Manda is a village near Jammu in India. It is considered to be the most northern site belonging to the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was excavated by Archeological Survey of India during 1976-77 by J. P. Joshi.^[1]

Excavation[edit]

Excavation at Munda revealed a 9.20 m deposit with threefold sequence with two sub periods in Period I. Period II has early historical pottery of types comparable with those of same period from Northern part of India and period III is represented by Kushan antiquties and house walls with 3 m wide street.^[2] After the Kushan period, the site seems to have been deserted.^[1]

Historical significance[edit]

Manda is situated on the right bank of Chenab River in the foot hills of Pir Panjal range, 28 km northwest of Jammu, and considered as northern most limit of Indus Valley or Harappan Civilisation.^[2]

It is considered as a site established to procure wood from Himalayan Sub hills and send downriver to other towns of Indus Valley Civilisation.^[3] As this site is situated at Himalayan foot hills, it gets significance by establishing northern most limit of geological boundary of Indus Valley Civilisation.

Artefacts found[edit]

Pre Harappan Red ware (15%-25%) Harappan Red ware including Jars, dishes, dishes-on-stand, beakers, goblets etc. and Copper double spiral headed spin (having west Asian affinity), tangled bone arrow-heads, terrecotta bangles, cakes, chert blade etc.^[1] Significant finds include Potsheds bearing incised Harappan Script and one unfinished seal.^[1]

Further scope[edit]

Due to restricted nature of dig undertaken, no specific structures could be exposed, except a collapsed rubble wall like structure.^[1]