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First Excavations at Harappa
1921: Sahni's First Finds at Harappa

Two Terracotta Toy Carts

The wheel (A 233) was found inside the large earthen chati unearthed in the first long trench on Mound F.

"(21) The only other kind of toy is a cart (Plate X. Photo. No. 2749) consisting of a shallow rectangular basin with rings for the ends of the axle at the sides and another ring in front for the string by which the cart was drawn. Several earthenware wheels which belonged to such carts were found (c/. A 168.) In connection with terracotta figurines it is worthy of note that no divine images for votive offerings or household worship were reclaimed with the single exception of No. B54, Plate IX, Photo. No. 2813."

- Daya Ram Sahni, Annual Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey [of India], Hindu and Buddhist Monuments, Northern Circle for the Year Ending 31st March 1921, p. 13.

"Many different types of toy carts have been discovered from Harappa and other Indus sites. For an example from the site of Nausharo see toy cart.

For more discussion see Kenoyer J. M. 2009. Carts and wheeled vehicles of the Indus Civilization: New evidence from Harappa, Pakistan. Pages 1-34 in T. Osada & Uesugi A. (eds.), Linguistics, Archaeology and the Human Past, Occasional Paper 9. Kyoto: RIHN."

- Jonathan Mark Kenoyer, 2021.

ASI Description

A. 292 Terracotta cart (length 2 5/8") Similar to A. 168. A. 168 Basin (length 2 7/8'') of a terracotta toy cart, with broken rings at the sides for the ends of the axle and another in-front for the string.

A. 168 Basin (length 2 7/8'') of a terracotta toy cart, with broken rings at the sides for the ends of the axle and another in-front for the string.

A. 233 "A large earthen chati, plain except for black lines round the body, which was badly cracked, but whose contents were . . . a wheel, etc, etc."

[Appendix D] Two terracotta toy carts composed of antiquities Nos. A 233 and A 168 and A 292 respectively.

[Original title, ASI 1921 photograph] Harapa excavations, Two toy carts.

[Original caption: Two terracotta toy-carts composed of antiquities Nos. A233, A168, A292.]

Slide Year
1921: Sahni's First Finds at Harappa
ASI Report
ASI Annual Report 1921
ASI Number
523/86
Punjab Volume
28
Silver Plate
2749
(Item) Serial Number
A 292
A 168
A 233
Toys
Carts
Trench
A
A
A
Find spot
6 x 19
10 x 15
20 x 5
Harappa
Depth (ft.)
5
5
8
Photograph
Daya Ram Sahni
Depth (in.)
0
0
0
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