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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on September 04, 2024

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New study suggests existence of a dockyard at Lothal, Gujarat, during Harappan Civilisation

For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international importance

Context:

Since the discovery of Harappan sites at Lothal, located in the Bhal region of Gujarat, in the 1950s, archaeologists have been divided on whether a dockyard existed at the location during the Indus Valley Civilisation

Read about:

What is Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC)?

What is Art & Culture in Harappan Civilisation?

Key takeaways:

• The researchers developed their study based on the hypothesis that Lothal was connected to an inland network that linked it to the Rann of Kutch. During their investigation, Gupta identified a water channel, which turned out to be the Sabarmati River.
• This river originally flowed by Lothal but has since shifted to its current course, now located 20 kilometers away, according to the study.
• By using advanced technology, the researchers traced the gradual shifting of the Sabarmati River, which, at one point, flowed near Lothal. This indicates that when Lothal functioned as a Harappan port, the river was likely flowing at that location.
• The Nal Sarovar was also in full flow, with a river branching out from it. Thus, there was a route from Lothal to the Nal Sarovar, then to the Little Rann, and finally to Dholavira. It would have taken about two days to travel this route by boat, suggesting that traders might have used it for transporting goods. Evidence of foreign trade found at Lothal supports this theory.
• Some researchers who believed in the existence of a dockyard at Lothal based their argument on the discovery of a basin measuring 222 x 37 meters. Others, however, suggested it was merely an “irrigation tank.”
• To support their study, the researchers utilized data from early maps, satellite imagery, and digital elevation models, which are 3D representations of a planet or celestial body’s topography.
• The research focused on two topographic maps from the 19th century, which helped distinguish paleochannels—ancient river channels—from perennial streams and allowed the researchers to understand the geomorphic changes that have taken place over the past 150 years

 Follow Up Question

1.Which of the following statements about the Harappan civilisation is/are correct?

1. The Harappan civilisation was primarily urban and had advanced town planning with well-laid-out streets and drainage systems.
2. The Harappan people had knowledge of metallurgy and produced copper, bronze, lead, and tin objects.
3. The script used by the Harappan people has been deciphered, revealing their detailed trade records and social structure.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

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