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Indus Valley Civilization with Map

Indus Valley Civilization

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Summary Of Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the earliest urban cultures, arose around 3300 BCE in the fertile plains of the Indus River, encompassing parts of today's Pakistan and northwest India. It boasted of more than 1500 cities spread over 1.5 million sq. km. area. Also called the Harappan Civilization, it went through three stages: the early village phase (3200 BCE - 2600 BCE), mature urbanized phase (2600 BCE - 1900 BCE), and a late post-urban phase (1900 BCE - 1300 BCE), marked by the decline of the civilization. Notable sites include Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Kalibangan, Dholavira, Lothal, Rakhigari, Banwali, Chahundaro, Sutkagendor, and Kot Diji. Even after its decline, its influence is seen till today in the Indian civilization.

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) is one of the world's oldest urban civilizations located in the northwestern regions of South Asia, primarily in what is today Pakistan and northwest India.

The Indus Valley Civilization was discovered in the 1920s during archaeological excavations of Harappa by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921 and Mohenjo-Daro by R. D. Banerji in 1922.

The exact reasons behind the decline of Indus valley civilisation are not clear and often debatable. Possible reasons include a shift in monsoon patterns or a prolonged drought, drying up or shifting of rivers like the Sarasvati, invasions by the Indo-Aryans etc.

Background Of Indus Valley Civilization

Archaeological evidence suggests human presence in the Indian subcontinent goes back as far as 70,000 years ago. Early settlements like Mehrgarh in Pakistan, dating back to 7000 BCE, showcase the transition from hunter-gatherer communities to farming societies. These early inhabitants cultivated crops like wheat and barley, domesticated animals, and built permanent dwellings. By 3300 BCE, this laid the foundation for the rise of the Indus Valley Civilization, with its impressive urban planning and advanced technologies.

About The Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) is called so because it was found on the banks of Indus river. However, it is also called the ‘Harappan Civilization’ as Harappa was the first city which was discovered in modern time leading to unearthing this lost civilization. This was an urban civilization with planned towns, sophisticated culture and trading with other civilizations of the time like Egypt, Mesopotamia and China.

Geographical Spread of Indus Valley Civilization

The central zone of this mature Harappan culture lay in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan. It extended from the Siwaliks in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south, and from the Makran coast of Balochistan in the west to Meerut in the north-east. The settlements of Sutkagen-dor in the west on the Pakistan–Iran border; Shortughai (Afghanistan) in the north; Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh, India) in the east and Daimabad (Maharashtra, India) in the south are the boundaries of this civilisation.

Three stages of Harappan Civilization

  • Early stage (3200 BCE - 2600 BCE): This is the village phase of Harappan civilization. Major sites were Padri (Gujarat), Dholavira (Kutch), Harappa (Pakistan), Balakot, Amri and Bhirrana (Haryana), and Kot Diji
  • Mature Stage (2600 B.C. – 1900 B.C.): This is urbanized phase of the civilization. Major cities were Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal, Chahundaro, and Kalibangan.
  • Late Stage (1900 B.C. – 1300 B.C.): This is the post-urban phase of the Harappan civilization. Here decline of civilization started. Major regions were Kudwala (Cholistan), Bet Dwarka (Gujarat), Daimabad (Maharashtra).

Important Sites of Harappan Civilization:

Various discoveries from these sites help us understand the culture and conditions of living of these places.

  • Mohenjodaro: It was the largest site, located on the right bank of river Indus.
    • It was a planned town, built on a platform. The upper area was the Citadel and then there was a Lower Town. The largest granary is found here while the Great Bath is also located here.
    • The houses had bathrooms paved with burnt bricks, proper drains, multistoreyed and had multiple rooms. It was a central courtyard with rooms all around it.
    • The Seal of Pasupathi was found on which Rhino, Tiger, Elephant, Buffalo and Deer are depicted. Some other important artefacts found here are the Dancing girl (standing in the Tribhanga pose- one leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck), Bearded man and the Seal of Mother Goddess.
  • Harappa: First city to be discovered, it was located on the left bank of Ravi.
    • Some key discoveries here are the burnt bricks, granaries and cemetry. Granaries represent surplus food and grain storage in the region.
  • Kalibangan: Located on left bank of Ghaggar river.
    • It was a fortified town. But the city didn't have a drainage system. Some houses had their own wells.
    • Important discoveries here are a ploughed field, Seven Fire Altars, decorative bricks, surgery on a child’s skull and bones of a camel.
    • Burial Practices: There is evidence of double burial. Both rectangular and circular graves were found.
  • Dholavira: Located on the Rann of Kutch.
    • Important discoveries here are water reservoirs, a stadium, Harappan script inscription, plough field and even seven stages of cultural development are clearly visible here.
  • Lothal: One of the southernmost sites located on Bhogava River, a right tributary of the Sabarmati River.
    • Dockyard: A trading port and natural dockyard is found here.
    • Town Planning:City divided into six sectors and each section was built on a wide platform of unique brick.
    • House: Here, house entrances were opening up towards main roads while house entry in other sites was from sides or back. The floor had tiles with intersecting circular designs.
    • Important findings include a a beadmaking factory, an instrument to measure angles, Fire altar, rice cultivation, double burial practice, a seal from the Persian Gulf and one from Mesopotamia.
  • Rakhigari: Largest excavated site, situated in Haryana. It was a fortified city. A lapidary workshop and cemetery are found here.
  • Banwali: On the banks of River Rangoi in Haryana. Centre of pre-Harappan, Mature Harappan as well as Late Harappan civilisations. Important discoveries here are the High quality barley Ceramics, steatite seal fire altars and clay model of plough.
  • Chahundaro: Located on left bank of Indus. Here a beadmaking workshop and evidence of a dog and cat are found.
  • Sutkagendor: On banks of river Dasht in Baluchistan. It was a trade port between Harappa and Mesopotamia.
  • Kot Diji: Located in Sindh on the east bank of river Indus opposite Mohenjo-daro. The town has a Citadel and an outer area. Important discoveries here are a toy cart with wheels and pottery with designs which are with horizontal and wavy lines, or loops and simple triangular patterns.

Key Features of the Life of the Harappan People

  • Urban Dwelling: People lived in planned towns with drainage and fortification. There was a citadel occupied by ruling class and a lower town with brick houses. These houses were laid out in a grid at almost right angles. Houses were multi storeyed and had multiple rooms. There were also granaries and reservoirs for storage of essential goods. Sophisticated infrastructure, specialised crafts and complex social structures lead to it being called urban.
  • Religion: While there is evidence of some worship, the polity and organisation was largely secular. People worshipped a figure called the Pashupati Mahadeva. This male deity is represented on a seal and has three-horned heads with the sitting posture of a yogi, with one leg placed above the other. They also practiced nature worship, worship of mother Goddess and trees. It appears that their religious beliefs were incorporated in Hinduism.
  • The Seal of Pasupathi was found on which Rhino, Tiger, Elephant, Buffalo and Deer are depicted. Some other important artefacts found here are the Dancing girl (standing in the Tribhanga pose- one leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck), Bearded man and the Seal of Mother Goddess.
  • Economic Life: Main occupation was agriculture, animal rearing, trade and crafts. The early use of weights and measures were a hallmark of this time.
    • Taxation system was in place and granaries were used as the treasury.
    • Agricultural Developments: They produced wheat, barley, mustard, peas, rice and cotton. A double cropping system was followed. Ploughs were used as well as there was canal and well irrigation.
    • Animal Husbandry: Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, wild ass, horse, camel, fowl, elephants and pigs were domesticated.
    • Crafts & Smelting: Beadmaking from stones and bronze artefacts were made from the Cire Perdue method (lost wax process). Bricklaying, goldsmiths, boat-making, seal-making, and terracotta manufacturing were all practiced. They made glazed pottery which had many motifs on it.
    • Trade: Seals of Harappan era were found in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Oman. Many things were imported like Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian beads, gold, steaite etc.
  • Social Life: There was social stratification with a ruling class, middle class and lower class. There is evidence of cotton clothing and jewellery is worn by people.
  • Script: The Harappan Script is pictographic and not alphabetical. It is yet to be deciphered. The script is Boustrophedon (means “ox-turning”) i.e., written bidirectionally from right to left in first line and left to right in second line. It is found on seals made of clay.

Decline of the Harappan Civilisation

Changes in climate, decline of the trade with Mesopotamia, and the drying of the river and water resources due to continuous drought are some of the reasons attributed by historians for the decline. Invasions, floods and shifting of the river course are also cited as reasons for the ruin of Indus civilization. In course of time, the people shifted to the southern and eastern directions from the Indus region. As the Late Harappan phase began, there was a decline in the culture:-

  • Disappearance of the civilization's recognisable artefacts, such as weights, seals, and unique beads.
  • Town Specialised craft practises vanished
  • Population decreased as compared to the Mature phase.
  • Large public structures were no longer created, and house construction methods declined.
  • Rural way of life followed

Harappan Civilization Continuity in Decline, Not Lost: Three other civilizations existed at the same time as the Indus Valley Civilization. These include the Egypt (Tigris and Euphrates), Mesopotamia (Nile) and China (Hwang Ho). However, the traditions of Indus continued to be incorporated and evolved till today, while there was a break in other civilizations. Markers of continuity in India include use of uniform weight and measures, continued agriculture practices, town planning are still followed till today. Even religious symbols like swastika, nature & fallus worship are continued till today.

  • Christianity: This is because Western civilizations were lost with the superimposition of the new Christian and Islamic culture in the region and they were largely dependent on the institution of slavery .
  • Assimilating All: Indian sub-continent, on the other hand, assimilated all the cultural elements of the upcoming civilizations.

Conclusion for Indus Valley Civilization

While the Indus Valley Civilization's decline remains shrouded in mystery, its legacy transcends its physical remnants. The Harappan emphasis on urban planning, water management, and standardized weights and measures offers valuable lessons for sustainable development in the face of climate change and resource scarcity. Their sophisticated irrigation systems and flood-resistant architecture could inform modern infrastructure projects, particularly in vulnerable regions. Deciphering their script and understanding their economic models could unlock great insights of how this massive civilization was sustained 5000 years ago.

Harappan culture was followed by another great civilisation and culture known as Vedic culture. It is often stated that Indo-Aryans came from the north-west during the Vedic period after 3000BC and a new culture of Janpad formation started.

Mains PYQS Of Indus Valley Civilization with Map

1) The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.(12.5 Marks, 200 Words)(2015)
2) To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization? Discuss.(10 Marks, 150 Words)(2014)

Prelims PYQS Of Indus Valley Civilization with Map

1) Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?(2020)
(a) Dholavira
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Rakhigarhi
(d) Ropar

Correct Answer :(A)
2) Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?(2019)
(a) Chanhudaro
(b) Kot Diji
(c) Sohgaura
(d) Desalpur

Correct Answer :(C) Sohgaura
3) Its the context of cultural history: of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?(2013)
(a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck
(b) Facial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters
(c) Movements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story
(d) A little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism

Correct Answer :(A) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck
4) Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization,Consider the following statements

1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
2. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(2013)
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(C) Both 1 and 2

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