The Gond tribes of central India are thought to be descendants of the ancient Harappan civilization. There are a number of similarities between the two cultures, including:
- The use of a common script: The Gonds use a script that is similar to the Indus script, which was used by the Harappans.
- The worship of a mother goddess: The Gonds worship a mother goddess, which is also a common theme in Harappan culture.
- The use of terracotta figurines: The Gonds make terracotta figurines, which are similar to the terracotta figurines that were found in Harappan sites.
- The practice of agriculture: The Gonds are agriculturalists, and this was also a major part of Harappan culture.
However, it is important to note that there is no definitive proof that the Gonds are directly descended from the Harappans. The similarities between the two cultures could be due to other factors, such as trade or cultural diffusion.
In 2016, a team of archaeologists from the University of Cambridge found a 3,000-year-old tribal colony in the Mali district of Gondia, India. The colony was located in a region that was once part of the Harappan civilization. The archaeologists found evidence of a sophisticated culture, including pottery, jewelry, and tools. They also found pictographs that resemble those found in Harappan sites.
The discovery of the Mali colony has led some scholars to believe that the Gonds may have been a part of the Harappan civilization. However, more research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.