Indus Valley Civilization Sites in UP

Indus Valley Civilization Sites in UP hold immense significance for UPPCS aspirants, especially in UP Special (GS Paper 5) paper in UPPCS Mains Exam. The discovery of IVC sites like Alamgirpur (Meerut) Mandi (Muzaffarnagar), and Hulas (Saharanpur) highlights the easternmost expansion of the Harappan culture. These findings reveal the cultural, economic, and technological reach of one of the world’s oldest civilizations into the Gangetic plains. In this article, we’ll explore major Indus Valley Civilization sites in Uttar Pradesh, their features, archaeological findings, and importance for UPPCS Prelims and Mains 2025 preparation.

Indus Valley Civilization Sites in UP | IVC Sites in UP | Indus Valley Civilization UPPCS Mains | Harappan Sites in Uttar Pradesh | Harappan Civilization in Uttar Pradesh

Indus Valley Civilization Sites in UP

Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) had a vast reach, the core areas were not located in present-day Uttar Pradesh. The civilization flourished mainly in the Indus River valley, encompassing parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northwest India. However, evidence suggests its influence and trade networks extended eastward, reaching some parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Alamgirpur (Meerut):

• Considered the easternmost site of the IVC, dating back to 3300-1300 BC.
• This discovery significantly expanded the known geographical extent of the civilization.
• Excavations unearthed houses, granaries, workshops, and even a drainage system, indicating a well-organized settlement.
• Harappan-style pottery (Red potteries painted with black), seals, and tools

Hulas/Hulas Kheda (Saharanpur):

• Harappan-style pottery
• trade connections with IVC

Mandi (Muzaffarnagar):

• Terracotta beads, bangles, and seals with IVC motifs
• Evidence of gold mint

Sanauli (Baghpat):

• Bronze Age Chariots
• Terracotta wheels and chariots

Other Sites – Bhatpura & Manpura (Bulandshahr), Bargaon (Saharanpur):

• Excavations at Bhatpura and Manpura in Bulandshahr district have revealed Red and Black Painted Ware, typical of the Late Harappan and Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP) phase, indicating interaction between the Harappan and early Ganga cultures.
• These sites suggest a transitional phase between the mature Harappan urban culture and the emerging Chalcolithic–Iron Age settlements of the Ganga plain.
• Discovery of terracotta figurines, beads, and microlithic tools points to both domestic and craft activities.
• Bargaon (Saharanpur) has yielded pottery fragments, stone tools, and cultural material similar to those found at Hulas, confirming its association with the Late Harappan cultural horizon.
• The distribution of these smaller sites in western UP supports the idea of Harappan rural settlements and trade outposts extending eastward along the Yamuna and its tributaries.

The discovery of Indus Valley Civilization sites in Uttar Pradesh—such as Alamgirpur, Hulas, Mandi, and Sanauli—marks a crucial chapter in understanding the eastern expansion of Harappan culture. These sites reveal that the influence of this ancient urban civilization extended far beyond its traditional Indus-Saraswati core into the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region. The presence of Harappan-style pottery, chariots, ornaments, and evidence of trade and metallurgy reflects cultural continuity and technological sophistication.

UPPCS Mains 2023 Question (GS 5)

1. उत्तर प्रदेश में हड़प्पा सभ्यता से संबंधित पुरास्थलों की पहचान कीजिए। Identify the sites related to Harappan Civilization in Uttar Pradesh. (8 Marks, 125 Words) (GS V, 2023)

UPPCS Prelims 2025 Question

Which of the following archaeological sites related to the Indus Valley Civilization are situated in present-day Uttar Pradesh?

1. Mandi
2. Rakhigarhi
3. Hulas

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1 and 3

Answer: (d) 1 and 3

Explanation:

• The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) extended into western Uttar Pradesh, mainly along the upper reaches of the Ganga-Yamuna doab.
• Hulas, located in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the easternmost sites of the Harappan Civilization. Hence, it is correctly placed in Uttar Pradesh.
• Mandi is in Muzaffarnagar Uttar Pradesh.
• Rakhigarhi is in Haryana, one of the largest Harappan sites in India.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3.

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FAQs: Indus Valley Civilization Sites in Uttar Pradesh (UPPCS Mains GS 5)

1. Which is the easternmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization in India?
   👉 Alamgirpur in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh is considered the easternmost site of the Indus Valley Civilization.
2. What is the significance of Alamgirpur in the study of the Harappan Civilization?
   Alamgirpur shows the eastward expansion of Harappan culture and provides evidence of advanced urban planning, pottery, and trade.
3. In which district of Uttar Pradesh is the Harappan site Hulas located?
   Hulas is located in Saharanpur district, near the foothills of the Shivalik range.
4. What type of archaeological findings were discovered at Hulas (Saharanpur)?
   Excavations revealed Harappan-style pottery, mud-brick houses, hearths, and storage pits indicating rural Harappan life.
5. What was found at Mandi (Muzaffarnagar) related to the Harappan Civilization?
   Terracotta beads, bangles, seals with IVC motifs, and evidence of gold minting were discovered at Mandi.
6. What is the importance of Sanauli (Baghpat) in ancient Indian archaeology?
   Sanauli revealed Bronze Age chariots, coffins, and burial sites showing a late Harappan or Ochre-Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture link.
7. Which UPPCS Mains 2023 question was asked from this topic?
   “Identify the sites related to Harappan Civilization in Uttar Pradesh.” (GS Paper 5, 8 Marks, 125 Words)
8. Which sites of the Indus Valley Civilization are located in Uttar Pradesh?
   Major sites: Alamgirpur (Meerut), Hulas (Saharanpur), Mandi (Muzaffarnagar), Sanauli (Baghpat), Bhatpura & Manpura (Bulandshahr), and Bargaon (Saharanpur).
9. What does the discovery of Harappan sites in UP indicate about the civilization’s spread?
   It shows that Harappan influence extended eastward beyond its traditional Indus-Saraswati core region into the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
10. What kind of pottery was found at Alamgirpur and Hulas?
    Red ware pottery painted with black designs, typical of Harappan craftsmanship.
11. Which site in UP provides evidence of early metal use and trade links with Harappans?
    Mandi (Muzaffarnagar) provides evidence of gold minting and trade-related artifacts.
12. What is the time period of the Indus Valley Civilization sites found in Uttar Pradesh?
    They date roughly between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE, corresponding to the Mature and Late Harappan phases.
13. How does Sanauli differ from other Harappan sites in Uttar Pradesh?
    Sanauli is associated with Bronze Age chariots and warrior burials, indicating a transitional phase between Late Harappan and Vedic cultures.
14. What type of settlement pattern is seen in Harappan sites of UP?
    Mostly rural and agrarian settlements with traces of trade, pottery, and early metallurgy.
15. Why are Indus Valley sites in Uttar Pradesh important for UPPCS preparation?
    They form a recurring part of UP Special GS Paper 5 and Prelims questions, connecting archaeology with regional cultural history.

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Good luck on your UPSC journey!
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Indus Valley Civilization Sites in UP | IVC Sites in UP | Indus Valley Civilization UPPCS Mains | Harappan Sites in Uttar Pradesh | Harappan Civilization in Uttar Pradesh