An Insight from Khanak and Masudpur about Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi

A Comparative Analysis of Indus Pottery

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of Indus pottery assemblages from four prominent Indus archaeological sites-Khanak, Masudpur, Bhirrana and Rakhigarhi, which are located in the eastern domain of the Indus-Saraswati civilization. These locations are at the heart of the Indus-Saraswati Valley Civilization and provide important source material on the socioeconomic, technological and cultural facets of pottery production and usage. The study reveals beautiful and enriching local adaptations across diverse locations, provincial continuities, and inter-site links by investigating typological differences, decorative motifs, manufacturing processes, and material composition. These findings highlight the comparative evaluation of distinct patterns in pottery design and usage, reflecting the diverse functional and symbolic roles of ceramics in the ancient South Asian communities, alongside localized innovations that underscore the uniqueness of each site. This study contributes to a broader understanding of the complexity and heterogeneity within the Indus cultural landscape, reinforcing the importance of pottery as a key artefact in reconstructing ancient livelihood and inter-site networks.