An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c36.19

v2.c36.19

*Pd I*, Malwa culture (c. 1600-1400 B.C.). The first settlers at the site were the people of the Malwa culture [4.14.5]. They lived in large rectangular houses of wattle and daub and thatched roof. A complete house of this Pd is 6·64 m long and 4·42 m wide. There are a number of post-holes outside the walls and inside as well. The house is divided into two compartments by a dwarf wall over which probably stood a red screen. In the n.-e. corner is a circular mud platform, 10 cm high and 1·90 m in diameter, probably used for supporting a storage bin as is done even now. In the n.-w. corner is a rectangular *chūlhā* with a flat stone daubed with mud in the centre obviously for supporting the cooking vessel. In the s.-w. corner is placed a huge jar, half embedded in the ground; it may have been used for storing grain or water. Some people also lived in pit houses, one of the exposed ones being circular on plan (diameter 3 m) and its sides straight. Since the pit is considerably deep (1·23 m), a step is provided in the s. side for descending into it. There are several post-holes along the periphery at the top for supporting the roof and on the e. the ground is gently sloped to ward off rain-water. In the n.-e. is a double *chūlhā*, which shows that cooking was done in open outside the pit. Two pit-houses have shallow floors. It may be stated that even today such pit-houses are constructed in and around Inamgaon.