Padri
Padri Harappan Village · Saurashtra Sorath Harappan Site
Early Harappan Padri 3300–2600 → Sorath Mature 2600–1900 → Late Harappan 1900–1800 BCE·Sorath Harappan (Possehl) coastal variant — Early to Late Harappan·🇮🇳 Gujarat, Bhavnagar District, Talaja Taluka, Gulf of Khambhat coast at Padri village 5 km from Talaja, Saurashtra, India
About
About Padri
Padri — Sorath Harappan village (3300–1800 BCE) on Gulf of Khambhat at Talaja, Saurashtra, excavated 1990–93 by V.S. Shinde (Deccan College). Padri is the Sorath Harappan type-site: Early Harappan (Padri ware) → Mature Sorath Harappan with salt processing, shell bangle workshop, and Late Harappan with Lustrous Red Ware. Large storage jars, fish bones, and circular huts prove Saurashtra coastal adaptation distinct from Kutch Harappan. Late Harappan cemetery with urn burials.
Why it mattersSorath Harappan type-site — defines Saurashtra coastal Harappan variant distinct from Sindhi Harappan
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Salt production scale — Harappan export?
Theories
- 01Saurashtra late Harappan as maritime adaptation after Kutch salinity
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.3300 BCE Padri ware phase; Sorath Mature 2600–1900 BCE
- Period
- Early Harappan Padri 3300–2600 → Sorath Mature 2600–1900 → Late Harappan 1900–1800 BCE
- Culture
- Sorath Harappan (Possehl) coastal variant — Early to Late Harappan
- Builders
- Sorath Harappan coastal farmers and salt makers
- Purpose
- Coastal farming-fishing hamlet and salt/shell bangle production centre linking Lothal to Saurashtra Harappans
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3300–2600 BCE
Padri ware Early Harappan circular huts
c.2600–1900 BCE
Sorath Mature with shell bangles and salt
1990–93
Shinde excavations define Sorath Harappan
On the ground
Structures & features
21.3300° N · 72.0500° E · 15 m · 2 mapped features
Central Habitation Mound
settlementCircular hut floors and storage jar cluster at mound summit
21.3310° N · 72.0492° ECoastal Shell Workshop Area
workshopShell bangle drilling floor and salt pan depression on western terrace
21.3285° N · 72.0511° E