Rakhigarhi (Art, Culture & Heritage of India)
Rakhigarhi (Art, Culture & Heritage of India)
Why In News:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has transferred excavated skeletal remains from Rakhigarhi to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) for advanced scientific studies.
What is Rakhigarhi?
Located in Hisar district, Haryana - the largest known settlement of the Indus valley Civilization in India.
It is situated on the banks of the now-dry Saraswati (Ghaggar–Hakra) river system.
The site is larger than both Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.
Period: Early to Mature Harappan (approximately 3000–1900 BCE).
Key Facts for Prelims
ASI = Archaeological Survey of India; AnSI = Anthropological Survey of India - both under the Ministry of Culture.
Anthropological Survey of India
Formed: In 1945 in Varanasi; headquarters moved to Kolkata in 1948.
The Zoological Survey of India was formed in 1916 from the branches of the Indian Museum, from which AnSI was separated in 1945.
First Director: Biraja Shankar Guha
Indus valley Civilization
It is also known as the Harappan Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE).
It was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, contemporary with those of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
It was characterized by well-planned cities with grid patterns, advanced drainage systems, and standardized burnt-brick architecture.
The civilization flourished along the Indus River system and its tributaries, covering parts of present-day India and Pakistan.
It had a highly developed trade network, including long-distance trade with Mesopotamia, evidenced by seals and artifacts.
The script remains undeciphered, and there is no clear evidence of a centralized monarchy, suggesting a unique administrative system.