ merging with other surface features. Between the two vations" . Next to this wall. was noticed a burnl·brick bastions lies the residue of screen-walls projecting in drain. opposite directions, giving veiled appearance of skillfully conceived entrance. The artifacts reponed from the sur­ The evidence of fonification wall from RGR2, 3 and face include unfinished beads and burnt patches support­ 4 corroborates Harappan phenomenon of encompassing ing existence orJapidary and other craft activity areas in of individual habitation-zones within an integrated net­ RGR 2. Finished products like beads of all representative work of town planning. Similarly. overwhelmingly rich 42 PuralattvB 28 surface features together with volume and size of the row, devoid of entrance, and an adjoining paved platfonn. mounds amidst vast arable plains suggest primarily agri­ These cells together with massive platform appears to be culture based subsistence pattern since the days of first complimentary to each other and were possibly used for occupati on at the site. The agricultural waste and vast storage purpose and stacking goods. It is to be noted that grazing ground around the site must have given rise to soon after the desertion of this 'storehouse' complex, the animal husbandry. The agro-pasloral chara£!.er of the site locality was used as cemetry. Such a rare example is never got marginalised. other traits of subsistence reponed earlier at in Baluchistan. The evidence remained subordinate. of structural burials has some relevance in the present context as the burial No. 1,3 and 8 at RGR 1 are of a com­ In this backdrop. the excavations at Rakhigarhi was plementing type(pI.I). Burial No. 4 is in a pit cut identi­ planned by the author in the year 1997-98. Since the exca­ cal to the structural ones, but laid in a wooden coffin. All vation was restricted to fifteen trenches, the objectives too these burials are primary inhumations, laid in an extend­ were confined to corrobaration of sequence of cuhures as ed position in north-south orientation. head showing west known from the explorations, i.e. Early. Mature and Late ward tilt. In each case an oblong pit over a metre and half , besides understanding a few of the surface fea­ deep was dug in nonh-south direction. Further, a narrow tures noted in case of RGR 1 and 2. The trenches on both depth within the pit was made towards the western half of these mounds have been laid separately in north-south the longer axis of the basal platfonn, leaving a ledge-like orientation with a view to lay bare the site horizontally. fonnation and then an oblong cavity of corresponding dimension was scooped out at the base. In case of RGR 1 the operation was restricted to six contiguous quardants, i.e. four of G5 and two of G6. laid This under cut portion formed the actual burial cham­ at the highest point of the m?und. The complete sequence ber where the dead body was laid and covered by brick of culture could not be detennined due to the presence of work from the level of basal platfonn by laying header structures at various levels of the dig. However, in G6II and stretcher courses of mud-bricks-on-edge resting the excavation was camed out to a depth of 4.70 m expos­ against the overhanging mass of the pit. The dry mud­ ing the upper portion of habitation. There five successive brick masonry used in the vault like structural burial phases of structural remains could be noticed. besides a chamher provided opportunity of reopening of the tomb. nonh-south oriented lane of 1.50 m in width. 1be evi­ This feature was noticed in the burial No. 1,3,4 and 8. In dence of series of mud-brick structures did not help to case of burial number 1 and 3 the chambers were left par­ reconstruct a complete house-plan in any one of the phas­ tially open, leaving a few fallen bricks over the skeletal es. However, these were oriented north-south and did not remains in the hollow chamber. In case of Burial No. 4 the open in the lane. 1be mud-bricks used were of various courses of bricks were carefully removed but were never sizes but the ratio remai ned 1:2 :4. 1be brick masonry reset. otherwise the wooden coffin would have survived consisted of alternate layers of headers and stretchers as a further testimony. Burial No. 8 was bener preserved with clay used as monar. The structure of Phase-I was in with all its architectural components. But roughly one­ the fonn of a room (2.60 m x 1.80 m); within this room a third portion of the obliquely laid bricks on edge along­ built-in platfonn was noticed (65 em x 30 cm) in the with couple of supportive header-and-strectcher courses south-west comer while a chulha in the south-east comer, were removed but at the time of resetting a tell-we mark suggest its use as kitchen. It was sealed by layerl6. The was left by ignoring the flat courses on the edge and reset­ other three phases of construction were noticed in succes­ ting of oblique bricks on edge at a correspondingly lower sion. The mud-brick structure of Phase 2 showed ten level. AU these graves were bereft of grave goods; how­ courses in the south-eastern comer. Incidently, the mud­ ever, the skelatal remains were more or less better pre­ brick structure (2.40 m) of Pbase-3 had an entrance from served, at times showing disarticulation of certain joints east side (80 em wide). In the western wall 3 courses and and shifting of bones under their own weight, besides, in southern wall 14 courses of mud-bricks were noticed. fracture due to collapse of bricks at the time of reopening. In Phase 4 mud-brick wall of eleven courses was noticed. The structures of Phase 5, sealed by layer I, were not in At this stage of our knowledge any estimation about alignment with the structures and lane of the preceding the funerary rites would be of a speculatory nature. But, Phases 1 to 4. The structure, so far not corr.pletely placement of head towards north with a tilt on west may exposed, is stretched east-west showing three cells in a denote some ritual practice adopted by a particular com- Rakhigarhi: A Harappan Metropolis in the Sarasvati-Drishadvati Divide 43 munity. Burial No. 4 in coffin appears to be specially drains. Certain mud-brick structures bore mud plaster as devised for an important person. Likewise constructi on of preservati ve coating. Except a storehouse of granary and brick-laid vaulted l chambers has the ramification of craftsmnn-3rcade no other structural complex could he tomh rituals, either proclai ming life after death or de not· defined for want of complete plan. Certain structures ing status of the deceased. were furnished with clements like pil3stcrs. niches. hearths, fire altars, built-in benches, tiled noors, anim al At RGR 2 a major part of excavation efforts were sacrifice pit etc. diverted towards exposing northern gateway and south­ eastern extension of the fortification, besides recovering Exc:1vations on the south-westerly elevated pl ain certain structural complexes in southern plain and its have reve31ed certain better preserved structures of mid­ adjoining western slope, lenninaling into a wide rai n dle phases. However, the structures in the slope have suf­ gully. Excavations on the nonhern side of mound was rered the onslaught of erosion. In trench R 2 1. facing located in the central depression with a view to locating street, an impressive pillared corridor was exposed par­ structural components of gateway as observed in the tially with fl anking rooms on either side. The pillar, course of study of surface features in this particular area. squarish on plan measured 90 cm and on the correspond­ Coincidentaly. the cutt ings on the western ann of the in g western alignment was noticed evidence of pilaster, a entrance revealed a series of cell s in north-south align­ rare architectural feature; its fl oor was rammed with mud ment, opening towards east. In support of their fun cti on brick-bats. It was adjacent to handicraft manuracturing - as guard cells, a few typical copper and bone arrowheads cum- marketing area. There in S21 were located four cells were picked up from the fl oor levels of these cells. in a row facing the street north-south. In the back wall Were noticed br'\ck-Iined hearths and their fl oors retained The cuttings in the southern locations of RGR 2 the evidence of anvil, besides debitage of columellae of highlight tentatively five Mature Harappan occupational Xancus pyrum. The evidence suggest intra-regional con­ levels. Trenches laid across the fortification remains to be tacts, besides crafts specialization. A few more traits verifi ed; hence the present observations would be subject known to the Harappans of Rakhighari were burning shell to correction. On plan the wall runs north-south showing for extracting lime, steatite' and lapidary work besides narrow steps from east leading half-way to the wall lOp preparing terracoua cakes and mushtikas. These and there taking a tum to north and after negotiating the mushtikas were prepared to keep them in cowdung cake guard cells on either side the pathway turns west. fire pans as heat absorbent, thereafter it was reused ei ther Thickness of fortification wall of Phase I was 5 m; in in fl oor bedding or raising levels. A circular potters' kiln Phase 2 burnt-brick buttress was added externally to the was also located which was exclusively used for firing wall. In Phase 3 thickness of the wall was increased two goblets, dishes and terracotta bangles. times and steps were provided for entrance through climbing the wall top with a tum to the west. In Phase 4 A modest granary was located in the cuttings of 52 full sized burnt-brick pavement was laid over the waH top and 122. It consists of cell s, in two segments, with a cor­ with a tum to west. On either side of the brick pavement ridor in front showing built in bench and a guard cell . The were noticed guard cell s. Finally, in Phase 5 the height of accumulated dust and earth from these cell s have yielded the fortification wall was further raised by laying mud­ barley. brick courses over the burnt-brick pavement. Internally, a lane parallel to fortification walls remained undisturbed Drainage system noticed were of two types, viz pub­ till the last occupati on al the si te. lic and private. Public drainage system was found from the lower-middle phase and was laid in the centre of a On the corresponding south-western side of the street. A T-shape plan was exposed in 123, besides, terra­ mound revealed other habitational slrUctres of signifi­ cotta pipe used for drainage was also evidenced. Private cance. Structural remains of upper levels convey some drains, possibly connected to bath platforms. were idea of the poor state of preservation. However, whatever observed from the upper most levels of Mature Harappa survived shows that there was a street running north­ in X-2S. south bisecting the area at right angles, to which there were east-west running lanes joining from either sides. From the mip-Ievel of S 22 a couple of struct'ural Mud-brick was extensively used in the construction, units associated with religious or ritual purpose have while burnt-brick with certain exceptions was used in come to light. A fl oor of tiny bricks-bats on northern side RaJchigami: A Hamppan Metropolis in the Sarasvati· Drishadvati Di',,;d~ 45

Remaining samples are under study. (sara cokra) and solid (paridhi cakra) varieties noticed were. The solid ones have hub in centre; a few of them arc The limited excavation at the site has yielded a vari· also painted. ety of objects. The cylindrical seal made of faience, incised with five Harappan signs of Mature phase on one Other antiquities of importance are gold fillet and side and an alligalor on other, deserves special men· beads, silvCf. copper and shell bangles. etched and plain tion(PI.). Besides the excavation has yielded two circular beads of siliceous material, steatite and faience beads. lerracotta amulets of identical nalure depicting an ele­ weights and measure, gamesman and game· board phant to right and Harappan characters in the upper pan, etc.{PI.4) in rel ief. The cross·section is plan~co nvex (PI.4). 1bere are inscribed seals of faience and steatite besides an unin· To sum up. the present excavations at RGR 2 have scribed one coming from the lower mid level of Mature brought to light certain important structures like pillared phase (p1.4). Another important seal, upper portion bro­ corridor with nanking cells, granary, places of performing ken depicts composite figure of man, bull, unicorn, ele­ rituals, shopping arcade in a close knitted area; these to ph:mt and tiger. identify the mound as 'citadel' mound. as some of these structural components have been reported from the Among the lerracoUa figurines animals find prefer­ 'citadel' area of other Harappan sites. Again the occur· ence over others. Representation of human figurines are renee only of seals from the excavation at RGR 2 it as a few and far between. A preliminary study shows some of authority. kind of stylistic development in animal figurines reported from the lower middle phase to upper phase. In the upper As the present excavations were of preliminery levels bovine animals are treated more realistically than nature, more work is needed to finally confinn the results lower levels. Among the toy can wheels both spoked so (ar arrived at.

REFRENCl!S

I. JAR · 1963-64, p.90. 10.Joshi J.P. . Madhubala and Jassu Ram, 1984. '1l\e Indus 2. JAR · 1966·67, p. 12 Civilizlion: A reconstruction on the basis or distri bution Maps' in B.B. Lal and S.P. Gupta. (cds.) Fronr;~rs oJlh Indus 3. Suraj Bhan. 1965. Excall'Qtion tJI MitatJuU (1968) and other Civiliwion. pp. 511·30. New Delhi. ~splotiolt.f in th~ Sutl~j • Yamwaa Divide. Kurulcshetra Universily.Kurulcshetra p.95. 11. Joshi J.P., 1991, SettJement Patterns in the Third. Second and First Millennia in India. The Cultural HerilOge of an 4. Siln Ram. Archaelogy or Rohtak and Hi ssar District Indian Village. British Museums. London. (Haryana). PhD. thesis (unpublished) University. Kurukshctra. pp. 77·78. PI. XXXUJ ActB. 12. Bridget and Raymond Allchin, 1997, Origilt.f of a Civilization .' The P"history and Early A. rchD~ology of 3. JAR · 1980-81. p.16 SoUlh Asia. New Delhi, p.159. 6. A.Ghosh (cd). 1984, "'. Ecyc/op