Banawali – Ancient Indian City

Banawali is an archaeological site located in Fatehabad district of the Indian state of Haryana. It is one of the most important sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, which is also known as the Harappan civilization. The site was discovered in 1974 by a team of archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India led by Suraj Bhan. Banawali is located near the Ghaggar-Hakra River, which was once a major river in the region.

The site of Banawali covers an area of about 130 hectares and is divided into two parts: the citadel and the lower town. The citadel is located on a high platform, while the lower town is located at the foot of the platform. The citadel and the lower town were both fortified with walls made of mud bricks. The walls were about 4 meters thick and 5 meters high.

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

The people of Banawali 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 Banawali were able to produce surplus food, which they could trade with other towns and cities.

The people of Banawali had a system of writing, which is known as the Indus script. The Indus 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 Indus Valley Civilization, which is also undeciphered.

The people of Banawali 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 Banawali 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 toys.

The decline of Banawali is not clear. The site was abandoned around 1900 BCE, and the reason for the abandonment is not known. It is possible that the decline of Banawali was due to environmental factors, such as climate change, drought, and deforestation. It is also possible that the decline of Banawali was due to political and social factors, such as invasion and warfare.