They once lived in many thousands of years ago. They had different languages, different clothes, different city plannings, different food habits, different types of customs and their own festivals. But they were now past.
Once upon a time in historic and pre-historic period, they lived in the ancient cities of India but now the civilizations had been lost under the sand, over the period of time. Only some pillars and constructions are left. Archaeologists, scientists have carried out some extensive studies at most of these places as to know more about the people, culture, lifestyle of these civilizations.
Some lost Indian cities:
Lothal in Gujarat
Lothal is one of the most important places in Indus Valley civilization. It is located in the Bhal region of the modern state of Gujarat and dating from 3700 BCE. This lost city was discovered in 1954 and the excavation was started in 1955.
Harappans were attracted to Lothal for its sheltered harbour, rich cotton and rice-growing environment and bead-making industry. For the purpose of naval trade Lothal engineers gave a high priority to the creation of dockyard and warehouse.
The city’s massive structures were extremely damaged by floods and other decaying matters. However, wells, platforms, dwarfed walls, baths, paved floors and drains are still existed.
Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu
The ancient city of Poompuhar was once a flourishing port city known as Kaveri poompattinam, which for a while served as the capital of the early Chola kings in Tamilakam. It is located near the end point of Kaveri River in the Nagapattinam district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Much of the town was destroyed by progressive erosion and floods. The city was rebuilt several times. Submerged wharves and several meter lengths of pier walls have excavated in recent times. Ancient Pottery dating back to the 4th century BCE have been discovered off shore.
Pattadakal in Karnataka
Pattadakal, a village is now a world heritage site and situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district. It is now a tourist attraction of Karnataka.
This place is famous for its ancient temples and monuments. The best known is the Virupaksha temple, built by Queen Lokamahadevi (Trilokyamahadevi) in 745 to commemorate her husband’s victory (Vikramaditya II) over the Pallavas of Kanchi.
Dholavira in Gujarat
It is an archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District, in the state of Gujarat. The site belongs to the Indus Valley civilization and it is the 5th largest Harappan site. This place is locally known as Kotada Timba Prachin Mahanagar Dholavira. The site was discovered in 1967-68 by J.P. Joshi.
The excavation of the site brought in light the sophisticated planning and organized architecture of the area. The site includes reservoirs, step well, and various other antiquities such as seals, beads, animal bones, gold, silver, terracotta ornaments and vessels.
Surkotada in Gujarat
The site is belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization and located in Gujarat about 160 km (99 mi) north-east of Bhuj, in the district of Kutch. It contains horse remains dated to ca. 2000 BCE. Shri Jagat Pati Joshi of the Archaeological Survey of India discovered the mounds in 1964.
Vijaynagar in Karnataka
In 1336, Sangama dynasty princes Harihara I and Bukka Raya I founded Vijayanagara. This city was the capital of an empire of the Vijaynagara Empire.
Around 1500, Vijaynagara had about 500,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the world after Beijing and almost twice the size of Paris. The golden years of this city lasted about 20 years from 1509-29, under Krishnadevaraya. Because of the excessive vehicular pollution the ruins of this city are now listed as a ‘threatened’ world heritage site.
Kalibangan in Rajasthan
Kalibangan was a major provincial capital of Indus Valley civilization. The small town located in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. It is identified as being established in the triangle of land at the confluence of Drishadvati and Sarasvathi Rivers. In 1969 the excavation of the city started. Kalibangan is well-known by its unique fire altars and “world’s earliest attested ploughed field”.
Dwarka in Gujarat
Dwarka is popularly known as the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna. It is the most sacred and holy cities of India. Dwarka is one of the foremost Chardhams, four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, and is one of the Sapta Puri, the seven most ancient religious cities in the country.
It is believed to have been the first capital of Gujarat. Most of the parts of the city had been submerged in the sea. The ruins found under the sea including gigantic stone walls, huge pillars and other antiques.
Muziris in Kerala
The lost city Muziris is believed to be an internationally acclaimed port city of India. It is located on the banks of river Periyar in Kerala. This was a main port for the trade between southern India and the Phoenicians, the Persians, the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Roman Empire. Archeologists have discovered various artifacts belonging to countries like Egypt, Yemen, Roman and West Asia.
Hampi in Karnataka
Hampi is a village and temple town in Northern Karnataka. It was the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. Hampi is located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you know any other Indian lost cities please share
