An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c31.226

v2.c31.226

**Desalpur** (23°25′; 60°10′), Dt Kutch, located along the n.-w. edge of the Little Rann of Kutch, excavated in 1964 by K.V. Soundara Rajan (*IAR 1963-4*, p. 10). Prior to that microlithic blades and a lunate retouched along the arc reminiscent of the pre-Harappa microlithic industry had been found here (*IAR 1955-6*, p. 69). A site of modest dimensions, 130 × 100 m, situated almost midway between Mohenjo-daro and LOTHAL, on the n. bank of the depradatory stream Bamu Chelo, its cultural deposit rising to a height of upwards of 3 m, its importance is fourfold. Firstly, it is a walled Harappa [4.9] town or outpost, not very extensive but significantly defended by a square massive stone wall reinforced by bastions, with an early historical (Rang Mahal) occupation [4.18.2]. Secondly, its lowest levels have yielded along with mature Harappa Ware [11.3] another ceramic of fine greenish-grey, wavy-painted (reserved-slip) pottery, which also occurs at SURKOTADA in bulk and displays more than a few pot types. Similar pottery seems to have been noted at Mohenjo-daro in fairly low levels and has been called the ‘glazed ware’. Thirdly, the site has produced, apart from a steatite lettered Harappa seal and a similarly lettered terracotta sealing, a copper seal of the type known in good numbers from Mohenjo-daro but not from any Indian Harappa site. Lastly, in the devolution of the Harappa culture a new assemblage of bichrome pottery suggests some similarities with the later Harappa elements of Saurashtra [4.10], as from ROJDI, PRABHAS PATAN, etc.