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The Daily Insight

What is the great granary?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Updated on March 02, 2026

Great Granary was found at Mohen-jo daro, while six small granaries were found at Harappa. The site belongs to the mature Harappan phase from 2600 BCE to 2000 BC. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary .

What is granary of Harappan civilization?

The so-called “granary” of Harappa is found on Mound F. It is a brick structure that was built on a massive brick foundation over 45 meters north south and 45 meters east-west. Each room measures 15.2 by 6.1 meters and has three sleeper walls with air space between them.

What was the purpose of great granary in Harappan civilization?

Historians believe that the Great Granary was used by the people of Harappa to store surplus food grains.

At which place the famous great granary of Harappan civilization was found?

Mohen-jo Daro
Great Granary was found at Mohen-jo Daro, while six small granaries were found at Harappa.

Why is the great granary famous?

“Great Granary,” Harappa 16 Archaeologists today prefer to call these structures great halls, since they were clearly the largest known buildings discovered in the ancient Indus cities. At Mohenjo-daro evidence for wooden sockets in various areas suggests that a large wooden superstructure once covered these buildings.

Who excavated the great granary at Harappa?

Vasant Shinde, Vice-Chancellor/Director, Deccan College, who was the Director of the excavation, said: “We excavated seven chambers in the granary. From the nature of the structure, it appears to be a big structure because it extends on all sides.

Where is a granary situated in the Harappan civilization?

Mohenjo-daro
In Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, granaries were found in citadels, where the ruling elite lived. So mound number four in Rakhigarhi, where the granary was found, could have been the settlement’s citadel, Dr. Shinde said. Rakhigarhi is situated in the confluence of Ghaggar and Chautang rivers and it was a fertile area.

How was a granary used in India?

A granary is a special building used to hold grain. Describe the citadels of the Indus Valley civilization and their possible function. Walled citadels were built from a platform of earth and brick that could have protected the Indus Valley cities from floods or attackers.

Why were the granaries created by the Harappan people?

It is believed that it was built for threshing grains as remains of grains of wheat and barley were found in crevices of the floor. Near the granaries, two-roomed barracks have been found which might have housed labourers. The granary was built on a raised platform to protect it from floods.

In what respects is Harappan civilization our greatest heritage?

The Harappan Civilisation presents a basic ground of indispensable heritage which imparts a solid imprint on the latter civilsations, e.g. the way of making baked pottery, bricks, beads, jewelry, etc. The cultivation of cotton was adopted by the Egyptians after several centuries.

What is the use of granaries?

A granary is a storehouse or room in a barn for threshed grain or animal feed. Ancient or primitive granaries are most often made out of pottery. Granaries are often built above the ground to keep the stored food away from mice and other animals and from floods.

Where is granaries located?

In Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, granaries were found in citadels, where the ruling elite lived. So mound number four in Rakhigarhi, where the granary was found, could have been the settlement’s citadel, Dr. Shinde said. Rakhigarhi is situated in the confluence of Ghaggar and Chautang rivers and it was a fertile area.

Where is the granary of Harappa located?

The so-called “granary” of Harappa is found on Mound F. It is a brick structure that was built on a massive brick foundation over 45 meters north south and 45 meters east-west.

Is there evidence for the construction of massive granaries at Harappa and Mohenjo daro?

Most scholars agree that there is little evidence for the construction of massive granaries at either Mohenjo-daro or Harappa and that these structures should only be seen as evidence for large public buildings.

Which Great Granary of Indus Valley Civilization has been discovered?

The great granary of Indus valley civilization has been discovered by which site? Great Granary was found at Mohen-jo daro, while six small granaries were found at Harappa. The site belongs to the mature Harappan phase from 2600 BCE to 2000 BC. The largest building discovered at Mohenjodaro is Great Granary.

What is the history of the Harappan civilization?

History. The Harappan Civilization has its earliest roots in cultures such as that of Mehrgarh, approximately 6000 BC. The two greatest cities, Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, emerged circa 2600 BC along the Indus River valley in Punjab and Sindh. The civilization, with a possible writing system, urban centers,…