Haryana

• 08 Jan 2025

Chief Secretary Visit to Rakhigarhi

Why in News? 

Recently, The Chief Secretary of Haryana visited the iconic Harappan site of Rakhigarhi and observed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducting the ongoing excavation in the district. 

 Key Points 

• Directives and Observations at Rakhigarhi: 
  • Relocation of Families: 
    • The Chief Secretary directed district officials to ensure the smooth relocation of families residing in protected areas to government-built houses for their rehabilitation. 
    • Officials were also instructed to remove all encroachments on the site to preserve its integrity. 
  • Site Exploration and Inspections: 
    • He explored excavation sites, including mount numbers one, three, and four, which the ASI has divided into seven segments. 
    • Inspected the under-construction museum and reviewed ancient artifacts and structures excavated in recent years. 
  • Promotion of Heritage: 
    • Emphasized the importance of preserving the site and promoting it at national and international levels. 
    • Highlighted that the site reflects India’s rich heritage, with museum artifacts showcasing the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of ancient India. 
    • Artifacts like earthen pots, terracotta items, tools, and human skeletons unearthed during excavation will be displayed in the museum. 
• Insights from Findings: 
  • Highlighted the advanced architecture and urban planning of the Harappan civilization, with Rakhigarhi resembling modern cities such as Chandigarh. 
  • Key Architectural Features: 
    • The site features a well-planned drainage system, large storage vessels for waste disposal, and two-story houses with ventilation systems. 
    • A discovery on mound number three resembles a stadium, showcasing the architectural prowess of the Harappan people. 
  • Water Source Evidence: 
    • Remains of a riverbed near the site indicate an ancient water source essential for the settlement. 

 Rakhigarhi 

• Rakhigarhi is the largest Harappan site in the Indian subcontinent. The site is situated in the plains of Saraswati river, about 27 km from the seasonal Ghaggar river. 
  • Other large sites of Indus valley Civilization (Harappan civilization) in the Indian sub-continent are Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Ganveriwala in Pakistan and Dholavira (Gujarat) in India.  
• At Rakhigarhi, excavations are being done to trace its beginnings and to study its gradual evolution from 6000 BCE (Pre-Harappan phase) to 2500 BCE.  
• The site was excavated by Amarendra Nath of ASI.  

 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. 
• It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. 
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc. 
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.