Introduction
Rakhigarhi is one of the largest sites of the Seven Rivers Civilization, also known as the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization. Located in the present-day state of Haryana, India, this ancient city played an important role in the trade network of its time. Thanks to its geographical position, Rakhigarhi was able to maintain contacts with regions to the north, beyond the Himalayas. These trans-Himalayan exchanges influenced its development and strengthened cultural and commercial ties throughout the region.
1. Rakhigarhi: a large city on the Sarasvati
Rakhigarhi covers over 100 hectares and includes several mounds where archaeologists have discovered houses, well-laid streets, wells, and everyday objects. This ancient city was carefully built with baked bricks and a drainage system. Located near the dry bed of the Sarasvati River, it was one of the major cities of the Seven Rivers Civilization.
2. Ancient exchanges with the north
The Himalayas have never been an insurmountable barrier. For thousands of years, transit routes have connected the Indian subcontinent with the highlands of Central Asia, Tibet, and the valleys of Xinjiang. These routes have enabled the exchange of goods, but also of ideas, know-how, and traditions.
Objects found in Rakhigarhi, such as certain types of stones, shells, or metals, do not come from the local region. They must have been brought by routes from the northwest or northeast. These exchanges undoubtedly allowed Rakhigarhi to further develop.
3. The role of mountains in trade
The Himalayan passes, although difficult to cross, were well known to the peoples of the time. Trade caravans could pass through Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, or present-day Nepal. The inhabitants of Rakhigarhi likely had contact with regions beyond these mountains.
It is also believed that some precious materials, such as turquoise or lapis lazuli, came from mountainous areas such as Badakhshan (present-day Afghanistan), passing through the trans-Himalayan valleys.
4. A city open to the world
Rakhigarhi was not isolated. It was part of a very large network, which connected not only the other cities of the Seven Rivers, but also more distant regions. These exchanges allowed the circulation of objects, plants, ideas, and perhaps even languages. This contact with other peoples undoubtedly enriched the local culture.
5. What the excavations teach us
Archaeological excavations in Rakhigarhi continue to this day. They have revealed objects from far away, including food remains, tools, jewelry, and even burials. Some discoveries reveal external influences, confirming that the city had connections with other regions. This paints a picture of a highly organized civilization capable of interacting with the outside world over long distances.
Conclusion
Rakhigarhi is not just a great ancient city. It is also a meeting point between the worlds of the Sarasvati plain and the high mountains to the north. Thanks to trans-Himalayan trade, the city was able to grow, enrich itself, and play an important role in the civilization of the seven rivers. Understanding these ancient connections helps us better understand how connected, vibrant, and forward-looking this civilization was.
Le Rig Veda 
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