The word Lothal, which means ‘Mound of the dead’ in Gujarati, is said to have been formed by combining the words Loth and thal (sthal). This single culture site, which showcases the Harappan culture in all its variant forms, was discovered in 1954. The most accessible Harappan-era
site in Western India, it was located along the Bhogava River, a tribute of the Sabarmati, and was essentially a port city. Said to be 3,700 years old, the site encompasses seven hectares and is 18 times smaller than Mohenjodaro. Lothal’s thick peripheral walls seem to have been designed to withstand repeated tidal floods. The Harappans were attracted to the town by its sheltered harbour and fertile hinterland. The quadrangular fortified layout is divided into two primary zones— the upper and the lower town. The citadel, or the upper town, is located in the south- eastern corner and can be demarcated by platforms of mud-brick that rise four metres in height. The citadel has wide streets, drains, and rows of bathing platforms, which suggests a high level of planning. A large structure, identified as a warehouse, and a square platform can also be seen. The lower town, which also enjoyed civic amenities, was subdivided into two sectors. The residential sector lay to the east and west of bazaar.