The Indus Valley Civilisation or Harappan Civilisation, was a Bronze Age civilisation (3300–1300 BCE; mature period 2600–1900 BCE) mainly in the northwestern regions of South Asia, extending from what today is northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India. Along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of three early cradles of civilisations of the Old World, and of the three, the most widespread. Aridification of this region during the 3rd millennium BCE may have been the initial spur for the urbanisation associated with the civilisation, but eventually also reduced the water supply enough to cause the civilisation's demise, and to scatter its population eastward. At its peak, the Indus Civilisation may have had a population of over five million. Inhabitants of the ancient Indus River valley developed new techniques in handicraft (carnelian products, seal carving) and metallurgy (copper, bronze, lead, and tin). The Indus cities are noted for their urban planning, baked brick houses, elaborate drainage systems, water supply systems, and clusters of large non-residential buildings. Children's toys were found in the cities, with few weapons of war, suggesting peace and prosperity. Their trade seals, decorated with animals and mythical beings, indicate they conducted thriving trade with lands as far away as Sumer in southern Mesopotamia.
The Indus Valley Civilisation is also named the Harappan civilisation after Harappa, the first of its sites to be excavated in the 1920s, in what was then the Punjab province of British India. The discovery of Harappa, and soon afterwards Mohenjo-daro, was the culmination of work beginning in 1861 with the founding of the Archaeological Survey of India in the British Raj Excavation of Harappan sites has been ongoing since 1920, with important breakthroughs occurring as recently as 1999. This Harappan civilisation is sometimes called the Mature Harappan culture to distinguish it from the cultures immediately preceding and following it. Of these, the earlier is often called the Early Harappan culture, while the later one may be referred to as the Late Harappan, both of which existed in the same area as the Mature Harappan Civilisation. The early Harappan cultures were preceded by local Neolithic agricultural villages, from which the river plains were populated. A total of 1,022 cities and settlements had been found by 2008, mainly in the general region of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra Rivers, and their tributaries; of which 406 sites are in Pakistan and 616 sites in India; of these 96 have been excavated. Among the settlements were the major urban centres of Harappa, Mohenjo-daro (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Dholavira, Ganeriwala and Rakhigarhi. The Harappan language is not directly attested, and its affiliation is uncertain since the Indus script is still undeciphered. A relationship with the Dravidian or Elamo-Dravidian language family is favoured by a section of scholars.The Indus Valley Civilisation has also been called by some the "Sarasvati culture", the "Sarasvati Civilisation", the "Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation" or the "Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation", as the Ghaggar-Hakra river is identified by some with the mythological Sarasvati river, suggesting that the Indus Valley Civilisation was the Vedic civilisation as perceived by traditional Hindu beliefs.
Basic Facts about Indus Valley Civilization:
Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient civilization that thrived along the course of Indus river in North-Western part of Indian subcontinent
It is also referred to as Harappan Civilization owing to the fact that this civilization was first discovered in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa situated in the Punjab province Punjab of current day Pakistan.
Time Duration of Indus Valley Civilization: As revealed by Radio-Carbon this civilization thrived during 2500-1750 B.C.
Geographical Extent of Indus Valley Civilization:
The Indus Valley Civilization covered parts of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan and the fringes of Western Uttar Pradesh
It extended from Jammu in the North to mouth of River Narmada in the South and from the Makran Coast of Baluchistan in the West to Meerut in the East
It covered an area of 1299600 sq. Metre. This indicates that Indus Valley Civilization was the most extensive among all other ancient civilizations
Important Cities and Sites of Indus Valley Civilization:
So far archaeologists have come across more than 1000 sites belonging to this civilization
Out of these, only 6 can be regarded as cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Chanhu-daro, Lothal, Kalibangan and Banwali
Largest site of Indus Civilization is Mohenjo-daro
Necessary Details related to important Indus Valley Civilization Sites have been provided in following table:
Click Here
Important Features of Indus Valley Civilization:
Harappan Civilization Town Planning
Town planning was the hallmark of Harappan culture
Harappan towns and cities were built as per grid pattern wherein roads and by lanes bisected each other at right angles.
Drainage system in Indus Civilization towns was very impressive.
Burnt bricks were widely used for construction purpose.
Major towns had two parts: (i) A fortified settlement/citadel on the upper side possibly occupied by elite class people and (ii) the lower town, which had houses occupied by common people.
Agriculture
The Indus people sowed seeds in the flood plains in November when the flood water receded, and reaped the harvest in April before the advent of next flood
They produced two types of wheat and barley
They also produced rai, peas, sesamum and mustard
Evidence of use of Rice has been found only from Lothal
Indus people were the earliest people to produce cotton. As cotton was first produced in this area Greeks called it ‘sindon’ which is derived from Sindh
Domestication of Animals
Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep and pigs were domesticated. However, humped bulls were favoured.
Dogs were regarded as pets. Cats were also domesticated
Asses and camels were used as beasts of burden
Horses were not in regular use
Harappan people were also familiar with Elephants and Rhinoceros
Trade and Commerce
Trade and commerce was flourishing in Harappan age. Trade and Commercial activities were carried on through sea as well as land routes
Carts, chariots and animals were means of transports as far as land trade is concerned. For sea trade, big boats were used.
Harappan people had trade relations within India, as well as with countries outside India.
The Mesopotamian texts of the same period refer to trade relations with ‘Meluha’ which was the ancient name given to Indus region.
With no clear evidence of currency/money being used the exchange must have been through barter system
Art of Indus Valley Civilization:
The Harappan Civilization belongs to the Bronze Age. Harappan people used many tools and implements of stone, but they were very well acquainted with the manufacture and use of bronze, which was made by mixing tin and copper.
Bronze smiths manufactured not only images and utensils but also various tools and weapons such as axes, saws, knifes and spears.
Brick-laying was an important craft at that time.
The Harappan people had the knowledge of boat-making, seal-making and terracotta manufacturing.
Harappans were experts in bead making.
Jewellery of gold, silver and precious stones was also made.
The potter’s wheel was in full use and the Harappans produced their own characteristic pottery, which was made glossy and shining.
Seals of Indus Valley Civilization:
Most commonly made of ‘steatite’ (soft stone), Seals were the greatest artistic creation of Harappan people.
The majority of the seals have an animal engraved on them with a short inscription.
‘Unicorn’ is the animal most commonly represented on the seals.
Indus Valley Civilization Religion:
The chief male deity was the Pashupati Mahadeva (proto-shiva), represented in the seals as sitting in yogic posture on a low throne, and having three faces and two horns. He is surrounded by four animals (elephant, tiger, rhino and buffalo), each facing a different direction and two deer appear at his feet.
Chief female deity was the Mother Goddess, who has been depicted in various forms.
There is sufficient evidence for the prevalence of phallic worship i.e. lingam worship. Numerous stone symbols of female sex organs (yoni worship), besides those of phallus have been discovered.
Worship of fire is proved by the discovery of fire altars at Lothal, Kalibangan and Harappa.
Indus people also worshipped Gods in the form of trees (peepal etc.) and animals (unicorn etc.)
Further they believed in ghosts and evil forces and used amulets as protection against them.
Harappan Script:
Harappan script is regarded as pictographic since its signs represent birds, fish and a variety of human forms.
The script was boustrophedon, written from right to left in one line and then from left to right in the next line.
The number of signs of the Harappan script is known to be between 400 and 600.
The language of Harappan people is unknown as its script has not been deciphered till date.
Decline of Indus Valley Civilization:
Scholars have put forward number of theories to explain the decline and the final collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization. Some of these theories highlight the natural causes whereas others mention human causes for the decline.
The Indus Valley Civilisation is also named the Harappan civilisation after Harappa, the first of its sites to be excavated in the 1920s, in what was then the Punjab province of British India. The discovery of Harappa, and soon afterwards Mohenjo-daro, was the culmination of work beginning in 1861 with the founding of the Archaeological Survey of India in the British Raj Excavation of Harappan sites has been ongoing since 1920, with important breakthroughs occurring as recently as 1999. This Harappan civilisation is sometimes called the Mature Harappan culture to distinguish it from the cultures immediately preceding and following it. Of these, the earlier is often called the Early Harappan culture, while the later one may be referred to as the Late Harappan, both of which existed in the same area as the Mature Harappan Civilisation. The early Harappan cultures were preceded by local Neolithic agricultural villages, from which the river plains were populated. A total of 1,022 cities and settlements had been found by 2008, mainly in the general region of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra Rivers, and their tributaries; of which 406 sites are in Pakistan and 616 sites in India; of these 96 have been excavated. Among the settlements were the major urban centres of Harappa, Mohenjo-daro (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Dholavira, Ganeriwala and Rakhigarhi. The Harappan language is not directly attested, and its affiliation is uncertain since the Indus script is still undeciphered. A relationship with the Dravidian or Elamo-Dravidian language family is favoured by a section of scholars.The Indus Valley Civilisation has also been called by some the "Sarasvati culture", the "Sarasvati Civilisation", the "Indus-Sarasvati Civilisation" or the "Sindhu-Saraswati Civilisation", as the Ghaggar-Hakra river is identified by some with the mythological Sarasvati river, suggesting that the Indus Valley Civilisation was the Vedic civilisation as perceived by traditional Hindu beliefs.
Basic Facts about Indus Valley Civilization:
Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient civilization that thrived along the course of Indus river in North-Western part of Indian subcontinent
It is also referred to as Harappan Civilization owing to the fact that this civilization was first discovered in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa situated in the Punjab province Punjab of current day Pakistan.
Time Duration of Indus Valley Civilization: As revealed by Radio-Carbon this civilization thrived during 2500-1750 B.C.
Geographical Extent of Indus Valley Civilization:
The Indus Valley Civilization covered parts of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan and the fringes of Western Uttar Pradesh
It extended from Jammu in the North to mouth of River Narmada in the South and from the Makran Coast of Baluchistan in the West to Meerut in the East
It covered an area of 1299600 sq. Metre. This indicates that Indus Valley Civilization was the most extensive among all other ancient civilizations
Important Cities and Sites of Indus Valley Civilization:
So far archaeologists have come across more than 1000 sites belonging to this civilization
Out of these, only 6 can be regarded as cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Chanhu-daro, Lothal, Kalibangan and Banwali
Largest site of Indus Civilization is Mohenjo-daro
Necessary Details related to important Indus Valley Civilization Sites have been provided in following table:
Click Here
Important Features of Indus Valley Civilization:
Harappan Civilization Town Planning
Town planning was the hallmark of Harappan culture
Harappan towns and cities were built as per grid pattern wherein roads and by lanes bisected each other at right angles.
Drainage system in Indus Civilization towns was very impressive.
Burnt bricks were widely used for construction purpose.
Major towns had two parts: (i) A fortified settlement/citadel on the upper side possibly occupied by elite class people and (ii) the lower town, which had houses occupied by common people.
Agriculture
The Indus people sowed seeds in the flood plains in November when the flood water receded, and reaped the harvest in April before the advent of next flood
They produced two types of wheat and barley
They also produced rai, peas, sesamum and mustard
Evidence of use of Rice has been found only from Lothal
Indus people were the earliest people to produce cotton. As cotton was first produced in this area Greeks called it ‘sindon’ which is derived from Sindh
Domestication of Animals
Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep and pigs were domesticated. However, humped bulls were favoured.
Dogs were regarded as pets. Cats were also domesticated
Asses and camels were used as beasts of burden
Horses were not in regular use
Harappan people were also familiar with Elephants and Rhinoceros
Trade and Commerce
Trade and commerce was flourishing in Harappan age. Trade and Commercial activities were carried on through sea as well as land routes
Carts, chariots and animals were means of transports as far as land trade is concerned. For sea trade, big boats were used.
Harappan people had trade relations within India, as well as with countries outside India.
The Mesopotamian texts of the same period refer to trade relations with ‘Meluha’ which was the ancient name given to Indus region.
With no clear evidence of currency/money being used the exchange must have been through barter system
Art of Indus Valley Civilization:
The Harappan Civilization belongs to the Bronze Age. Harappan people used many tools and implements of stone, but they were very well acquainted with the manufacture and use of bronze, which was made by mixing tin and copper.
Bronze smiths manufactured not only images and utensils but also various tools and weapons such as axes, saws, knifes and spears.
Brick-laying was an important craft at that time.
The Harappan people had the knowledge of boat-making, seal-making and terracotta manufacturing.
Harappans were experts in bead making.
Jewellery of gold, silver and precious stones was also made.
The potter’s wheel was in full use and the Harappans produced their own characteristic pottery, which was made glossy and shining.
Seals of Indus Valley Civilization:
Most commonly made of ‘steatite’ (soft stone), Seals were the greatest artistic creation of Harappan people.
The majority of the seals have an animal engraved on them with a short inscription.
‘Unicorn’ is the animal most commonly represented on the seals.
Indus Valley Civilization Religion:
The chief male deity was the Pashupati Mahadeva (proto-shiva), represented in the seals as sitting in yogic posture on a low throne, and having three faces and two horns. He is surrounded by four animals (elephant, tiger, rhino and buffalo), each facing a different direction and two deer appear at his feet.
Chief female deity was the Mother Goddess, who has been depicted in various forms.
There is sufficient evidence for the prevalence of phallic worship i.e. lingam worship. Numerous stone symbols of female sex organs (yoni worship), besides those of phallus have been discovered.
Worship of fire is proved by the discovery of fire altars at Lothal, Kalibangan and Harappa.
Indus people also worshipped Gods in the form of trees (peepal etc.) and animals (unicorn etc.)
Further they believed in ghosts and evil forces and used amulets as protection against them.
Harappan Script:
Harappan script is regarded as pictographic since its signs represent birds, fish and a variety of human forms.
The script was boustrophedon, written from right to left in one line and then from left to right in the next line.
The number of signs of the Harappan script is known to be between 400 and 600.
The language of Harappan people is unknown as its script has not been deciphered till date.
Decline of Indus Valley Civilization:
Scholars have put forward number of theories to explain the decline and the final collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization. Some of these theories highlight the natural causes whereas others mention human causes for the decline.
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