Kalibangan: One of the most ancient sites in India

Terracotta Bullock Cart

Kalibangan in Rajasthan, India, is the site of one of the most ancient civilizations in India.

Dated even before the Harappan culture, this site in Kalibangan is perhaps one of the earliest proof of ancient civilization in India. A settlement dating back to pre-harappan and Harappan civilization was unearthed way back in 1962 by Dr. A Ghosh of ASI, in
Kalibangan in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. Kalibangan happens to be one of the major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization that was in existence around 2400-2250 BC.

After completing the excavations, it was established that there were two settlements Pre-Harappan (2400-2250 BC) and Harappan civilization from 2200 -1700 BC. The archaeological museum in Kalibangan has many interesting items recovered during excavations. These pictures are from the Archaeological museum.

How to reach Kalibangan?

The nearest railway station is in Bikaner, Rajasthan. You can hire a car or drive to Kalibangan from Delhi; it will take you around 7 hours (380 kms).

When I see these items it makes me feel like... the users of these items died thousands of years back, and yet these items have survived... pretty jewellery, bangles, toys...a whole civilization of people, their way of life, long gone,... or maybe not.

In my next post on Kalibangan, I will post more pictures from the current site. Photo credit: Soma Jha.

Archaeological Museum in Kalibangan

Stones

Terracotta Pottery

Terracotta Pot

Different types of bricks and religious items

Terracotta Dice

Ancient Terracotta jewellery

Ancient beaded jewellery

Ancient jewellery made out of stones

Terracotta bangles