A Walk Around Dholavira
A walk through the ancient Indus city of Dholavira in Gujarat, India with Sagar Bhanderi, Sunil Shehbag and others.
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1. Dholavira Symbols A 10 lettered signboard found in the western chamber of North Gate of Castle, (c. 2500-1900 BC). There are ten symbols in the panel. One symbol has been repeated four times. These symbols are… |
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2. Southern Chamber, East Gate Dholavira Pillar members in their original place in the Castle, Harappan period (c. 2500-1900 BCE). The east gate is quite elaborate with a large and elevated built-in chamber and a sunken passageway in front… |
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3. Limestone Pillar Members, Dholavira The limestone pillar members, found at Dholavira reminiscence of the Harappan culture. A circular cut base of the pillar is shown below. Pillar members have been found in various trenches around… |
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4. Two Pillars, Dholavira Two pillars associated with some type of entrance. It resembles a pillar shaped structure that is neatly polished. Two pillars could be a form of entry into a town, temple or a place of significance. |
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5. Basal slabs, Dholavira A set of three rectangular basal slabs used to support the pillar column and mud bricks. The image shows finely crafted pillar base on which the composite pillar members were placed in order. These… |
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6. Rectangular basal slab, Dholavira Top view of the rectangular basal slab with robust locking mechanism. Entire pillars rested on these superstructures [?]. These were used as a mounting point for side walls of chambers and to provide… |
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7. Middle Town, Dholavira The view of middle town as seen from the eastern wall periphery. The middle and lower towns were built on the northern part of the Dholavira while the Citadel was on the south part of the Dholavira. |
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8. Middle Town, Dholavira Middle town from the Castle. A deep well used for drawing water from the ground during the Harappan and Late Harappan Period. |
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9. Storm Water Drain, Dholavira A water management system using storm water drainage. The storm water drain in the picture is located in the citadel and connected to an arterial one on the south of the Citadel. |
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10. Reservoir, Dholavira 10) A large reservoir with a storm water drain on from the Southern end. This is a part of a series of reservoirs found on the south, west and north of the built-up area. A feeding drain can be seen… |
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11. North Gate and Object X Location An entry point into the Dholavira city and offering a vantage point over the sprawling cityscape is the North Gate. There are two large and elevated chambers flanked by sunken passageways on both… |
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12. West Gate, Dholavira The complete West Gate area. |
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13. The West Gate Dholavira A broad and deep passageway with stairs and a high front terrace with connected pathways and on outward gentle slope. The entry from west gate leads to a set of reservoirs. Pillars and pilasters can… |
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14. Eastern Dholavira Wall Eastern Wall – Remnant of the eastern wall after the fortification of the city. There are gates on the wall running along its periphery. |
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15. Dholavira Marketplace Dholavira had a central marketplace. A thriving “Bazaar” to exchange goods from the middle-eastern merchants. This place was the center of trade and commerce used to exchange merchandise during… |
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16. The Cemetery, Dholavira Lying on the western part of the city, the cemetery has an important significance in the culture of Dholavira. The cemetery covers a very large area with circular and rectangular shaped cenotaphs… |
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17. The Bailey, Dholavira Quarters for important officials are located on the western side of the Citadel. It is a walled subdivision added during Stage III of the Harappan civilization. This part is adjacent to the west of… |
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18. Dholavira Storm Drain A storm water drain leading to the reservoir near north wall is seen in the picture. The water harvesting channel filled up reservoirs adjacent to North, South and East sides of Dholavira. |
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19. Small Reservoir, Dholavira This reservoir is seen close to the citadel and is smaller in size than the other reservoirs found around the city. The Manhar river channel on the east filled up the Citadel reservoirs first. |
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20. North Wall Reservoir Dholavira A large reservoir located on the northern periphery of the city. According to town planning and location of middle and lower town, large reservoirs were used for industrial purposes. |
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21. Dholavira Bulls A herd of bulls returning to shelter. |
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22. Aerial View of Dholavira The Citadel is seen on the southern side with reservoir on the east. The major reservoirs are seen on the north and west side of the picture. [Which sides, top or bottom?] |