EARLIEST KNOWN FORTIFIEDCITY

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.

  1. The remains suggest that Kalibangan was a well-planned, fortified city.
  2. It featured a stone citadel, which likely served as a defensive and administrative center.
  3. The city was surrounded by a massive mud-brick rampart, indicating the importance of security and protection in urban planning.
  4. The city was divided into two distinct parts: the citadel (western mound) and the lower town (eastern mound).
  5. The citadel was raised on a platform and possibly housed important administrative buildings and elite residences.
  6. The lower town was meticulously planned with a grid layout of streets, houses, and public spaces.
  7. The use of rubble masonry and mud bricks reflects the construction techniques prevalent during the Harappan period.
  8. These materials were used not only for the fortifications but also for building residential structures and other public amenities.
  9. Kalibangan is notable for evidence of early agricultural practices, including the world’s earliest known plowed field.
  10. The discovery of furrow marks indicates the use of agricultural tools and techniques, demonstrating the site’s role in agricultural development.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.

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