Was the Rann of Kachchh navigable during the Harappan times (Mid-Holocene)? An archaeological perspective

Abstract

The Kachchh region, presently, is one of the difficul t areas in the Indian subcontinent for human settlement due to harsh climate, scanty rainfall and hence no scope for agriculture production. However, the region was probably densely populated in the past, as can be inferred from archaeo-logical studies arou nd the Rann. Several sites of the Harappan period (Dholavira, Juni Kuran, Surkotada, Shikarpur, etc. ) urban in nature have been located within the borders of Rann. Thus a pertinent question arises as to why such large settlements were established in this area? Presently, the Rann of Kachchh is a storeh ouse of a thick layer of salt between Kori Creek in the west and Nagarparkar in the east. There are several geol ogical studies indicating that differe nt environ-mental conditions pr evailed here in the past. Th e area of Rann probably could have served as a navigational channel/water body, which facilitated safe harbours for overseas trade with the Gulf countries and internal trade through riverine route which prevailed in the recent past