The dynamics of the pre-Harappan phase of the Harappan civilization re-examined

The paper examines the pre-Harappan phase of the Harappan or Indus civiliza tion in an Indian regional context. The emerging thrust of arguments favour s the early-Harappan conceptual frame work. The locational distribution of sites vis-a-vis the contemporary water courses is found to be improved on p lotting actual site co-ordinates instead of those for the respective neares t villages. The attempts at chronological calibration probabilistically dis favour the shorter chronology. The proposed role of rainfed agriculture, su pported by ethnographic and historical analogues, negates the hypothesis of hydraulic despotism in the present context. Most of the mature-Harappan te chnoloical developments are presented in the pre-Harappan phase. The existi ng evidence, however, emphasizes quantitatively truncated crafts productivi ty.