Lothal: The Archaeological Remains Of Harappan Civilization

One of the Harappan Civilization fractions is found in Gujarat, also known as Lothal India. Lothal arguably has the oldest dockyard in the world that is located on the site of the Bhogavo River which is one of the tributaries of the Sabarmati River. Lothal in Gujarat is one of the smallest sights of the Harappan civilization.

About Lothal India

One of the most magnificent of this site is the dockyard that was built during this era and is located on the eastern side of this edge. The shape of this dockyard is roughly like a trapezoid. 

The dockyard also has a setting to maintain regular water employing a sluice gate and a spill channel, so that if there is excess water can be drained out. Today, the Gulf of Khambhat is around 16-19 km from the Lothal Civilization, however, it is believed that the sea was not that far from the Lothal civilization. 

However, the site of the Lothal Ahmedabad is smaller compared to the other, it has a citadel which is estimated to be an administrative building and the lower city is estimated to be a place where common people used to stay. 

Unlike the citadel in Mohenjo Daro or Harappa, it is not separate and fortified; it is located in the main settlement. During the excavation of Lothal evidence of rice and cotton cultivation has been found. As the major cultivation of Lothal was cotton it is also known as the Manchester of Harappan civilization.

Apart from the dockyard, a bead factory with ten living rooms and working space was found while excavating. Lothal in Gujarat also has a coppersmith’s workshop with five furnaces and paved sinks to enable multiple artisans to work. 

While excavating an earliest known chessboard was also found. One of the famous things found while excavating from Lothal in Gujarat is the double burial where two skeletons were found cremated together.