Haryana

• 30 Dec 2024

Harappan-Era Water Management Techniques

Why in News? 

The ongoing excavation at the Harappan-era site in Rakhigarhi has revealed significant evidence of water management, including the discovery of a water body between mounds one and two in Rakhigarhi village, Hisar district. 

 Key Points 

• Discovery of Water Storage Area: 
  • Excavation revealed a water storage area with a depth of 3.5 to 4 feet, highlighting advanced water management techniques from 5,000 years ago. 
  • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), described this as evidence of sophisticated engineering by the Harappan people. 
• Elite Habitation Zone Identified: 
  • Mounds one, two, and three were identified as an “elite zone,” likely inhabited by the upper class of the Harappan civilisation. 
  • Massive structures found in this area indicate its importance as a habitation site for elites. 
• Presence of the Drishavati River: 
  • A dried-up riverbed, identified as the Chautang or Drishavati river, was located about 300 metres from the site. 
    • The river likely served as a lifeline for the region, with archaeological evidence suggesting the Harappans stored water from this river as their primary water source. 
  • Core drilling at the site, conducted by the Zoological Survey of India, confirmed the presence of the Drishavati riverbed. 
• Impact of River Drying on Civilisation: 
  • Archaeologists believe the Drishavati river began drying up around 5,000 years ago, leading to a water crisis in cities like Rakhigarhi. 
  • The gradual disappearance of the Drishavati and Sarasvati rivers likely contributed to the decline of the Harappan civilisation in this region. 
• Legacy of Harappan Engineering: 
  • The findings demonstrate the advanced techniques of water storage and conservation employed by the Harappan people, underscoring their ingenuity in managing natural resources. 

 Harappan Civilization 

• The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), flourished around 2500 BCE along the Indus River .  
• It was the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations alongside Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China.   
• The IVC is classified as a Bronze-age civilization due to the discovery of numerous artefacts made from copper-based alloys.  
• Daya Ram Sahni first excavated Harappa in 1921-22, and Rakhal Das Banerji began excavating Mohenjo-daro in 1922.  
  • Sir John Marshall, DG of ASI, was responsible for the excavations that led to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro sites of IVC.