Prehistoric India to 1000 B.C. c12.83

c12.83

At Harappā it was found that the Western Gateway had, like the rest of the Citadel, been terribly robbed and wrecked by the brick-robbers, but enough remained for patient excavation to disentangle the remains of ceremonial terraces and a processional way leading up from a ramp or flight of steps to the actual gateways, the terraces being provided with guard-rooms at the outer angles (Fig. 19). These were all situated in a curious curved re-entrant of the defensive wall, ‘not explained by the normal needs of defence. ... We are driven back upon the conclusion that the plan was designed to conform with the needs of some sort of ceremony – religious or secular or both – in which the terrace or terraces played a dominant role, and to which processional access was required ... A variety of processional ceremonies to which the scheme could be adapted suggests itself, but choice is unprofitable until we have more knowledge of Harappan religion and administration.’