The discovery of Bhirrana (or Bhirdana), a small village located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana, India, has transformed our understanding of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. For decades, Mehrgarh in present-day Pakistan, dating back to 7000-6400 BC, was regarded as the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization. It provided vital insights into early agrarian practices and societal development. However, the excavations at Bhirrana have unearthed an even older cultural sequence, predating Mehrgarh. Radiocarbon dating and evidence from the Hakra phase—a pre-Harappan period—confirm Bhirrana’s antiquity dating back to approximately 7570–6200 BC, and its role in the gradual evolution of this civilization. This groundbreaking revelation shifts the narrative, highlighting Bhirrana as the possible birthplace of the Indus Valley Civilization — arguably the world’s earliest urban society.

Bhirrana: Location, Findings, and Cultural Significance

Located approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Fatehabad town in Haryana, India, Bhirrana lies along a paleo-channel of the seasonal Ghaggar River, often associated with the extinct Saraswati River. This serene village, surrounded by vast wheat fields near the Delhi-Fazilka National Highway, has emerged as a pivotal site in unraveling the mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) between 2003 and 2006 unearthed evidence of continuous habitation at Bhirrana, spanning from the pre-Harappan Hakra phase to the Mature Harappan period. Radiocarbon dating of the site’s artifacts places its origins between 7570 BCE and 6200 BCE, establishing Bhirrana as the oldest known site of the Indus Valley Civilization, surpassing Mehrgarh in antiquity.

Key Discoveries:

• Hakra Ware Culture: Unearthed for the first time in India, this cultural phase predates the Early Harappan period and includes unique artifacts such as semi-precious stone beads, terracotta figurines, and bone tools.

• Circular Pit Dwellings: At Bhirrana, large dwelling pits measuring up to 3.40 m in diameter and 34–58 cm in depth, mud-plastered with occasional brick linings, were uncovered, resembling those found at Kunal. These pits, likely housing 3–4 people, are thought to have had lightweight superstructures. Additionally, smaller pits (2–2.20 m diameter, 0.8–1.08 m deep) containing charred bovine remains with severed horns and grains were identified, suggesting their use as sacrificial pits.

• Urban Planning: The site shows advanced urban design during the Mature Harappan phase, including mudbrick houses, drainage systems, fortifications, and wide roads.

• Artifacts and Pottery: Distinctive pottery styles such as bichrome and black-on-red ware, along with tools and seals, highlight the technological and artistic achievements of the civilization.

• Engraved Potsherd: A red potsherd engraved with a dancing girl figure, reminiscent of the bronze figurine from Mohenjo-Daro, adds to the site’s cultural significance.

Bhirrana’s Cultural Sequence

Bhirrana’s progression from the Hakra Ware culture to a mature Harappan city underscores its significant role in the evolution of the Indus Valley Civilization.

• Period IA: Hakra Ware(s) Culture (7500–6000 BCE): Bhirrana revealed the earliest stage of Harappan culture, known as Hakra Ware(s), predating the Early Harappan period (Kalibangan-I). Key features include subterranean dwelling pits plastered with Saraswati valley alluvium. Artifacts included copper tools, terracotta and stone items, and diverse pottery styles such as Mud Applique Wares and Bichrome Wares.

• Period IB: Early Harappan Culture (6000–4500 BCE): During this period, the settlement expanded into an open-air habitation without fortifications. Houses were constructed with mud bricks in a 3:2:1 ratio. Pottery retained elements of Hakra Ware while incorporating Kalibangan styles. Artifacts included a variety of copper, terracotta, and semi-precious stone items such as seals, pendants, figurines, and tools.

• Period IIA: Early Mature Harappan Culture (4500–3000 BCE): This phase introduced fortifications and urban planning with a Citadel and Lower Town layout. Streets and lanes followed a structured grid pattern. Pottery showed a mix of Early and Mature Harappan styles. Notable artifacts included semi-precious stone beads, terracotta figurines, copper tools, and diverse pottery forms.

• Period IIB: Mature Harappan Culture (3000–800 BCE): Bhirrana evolved into a well-developed Harappan city with mudbrick houses, wide roads, and a fortified wall featuring a drainage system. Artifacts included copper seals, terracotta spoked wheels, figurines, and beads of semi-precious stones. Notable discoveries included pottery graffiti depicting mermaid-like deities and dancing girl figures resembling the famous bronze “Dancing Girl” of Mohenjodaro.

Conclusion

Bhirrana’s discovery has reshaped our understanding of the origins of the Indus Valley Civilization. It challenges earlier beliefs that the roots of the civilization lay exclusively in Sindh (now in Pakistan) by establishing Bhirrana as its birthplace. The site’s continuous habitation provides a rare glimpse into the transition from early agrarian communities to complex urban societies. Moreover, its proximity to the Ghaggar-Saraswati river system not only links it to Vedic traditions but also underscores the vital role of perennial water sources in sustaining early settlements.

Bhirrana stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the ancient Indians . As the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, it fills critical gaps in our understanding of this enigmatic Bronze Age society, offering profound insights into its origins, evolution, and eventual decline.

Sources:

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/haryanas-bhirrana-oldest-harappan-site-rakhigarhi-asias-largest-asi/articleshow/46926693.cms
• https://www.orientalthane.com/archaeology/news_2008_03_11_1.htm
• https://hdheritagewalks.wordpress.com/2023/03/05/bhirrana-bhirdana-archaeological-site-fatehabad-district-haryana/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehrgarh
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhirrana