Harappan Manda and Early Historical Sites
Manda: the northernmost Harappan site
- Manda is on the Chenab near Akhnoor in the Jammu region.
- It is the northernmost known site of the Indus (Harappan) Civilization in the subcontinent.
- It was excavated by the ASI in 1976 to 1977 (led by J.P. Joshi and Madhu Bala).
- It shows several cultural phases: a Harappan phase, then later phases with Kushana-age and medieval remains.
- Finds include Harappan pottery, bricks and beads, showing that the Harappan people reached the foothills of the Himalaya.
Ambaran (Akhnoor)
- A Buddhist site on the Chenab, with a brick stupa and terracotta remains of the Kushana age.
Other historic sites to know
| Site | Place | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Harwan | Near Shalimar, Srinagar | Buddhist monastery, floors of terracotta tiles with patterns, Kushana times |
| Ushkur (Hushkapura) | Baramulla | Buddhist stupa, tied to Huvishka |
| Parihaspora | Near Srinagar | Lalitaditya's capital (8th century) |
| Avantipora | Pulwama | Avantiswami and Avantishwara temples (9th century) |
| Pandrethan | Srinagar | Old capital Puranadhisthana, small stone temple |
| Naranag | Ganderbal | Group of temples |
| Martand | Mattan, Anantnag | Sun Temple of Lalitaditya |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.