An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s17.2

v1.c21.s17.2

*16.7.1 Models of cart frames.* The Harappa evidence for cart frames comes from sites such as ALAMGIRPUR, DESALPUR, KALIBANGAN, LOTHAL, ROPAR and SURKOTADA, apart from Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Chanhu-daro. Mostly of terracotta, they are of three types. The first comprises a solid chassis, either concave or flat. The second and third types have perforated chassis or frame, in addition to a cross bar. On such chassis wooden posts were fixed in vertically pierced holes to from a box-like frame. Wheels were attached to the free projecting ends of the axle which was secured with leather tissue to the main frame, lynch-pins perhaps holding the wheels in position. There are also horizontal holes for the shaft through one end of the frame and the mid cross-piece. With a floor of matting or ropework the open frames of such carts were well adapted for carrying goods and passengers. Carts with detachable cross bars and those with chassis made of two curved bars were used for carrying light goods, mostly in w. India. The second and third types were meant for carrying heavy loads. The first is the forerunner of the modern *ekka* presently used in India.