The ongoing archaeological excavation at Rakhigarhi, an ancient Harappan site located in the villages of Rakhi Shahpur and Rakhi Khas in Haryana’s Hisar district, has uncovered remarkable evidence of sophisticated water management systems and cultural practices dating back nearly 5,000 years.
Rakhigarhi, the largest known Harappan-era site, has gained global attention for its profound historical significance, encompassing a sprawling area of 865 acres. Situated approximately 93 miles from New Delhi, this unassuming location has become a focal point for historians, archaeologists, and geneticists seeking to unravel the mysteries of the ancient Indus Valley civilisation.
A significant discovery from the excavation is the identification of a water storage area between mounds one and two, with an estimated depth of 3.5 to 4 feet. This finding highlights the advanced water management techniques employed by the Harappan people.
“This appears to be a water storage area,” said Dr. Sanjay Manjul, Joint Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). “It is a testament to the advanced water management techniques used by the Harappan civilisation.”
Dr. Manjul described mounds one, two, and three as an “elite zone,” suggesting they were significant habitation areas for the upper class of the Harappan society. Massive structures uncovered at the site indicate the importance of this area as a center for elite habitation.
Adding to the intrigue, the discovery of a dried-up riverbed, identified as the Chautang river (also known as the Drishavati river), about 300 meters from the site, offers critical insights into the region’s ancient hydrology. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Harappan people relied on this river for their water supply, storing water in reservoirs and canals for sustainable use.
Code drilling conducted at the site in collaboration with the Zoological Survey of India confirmed the presence of the riverbed, with traces found near mound number seven. However, the gradual drying up of the Drishavati and Sarasvati rivers around 5,000 years ago likely contributed to a water crisis and the decline of prosperous cities like Rakhigarhi.
One of the most striking discoveries at Mound 7 is a collection of 56 skeletons, including the remains of a woman estimated to be 4,600 years old. DNA analysis of the woman’s remains suggests genetic links to ancient Iranians and Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers, while notably lacking the Steppe Pastoral gene commonly found in Central Asian populations.
This absence has reignited debates surrounding the Aryan migration theory and the origins of the Harappan and Vedic civilisations. Some scholars suggest a shared heritage between these cultures, while others argue they were distinct entities.
Dr. Manjul highlighted parallels between Harappan and Vedic practices, such as fire altars and sacrificial pits, suggesting cultural continuity. However, the lack of linguistic evidence complicates the relationship between these two ancient cultures, prompting further inquiries into language evolution and cultural exchange.
Rakhigarhi’s history spans multiple occupational phases, from the Early Harappan period to the Mature Harappan period, covering the 5th to 3rd millennia BCE.
In 2021, archaeologists discovered eleven mounds in total at Rakhigarhi, which have been named RGR-1 to RGR-11. Until then, Mohenjo Daro, which covers 300 hectares, was considered the largest Harappan metropolis in south Asia. The Rakhigarhi site ranks among one of the “five iconic sites” declared by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her budget speech in February 2020. The other sites are Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, Sivasagar in Assam, Dholavira in Gujarat and Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu.-
Recognised as one of the “five iconic sites” by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her 2020 budget speech, Rakhigarhi stands alongside Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh), Sivasagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat), and Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu) as a cornerstone of India’s cultural heritage.
