Balathal – Ancient Indian City

Balathal is an archaeological site located in the Udaipur district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is one of the most important sites of the Chalcolithic period in India, which is also known as the Copper Age. The site was discovered in 1961 by a team of archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India led by Virendra Nath Misra. Balathal is located on the banks of the Bedach River, which is a tributary of the Banas River.

The site of Balathal covers an area of about 20 hectares and is divided into two parts: the upper town and the lower town. The upper town is located on a hill, while the lower town is located at the foot of the hill. The upper town and the lower town were both fortified with walls made of mud bricks. The walls were about 3 meters thick and 4 meters high.

The upper town of Balathal was the administrative and religious center of the town. It was surrounded by a massive wall and had several public buildings, including a large granary, a bathhouse, and a large building that may have been a palace. The granary was an important building as it stored grains and other food items that were used to feed the population during times of drought and famine.

The lower town of Balathal was the residential area of the town. It was divided into several blocks and had narrow streets. The houses were made of mud bricks and were usually one or two stories high. The houses had several rooms, including a courtyard, a kitchen, and a living room. The houses also had a drainage system that was connected to the main sewer system of the town.

The people of Balathal were skilled craftsmen and artisans. They produced a variety of objects, including pottery, beads, jewelry, and tools. The pottery produced at Balathal was of high quality and was decorated with geometric designs and animal motifs. The beads and jewelry produced at Balathal were made of precious and semi-precious stones, such as agate, carnelian, and lapis lazuli.

The people of Balathal were also involved in agriculture. They grew a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, and pulses. They also kept domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The people of Balathal were able to produce surplus food, which they could trade with other towns and cities.

The people of Balathal had a system of writing, which is known as the Harappan script. The Harappan script is one of the oldest writing systems in the world and is still undeciphered. The script was written from right to left and from top to bottom. It was used to write the language of the Harappan civilization, which is also undeciphered.

The people of Balathal had a complex system of religion. They worshipped several deities, including a mother goddess and a male god who may have been associated with fertility. The people of Balathal also believed in the concept of life after death and buried their dead with great care and respect. The dead were buried with personal possessions, such as pottery, jewelry, and tools.

The decline of Balathal is not clear. The site was abandoned around 2000 BCE, and the reason for the abandonment is not known. It is possible that the decline of Balathal was due to environmental factors, such as climate change, drought, and deforestation. It is also possible that the decline of Balathal was due to political and social factors, such as invasion and warfare.