Question

Write a short essay (about 500 words) on the following:

List the raw materials required for craft production in the Harappan Civilisation and discuss how these might have been obtained. 

Answer 1

Following is the list of materials required for craft production in the Harappan Civilisation:

Stone, clay, copper, tin, bronze, gol, faience, shell, camelian, jasper, crystal, steatite, quartz, timber.

Some of the raw materials were locally available whereas some were purchased from the distant places. Soil and wood were locally available raw materials. Stones, fine quality wood, metals were procured from distant places.

Settlements of the Harappans were situated at such places where raw materials were easily available. Nageshwar and Balacot were famous for shell. Some places were famous for Lapis Lazuli like Shortughai in Afghanistan. Rajasthan and Gujarat were famous for copper. Lothal was famous for camelian.

Another way of obtaining raw material was sending expeditions to different places.

Evidences show that expedition was sent to Khetri region of Rajasthan for copper and to South India for Gold. Through these expeditions local communities were contacted. Harappan evidences found at these places indicate contacts between each other.

vidences found at Khetri region were given the name of Ganeshwar Jodhpura Culture by archaeologists. Huge reserves of copper products were found here. It is assumed that inhabitants of these area sent copper to Harappan people.