Mehrgarh: The First Village of the World – My Journey of Discovery
Mehrgarh: The First Village of the World – My Journey of Discovery
When I first set foot in Mehrgarh, located in present-day Balochistan (Pakistan), I felt the weight of history beneath my feet. In my 35 years of research and travels across 60 countries, I have seen the ruins of Mesopotamia, the pyramids of Egypt, and the temples of Greece—but nowhere did I find evidence as old and as rich as Mehrgarh.
The Dawn of Farming
Mehrgarh, dating back to 7000 BCE, is where humanity first practiced agriculture on a large scale. I stood on the very soil where wheat, barley, and even rice were cultivated long before Mesopotamia. I could almost visualize early farmers using ploughs, introducing crop rotation, and storing surplus harvests in granaries.
Early Medicine and Dentistry
The discovery that shook me the most was India’s contribution to medicine. At Mehrgarh, archaeologists found drilled molars—the world’s first dental treatment dating back 9000 years. As someone who has seen advanced medical museums across Europe and America, I was humbled by this discovery rooted in Bharat’s soil.
Metallurgy and Craftsmanship
Mehrgarh also revealed evidence of copper metallurgy, beads, pottery, and ornaments. Having compared artifacts in the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Cairo Museum, I can say confidently that these early Indian crafts surpass contemporary civilizations.
Why Mehrgarh Matters to the World
In my lectures abroad, I often show slides of Mehrgarh alongside Mesopotamian and Egyptian sites. Audiences are amazed to learn that Bharat led the world in agriculture, medicine, and craftsmanship thousands of years before others.
Colonial Narratives Challenged
Colonial historians claimed India’s history started around 1500 BCE with the so-called Aryan migration. But Mehrgarh, dating to 7000 BCE, completely destroys this false narrative.
My Personal Reflection
As I walked through the Mehrgarh plains, I realized I was standing in the world’s first organized village, where humans took their first step from nomads to settlers. This wasn’t just archaeology—it was the living truth of Bharat’s contribution to humanity.
Mehrgarh is not just India’s pride—it is humanity’s heritage.
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