Dholavira : Hadappan Colony

The culture that prevailed near the bank of Sindhu river is called the most ancient culture of Haddapan. This was the time when humans left caves and started living in colonies, did farming. This was the morning of human culture.

Among the other colonies of Haddapan culture that are found in Kutch, Dholavira is the only one that seems city. According to research scholars, the population of Dholavira was about 10,000.

Kutch was on island at that time and where there is desert right now, was sea. According to this theory Dholavira was a harbour. Dholavira is situated at Kutch's Khadir area. This is

surrounded by desert. Mr. Shambhabhai Ghadvi found a coin of Haddapan culture and then the research started here in 1970-72. The main work is done by Mr. Bist and his co-workers in 1990-93.

It is the best example of sindhu architecture.

The main feature of this colony is its fortification. The main palace which is called citadel is protected by strong fort. Another fort is built to protect this palace and the town.

Another main feature is its elegant pillars. Mainly sindhu or Haddapan colonies doesn't have any kind of artistic or elegant work in their architecture but it is totally different here in Dholavira.

They also found a big Board from here which as inscriptions written in 10 letters or symbols which are not solved yet.

In those times also, the water shortage made them store water. There is a big tank in the palace and pond is also built to store rainwater.

There is also a swimming pool there. Near the place is a biog ground for sports and there is also sitting arrangement around the ground and for the spectators. Little far away from the palace is the town of wealthy people. Houses made out of stones with 2 to 5 rooms in them. There is also the neat gutter arrangement.

Far from this habitat, is a colony of poor with small houses. They also found coins, weights, weapons, beads, and golden jewellery here. There is nothing found on temples or anything related to it and this depict that in Haddapan times, people were the worshipers of param Brahama. They also found Navigation with ashes and vessels. There were no bones or any human remains.

There are many things here in Dholavira's haddapan colony which is different from any other haddapan colonies that are found. The differences are :-

1. Artistic Architecture,
   

2. Its main occupation may not be farming as it is not situated on river bank

3. Under ground water canals found here

4. Protective planning for the town, not found in any other Haddapan colony.

5. In Lothal, they bury dead bodies or more than one body in a grave, but here they burn the body and then burn thee remains.

6. Found lot of seals of Sindhu alphabets in lothal but very few in Ghosavira.

7. In spite of a harbour, Dholaviraa doesn't seem that big enough to anchor ships like Lothal.