LOTHAL : HISTORY
NEWS : New study suggests existence of a dockyard
at Lothal, Gujarat, during Harappan Civilisation: What are the findings?
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
The
study has revealed that the Sabarmati river used to flow by Lothal (currently,
it flows 20 km away from the location) during the Harappan Civilisation
Lothal and the Harappan Civilization
- Lothal Dockyard Discovery:
Recent study suggests existence of a dockyard at Lothal, Gujarat, during
the Harappan Civilization.
- Sabarmati River:
Used to flow by Lothal, now 20 km away.
- Travel Route:
Connected Ahmedabad, Lothal, Nal Sarovar wetland, and the Little Rann to
Dholavira.
- Trade Routes:
Lothal was part of an inland network linked to the Rann of Kutch and the
Gulf of Khambhat, facilitating trade with Mesopotamia.
- Lothal Dockyard:
- Discovered in the 1950s, Lothal had houses,
bathing platforms, streets, fortifications, a cemetery, and large
structures.
- A basin measuring 222 x 37 meters was
identified as a possible dockyard.
- Artefacts like Harappan seals support the
dockyard theory, though some experts dispute it.
- Other Evidence of Sea Trade:
- Temples dedicated to goddess Sikotara in Gujarat, named after the Socotra island, an ancient trade
stop at the Red Sea.
- Inscriptions in Brahmi script show Indian
sea-farers used Socotra over 2,000 years ago.
- Harappan Civilization:
- One of the oldest civilizations along with
Egypt and Mesopotamia, identified as a Bronze Age civilization.
- Known for urban planning, brick houses,
drainage systems, and trade networks extending to Mesopotamia and the
Arabian Peninsula.
- Harappans wore ornaments of gold, silver,
ivory, and semi-precious stones.
- Religion and iconography include figures like
the “Priest King” and animal motifs.
- Produced intricate pottery, jewelry, and
seals.
- Decline due to ecological changes, river
course shifts, invasions, or internal conflicts.
Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/dockyard-lothal-gujarat-9548119/