Harappa Mound AB — Citadel Punjab
Harappa Citadel Mound · Mound AB — Harappa · Harappa Granary mound
Indus Valley Civilisation, Mature Harappan (c.2600–1900 BCE, Harappan 3A–3C)·Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappan)·🇵🇰 Punjab, Sahiwal District, Ravi River south bank, Pakistan
About
About Harappa Mound AB — Citadel Punjab
Mound AB at Harappa is the Harappan citadel (≈150×150 m, 15 m high) — massive mudbrick terraced platform dominating the 150 ha city on the Ravi. Vats, Wheeler and Kenoyer excavated granary (50×40 m, 12 rooms), Great Hall, perimeter wall with bastions, and Ravi flood defenses. Sequence shows Pre-Harappan Ravi (3800 BCE) through Late Harappan cemetery (1500 BCE). Type-site for entire civilisation; Mound AB demonstrates earliest urban planning in South Asia with citadel–lower town duality.
Why it mattersType-site for Indus Civilisation; citadel–lower town duality prototype; evidence for standardised brick ratio and planned drainage 2600 BCE.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of earliest level — radiocarbon vs ceramic seriation unresolved
- 02Function of platform — defense vs ritual vs flood refuge debated
Theories
- 01Urban genesis — mound as autonomous centre vs secondary foundation
- 02Hydraulic hypothesis — platform responding to irrigation and flood control
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2600–1900 BCE (Mature Harappan, Harappa Periods 3A–3C)
- Period
- Indus Valley Civilisation, Mature Harappan (c.2600–1900 BCE, Harappan 3A–3C)
- Culture
- Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappan)
- Purpose
- Urban citadel — elevated pyramidal mudbrick platform supporting granary/hall and elite quarter, controlling Ravi trade
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2600–1900 BCE (Mature Harappan, Harappa Periods 3A–3C)
Initial major platform/tell settlement founded
c.2000 BCE
Peak occupation with citadel and lower town
1900
Early antiquarian soundings
1950–80
Modern stratigraphic excavations establish sequence
On the ground
Structures & features
30.6289° N · 72.8639° E · 190 m · 3 mapped features
Mound AB citadel terrace
pyramidHarappan citadel platform 150×150 m, 15 m high with granary and bastion wall
30.6289° N · 72.8639° EGranary / Great Hall complex
hall50×40 m granary/workshop with 12 rooms and 15 m pillar hall
30.6292° N · 72.8642° EHarappan perimeter wall and Ravi defenses
wallMudbrick wall 12 m thick with bastions and Ravi flood defenses
30.6284° N · 72.8634° E