Banawali

Banawali is an important archaeological site associated with the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India. Situated on the banks of the now-dry Saraswati River, the site provides crucial evidence of both the pre-Harappan and mature Harappan phases of urban development. Excavations at Banawali have contributed significantly to the understanding of early urban planning, trade, and cultural life in northwestern India during the third millennium BCE.

Discovery and Excavation

Banawali was first discovered in 1973 by archaeologists of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the direction of Dr. R. S. Bisht. The excavations revealed two distinct cultural phases — an early pre-Harappan settlement and a later mature Harappan town, indicating a long span of habitation and gradual evolution from a rural agricultural settlement to an organised urban centre.
The site is located approximately 120 kilometres northwest of Hissar and lies close to other major Harappan sites such as Rakhigarhi, Kalibangan, and Kunal, suggesting that it was part of a dense network of settlements along the ancient course of the Saraswati (Ghaggar-Hakra) river system.

Chronology and Cultural Phases

Banawali displays evidence of two major periods of occupation:

1. Pre-Harappan Phase (circa 2600 BCE)
   • This earlier phase was primarily agrarian, with mud-brick houses and simple pottery.
   • People cultivated grains such as barley and wheat, and domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats.
   • Pottery from this period shows geometric and natural motifs, including pipal leaves and fish designs.
   • The settlement had small storage pits and granaries, indicating surplus agricultural production.
2. Mature Harappan Phase (circa 2300–1750 BCE)
   • The later phase reveals a planned urban settlement with well-laid-out streets, brick structures, and fortified walls.
   • Evidence of town planning includes streets arranged in a grid pattern, similar to Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, though on a smaller scale.
   • Houses were constructed with baked bricks and often had multiple rooms, bathrooms, and courtyards.
   • Some houses contained private wells and drains, reflecting the advanced sanitation characteristic of Harappan civilisation.

Urban Planning and Architecture

The layout of Banawali demonstrates an organised town structure typical of the Indus Valley Civilisation:

• The site was fortified, with an inner citadel (possibly housing elite groups) and an outer settlement area for common people.
• The streets were oriented along cardinal directions, intersecting at right angles.
• Drainage systems were found in several houses, showing concern for hygiene and water management.
• The buildings suggest a clear social hierarchy, with larger multi-roomed houses belonging to wealthier inhabitants.

The site also yielded evidence of workshops, storage areas, and granaries, suggesting a well-developed economy and specialisation of labour.

Artefacts and Material Culture

Excavations at Banawali uncovered a variety of artefacts that provide insights into Harappan life and craftsmanship:

• Pottery: Painted and polished pottery with intricate geometric designs, often red or buff in colour. Some pieces depict motifs such as peacocks, fish, and intersecting circles.
• Beads and Ornaments: Made from semi-precious stones such as carnelian, agate, lapis lazuli, and faience, indicating long-distance trade.
• Terracotta Figurines: Representations of animals, birds, and mother goddesses, possibly used for religious or ritual purposes.
• Seals and Seal Impressions: Typical square Harappan seals with pictographs and animal motifs, signifying trade or administrative control.
• Tools and Implements: Copper and bronze tools such as chisels, arrowheads, and bangles were discovered, reflecting metallurgical knowledge.

These findings suggest that Banawali was both an agricultural and artisanal hub, connected to the broader trade networks of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Agriculture and Economy

The economy of Banawali was predominantly agrarian, supported by fertile soils near the river. Archaeobotanical studies have identified grains such as wheat, barley, and mustard. The discovery of storage bins and granaries suggests organised food management and surplus production.
Evidence of craft industries such as pottery-making, bead-making, and metalworking indicates a diversified economy. The presence of imported materials like lapis lazuli points to trade relations with distant regions, possibly Afghanistan and Iran.

Religion and Social Life

As with other Harappan sites, Banawali provides evidence of religious and symbolic practices:

• Terracotta figurines of mother goddesses suggest fertility worship.
• Fire altars and small ritual pits found at the site may indicate ceremonial activities.
• The uniformity in town planning, seals, and material culture implies a socially organised and possibly theocratic system of governance.

Significance in the Indus Valley Context

Banawali occupies a key geographical and cultural position within the Harappan civilisation. It represents the easternmost extent of the Indus cultural sphere and provides a link between the riverine cultures of the Indus and those of the Ganges plains.
Its two distinct occupational layers demonstrate the transition from pre-urban agrarian life to mature urbanism, showcasing how Harappan cities evolved gradually rather than emerging suddenly. The findings at Banawali also help trace the spread of urban features such as fortification, standardised bricks, and planned drainage systems across the civilisation’s vast territory.

Decline and Abandonment

Like other Harappan cities, Banawali appears to have been abandoned around 1700 BCE. The reasons for its decline are still debated but may include:

• Shifting of the Saraswati (Ghaggar) river course, leading to water scarcity.
• Environmental degradation and reduced agricultural productivity.
• Breakdown of long-distance trade networks.