Findings of Rakhigarhi's discovery Added to NCERT books

Findings of Rakhigarhi's discovery Added to NCERT books

GS-1:

(IAS/UPPCS)

Relevant for Prelims:

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Harappan sites- Rakhigarhi archaeological site, Hastinapur, Shivsagar, Dholavira, Adichanallur.

Relevant for Mains:

Findings from Rakhigarhi archaeological site DNA, Government of India's initiative for the development of Harappan sites.

08/04/2024

Source: The Hindu

Context:

Recently, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made some changes in the Class 12 History syllabus by adding DNA findings from the ancient Harappan site Rakhigarhi.

  • In this regard, it is necessary to mention the recent archaeological-genetic research conducted at Rakhigarhi archaeological site.
  • To study the genetic history of the Harappans, DNA was extracted from human skeletal remains excavated at Rakhigarhi.
  • This research work has been done by Deccan College, Deemed University, Pune in collaboration with the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad and Harvard Medical College.

What are DNA findings?

  • Study of ancient DNA from archaeological sources in Rakhigarhi, Haryana suggests that the genetic roots of the Harappans go back to 10,000 BC.
  • The DNA of the Harappans persists to this day and most of the South Asian population appears to be their descendants. Meaning, analysis of the data has shown that the Harappans were the original inhabitants of this region.
  • These findings indicate genetic continuity without large-scale immigration. Meaning, people coming from border areas and far-flung areas were absorbed into the Indian society.

Granary:

  • A granary belonging to the Mature Harappan phase (2600 BC to 2000 BC) has been found here from this site. It has 7 rectangular or square chambers.

Culture, Dress and Worship:

  • Fire altars and semicircular structures have appeared in Rakhigarhi. Animal sacrifice pits made of mud bricks and triangular and circular fire altars on mud floors point to the ritual system of the Harappans.
  • A cylindrical seal with 5 Harappan characters on one side and a crocodile symbol on the other is an important discovery from this site.
  • A site has been found which is believed to be a jewelery manufacturing unit.

Development of houses:

  • The site has both mud brick and burnt brick houses with proper drainage system.

Cemeteries and burial sites:

  • A cemetery of the Mature Harappan period has been discovered in Rakhigarhi, in which eight tombs have been found.

Discovered remains:

  • The ceramic industry was represented by red ware, which included dish-on-stand, vase, jar, bowl, beaker, perforated jar, goblet and 'handi' (pan).
  • Other antiquities include blades; Terracotta and shell bangles; beads of semi-precious stones, terracotta, shell and copper objects; Animal figurines, toy cart frame and terracotta wheel; bone point; Inscribed steatite seals and seals.

Necropolis:

  • Excavations have revealed some extended cemeteries, which are certainly of a much later phase, perhaps dating back to the medieval period. A rare grave with a double burial of a male and a female has been found here.

About Rakhigarhi:

Site Location:

  • This ancient site is located in Hisar district of Haryana, which is spread over an area of 550 hectares.
  • Present Rakhigarhi is situated in the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain, 27 km away from the Ghaggar River.
  • This site was discovered by Surajbhan in the year 1969.
  • This archaeological site dates back to 2600-1900 BC.
  • It is the largest Harappan site in the Indian subcontinent.

Government of India's initiative for development of Harappan sites:

  • In the year 2020, it was announced to develop Rakhigarhi as a prestigious site and establish a national museum here.
  • Apart from this, Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, Shivsagar in Assam, Dholavira in Gujarat and Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu will also be developed as iconic sites with national museums by the Central Government. So that social and economic benefits can be earned from these places.

Hastinapur:

  • Hastinapur, located in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, was the ancient capital of Pandavas and Kauravas during the Mahabharata period. In ancient times it was a meeting place of many religions.
  • Shri Digamber Jain Bada Mandir located here is one of the oldest temples while other temples include Jambudweep Jain Temple, Shwetambar Jain Temple, Ancient Digamber Jain Temple and Astapad Jain Temple.
  • Hastinapur is also known as the birthplace of Panch Pyare Bhai Dharam Singh who was a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh (tenth Sikh Guru).
  • Archaeological Survey of India carried out excavations at Hastinapur in the year 1950-52 and it included arrowheads, spears, tongs, hooks, axes, knives etc.

Shivsagar:

  • This place located in Assam was the capital of the Ahom Empire between 1699 and 1788 AD and was earlier also known as Rangpur.
  • The Archaeological Survey of India, during excavations at the Karenghar (Talatalghar) complex, which was the seat of Ahom power, found structural remains of pathways, long walls, terracotta pipes for drains, vases and some vessels.
  • Another important historical place located here is Rang Ghar, which was an amphitheater of Ahom kings, which was used for sports.

Dholavira:

  • This site related to Harappan civilization is located in Kutch district of Gujarat.
  • This site spread over 100 hectares was discovered by JP Joshi in the year 1967-68 AD.
  • It was the second largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization located in India which was divided into three parts – Fort, Middle City and Lower City.
  • The most important discovery of this site is that the world's oldest water conservation system has been found here where rain water was harvested.

Adichanallur:

  • This archaeological urn-burial site in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu was first excavated by the German naturalist Dr. Jagor and later by an English archaeologist Alexander Rea between the years 1876 and 1905.
  • In the Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India for the year 1902-03, Alexander Ray has described this site as the most extensive prehistoric site discovered in Southern India.

Conclusion:

The findings from the remains discovered at the Rakhigarhi Harappan site in Haryana have recently been added to the Class 12 Ancient History syllabus by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) so that students can be introduced to the facts related to the society of ancient India based on scientific and research.

The central government is focusing on the development of these Harappan sites to gain social and economic benefits.

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Mains Question:

The remains discovered from Rakhigarhi are indicative of ancient Indian social culture. Discuss.

In recent years, the Government of India has initiated initiatives to develop some Harappan sites. Discuss.