Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list

Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list

Dholavaira, how excavated, reported and got recognition: India had submitted the nomination dossier for ‘Dholavira: A Harappan City to the World Heritage Centre’ in January, 2020[1]. The site was on the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014[2]. It is one of the very few well-preserved urban settlements in south Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE. Spread over 22 hectare, the Harappan-era metropolis is the fifth largest archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilisation, dating back to around 3000 BC and is believed to have been occupied till 1500 BC. It draws its name from present-day village Dholavira. Locally known as Kotda Timba, the expansive site was discovered in the 1960s by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi, who served as director general of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) between 1987 and 1990. The site was excavated under the supervision of ASI archaeologist Ravindra Singh Bisht in the 1990s. Talking to The Indian Express, Bisht: “This is recognition of my work. I am surely very happy. It is also a great thing as Dholavira is the first Harappan site from India to be inscribed on the world heritage sites list of UNESCO. I am doubly happy because I worked on Rani Ki Vav in Patan which has also been declared as world heritage site of UNESCO.” The 77-year-old retired as joint director general of ASI in 2004.

More details in the archaeological point of view, as given by ASI[3]: Dholavira in Gujarat, which got the tag of a UNESCO World Heritage Site today, is a Harappan-era city sprawled over 100 hectares on Khadir, one of the islands in the Rann of Kutch. One of the five largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation, Dholavira is located about 250 km from Bhuj. It has two seasonal streams, Mansar and Manhar, and journey to the site takes one through the wildlife-rich desert plains of Rann of Kutch. The property comprises two parts, a walled city and a cemetery to its west, a government release said, adding that Dholavira flourished for nearly 1,500 years. According to an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) note on Dholavira[4], excavations at the site have revealed seven cultural stages documenting the rise and fall of the Indus Civilisation. The city, it said, is also remarkable for its planning and architecture. Among the marvels in Dholavira are the remains of two open air stadiums and a water harvesting system. “The salient components of the full-grown cityscape consisted of a bipartite ‘citadel’, a ‘middle town’ and a ‘lower town’, two ‘stadia’, an ‘annexe’, a series of reservoirs all set within an enormous fortification running on all four sides,” said the ASI note. The ASI note says that initial stages of the civilisation show the inhabitants’ preference for colourful clay for plastering buildings, but this came to an “abrupt end…as if under a royal decree or by a resolute public consensus”.The excavations point to a general decline in the city’s maintenance before a temporary desertion. The ASI note says that when the city is populated again, ceramic traditions make an appearance and “classical planning was largely given a go-by”.”Bricks were no longer in use. While many of the pottery forms and decorative motifs were still in vogue, new ceramics in the form of white painted black-and-red and white painted grey wares along with a coarse ware bearing incised or appliqué or both kinds of designs and also some Bara related pottery made their appearance,” it said.

Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list:The Harappan city of Dholavira, in present-day Gujarat, was on 27-07-2021, Tuesday named the 40^th Indian site on UNESCO’s World Heritage list[5]. UNESCO’s announcement came just days after another site, Ramappa Temple in Telangana, was admitted to the list on 25-07-2021, Sunday. “The ancient city of Dholavira is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3^rd to mid-2^nd millennium BCE (Before Common Era). Discovered in 1968, the site is set apart by its unique characteristics, such as its water management system, multi-layered defensive mechanisms, extensive use of stone in construction and special burial structures,” UNESCO said[6].  A range of artefacts of copper, shell, stone, jewellery, terracotta and ivory had been found at the site. “The two newly inscribed World Heritage Sites offer great insight into the knowledge and ways of life of earlier societies, customs, and communities,” UNESCO said. Located in the Kutch district, Dholavira is the larger of the two most remarkable excavations of the Indus Valley Civilisation dating back to about 4,500 years ago. The site had been on UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014 and India had submitted its dossier in January 2020, a Culture Ministry statement said. A World Heritage Site is a location with an “outstanding universal value”, which signifies cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity[7]. Gujarat has a total of four World Heritage Sites now. The other three are Champaner near Pavagadh, Rani ki Vav in Patan and Ahmedabad[8].

Delighted, says PM[9]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a series of tweets that he was delighted by the development[10]. “Dholavira was an important urban centre and is one of our most important linkages with our past. It is a must visit, especially for those interested in history, culture and archaeology. I first visited Dholavira during my student days and was mesmerised by the place. As CM of Gujarat, I had the opportunity to work on aspects relating to heritage conservation and restoration in Dholavira. Our team also worked to create tourism-friendly infrastructure there,” Mr. Modi said.

India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, seven natural and one mixed property: Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the inclusion of Dholavira was another feather in India’s cap, putting it in the league of countries with 40 or more World Heritage sites[11]. Ten of these sites had been added since 2014, when the Modi government first came to power, he said. “With this successful nomination, India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, seven natural and one mixed property,” the Culture Ministry said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said via a tweet[12]: “It is a matter of immense pride that the @UNESCO has conferred the World Heritage tag to Dholavira, a Harappan city in Kutch. This shows the firm commitment of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji towards promoting Indian culture and heritage.”

Here’s the list of 40 World Heritage Sites in India[13]: , India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, seven natural and one mixed propertyand they are as follows[14]:

1. Dholavira, Gujarat 2. Ramappa Temple, Telangana 3. Taj Mahal, Agra 4. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 5. Hampi, Karnataka 6. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra 7. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra 8. Bodh Gaya, Bihar 9. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha 10. Red Fort Complex, Delhi 11. Buddhist monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh 12. Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu 13. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam 14. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 15. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal 16. Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi 17. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 18. Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh 19. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka 20. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

21. Mountain Railways of India 22. Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), Bihar 23. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Maharashtra 24. Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi 25. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat 26. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh 27. Hill Forts of Rajasthan 28. Churches and Convents of Goa 29. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh 30. Manas Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam 31. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh 32. Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat 33. Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan 34. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand 35. Western Ghats 36. Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim 37. Capitol Complex, Chandigarh 38. The Historic City of Ahmedabad 39. The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai 40. The Pink City – Jaipur

Indians, as a whole, should know and feel about their antiquity and unity of the Indians living in this vas geographical area touching the boundaries of other ancient civilizations 5000 YBP. Some 3000-2000 years back most of those civilizations disappeared, but the Indian civilization has been living with all the inherent continued factors of culture, tradition, and heritage.

© K.V. Ramakrishna Rao

28-07-2021

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[1] Indian Express, Harappan city of Dholavira listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites, Express News Service | Ahmedabad, New Delhi |July 27, 2021 4:08:58 pm.

[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/harappan-era-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list-7424926/

[3] NDTV, Harappan City Dholavira Gets World Heritage Tag, What You Need To Know, Edited by Saikat Kumar BoseUpdated: July 27, 2021 10:39 pm IST.

[4] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/harappan-city-dholavira-gets-world-heritage-tag-what-you-need-to-know-2496379

[5] The Hindu, Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTNEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD, JULY 27, 2021 16:34 IST; UPDATED: JULY 28, 2021 01:09 IST

[6] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/harappan-era-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list/article35559688.ece

[7] India Today, Harappan-era city of Dholavira gets Unesco’s World Heritage Site tag,  India Today Web Desk , New Delhi, July 27, 2021; UPDATED: July 27, 2021 16:10 IST

[8] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/harrappan-dholavira-unesco-world-heritage-site-tag-1833254-2021-07-27

[9] Deccan Herald, Harappan-era Gujarat city Dholavira inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, Satish Jha, DHNS, Ahmedabad,  JUL 27 2021, 17:44 IST; UPDATED: JUL 27 2021, 21:43 IST

[10] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/harappan-era-gujarat-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list-1013461.html

[11] Economic Times, Harappan-era city Dholavira inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, PTI, Last Updated: Jul 27, 2021, 03:59 PM IST.

[12] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/harappan-era-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list/articleshow/84789331.cms

[13] Hindustan times, Unesco World Heritage tag: Here’s list of all 40 Indian sites after Dholavira addition, By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Kunal Gaurav, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, UPDATED ON JUL 27, 2021 06:30 PM IST

[14] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/unesco-world-heritage-list-here-are-all-40-indian-sites-after-dholavira-addition-101627389792414.html