Lothal, an important archaeological site in present-day Gujarat, is famous for the remains of a dockyard belonging to which ancient civilisation?

Introduction / Context:
This question connects Indian archaeology with world civilisations. Lothal is one of the most significant excavated sites of the Indus Valley Civilization (also called Harappan Civilization) and is especially noted for its ancient dockyard structure. Identifying which civilisation built this dockyard shows your understanding of early urban development and maritime trade in the Indian subcontinent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Lothal is an archaeological site located in modern Gujarat, India.
• The question asks about a dockyard discovered there.
• Options: Indus Valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Persian civilisations.
• We assume standard findings from archaeological reports and history textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
The Indus Valley Civilization flourished around 2600–1900 BCE and had advanced urban centres like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira and Lothal. Lothal is particularly famous for its rectangular basin interpreted as a dockyard linked to maritime trade via ancient river channels to the Arabian Sea. Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Persian civilisations existed in other regions (West Asia and North Africa), and while the Harappans traded with them, the specific dockyard at Lothal belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization itself.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Lothal is one of the southern sites of the Indus Valley Civilization in Gujarat. Step 2: Remember that archaeologists at Lothal uncovered a large brick basin believed to be a dockyard. Step 3: Recognise that this structure reflects Harappan engineering and maritime trade. Step 4: Compare this with the options representing other major civilisations. Step 5: Select Indus Valley Civilization as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard NCERT and competitive exam books explicitly note that Lothal, a Harappan site in Gujarat, had a dockyard, making it unique among Indus cities. They also mention that Harappans traded with Mesopotamia (Meluhha in Mesopotamian texts) via sea routes, which helps explain the dockyard’s presence. However, the structure is described as Harappan in origin, not built by Mesopotamians, Egyptians, or Persians. This alignment of evidence confirms the Indus Valley Civilization as the builder.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b (Mesopotamian Civilization) was located in the Tigris–Euphrates region (modern Iraq) and did not build docks at Lothal in India. Option c (Egyptian Civilization) was centred along the Nile in North Africa, far from Lothal. Option d (Persian Civilization) refers to empires based in the Iranian plateau, again geographically distinct and much later than the mature Harappan period. These civilisations may have had maritime facilities of their own, but they did not construct the dockyard excavated at Lothal.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse “civilisation Lothal traded with” and “civilisation that built Lothal.” Because Harappans traded with Mesopotamia, it is easy to mistakenly choose Mesopotamian. Another pitfall is to treat Lothal simply as a generic ancient port without linking it specifically to the Indus Valley Civilization. To avoid confusion, remember this trio: “Lothal – Harappan port city – dockyard of Indus Valley Civilization.”

Final Answer:
The dockyard excavated at Lothal belonged to the Indus Valley Civilization.