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Dholavira

Source:  DH

Context: President Droupadi Murmu visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dholavira in Gujarat, appreciating the conservation efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

About Dholavira:

  • Location:
    • Situated on Khadir Bet Island in the Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
    • Lies within the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and on the Tropic of Cancer.
  • Key Features of Dholavira:
    • City Layout: Divided into three sections – Citadel, Middle Town, and Lower Town, unlike other Harappan sites.
    • Material Usage: Unlike Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, which primarily used bricks, Dholavira extensively used stone in construction.
    • Multi-Purpose Grounds: Included a festive ground and a marketplace.
  • Discovered by:
    • Discovered in 1967 by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi.
    • Excavations were systematically conducted from 1990 to 2005 under Dr. Ravindra Singh Bisht of ASI.
  • Unique Features of Dholavira:
    • Advanced Water Conservation System:
      • 16 massive reservoirs for rainwater harvesting, stepwells, check dams, and underground water storage.
      • Known as Jal Durga (Water Fort) due to its superior water management techniques.
    • Funerary Architecture: Unique hemispherical structures, unlike the rectangular burial sites found in Harappa.
    • Trade and Commerce: Connected to the Magan (Oman Peninsula) and Mesopotamian regions.
  • Dholavira, one of the most significant Indus Valley Civilization sites, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 and showcases advanced town planning and water conservation systems.