Rakhigarhi, which is believed to be the largest Harappan civilisation site ever found, is likely to be well placed in the Unesco’s world heritage list by next year. Rakhigarhi in Haryana’s Hisar district had last year emerged as the largest Harappan site, spreading over 350 hectares compared to Mohenjodaro situated in Pakistan, which is around 300 hectare and listed as a world heritage site.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and archaeologists from Pune-based Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute are keen to push Rakhigarhi for a prestigious world heritage status. After concluding last year’s excavation work at Rakhigarhi, the archaeologists from Deccan College had gathered enough evidence to support the theory that the origins of the 5,000-year-old civilisation can be found here and it is the largest Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation site. The archaeologists had recommended the ASI to push Rakhigarhi to be included in Unesco’s list of world heritage sites.
The Deccan College has once again started its excavation work at Rakhigarhi and is expecting new discoveries, after which a report will be compiled to push authorities’ bid to make Rakhigarhi a world heritage site by next year. Talking to The Pioneer, Prof. Vasant Shinde, Vice-Chancellor of Deccan College Post-Graduate & Research Institute said, “The Decan College’s initiative is not limited to excavation work. We would be working to push Rakhigarhi for world heritage site status. ASI is also keen on the issue and talks were held about it after last year’s excavation findings at this site.”
He said, “We expect to apply for prestigious world heritage status for Rakhigarhi by next year. This year, we are expecting to get new information about the Indus Valley Civilisation from the site. The archaeologists from the College have started excavation work at Rakhigarhi. After which, a report regarding the findings at the site will be complied and submitted to the higher authorities.”
“So far from India, Dholavira located in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat is placed in tentative list of world heritage sites. Dholavira belonged to matured Harappan phase. Mohenjodaro in Pakistan is already listed as world heritage site,” he added. Though the ASI and Deccan College are making efforts to obtain world heritage status for Rakhigarhi, the Haryana Government has failed to initiate work in this direction. When contacted, Dr Ranvir Shastri, Deputy Director, Haryana Department of Archaeology & Museums said, “So far, no such proposal from any state government’s department regarding Rakhigarhi has been prepared. ASI, Deccan College and Indian trust for rural heritage and development are working in this direction.”
“This year, the State Department of Archaeology & Museums will also engage in excavation work at Rakhigarhi alongwith the team of Deccan College,” he added. According to the archaeologists, excavations conducted so far at Rakhigarhi indicated that the settlement here witnessed all the phases of Harappan civilisation — the early Harappan (nearly 3200-2600 BCE), mature Harappan (2600-1900 BCE) as well as late Harappan (1900-1600 BCE). It was in the year 1963 that Rakhigarhi was identified to have the remains of the Indus Valley civilisation. The ASI took the mounds in its protection in 1997 and the excavation that lasted from 1998 to 2001 revealed a city that was much larger than Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
