Question map
Which one of the following sites of the Indus Valley Civilization had an ancient dockyard?
Explanation
Lothal, located in modern-day Gujarat, is the most prominent site of the Indus Valley Civilization featuring an ancient dockyard. Excavated by S.R. Rao in the 1950s, the site contains a large, rectangular brick-walled basin that served as a berthing point for ships [t1][t3][t6]. This structure is recognized as the world's oldest known artificial dock, connecting the city to the Sabarmati River and the Gulf of Khambhat for maritime trade [t1][t9]. While other major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were inland centers, Lothal functioned as a vital port-town, facilitating intercultural trade with distant regions [t1][t2]. The dockyard's sophisticated engineering, including its baked-brick lining and water-level regulation mechanisms, highlights the advanced maritime technology of the Harappans [t6][t8]. In contrast, Kalibangan is known for its ploughed fields, and Harappa for its granaries and urban layout [c1][c2].
Sources
- [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440324001146
- [2] https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5918/
- [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 1: Early India: From the Beginnings to the Indus Civilisation > Nomenclature, Phases and Chronology > p. 10
- [4] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > Harappan Settlements > p. 2