The correct answer is: a) Lothal
Lothal is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization located in the Bhal region of Gujarat, India. It is one of the largest Harappan sites outside of Pakistan. Lothal was excavated in the 1950s and 1960s by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site was occupied from about 2400 to 1900 BCE.
Lothal is a well-preserved Harappan city with a number of features that are unique to the Indus Valley Civilization. These include a dockyard, a warehouse, and a system of drains and sewers. The city was also home to a number of workshops and industries, including pottery, metalworking, and bead making.
Lothal is an important archaeological site because it provides evidence of the Harappan civilization at a time when it was in contact with other cultures. The site also provides insights into the economy, technology, and social structure of the Harappans.
The other options are:
- b) Dholavira is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. It is one of the largest Harappan sites in India. Dholavira was excavated in the 1960s and 1970s by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site was occupied from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.
- c) Rangpur is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization located in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat, India. It is one of the smaller Harappan sites in India. Rangpur was excavated in the 1950s and 1960s by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site was occupied from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.
- d) Surkotada is an archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. It is one of the smaller Harappan sites in India. Surkotada was excavated in the 1960s and 1970s by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site was occupied from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.
All of these sites are important archaeological sites that provide evidence of the Harappan civilization. However, only Lothal provides evidence of the Harappan civilization at a time when it was in contact with other cultures.