Kalibangan is an ancient Indus Valley civilization site in Rajasthan, India's westernmost state. The site has both pre-Harappan and Harappan remains, and the transition between the two cultures may be witnessed there. It is also said to have been founded in the geographical triangle formed by the confluence of the Drishadvati and Saraswati Rivers. This article will explain to you the Kalibangan which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Kalibangan

• The location Kalibangan - meaning 'black bangles' - gets its name from the dense dispersion of black bangle shards discovered on the surface of its mounds.
• Only the lowest layers of the western mound have shown signs of pre-Harappan civilization.
• The Indus Valley civilization flourished at the site from the proto-Harappan (3500 BC – 2500 BC) through the Harappan (2500 BC – 1750 BC), according to archaeological findings.
• Although the pre-Harappan civilization worked with copper and made pottery, it lacked a written language, and its ruins lack the regular arrangement and use of baked brick observed in later Harappan sites.
• A cemetery and a fortified castle are among the Harappan ruins.
• Kalibangan has also provided proof of the world's first documented "Earthquake."
• The earthquake, which occurred around 2600 BC, is thought to have led to the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The discovery of fire altars at Kalibangan reveals that the locals were ritualistic and believed in fire worship.
• Luigi Pio Tessitori, an Italian Indologist and linguist, found the Kalibangan site.

Kalibangan - Features

• The village was reinforced with dried mud bricks from the outset of habitation in this era. This fort has been constructed twice, at separate times.
• The homes within the walled area were similarly constructed of mud bricks of the same size as the fort wall; the use of burnt bricks is shown by a drain within the buildings, oven ruins, and cylindrical pots coated with lime plaster.
• There were also several burned wedge-shaped bricks discovered.
• The archaeological site of Kalibangan in Rajasthan has discovered evidence of the world's oldest plowed agricultural field.
• It was discovered outside the fort, southeast of the pre-Harappan village.
• All residences opened out to at least two or three roads or lanes due to the grid pattern of the town layout, which resembled a chessboard.
• A handful of seals from this period have been discovered. A cylindrical seal featuring a female figure between two masculine characters battling or menacing with spears is the most notable.

Kalibangan - Artefacts

• The six fabrics of Kalibangan were created by classifying early Harappan Phase pottery unearthed in Kalibangan to create a datum line for ceramic research in the Indian subcontinent.
• Fire altars, similar to those seen at Lothal, have been uncovered in Kalibangan.
• These altars imply worship of fire. It is the only Indus Valley Civilization site where no indication of mother goddess worship has been found.
• Early Kalibangan pottery has a striking similarity to Hakra ware from Cholistan, as well as other Early Harappan pottery from the Indus Valley Civilization and Integration Era pottery.
• Pottery may be divided into three categories: domestic, religious, and funerary.
• Classifications like plain and embellished items in terms of structure. Harappan inscriptions (undeciphered) were found on certain pots.
• The city had been strengthened. Housing, like town layout, followed the pattern of other Harappan towns.

Seal of Kalibangan

Kalibangan - Important discovery

• A wooden furrow and seven fire altars in a row have been discovered, implying the practice of sacrifice.
• There's also a mixed-race bull watching. They have a rectangular form to them.
• Other interesting items include a cylindrical graded measuring rod and a clay ball with human figurines. Chickpeas and peas were also discovered.
• Camel bones have been discovered at Kalibangan.
• The burials were discovered in two types of pits: round and rectangular graves.
• Kalibangan's bricks were made of dirt, and the structure was not well-planned.
• A tiled floor with crossing circles has been discovered at Kalibangan.
• In Kalibangan, there was no drainage system.
• Kalibangan is also a location that has provided evidence of the first recorded earthquake.
• The earthquake, which occurred around 2600 BC, is said to have led to the demise of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Conclusion

Kalibangan (meaning "black bangles") is located in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, between Suratgarh and Hanumngarh. It was one of the most important Indus Valley Civilization sites, and most experts agree that it was on the bank of the Saraswati River, which had dried up by 2000 BC. In the bottom layer, Kalibangan exhibits evidence of Pre-Harappan culture, and in the higher layer, traces of Harappan civilization. For at least 450-600 years, the Kalibangan prospered.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Kalibangan is located in which state of India?

A) Gujarat
B) Punjab
C) Rajasthan
D) Haryana

2. What was the most significant agricultural discovery in Kalibangan?

A) Wheat granaries
B) Irrigation systems
C) Ploughed fields
D) Cattle farms

3. What evidence points to ritualistic practices in Kalibangan?

A) Stone idols
B) Fire altars
C) Stupas
D) Pottery designs

4. Which natural disaster evidence was discovered in Kalibangan?

A) Tsunami
B) Flood
C) Earthquake
D) Volcanic eruption

5. Kalibangan belonged to which phase of the Indus Valley Civilization?

A) Pre-Harappan
B) Mature Harappan
C) Both Pre-Harappan and Harappan
D) Late Harappan

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the archaeological significance of Kalibangan in understanding the Indus Valley Civilization.

Model Answer: Kalibangan provides crucial insights into the agricultural and ritualistic practices of the Indus Valley Civilization. The discovery of the world’s earliest ploughed fields highlights advanced farming techniques, while the presence of fire altars offers evidence of religious or ritualistic activities. The site’s well-planned urban structure, with a citadel and systematic drainage, indicates a complex society, making it an invaluable source for studying the pre-Harappan and Harappan cultures.

Q2: Analyze the unique urban planning of Kalibangan in comparison to other Indus Valley sites.

Model Answer: Kalibangan’s urban planning is characterized by separate citadel and residential areas, similar to other Indus sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. However, Kalibangan stands out with its ploughed fields and fire altars, signifying both agricultural advancements and ritualistic practices. The discovery of an early earthquake in Kalibangan further adds to its uniqueness, providing evidence of seismic activity influencing the city’s development.

Q3: Examine the role of Kalibangan in tracing the evolution of religious practices in ancient India.

Model Answer: The discovery of fire altars at Kalibangan suggests early forms of fire worship or Vedic rituals, possibly indicating the beginning of religious practices centered around sacrificial ceremonies. These structures, coupled with the city’s advanced urban planning and agricultural development, reflect a society that not only focused on economic activities but also had an evolving spiritual dimension. Kalibangan helps bridge the gap between the pre-Harappan and Harappan cultures in terms of religious evolution.

Previous Year Questions on Kalibangan

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Question: Which site of the Indus Valley Civilization is known for the earliest evidence of ploughed fields?
A) Harappa
B) Mohenjo-Daro
C) Kalibangan
D) Dholavira

Answer: C

Explanation: Kalibangan is known for the discovery of the earliest ploughed fields, marking advanced agricultural practices.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020

Question: Discuss the significance of Kalibangan in understanding the transition from pre-Harappan to Harappan phases.

Model Answer: Kalibangan provides a unique opportunity to study the transition from pre-Harappan to Harappan culture. The site features distinct phases of development in urban planning, agriculture, and religious practices. The early presence of ploughed fields highlights agricultural advancements, while the fire altars offer insights into evolving ritualistic traditions. Kalibangan, thus, plays a crucial role in understanding how pre-Harappan settlements evolved into mature Harappan cities.