Toy Cart: The Little Wagon of Harappa

What is the Toy Cart?
The Toy Cart is a small model from the Indus Valley Civilization, found at Harappa and made around 2500 BCE. It’s 11 cm long, crafted from fine clay with two wheels, a trolley, and wooden shafts. This tiny cart mimics the real ones the Harappan people used back then.

The Story Behind It
Imagine a Harappa kid playing in the dirt, pushing around a little clay cart their dad made. It’s got two round wheels with hubs, spinning on a wooden shaft that slides through holes. The trolley’s like a bowl with a frame, perfect for pretend cargo, and two sticky-out bits underneath hold it to the axle. Was it hauling tiny clay pots or racing imaginary friends? This toy rolls straight out of a busy ancient town, bringing Harappa’s streets to life.

A Long History
This cart was dug up at Harappa, from a time when the Indus Valley was packed with clever cities, around 2500 BCE to 1700 BCE. Made of baked clay and bits of wood, it’s a mini version of the big carts they used for goods and people. It shows how they moved stuff around, and now it’s kept safe at the National Museum in New Delhi.

Why It Matters
The Toy Cart is cool because it’s a peek into Harappa’s daily life—carts were their trucks and taxis! Kids playing with it tell us they had fun and learned about their world. The smart design, with wheels and axles, shows their building skills. It’s a little toy that rolls big history right to us.

Where to See It
You can visit the Toy Cart at the National Museum on Janpath Road in New Delhi. It’s open from 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Mondays—check their website for entry fees. Look for other Harappa finds like seals and figures to get the full ancient feel.

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