Banawali
 Shown within Haryana
Shown within Haryana
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| Location | Baguwali, Haryana, India |
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| Coordinates | 29°32′44″N 75°17′51″E / 29.54556°N 75.29750°ECoordinates: 29°32′44″N 75°17′51″E / 29.54556°N 75.29750°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Periods | Harappan 3A to Harappan 5 |
| Cultures | Indus Valley Civilization |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | R. S. Bisht |
Banawali (Devanagari: बन्वालि) is an archaeological site belonging to Indus Valley Civilization period in Fatehabad district, Haryana, India and is located about 120 km northeast of Kalibangan and 16 km from Fatehabad. Banawali, which is earlier called Vanavali, is on the left banks of dried up Sarasvati River. Comparing to Kalibangan, which was a town established in lower middle valley of dried up Sarasvathi River, Banawali was built over upper middle valley of Sarasvathi River.
This site was excavated by R.S. Bisht (ASI). The excavations revealed the following sequence of cultures:
Well planned houses constructed out of kiln burnt and moulded bricks. Pottery consisting of vase and jar, is divided into two groups, based on general design. Pottery assemblage is very similar to those of Kalibangan I period.
Defence wall of more than 105 m length, 4.5 m height, 6 m width was found at this site. Well planned Harappan style chess-board pattern fortified town, measuring 200m x 500m was established during this period. This fortified area consisted of two adjascent areas, one thought to be for ruling class and other one for common people. In the area meant for common people, house blocks with north-south thouroghfares cutting at right angles, which further connected by east-west lanes, reflecting urban nature of streets. Houses, which were constructed on both sides of lanes, were having rammed earth floor, mud plastered walls, rooms, kitchen, toilet. Houses were having storage facilities, similar to strong rooms found at Kuntasi
This period is represented by Bara culture, which may be termed as post-Harappa or late contemporary Harappa.
Archaeological Survey of India has done excavation in this place revealed well constructed fort town of Harappan period overlaying an extensive proto urban settlement of pre Harappan Period. A defence wall was also found with a height of 4.5 m and thickness of 6 m which was traced up to a distance of 105 m.
Houses, with rammed earthen floors, were well planned with rooms and toilets and houses were constructed on either sides of streets and lanes.
Near South-eastern area of fortification, flight of steps is found rising from 'Lower town' to Acropolis and ASI considers this as important formation. The staircase of 'lower town' is near a bastion looking construction.
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