India

Kalibangan

Indus Valley city and archaeological site, Rajasthan

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

Kalibangān is a town located at 29.47°N 74.13°E / 29.47; 74.13 on the left or southern banks of the Ghaggar (Ghaggar-Hakra River) in Tehsil Pilibangān, between Suratgarh and Hanumangarh in Hanumangarh District, Rajasthan, India 205 km. from Bikaner. It is also identified as being established in the triangle of land at the confluence of Drishadvati and Sarasvati Rivers. The prehistoric and pre-Mauryan character of Indus Valley civilization was first identified by Luigi Tessitori at this site. Kalibangan's excavation report was published in its entirety in 2003 by the Archaeological Survey of India, 34 years after the completion of excavations. The report concluded that Kalibangan was a major provincial capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan is distinguished by its unique fire altars and "world's earliest attested ploughed field". It is around 2900 BC that the region of Kalibangan developed into what can be considered a planned city. Kalibangan was first excavated under the Directorship of B. B. Lal (ASI) between 1960-61 to 1969-70. Other excavation team members were B.K. Thapar, M.D. Khare, K.M. Shrivastava and S.P. Jain.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Excavations by ASI

1960–1970

Excavation report published

2003

Harappan phase occupation

c. 2500–1750 BC

Earthquake and end of Early phase

c. 2600 BC

Earliest ploughed field

c. 2800 BC

Development into planned city

c. 2900 BC

Proto-Harappan occupation

c. 3500–2500 BC

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Defensive Walls
category

Public and Civic Structures

Administrative Buildings
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

AltarsCeremonial Platforms
category

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Field Systems
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

HousesTownsCities
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial Mounds
category

Food Production and Processing Features

OvensHearths
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

India

Coordinates

29.47° N, 74.13° E