Kot Diji

The ancient site at Kot Diji (Urdu: کوٹ ڈیجی) was the forerunner of the Indus Civilization. The people of this site lived about 3000 BC. The remains consist of two parts; the citadel area on high ground, and outer area.

Located about 22 kilometres south of Khairpur in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. The site is situated at the foot of the hills where a fort (Kot Diji Fort) was built around 1790 by Talpur ruler of Upper Sindh, Mir Suhrab who reigned from 1783 to 1830. This fort built on the ridge of a steep narrow hill is well preserved.

Prelude to Kot Diji

Neolithic Revolution in Balochistan

The so called ‘Neolithic Revolution’ took place around 8500 – 6000 BC in Fertile Crescent. With the taming of variety of animals and domestication of wheat and barley man life style changed from nomadic to settled life in permanent homes. Being closest to Iran and Afghanistan, Baluchistan was the first region in South Asia influenced by this revolution. The earliest evidence of sedentary lifestyle in South Asia was discovered at Mehrgarh in 1979. This settlement, dated 7000BC located on the west bank of Bolan River, about 30 kilometres from the town of Sibi.

Village Culture (6000-4000BC)

By 4000BC farming communities spread further east in other parts of Baluchistan and Lower Sind.Agricultural communities settled in Brahui Hills, River Zhob Valley and along Makran coasts; respectively represented by "Nal Culture", "Zhob Culture" and "Kulli Culture".

These cultures developed in different valleys in isolation to each other with their own characteristics. "Nal Culture" made red pottery and practiced dead burial, where "Kulli Culture" burnt their dead and made small boxes of soft stone with delicately engraved linear patterns.

Pre Harappa Towns (4000-3000 BC)

The development of these farming communities in different parts of Baluchistan and Lower Sind, ultimately led to urbanization. The earliest fortified town to date is found at Rehman Dheri, dated 4000BC in NWFP close to River Zhob Valley. Other fortified towns found to date are at Amri (3600-3300BC) and Kot Diji in Sind and at Kalibangan (3000BC), India at the Hakra River. No writing were found at these sites.

Kot Diji Culture. (3000 BC)

The Pre Harappa site at Kot Diji consists of two clearly defined areas.Citadel on high ground for the elites separated by a defensive wall with bastions at regular intervals. This area measures about 500 ft x 350 ft.Outer area, or the city proper consisted of houses of mud bricks on stone foundations. Pottery found from this site have design with horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and simple triangular patterns.

Other stuff found are pots, pans, storage jars, toy carts, balls, bangles, beads, terracotta figurines of mother goddess and animals, bronze arrowheads. Well fashioned stone implements were also discovered.

The interesting find at Kot Diji is a toy cart, which shows that potter’s wheel lead to wheels for bullock carts.

There are evidence of burning of this fortified town, which were also observed at Amri and Kalibangan. Burning of these cities is still unexplained.

External links

*http://www.pearltours.com.pk/archa/kotdiji.htm

ee also

* Kot Diji Fort