RAKHIGARHI

GS 1 – ANCIENT INDIA

Recent Discovery

• Archaeologists uncovered a mud-brick stadium and a marketplace from the Mature Harappan Phase at Rakhigarhi.
• Stadium Features:
  • Precisely engineered seating arena with an inclined design for optimal viewing, indicating a sporting culture during the Harappan era.

About Rakhigarhi

1. Significance:
   • Recognized as one of the largest and oldest Harappan sites.
   • Offers insights into the Early, Mature, and Late phases of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC).
2. Location:
   • Situated in the Hisar district of Haryana, in the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain.
3. Key Findings:
   • The site provided the only DNA evidence from the Harappan era, offering crucial information about the genetic makeup and lineage of the Indus Valley people.

Importance of the Discovery

• Highlights the advanced urban planning and engineering skills of the Harappans.
• Adds to evidence of a sporting culture, previously unknown from Harappan sites.
• The marketplace points to a thriving trade network and economic activity in the region.