Shortughai
Topic: Harappan (Sindhu-Sarasvati) Civilisation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Bricks, Beads and Bones"
Meaning
Shortughai is a Harappan settlement in north-east Afghanistan, near the Amu Darya (Oxus) river. The Harappans set it up close to the best source of lapis lazuli in Badakhshan. It is an example of a settlement built right at the source of a raw material. It is also the only Harappan site where traces of canals have been found.
Example
Archaeologists found traces of irrigation canals at Shortughai. Irrigation canals are channels that bring water to fields. No such canals have been found in Punjab or Sindh. This makes Shortughai a key fact for exams.
Don't confuse with
- Lothal: also a settlement built near raw materials, but in Gujarat, close to carnelian, steatite and metal. Shortughai was in Afghanistan, for lapis lazuli.
Related concepts
- Chanhudaro
- Harappan bead-making
- Carnelian
- Carnelian beads
- Steatite
- Faience
- Lapis lazuli
- Khetri copper region
- Harappan bronze
- Daimabad bronzes