They collected their raw materials from the subcontinent.
They used the following strategies:
1. Establishment of Settlements:
They established settlements in the areas where raw materials were easily available.
For example, they made settlements in places like Nageswar and Balakot from where they could get shells. They made settlement in Shortughai (Afghanistan) where sapphires were easily available. They made settlements in Lothal where carnelian and limestone were easily got.
SETTLEMENTS |
RAW MATERRIALS |
Nageswar, Balakot |
Shells |
Shortughai |
Sapphire(Afghanistan) |
Lothal |
Carnelian (from Bharuch) |
|
Limestone (From South Rajasthan and North Gujarat) |
Metals (From the Khetri mines in Rajasthan) |
2. Sending Expeditions:
Sending expeditions was another technique that the Harappans used to get raw materials. They sent expeditions to Khetri in Rajasthan, for copper, and South India for gold. These expeditions helped them to have good relations with the local communities. In these places, beads from limestone made by the Harappans have been found. This shows the relations between the two peoples.
Researchers have found evidences for the culture called Ganeshwar-Jodhpur Culture from the Khetri region. This culture has many types of clay pots and plenty of copper things different from those found in the Harappan culture. There was a possibility that these people gave copper to Harappans.