ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Rajasthan

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Rajasthan

Gilund, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Gilund is about 70 KM from Udaipur and 11.5 km off the right bank of the Banas.
A small-scale excavation carried out at the site during 1959-60 by B. B. Lal revealed that while the occupation at both the mounds commenced simultaneously, that on the east one continued much later.

Period I

Period I, of which may be regarded as and has few microliths along with copper. This Period has four structural Sub-Periods, in the earliest of which, at one place, a sizeable complex of mud brick walls (Average size of brick 32.5 x 12.5 x 10 cm) is encountered.
All through the Period the residential houses are also made of mud brick, the walls being plastered with mud, in one case zigzag finger marks being observed on the plaster.
Within the houses are noticed circular clay-lined ovens and even open-mouthed chulhas. Of further interest is the occurrence in these houses of circular or oblong pits.
In all Probability the pits were used for some kind of storage, though no vestiges of the material stored therein have been found.
These Chalcolithic people were fully familiar. with the use of kiln-burnt brick also is attested to by the presence in the s. part of the w. mound of a large wall,
The characteristic ceramic Industry of Period I is a black-and-red Ware, painted over with linear and curvilinear designs in a creamish-white pigment.
Also in use were plain and painted black, burnished grey and red wares.
Among the Teracotta figurines particularly noteworthy are the bull figurines with a prominent hump and long horns.
Number of C-14 dates are available for Period I. But a comparison of the Gilund Pottery with that of Navdatoli shows Period I of Gilund is in the main earlier than the occupation at Navdatoli, with an overlap towards the end of the former.
Since on the basis of C-14 dates the early levels of Navdatoli are assignable to a period around the middle of the 2nd millennium B.C., Period I of Gilund may broadly be placed in the second quarter of that millennium, with a probable margin on the earlier side.
Period II of Gilund seems to have begun about the middle of the 1st millennium B.C., as indicated by the presence of bowls and dishes of grey ware.
In the successive strata have been found Suhga and Kushan bowls in red ware, sprinklers in the Red Polished Ware,bowls in kaolin ware and knife-edged bowls in red ware, indicating that this occupation continued up to the end of the 1st millennium A.D.

Kalibangan, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan

Kalibangan is situated on the left bank of the Ghaggar (anciently known as the Sarasvati) in Tehsil Pilibangan, District Hanumangarh in Rajasthanthe site was excavated for nine field seasons (1960-1969) by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The excavation has brought to Light a twofold sequence of cultures, of which the upper one (Kalibangan I) is the Harappa, showing the characteristic grid layout of a metropolis and the lower one (Kalibangan II) Early Harappa or antecedent Harappa.

Period I

The settlement of Kalibangan I was fortified from the beginning of the occupation. The fortification was made of mud bricks.
Within the walled area, the houses were built of mud bricks of the same size as used in the fortification wall; the use of baked bricks is attested by a drain within the houses,remains of ovens and cylindrical pits, lined with lime plaster.
The distinctive trait of this Period is, however, the pottery, first identified at Sothi, which is characterized by six fabrics, labelled A, B, C, D, E and F.
Of these Fabrics, E and F distinguished essentially by surface colour (E by buff and F by grey) do not show marked individualities in shape or in painted design and are also rather uncommon, particularly the latter.
Among the remaining, Fabrics A, B and D are marked by an individuality which isolate them from the Harappa as Semblage.

Fabric A is a carelessly potted ware showing painted designs in light-black combined at times With white;
Fabric B is distinguished essentially by the roughened or rusticated surface of the lower portion of the pots, the upper part being smooth-slipped;
Fabric C is marked by a fine-textured paste and all-over smooth- slipped surface in shades of red and purple or plum-red, recalling pottery from the pre-defence deposits of Harappa;
Fabric D is characterized by a thick sturdy section, represented in such shapes as the heavy jar, trough and basin, the interior sides of the latter being decorated with ridged incisions of varying patterns.

Among the other finds of this Period are: small-sized blades of chalcedony and agate, sometimes serrated or backed; beads, variously of steatite, shell, carnelian,terracotta and copper; bangles of copper, shell and terracotta; terracotta objects like a toy-cart wheel and a bull; quem with mullers, a bone point, and copper celts, including an unusual axe.

Period II

In this Period the settlement into two parts – the citadel (KLB-l) on the W., located atop the abandoned settlement of Period I, and the lower city (KLB-2) towards the e., laid out on the natural plain, leaving a gap of about 40 m.
The citadel complex was roughly a parallelogram and consisted of two almost equal but separately patterned parts.
Both these parts were contained by a fortification wall, and the enclosed area contained some five to six massive platforms of mud bricks, each separate from the other and perhaps intended for a specific purpose by the community as a whole
The lower ciry was also a parallelogram. It was found to be enclosed by a fortification wall, involving three to four structural phases.
It was made of mud bricks of similar sizes as those used for the fortifications of the citadel (40 x 20 x 10 and 30 x 15 x 7.5 cm).
Within the walled city was a gridiron plan of streets running n. to s. and e. to w., dividing the area into blocks.
The use of baked bricks being confined to wells,drains, bathing platforms, door-sills, etc.
Besides the above two principle parts of the metropolis there was also a third one-a moderate structure situated upwards of 😯 m e. of the lower town containing four to five fire altars. This lonely structure may perhaps have been used for ritual purposes.
The finds of this Period are all characteristic of the Harappa civilization significant amongst which is a cylindrical seals, however, noteworthy that the pottery of Period I continues alongside the Harappa pottery up to about half the height of KLB-2 where after it entirely gives way to the Harappa.
Three types of burials have been attested: extended inhumation in rectangular or oval pot burial in a circular pit; and rectangular or oval grave-pit, containing only pottery and other funerary objects. The latter two methods were unassociated with any skeletal remains.

Major Pre-historical evidences of Rajasthan

The Sahibi River

Archaeological findings on the Sahibi River have confirmed habitations on its banks before the Harappanand pre-Mahabharata
Both handmade and wheel-made earthernware dated from 3309–2709 BCE and 2879–2384 BCE has been found on the banks of the Sahibi River at Jodhpura.
INTACH-Rewari found pottery on the Sahibi riverbed at Hansakain the Rewari district.
A red stone statue of VamanaDev was found in the Sahibi riverbed near Bawal in 2002; the statue is now displayed at the Shri Krishna Museum, Kurukshetra.
Other artifacts discovered in the Sahibi River include arrowheads, fishhooks, appearheads, awls, and chisels.

Sothi

Sothiis an early archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in the Ganganagar District of Rajasthan, India, at a distance of about 10 km southwest of Nohar railway station.
First discovered by Luigi Pio Tessitori, the site was later visited by Aurel Stein(1942), Amalananda Ghosh (1950-53), and Kshetrams Dalal (1980).
Sothi-Siswal culture is named after these two sites, located 70 km apart. It was widespread in Rajasthan, Haryana, and in the Indian Punjab.
As many as 165 sites of this culture have been reported.
There are also broad similarities between Sothi-Siswal and Kot Diji ceramics. Kot Diji culture area is located just to the northwest of the Sothi-Siswal area.
Sothi-Siswal ceramics are found as far south as the Ahar-Banas culture area in southeastern Rajasthan.
Sothi is the site of a Pre-Indus Valley Civilisation settlement dating to as early as 4600 BCE.
According to Tejas Garge, Sothi culture precedes Siswal culture considerably, and should be seen as the earlier tradition

Ganeshwar

Ganeshwaris a village in Neem-Ka-Thana Tehsil (Mandal) in the Sikar District of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Ganeshwar is 7.9 kilometres distance from Neem-Ka- Thana town, 66.4 kilometres from Sikarcity and 83 kilometres from Jaipur.
Excavations in the area revealed the remains of a 4,000-year-old civilization.
Historian Ratna Chandra Agrawal wrote that Ganeshwar was excavated in 1977. Red pottery was found here with black portraiture.
The period was estimated to be 2500–2000 BC. Nearly one thousand pieces of copper were found there.
Ganeshwar is located near the copper mines of the Sikar-Jhunjhunu area of the Khetricopper belt in Rajasthan.
Excavations revealed copper objects including arrowheads, spearheads, fish hooks, bangles and chisels. With its microliths and other stone tools, Ganeshwar culture can be ascribed to the pre-Harappan period. Ganeshwar mainly supplied copper objects to Harappa.
The Ganeshwar people partly lived on agriculture and largely on hunting.Although their principle craft was manufacture of copper objects but they were unable to urbanize.
With its microliths and other stone tools, much of Ganeshwar culture can be considered a pre-Harappan Chalcolithic culture that contributed to the making of the mature Harappan culture.
The copper was obtained in the nearby Aravalli Range.

Binjor – 4MSR

Binjor – 4MSR (Thed of the local villagers) is an archaeological site in India, near the international border between Punjab and Rajasthan.
It is situated a couple of kilometers from Binjor village, Anupgarh tehsil, Sri Ganganagar district.
4MSR, in the Ghaggar river (Ghaggar-Hakra River) valley and excavated by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is widely considered as an Early Harappan and Mature Harappan site (Indus Valley Civilization).
There are no indications that a Late Harappan phase existed. In the Ghaggar river valley, explorations and excavations had been done in several sites. These sites included Kalibangan, 46 GB and Binjor 1, 2, 3 and 4, Rakhigarhi and Baror.
The purpose of the present excavation at 4MSR is to learn about the Early Harappan deposits, relationship with other contemporary sites and to fill the gap between the Late Harappan phase and the Painted Grey Ware culture.

Balathal

Balathalis an archaeological site located in Vallabhnagar tehsil of Udaipur district of Rajasthan state in western India.
The Kataranadi River is very close to the site and archaeologists believe there may have been another large body of water that existed but has since become dry.
This site, located 6 km from Vallabhnagar town and 42 km from Udaipur city, was discovered by V. N. Misra during a survey in 1962-63.
It was excavated from 1994 to 2000, jointly by the Department of Archaeology of the Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune and the Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, Udaipur under the direction of V. N. Misra of the Deccan College.
This ancient site was occupied during two cultural periods: the Chalcolithic and the Early Historic. There was also a significant amount of time that the site was abandoned after its earliest period of occupation.
The houses found at the site are square or rectangular made of mud brick, stone, and wattle and daub.
It has been determined that the people practiced agro-pastoralism, which is a mixture of both farming and herding animals.
Pottery at the site has been thoroughly analyzed and tells much about life at this ancient site.
Balathal is part of the Ahar-Banas Complex and can be connected to other Ahar-Banas culture sites through artifacts that have been discovered.
Some of the pottery from Balathal was locally produced, while other types found at Balathal came from other sites in the Ahar-Banas Complex, such as Gilund, Ojiyana, Marmi, and Ahar.

Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India. It is the largest state in India by area, covering 342,239 square kilometers (132,139 sq mi). The state is bordered by Pakistan to the northwest, Gujarat to the west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south. The state capital is Jaipur.

Rajasthan is a land of forts and palaces, deserts and lakes, temples and mosques. It is a state with a rich history and culture. The state is home to many archaeological sites, which are a testament to its rich past.

Some of the most important archaeological sites in Rajasthan include:

Ahar: Ahar is an archaeological site located in the district of Jaipur. It is a Harappan site, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. The site is home to a number of well-preserved Harappan ruins, including a fortified settlement, a cemetery, and a number of temples.
Amber Fort: Amber Fort is a fort located in the city of Jaipur. It was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I of Amber. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ana Sagar Lake: Ana Sagar Lake is a lake located in the city of Jaipur. It was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I of Amber. The lake is a popular tourist destination.
Archaeological Museum, Ajmer: The Archaeological Museum, Ajmer is a museum located in the city of Ajmer. It houses a collection of artifacts from the region, including sculptures, pottery, and coins.
Archaeological Museum, Chittorgarh: The Archaeological Museum, Chittorgarh is a museum located in the city of Chittorgarh. It houses a collection of artifacts from the Chittorgarh Fort, including sculptures, paintings, and weapons.
Archaeological Museum, Jaipur: The Archaeological Museum, Jaipur is a museum located in the city of Jaipur. It houses a collection of artifacts from the region, including sculptures, pottery, and coins.
Archaeological Museum, Jodhpur: The Archaeological Museum, Jodhpur is a museum located in the city of Jodhpur. It houses a collection of artifacts from the region, including sculptures, pottery, and coins.
Archaeological Museum, Jaisalmer: The Archaeological Museum, Jaisalmer is a museum located in the city of Jaisalmer. It houses a collection of artifacts from the region, including sculptures, pottery, and coins.
Archaeological Museum, Udaipur: The Archaeological Museum, Udaipur is a museum located in the city of Udaipur. It houses a collection of artifacts from the region, including sculptures, pottery, and coins.
Badshahi Mosque: The Badshahi Mosque is a mosque located in the city of Agra. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The mosque is one of the largest mosques in India.
Bikaner Fort: Bikaner Fort is a fort located in the city of Bikaner. It was built in the 16th century by Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Brahma Temple, Pushkar: The Brahma Temple is a temple located in the city of Pushkar. It is one of the few temples in India dedicated to the god Brahma. The temple is a popular tourist destination.
Chand Baori: Chand Baori is a stepwell located in the city of Abhaneri. It was built in the 10th century by King Chanda. The stepwell is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.
Chittorgarh Fort: Chittorgarh Fort is a fort located in the city of Chittorgarh. It was built in the 7th century by King Bappa Rawal. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
City Palace, Jaipur: The City Palace, Jaipur is a palace located in the city of Jaipur. It was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dilwara Temples: The Dilwara Temples are a group of Jain temples located in the town of Mount Abu. They were built in the 11th and 12th centuries by the Solanki dynasty. The temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hawa Mahal: The Hawa Mahal is a palace located in the city of Jaipur. It was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. The palace is also known as the Palace of the Winds.
Jaisalmer Fort: Jaisalmer Fort is a fort located in the city of Jaisalmer. It was built in the 12th century by Rawal Jai

What is Rajasthan known for?

Rajasthan is known for its rich history, culture, and architecture. It is home to many ancient forts, palaces, and temples. The state is also known for its beautiful deserts, wildlife sanctuaries, and lakes.

What are the top tourist attractions in Rajasthan?

Some of the top tourist attractions in Rajasthan include the following:

The Amber Fort: This 16th-century fort is located in Jaipur and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
The Hawa Mahal: This 18th-century palace is also located in Jaipur and is known for its intricate latticework facade.
The City Palace: This palace complex is located in Udaipur and is one of the largest palaces in Rajasthan.
The Taj Mahal Palace: This hotel is located in Udaipur and is one of the most luxurious hotels in India.
The Ranthambore National Park: This national park is located in Sawai Madhopur district and is home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and elephants.
The Keoladeo National Park: This national park is located in Bharatpur district and is a major bird sanctuary.
The Jaisalmer Fort: This 12th-century fort is located in Jaisalmer and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
The Jodhpur Fort: This 15th-century fort is located in Jodhpur and is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan.
The Ranakpur Jain Temple: This temple is located in Ranakpur and is one of the largest Jain temples in the world.
The Kumbhalgarh Fort: This 15th-century fort is located in Kumbhalgarh and is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan.
The Chittorgarh Fort: This 14th-century fort is located in Chittorgarh and is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan.

What is the best time to visit Rajasthan?

The best time to visit Rajasthan is during the winter months (November to March), when the weather is pleasant. The summer months (April to June) are very hot and humid, while the monsoon season (July to September) is wet and rainy.

What is the currency in Rajasthan?

The currency in Rajasthan is the Indian rupee (INR).

What is the language spoken in Rajasthan?

The Official Language of Rajasthan is Hindi, but Rajasthani is also widely spoken.

What is the religion of Rajasthan?

The majority of people in Rajasthan are Hindu, but there are also significant Muslim, Jain, and Sikh minorities.

What is the food like in Rajasthan?

Rajasthani cuisine is known for its use of spices, such as chili peppers, cumin, and coriander. Some popular Rajasthani dishes include rogan josh, dal baati churma, and laal maas.

What is the dress code in Rajasthan?

The dress code in Rajasthan is generally conservative. Women should avoid wearing short skirts or dresses, and men should avoid wearing shorts.

What is the etiquette in Rajasthan?

It is considered polite to remove your shoes before entering a temple or a home. It is also considered polite to greet people with a namaste (a gesture of respect).

What are some things to keep in mind when traveling to Rajasthan?

Some things to keep in mind when traveling to Rajasthan include the following:

The weather can be very hot and humid during the summer months.
It is important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
It is important to be respectful of the local culture and customs.
It is important to be aware of the scams that are common in Rajasthan.
It is important to have a good travel insurance policy.

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of Rajasthan without mentioning the topic of ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES of Rajasthan:

Which of the following is the capital of Rajasthan?
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Kota
Which of the following is the largest city in Rajasthan?
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Kota
Which of the following is the most populous district in Rajasthan?
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Kota
Which of the following is the official language of Rajasthan?
(A) Hindi
(B) Rajasthani
(C) English
(D) Punjabi
Which of the following is the currency of Rajasthan?
(A) Indian Rupee
(B) Pakistani Rupee
(C) US Dollar
(D) Euro
Which of the following is the national animal of Rajasthan?
(A) Tiger
(B) Lion
(C) Elephant
(D) Leopard
Which of the following is the national bird of Rajasthan?
(A) Peacock
(B) Parrot
(C) Eagle
(D) Vulture
Which of the following is the national flower of Rajasthan?
(A) Lotus
(B) Rose
(C) Jasmine
(D) Sunflower
Which of the following is the national tree of Rajasthan?
(A) Peepal
(B) Banyan
(C) Ashoka
(D) Neem
Which of the following is the national sport of Rajasthan?
(A) Cricket
(B) Hockey
(C) Football
(D) Kabaddi
Which of the following is the highest mountain peak in Rajasthan?
(A) Mount Abu
(B) Guru Shikhar
(C) Sirohi
(D) Aravalli
Which of the following is the largest lake in Rajasthan?
(A) Lake Pichola
(B) Jaisamand Lake
(C) Fateh Sagar Lake
(D) Sambhar Lake
Which of the following is the longest river in Rajasthan?
(A) Chambal River
(B) Banas River
(C) Luni River
(D) Saraswati River
Which of the following is the most famous desert in Rajasthan?
(A) Thar Desert
(B) Rann of Kutch
(C) Great Indian Desert
(D) Desert of Thar
Which of the following is the most famous fort in Rajasthan?
(A) Mehrangarh Fort
(B) Amber Fort
(C) Jaisalmer Fort
(D) Chittorgarh Fort
Which of the following is the most famous palace in Rajasthan?
(A) City Palace, Jaipur
(B) Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
(C) Palace of the Winds, Udaipur
(D) Lake Palace, Udaipur
Which of the following is the most famous temple in Rajasthan?
(A) Dilwara Temples
(B) Ranakpur Jain Temples
(C) Akshardham Temple
(D) Somnath Temple
Which of the following is the most famous festival in Rajasthan?
(A) Teej
(B) Holi
(C) Diwali
(D) Dussehra
Which of the following is the most famous food in Rajasthan?
(A) Dal Baati Churma
(B) Gatte ki Sabzi
(C) Laal Maas
(D) Mirchi ka Salan
Which of the following is the most famous dance in Rajasthan?
(A) Ghoomar
(B) Kalbelia
(C) Teratali
(D) Chari

I hope these MCQs were helpful!