The archaeological site of Kalibangan in Rajasthan is a significant Harappan (Indus Valley Civilization) site, providing valuable insights into the early urban planning and architecture of the civilization, dating back to 3000–2500 BCE.
- The remains suggest that Kalibangan was a well-planned, fortified city.
- It featured a stone citadel, which likely served as a defensive and administrative center.
- The city was surrounded by a massive mud-brick rampart, indicating the importance of security and protection in urban planning.
- The city was divided into two distinct parts: the citadel (western mound) and the lower town (eastern mound).
- The citadel was raised on a platform and possibly housed important administrative buildings and elite residences.
- The lower town was meticulously planned with a grid layout of streets, houses, and public spaces.
- The use of rubble masonry and mud bricks reflects the construction techniques prevalent during the Harappan period.
- These materials were used not only for the fortifications but also for building residential structures and other public amenities.
- Kalibangan is notable for evidence of early agricultural practices, including the world’s earliest known plowed field.
- The discovery of furrow marks indicates the use of agricultural tools and techniques, demonstrating the site’s role in agricultural development.
- The site has yielded numerous artifacts, including pottery, terracotta figurines, seals, and other objects that provide insights into the daily life, trade, and culture of the Harappan people.
- The presence of fire altars suggests the practice of religious rituals, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of life in Kalibangan.
- Kalibangan is one of the most significant Harappan sites in India and provides crucial evidence of the advanced urban planning and socio-economic structure of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- The fortified nature of the city highlights the importance of defense mechanisms in ancient urban settlements.