Indus Valley Civilization — Landmark Events

Landmark Events

Discovery of Harappa (1921)

1921

Led by Daya Ram Sahni, the excavations at Harappa were among the first systematic archaeological efforts to uncover the remains of a major urban center of the Indus Valley…

Discovery of Mohenjodaro (1922)

1922

R.D. Banerji's discovery of Mohenjodaro, followed by extensive excavations by Sir John Marshall, revealed an even larger and more well-preserved city than Harappa. Mohenjodaro…

Excavations at Lothal (1954-1962)

1954-1962

S.R. Rao's excavations at Lothal in Gujarat provided crucial insights into the maritime trade and industrial aspects of the Harappan civilization. The discovery of a massive brick…

Discovery of Dholavira (1967-1968, major excavations 1990-2005)

1967-2005

J.P. Joshi and later R.S. Bisht's excavations at Dholavira in Kutch, Gujarat, revealed a unique Harappan city with a tripartite division (citadel, middle town, lower town), unlike…

Rakhigarhi Excavations (ongoing since 1997, significant finds 2014-2024)

1997-Present

Rakhigarhi in Haryana has emerged as the largest Harappan site, surpassing Mohenjodaro in area. Recent excavations by Vasant Shinde and others have yielded crucial evidence,…