Dholavira

The third international conference of the assembly of world antiquity was held in Asia for the first time.  India hosted it and 74 countries with their 800 representatives came here under the presidency of Jack Golson.  Inspite of the most ancient culture that India has, the lack of knowledge and responsibility towards the field of archaeology prevails greatly here.

Ex director general of Archaeology sector of India, Mr. Jagatpati Joshi did great research on Sindhu cultural.  When they found the remains of Sindu culture in Mohen-Jo-Daro and Lothal, Joshi thought that there must be one more such colony which connects to these two, and it should be near seashore.  So he started doing research in Kutch at around late 60's.  He found remains of small colonies.  But the contribution of founding Dholavira goes to its villages called Shambudanbhai Gadhavi.

In 1970 when famine stroked on Kutch, the relief work was going on at Kotda half km. from Dholavira.  Clark Shambudan Gadhavi found some seals of the shape of animals.  He informed the museum of Kutch that is at Bhuj but didn't found much encouragement, so he published the news in 'Kutchmitra' at Bhuj.  In 1990, the government of India started research in Kotda.  Under the observation of Shirr Ravindrasing Bist, in around three-year, they found a town.

At the first stage of excavation, they found that the town is in at least 48 acre of land.  As they researched, they classified this town's human culture into three phases, pre-haddapan, haddapan and bait- haddapan.  The fort of the town is made of pre haddapan rocks, but the walls of the fort are made of bricks are of the phase after the pre-haddapan.  Main fort's wall is to 10 meter thick and has 3 gates, in north side, eastside, and West Side.  The alphabets that are found on the north side gate are an ancient script.  According to archaeologists, river Manhar and Mansar are running on south and North side of the town.  The pillar near the entrance of the fort is divided in 4 parts.  The bottom most has a shape like sand-clock machine and the other 5 parts are gradually getting narrow.  The polish on the pillar indicates the Sindu cultures feature.

Houses of this town give the indication of its people's ability and expert in architecture.  The houses are made in such a way that the sunlight comes in till late evening.  In the center of the town resides 18 meter tall gorgeous and fort. After that are medium and low-level houses.  The citadel and the medium part have its own security through fort but there is a facility to come in and go out of it.

Through the channel, they stored water in big tanks.  There are also public swimming pools with steps.  There is also public graveyard, but didn't find any human remains.  Dirty water runs through the well-arranged gutter system.  The town arrangement depicts their architecture expertness while the clay vessels and jewelry and other thing depicts their life style.  There are animal bones and burned barely seeds found in their houses, which indicates that the people here were non-vegetarians and barely was their main food.

Archaeologists found a 1 inch thick bangle with very tiny pearls attached into it.  This is the best example of their artistic ability.  Toys made out of gold and copper indicates that people of Dholavira knew metal works and used them.  The tool found at the law area of fort indicates the settlement of laborers in this area.  They used to work on pearl jewelry made out of pearls.  They also used Jasper, Durncliyan, Steatite and Eaglets.  They found anvil made out of chert stone.  The sharp blade made out of stone of Chilshido was found here and which was used to scrub the skin.  The mariner's campass that was found here indicates that the people of this colony used to do business through sea.  Different things that are found here, the expert says that people of this colony used to export Gugal honey and pearls jewelry to countries like Egypt.  The clay vessels found here must be imparted from other cities and countries and this indicates the business relationship of Dholavira with other western countries.  Things weigh from 10 GM. To 20 kg indicates peoples' way of measuring abilities and their expert business minds. Experts found big, large and straight board and two sitting arrangements at two opposite side if it which depicts that people used to play games in their spare time and entertain themselves.

After the research and study of Dholavira, Mr. Ravindra Singh says that this culture and the lifestyle similar to that of the life style of Vaidik period.  The experts used to believe that the Sindh culture was about 2000-2500 years ancient, but the discovery of Dhoavira and the wooden case to keep anvil found in the form of fossil from here, which indicates that this town and the haddapan culture is as ancient as 5000 years.

Dholavira is the biggest town found during the archaeological excavation in the world and the culture and life style of this town and people depicts that people here were so cultured and modern and the town was so developed also in such ancient times.

Due to the lack of money, the government of India has stopped the research here and all the things that are found here are moved to Delhi and Baroda for the further research.  

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