Which site of the Indus Valley Civilization is known as the only excavated site with a large artificial brick dockyard?

Introduction / Context:
The Indus Valley Civilization is famous not only for its urban planning and drainage but also for evidence of maritime trade. One of the most striking archaeological discoveries is a large artificial brick structure interpreted as a dockyard, which indicates that the site was an important port for sea borne commerce. Examinations often test whether students can correctly identify this specific Indus site and distinguish it from other major centres such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The question refers to an Indus Valley Civilization site. - The site is described as having an artificial brick dockyard. - Options include Lothal, Dholavira, Harappa and Mohenjodaro. - Only one of these sites is widely associated with a dock like structure.

Concept / Approach:
Archaeologists interpret certain structural remains at Lothal in present day Gujarat as a dockyard that was connected to the sea through an ancient channel. This suggests that Lothal functioned as a port through which the Indus people traded with regions along the Arabian Sea and beyond. While other cities such as Harappa and Mohenjodaro were major inland centres, they are not associated with such a dock structure. The approach is to recall from history lessons that Lothal is the classic example of an Indus port town with an artificial brick dockyard.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history textbooks and reference books list Lothal as the port city of the Indus Valley Civilization and specifically mention its dockyard. Maps of Indus sites often label Lothal with a small symbol indicating a port. Archaeological reports describe the basin dimensions, sluice gates and possible tidal connections, which reinforce the interpretation of the structure as a dock. These repeated references confirm that Lothal is the site in question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Harappa and Mohenjodaro were major inland cities on river banks and are known mainly for urban planning, granaries and drainage, not for a dockyard. Dholavira is recognised for its reservoirs, step wells and sophisticated water storage systems but not for a brick dockyard connected to the sea. None of the above is incorrect because Lothal alone matches the description of a port site with an artificial brick dockyard.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Lothal and Dholavira because both are in Gujarat, but only one is associated with a dock type structure. Another pitfall is to assume that the most famous sites, Harappa and Mohenjodaro, must contain all key features, which is not correct. To avoid these errors, it is helpful to make a quick table pairing each Indus site with one unique characteristic, such as dockyard for Lothal and water reservoirs for Dholavira.

Final Answer:
The only excavated Indus site that is widely recognised as having a large artificial brick dockyard is Lothal.