Preliminary Studies on Exploration in Middle Reaches of Ghaggar River Basin

Chander Shekhar Singh,Asif Mohi Ud Din

doi:10.5334/aa.214

Abstract

The Ghaggar river which is also known as ancient Sarasvati river is noted for her mysterious disappearance. The scholars from different field are studying the river channel since the 18th century. Archaeologists were intrigued by the Ghaggar river channel due to the presence of archaeological sites all along the river basin. Explorations in the past resulted in locating hundreds of archaeological sites, particularly Harappan culture sites. A large number of Harappan sites along Ghaggar banks is evidence that Harappan culture flourished richly on Ghaggar river than on Indus river. The present research focuses on the middle reaches of Ghaggar river where the author conducted a systematic exploration to revisit previously reported sites and report new sites in the process. The main objective of this research paper is to discuss the site distribution pattern of explored sites in the region and to come up with probable explanations for the distribution pattern of the sites.

Highlights

Since the end of the 18th century, the researchers have been attempting to point out the traces of dried up river channels that extend from the Shivalik and runs through the Punjab and Haryana States and through the northern part of Rajasthan in district
Pilibangan, Rangmahal through Anupgarh, the river enters into Cholistan region of Pakistan and near Derawar buried under a thick layer of drift sand. (Rennell 1788; Burnes 1835; Tod 1832; C F Oldham 1874; R D Oldham 1886; Stein 1942; A Ghosh 1952 and R Mughal 1997)
The present research is based on data, collected through systematic archaeological exploration conducted by walking transects at set distance and ground in the middle reaches of the Ghaggar River Basin from Jetsar to Majnu border outpost (Indo-Pakistan border) in Tehsil Vijay Nagar and Anupgarh in Sri Ganga Nagar district, Rajasthan

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The dried-up river bed of Ghaggar – Hakra, originates in the Shivalik Hills of the Himalaya, which. Dalal mentioned about important site of Harappan period included Kalibangan, Tarkhanwala Dera, Binjor, and PGW period explored was G B 67 She took trial trench at Binjor 1, Binjor 3 and GB 67(Dalal 1972) Ghosh identified it as Chak 72/1. Ghosh from Bhadra to Anupgarh in District- Ganganagar, Rajasthan and discovered Sherpura between Bhadra and Siswal which yielded Pre-Harappan fabrics He took trial trenches at Nohar and Sothi to check the cultural sequence and material, where the Pre-Harappan deposit is 1–1.30 meter thick was reported. R.C Thakran (Thakran 2006–2007) explored the region along the Ghaggar river in Rajasthan and reported 2 Hakra, 14 Early Harappan, 09 Mature Harappan, 04 Late Harappan/OCP, 11 PGW, 49 Rangmahal, 24 Medieval sites. Seventy-nine sites were explored in the proposed area of which sixty-nine are newly discovered sites, 4 Hakra, 4 Early Harappan, 1 Mature Harappan, 3 Late Harappan, 11 PGW and BRW, 78 Rangmahal, 5 Medieval sites have been reported

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Findings

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION