II. Ancient Indus Valley Geography

Indus Valley remnants have been discovered from as far south as Mumbai [Bombay], in Maharashtra State, India, and up north until the Himalayas and northern Afghanistan. The westernmost sites are on the Arabian sea coast in Baluchistan, Pakistan, right next to the Iranian border. A thousand miles to the east in India, Harappan settlements have been found beyond Delhi in Uttar Pradesh State. Discoveries in Lothal or Gola Dhoro in Gujarat State suggest a southern coastal network spanning hundreds of miles.

Indus Valley culture seems to have moved from west to east, with sites towards central and southern India flourishing after Harappa and Mohenjo-daro had declined. The drying up of the ancient Sarasvati or Ghaggar-Hakra river, east of and parallel to the Indus, may also have affected the civilization. There seem to be numerous Indus Valley sites along that river bed.

There are also accounts in the Rg Veda of northern people driving an indigenous people into south India. The existence of the Brahui tribe in Baluchistan, to the west of the Indus, who speak a Dravidian language like Tamil spoken in southeast India, suggests that some migration of people or culture did occur. The possible endurance of certain signs like the arrow is suggestive. Yet it is unclear whether the ancient Harappans would have been Aryans or Dravidians, or whether it makes any difference. There also seems to be much greater cultural continuity between Indus times and the era after 1700 B.C. until today than earlier archaeologists have tended to recognize.

Much new research is being undertaken on the ground in India and Pakistan. Answers to questions about invaders and the drying up of river beds are likely to be answered in the coming years. The first ancient Indus script interpretations have been made. Radiocarbon chronologies are proving very useful. Satellite imaging is exposing old trade routes. This site will report on this unfolding research based on facts, not speculation.

III. Ancient Indus Sites

IV. Hariyupiyah?

I. The Ancient Indus Valley