2025-05-08 Thu

Another stamp issued by India Post on the Centenary of The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1961 featured a steatite seal from Kalibangan with a face value of 90 Naya paisa .

Kalibangan, a prominent Harappan archaeological site located in the #Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, is a significant representation of India’s rich architectural and archaeological heritage. The site is positioned along the banks of the now-dried-up Ghaggar River and is also recognized for its establishment at the confluence of the Drishadvati and Sarasvati rivers. It also served as the provincial capital of the Harappan Civilization.

The site was discovered by Amlanand Ghosh in 1953. The name Kalibangan, which translates to black bangles," is derived from the extensive distribution of black bangle fragments found on the surface of the site. Kalibangan comprises three mounds: the central mound (KLB-2), a smaller mound to the west (KLB-1), and the smallest mound to the east (KLB-3). The site is distinguished by its unique FIRE altars and is recognized as the location of the world’s earliest known ploughed field.

Excavations conducted at Kalibangan have revealed numerous artifacts, with the seals being particularly noteworthy. Crafted from steatite, these seals feature intricate carvings on the front and a perforated boss on the reverse side. They represent some of the most extensively found cultural artifacts from the Harappan Civilization. It is believed that these seals were primarily employed in Trades as a form of identification. Moreover, examples of such seals have been found far beyond the region, suggesting their use in trade interactions with the Mesopotamian Civilization in West Asia. The Harappan seals depict a rich variety of animals, including Elephants, Tigers, rhinoceroses, and antelopes, as well as composite figures of humans and animals, with the unicorn being the most frequently depicted.

The seal highlighted on the stamp illustrates a bison accompanied by a feeding container. Above this depiction, there exists an inscription in the Indus Script, which remains an enigma for linguists and archaeologists to this day.