Surkotda

Surkotda is an important archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), located near Bhachau in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. Excavated in the early 1970s, the site provides crucial evidence of Harappan urban planning, fortified settlement patterns, and, most notably, the earliest known remains of domesticated horses in the Indian subcontinent. Though smaller than other major Indus sites like Mohenjo-daro or Harappa, Surkotda’s strategic location and unique finds have made it a key site for understanding the civilisation’s westernmost cultural expansion.

Geographical Location

Surkotda lies about 160 kilometres northeast of Bhuj, the district headquarters of Kutch, and approximately 30 kilometres from the Arabian Sea coast. The site occupies a rocky outcrop in a semi-arid region characterised by low rainfall and sparse vegetation. It was strategically situated near a now-dry river course, which would have provided access to water and trade routes during the mature Harappan period.
The site’s geographical coordinates are approximately 23°N latitude and 70°E longitude. Its location in Gujarat indicates the westward and southern extension of Harappan cultural influence beyond the core Indus Valley region of modern-day Pakistan.

Discovery and Excavation

Surkotda was discovered in 1964 by J. P. Joshi, an archaeologist associated with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Systematic excavations were conducted between 1971 and 1972 under his supervision. These excavations revealed a well-fortified settlement with distinct phases of occupation, spanning both the Mature Harappan (circa 2600–1900 BCE) and Late Harappan (circa 1900–1500 BCE) periods.

Layout and Urban Planning

Despite its small size—approximately 130 metres by 65 metres—Surkotda exhibits the characteristic features of Harappan town planning. The site consists of three main components:

1. The Citadel (Acropolis):
   • Situated on an elevated mound, the citadel was a fortified area likely reserved for administrative or elite functions.
   • Constructed using mud bricks and stone rubble, it was enclosed by massive defensive walls about 3.5 metres thick, reinforced with bastions at intervals.
2. The Lower Town:
   • Adjacent to the citadel, this area was the residential and industrial sector of the settlement.
   • Houses were rectangular with courtyards, built using locally available materials.
   • Evidence of hearths, pottery kilns, and storage bins indicates domestic and craft activities.
3. The Fortification System:
   • Surkotda is unique for its double fortification walls—an inner mud-brick wall and an outer stone wall, both enclosing the settlement.
   • The fortifications, along with gates and watchtowers, suggest concerns about security and administrative control.

The layout, although smaller in scale, follows the grid-based planning typical of other Harappan cities, demonstrating a consistent urban design ethos across the civilisation.

Material Culture and Artefacts

Excavations at Surkotda yielded a wide range of artefacts representing the material culture of the Indus Valley Civilisation:

• Pottery: Fine wheel-made pottery with typical red ware, painted designs in black, and motifs such as fish scales, geometric patterns, and pipal leaves. Both utilitarian and decorative ceramics were found.
• Beads and Ornaments: Beads made from carnelian, agate, faience, shell, and copper indicate trade and craft specialisation. Some finished and unfinished beads suggest local bead-making activities.
• Copper Tools: Copper blades, chisels, arrowheads, and bangles point to metalworking.
• Terracotta Figurines: Clay figurines of animals and humans were discovered, possibly used for religious or decorative purposes.
• Weights and Seals: Standardised stone weights and terracotta seal impressions link the site economically and administratively with other Harappan centres.

Discovery of Horse Remains

One of the most significant findings at Surkotda is the discovery of horse bones, including teeth and limb fragments, identified by zoologist Sándor Bökönyi in 1974.

• These remains, found from the Mature Harappan layers, are widely regarded as evidence of domesticated horses (Equus caballus).
• If correctly identified, they challenge the earlier assumption that horses were introduced into India only after the arrival of Indo-Aryans around 1500 BCE.
• The discovery has thus generated important debates about the chronology of horse domestication and the continuity between Harappan and post-Harappan cultures.

However, some scholars remain cautious, suggesting that the bones might belong to wild asses (Equus hemionus). The discussion remains central to the broader question of Indo-Harappan interactions.

Chronology and Cultural Phases

The excavations at Surkotda revealed three major occupational phases:

1. Phase I – Early Harappan (circa 2300–2100 BCE):
   • Initial settlement with simple structures and limited artefacts.
   • Fortifications were likely in the early stages of construction.
2. Phase II – Mature Harappan (circa 2100–1900 BCE):
   • The site reached its peak development.
   • Well-organised houses, sophisticated pottery, and evidence of trade and craft production.
3. Phase III – Late Harappan (circa 1900–1500 BCE):
   • Signs of decline: reduced urban planning, simpler pottery, and fewer luxury items.
   • However, cultural continuity persisted with modified artefact styles.

This occupational sequence parallels the broader rise and decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Economic and Cultural Significance

Surkotda’s economy appears to have been based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and craft production. The fertile lands around Kutch and the availability of water sources would have supported crop cultivation and livestock rearing.
Trade links with other Harappan centres are evident from artefacts such as beads and seals, which suggest integration into a larger economic network. The strategic location of Surkotda may have facilitated trade between the Harappan heartland and peninsular India through coastal routes.

Decline and Abandonment

Like other Indus Valley sites, Surkotda appears to have declined around 1900 BCE, possibly due to environmental degradation, shifting river systems, or changing trade patterns. The Late Harappan phase saw reduced occupation, with simpler architecture and lesser craft activity. Eventually, the site was abandoned, marking the end of Harappan urban life in the region.

Modern Importance and Preservation

Today, Surkotda is a protected archaeological monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A small site museum nearby displays artefacts recovered during excavation, including pottery, tools, and beads. Though less developed as a tourist site compared to Lothal or Dholavira, Surkotda remains significant for researchers studying the westernmost extent of the Indus Civilisation.Its combination of urban planning, fortifications, and the controversial horse remains continues to make it a subject of academic interest and debate.