State in Harappan Cities

State in Harappan Cities
A glorious civilization flourished in the valley of the river Indus and its
neighbouring regions prior to the rise of the Chalcolithic Age.This civilization
known as the Harappan culture was far more developed than the chalcolithic
Cultures.During the second decade of the 20th century,archaeological excavations
were carried out by Sir John Marshal,Director-General of the Archaeological
Department of the Government of India and his colleagues at Mohenjodaro in the
Larkana district of Sind(Pakistan) and Harappa in the Montgomery district of the
Punjab(Pakistan).In 1922 excavations brought to light the remains of a great
civilization which flourished there in the past.As these places were situated in the
area covered by the river Indus and its tributaries,the civilization came to be called
the Indus Valley Civilization.It arose in the north-western part of India.It is
generally called the Harappan Culture because this civilization was discovered first
at the modern site of Harappa.
Harappan Cities. 
At first it was believed that this splendid civilization flourished in the valley of the
Indus only.But recent researches and excavations have brought to light the
extensive nature of this civilization.It had spread over various parts of Northern

and Central India like Rupar and Bara in the east Punjab,Alamgirpur near Meerut

in U.P. and Ragpur and Lothal in Gujarat.The exact period of this civilization is a

matter of dispute among scholars.This is due to the failure of deciphering the

Indus script.Sir John Marshall has assigned this culture to the period 3150-2750

B.C.But in recent years, archaeologists have made use of scientific tests like

carbon test and fixed the period of this civilization from 2300 to 1750 B.C.

Probably the civilization must have existed during this period.

Harappa.

Planned cities were the indivisible factors of the Harappan Culture.The first city

excavated of this civilization was Harappa.It is considered as the prime city in

terms of its size and the variety of objects discovered.The city of Harappa had

existed on the banks of the river Ravi in western Punjab.It was excavated by

archaeologists like Dayaram Sahni, M.S.Vats and Mortimer Wheeler from the early

1920’s onwards.The ruins of the city now cover a circuit of about three miles.It is

assumed that a major section of the people of Harappa was engaged in non-food

producing activities like administration, craft and trade. Naturally some other

might have produced food for the Harappan people.The people of the neighbouring

villages were involved in food production.And the food grains produced in the

villages were brought to the city with the help of bullock carts and boats.The city of

Harappa had existed on a trade route stretching from Jammu to Central Asia

through Afghanistan.