Rare 5,000-Year-Old Mural Discovered at Harappan Site in Rakhigarhi
Archaeologists from the ASI have unearthed a rare wall painting at the Rakhigarhi site in Haryana, dating back to the Mature Harappan phase.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- A rare 5,000-year-old mural from the Mature Harappan phase has been discovered at Rakhigarhi, Haryana.
- The mural, found on a mud-brick wall, features geometric patterns and stylized animal figures.
- Rakhigarhi is one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- The discovery is significant due to the rarity of preserved pigmented art from Harappan sites.
- The artwork provides new insights into the aesthetic sensibilities and artistic skills of the Harappans.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the excavation and preservation.
- The Mature Harappan phase is generally dated between 3000 BCE and 1900 BCE.
- This find challenges previous notions about the scale and nature of Harappan artistic expression.
- The discovery enhances our understanding of the cultural richness of the Bronze Age in South Asia.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | High | 10–20 | Ancient, medieval, and modern history form a full section in UPSC Prelims and GS-I Mains. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–10 | Regional history is specifically tested in state exams — Maratha history in Maharashtra, etc. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | Medium | 3–5 | Modern Indian history, freedom struggle, and cultural heritage appear in SSC CGL. |
Key Facts to Remember: Rare 5,000-Year-Old Mural Discovered at Harappan Site in Rakhigarhi
- A rare 5,000-year-old mural from the Mature Harappan phase has been discovered at Rakhigarhi, Haryana.
- The mural, found on a mud-brick wall, features geometric patterns and stylized animal figures.
- Rakhigarhi is one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- The discovery is significant due to the rarity of preserved pigmented art from Harappan sites.
- The artwork provides new insights into the aesthetic sensibilities and artistic skills of the Harappans.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the excavation and preservation.
- The Mature Harappan phase is generally dated between 3000 BCE and 1900 BCE.
- This find challenges previous notions about the scale and nature of Harappan artistic expression.
- The discovery enhances our understanding of the cultural richness of the Bronze Age in South Asia.
Practice Questions
Q1. At which Indus Valley Civilization site was a rare 5,000-year-old mural recently discovered by the ASI?
- Mohenjo-daro
- Harappa
- Rakhigarhi
- Lothal
Explanation: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently announced the discovery of a rare mural dating to the Mature Harappan phase at Rakhigarhi, located in Haryana. This site is recognized as one of the largest settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Q2. The recently discovered mural at Rakhigarhi dates back to which period of the Indus Valley Civilization?
- Early Harappan Phase
- Mature Harappan Phase
- Late Harappan Phase
- Vedic Period
Explanation: Preliminary dating suggests the mural belongs to the Mature Harappan phase, which is generally understood to have flourished between approximately 3000 BCE and 1900 BCE. This period represents the peak of urban development in the civilization.
Q3. What makes the discovery of the Rakhigarhi mural particularly significant in the context of Harappan archaeology?
- It is the largest artifact ever found at Rakhigarhi.
- It is the first evidence of urban planning at the site.
- It is a rare example of large-scale preserved pigmented art from the civilization.
- It contains inscriptions in the undeciphered Harappan script.
Explanation: Pigmented art, especially murals of this scale, is exceptionally rare from Harappan sites due to poor preservation conditions. The survival of this mural offers a unique glimpse into Harappan artistic practices that are seldom found.
Q4. Which organization is responsible for the excavation and discovery of the mural at Rakhigarhi?
- National Museum, New Delhi
- Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- Gettysburg National Military Park
Explanation: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the premier government organization responsible for archaeological research, excavation, and preservation of cultural heritage sites in India, including Rakhigarhi.
Q5. Besides geometric patterns, what other subject matter is depicted in the Rakhigarhi mural?
- Human figures in daily activities
- Mythological scenes
- Stylized animal figures
- Scenes of warfare
Explanation: The mural found at Rakhigarhi is described as featuring intricate geometric patterns and depictions of stylized animal figures. These elements provide insights into the artistic motifs and potentially the symbolic world of the Harappans.
How to Prepare History & Culture for Government Exams — Rare 5,000-Year-Old Mural Discovered at Harappan…
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