Our Indian subcontinent is full of contradictions and paradoxes. A new paradox has arisen: the capital of the Harappan civilization, currently in Pakistan, is located in Rakhigarhi, a village in Haryana. The Rakhigarhi Festival is being celebrated in this village in Hisar district. During this three-day fair, millions of people witnessed their ancient civilization with their own eyes. However, residents of Harappa will not be able to participate. In fact, a Harappan Knowledge Center has been established in Rakhigarhi in the name of Harappa. Let us first show you your thousands of years old appearance and culture. The historical site of Harappa is an archaeological site in Pakistan-Punjab. It is located on the banks of the Ravi River, approximately 20 kilometers from the city of Sahiwal (formerly Mintgumri).
It is the oldest and first discovered site of the Indus Valley Civilization. It was discovered in 1921 by archaeologists John Marshall, Daya Ram Sahni, and Martin Wheeler. During the first excavation, images of Garuda, ancient statues of Avalokiteshvara and several other incarnations were found. A museum was later established there, which still exists. Rakhigarhi, the capital of this Harappan civilization, recently hosted a three-day fair, and now has a museum. Heritage walks, workshops, handicraft fairs, and permanent exhibitions are all present here. The search for the lost Saraswati River is unknown, but archaeologists have now almost reached the conclusion that the capital of the Indus Valley Civilization was in Rakhigarhi, a village in Hisar district, Haryana.
According to research and excavations conducted so far by Prof. Vasant Shinde, an excavation and archaeology expert at Deccan College, Pune, and the Haryana Archaeology Department, this city, spread over approximately 5500 hectares, was in active existence approximately 3300 years before Christ. Based on this evidence, it has been confirmed that Rakhigarhi was established hundreds of years before 5000. According to Prof. Shinde, DNA samples taken from the male skeletons found during the excavation are being studied, and the remains of Rakhigarhi are now being analyzed internationally.
Until now, it has been believed that Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, currently located in Pakistan, were the main cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. Excavations and research have been ongoing in this village for several years, and it is even older than these two. This village, located in Hisar district, is located 150 kilometers from Delhi. Research and excavations in this village first began in 1963, and it was then considered the largest city of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization. Researchers at that time made convincing declarations that this lost city was even larger than Mohenjo-daro and Harappa in the past. It was located on the banks of the now-vanished Saraswati River. According to archaeologists, the Harappan civilization can be traced back to Rakhigarhi.
The first thing that emerged from the excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1997 was that the city of Rakhigarhi spanned a radius of approximately three and a half kilometers. The remains found here are over 5,000 years old. Rakhigarhi has nine mounds in total. They have been named RGR-1 to RGR-9, reflecting the depth of the research. Excavations at RGR-5 indicate that this area was the most densely populated. However, due to the dense population, extensive excavations at RGR-5 are currently impossible.
However, excavation is possible in some parts of RGR-4. Radiocarbon dating of objects recovered from the Rakhigarhi excavations in 2014 suggests these remains date back to the pre-Harappan and mature-Harappan periods, as well as to civilizations dating back thousands of years. Remains from RGR-6 date this civilization to approximately 6500 years ago (6420+100). Research experts now agree that Rakhigarhi was the largest city in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, both in terms of size and population. Three layers of development have been discovered in this area. However, detailed excavation of this area remains pending. According to available evidence, all the streets of this well-planned city were 1.92 meters wide, a width even greater than the streets of Kali Banga. Pits have also been found within some of the walls, possibly used for sacrificial rituals related to religious beliefs.
A vessel covered with layers of gold and silver was also found. Traces of a foundry, possibly used for casting gold, were also discovered at this site. Numerous terracotta statues, copper vessels, and some statues, along with the remains of a furnace, were also found. Remains of a crematorium and a cemetery were also discovered, where eight skeletons were found. Their heads were facing north. They were accompanied by the remains of some pottery. This was likely the burial ground of those who buried the dead. Four male skeletons were also found during the excavation of RGR-7 in April 2015. Three of these were identified as male, and one as female. Some utensils and food remains were also found near them. The latest technology was used during this excavation to allow DNA testing of these remains, if possible. This will also reveal what the physical structure of the Harappan people was like about 5500 years ago.
Relics identified as “Hakra Ware” have also been found at Rakhigarhi, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization and the now-dry Saraswati River Valley. Eight tombs and graves have also been found in the area, dating back to at least 5,000 years ago. One skeleton was found in a decaying wooden coffin. There was also a tradition of building umbrellas over certain tombs and graves. Excavations at Rakhigarhi have been halted for some years, as the CBI is currently conducting a thorough investigation into allegations of misuse of government grants in the area.
In May 2012, the Global Heritage Fund listed it among 10 Asian heritage sites at risk of extinction. According to a special report in the Sunday Times, some villagers and antiquities smugglers have illegally excavated some areas, and some rare finds have been sold on the international market. New private constructions can also be seen in some nearby areas. However, since 1997, three official excavations have been conducted during the winter season, and the findings compel a broad and open view of the Indus-Saraswati civilization. A government grant of ₹500 crore was announced for this center, and the Haryana Sahitya and Sanskriti Academy has been entrusted with its maintenance.
