Indus Valley Civilization

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Indus Valley Civilization was the first major civilization in south Asia, which spread across a vast area of land in present day India and Pakistan (around 12 lakh sq.km). The time period of mature Indus Valley Civilization is estimated between BC. 2700- BC.1900 i.e. for 800 years. But early Indus Valley Civilization had existed even before BC.2700.

Table of Contents

Features of Indus Valley Civilization

2700- BC.1900 i.e. for 800 years.
On the valleys of river Indus.
Also known as Harappan Civilization.
Beginning of city life.
Harappan Sites discovered by – Dayaram Sahni (1921) – Montgomori district, Punjab, Pakistan.
Mohenjo-Daro discovered by – R. D. Banerji – Larkana district, Sind, Pakistan.
City was divided into Citadel (west) and Lower Town(east).
Red Pottery painted with designs in black.
Stone weights, seals, special beads, copper tools, long stone blades etc.
Copper, bronze, silver, gold present.
Artificially produced – Faience.
Specialists for handicrafts.
Import of raw materials.
Plough was used.
Bodies were buried in wooden coffins, but during the later stages ‘H symmetry culture’ evolved where bodies were buried in painted burial urns.
Sugar cane not cultivated, horse, iron not used.

Indus Valley Sites and Specialties

Harappa

Seals out of stones
Citadel outside on banks of river Ravi

Mohenjodaro

Great Bath, Great Granary, Dancing Girl, Man with Beard, Cotton, Assembly hall
Term means ” Mount of the dead”
On the bank of river Indus
Believed to have been destructed by flood or invasion (Destruction was not gradual).

Chanhudaro

Bank of Indus River. – discovered by Gopal Majumdar and Mackey (1931)
Pre-harappan culture – Jhangar Culture and Jhukar Culture
Only cite without citadel.

Kalibangan

At Rajastan on the banks of river Ghaggar, discovered by A.Ghosh (1953)
Fire Altars
Bones of camel
Evidence of furrows
Horse remains ( even though Indus valley people didn’t use horses).
Known as third capital of Indus Empire.

Lothal

At Gujarat near Bhogava river, discovered by S.R. Rao (1957)
Fire Altars
Beside the tributary of Sabarmati
Store house
Dockyard and earliest port
double burial
Rice husk
House had front entrance (exception).

Ropar

Punjab, on the banks of river Sutlej. Discovered by Y.D Sharma (1955)
Dog buried with humans.

Banawali

Haryana
On banks of lost river Saraswathi
Barley Cultivation.

Dholavira

Biggest site in India, until the discovery of Rakhigarhi.
Located in Khadir Beyt, Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Discovered by J.P Joshi/Rabindra Singh (1990)
3 parts + large open area for ceremonies
Large letters of the Harappan script (sign boards).

Religion of Indus Valley People

Pashupathi Mahadev (Proto Siva)
Mother goddess
Nature/ Animal worship
Unicorn, Dove, Peepal Tree, Fire
Amulets
Idol worship was practiced ( not a feature of Aryans)
Did not construct temples.
Similarity to Hindu religious practices. (Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism in its present form originated later)
No Caste system.

Indus Valley Society and Culture

Systematic method of weights and measures ( 16 and its multiples).
Pictographic Script, Boustrophedon script – Deciphering efforts by I. Mahadevan
Equal status to men and Women
Economic Inequality, not an egalitarian society
Textiles – Spinning and weaving
3 types – burial, cremation and post cremation were there, though burial was common.
Majority of people Proto-australoids and Mediterraneans (Dravidians), though Mongoloids, Nordics etc were present in the city culture.

Artifacts for Posterity

The most numerous of the surviving artifacts are a series of steatite (soapstone) seals, of which the best known are those of the Humped Brahmani Bull and Pashupati. Apart from this, there are some carved figurines – the bronze Dancing Girl and the statues of a priest and a male torso, again in steatite.

Reasons for Decline of Indus Valley Civilization

Though there are various theories, the exact reason is still unknown. As per a recent study by IIT Kharagpur and Archaeological Survey of India, a weaker monsoon might have been the cause of decline of Indus Valley Civilization. Environmental changes, coupled with loss of power of rulers (central administration) of Indus valley to sustain the city life might be the cause (Fariservis Theory). There might be resource shortage to sustain the Population, and then people moved towards south India. Another theory by Dr Gwen Robbins Schug states that inter-personal violence, infectious diseases and Climate change had played a major role in the demise of the Indus Valley Civilization,

The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Along with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia it was one of three early civilizations of the Old World.

The Indus Valley Civilization was contemporaneous with the Bronze Age civilizations of the Ancient Near East, and it is often compared to them, particularly Mesopotamia and Egypt. However, the Indus Valley Civilization was more egalitarian than those civilizations, and it had a different urban planning system.

The Indus Valley Civilization was centered on the Indus River valley in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. The civilization extended from the Ghaggar-Hakra River in the west to the Yamuna River in the east, and from the Himalayas in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.

The Indus Valley Civilization was a major urban civilization. The largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Harappa was located in what is now Pakistan, and Mohenjo-daro was located in what is now Pakistan. Both cities were well-planned and had a sophisticated Drainage System.

The Indus Valley Civilization was a literate civilization. The Indus Valley people used a writing system that has not yet been deciphered. However, archaeologists have been able to learn a great deal about the Indus Valley Civilization by studying its material culture.

The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1900 BCE. The reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization are not fully understood, but it is likely that a combination of factors, such as Climate Change, warfare, and internal strife, led to its collapse.

The Indus Valley Civilization was a major civilization that had a significant impact on the development of South Asia. The Indus Valley people were skilled farmers, artisans, and traders. They developed a sophisticated urban culture and a writing system. The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1900 BCE, but its legacy continues to be felt in South Asia today.

Timeline of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the northwestern regions of South Asia from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. The civilization is often divided into three periods: the Early Harappan period (3300-2600 BCE), the Mature Harappan period (2600-1900 BCE), and the Late Harappan period (1900-1300 BCE).

The Early Harappan period was a time of transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. During this period, the Indus Valley people began to develop their own unique culture. They built their first cities, developed a system of writing, and began to trade with other civilizations.

The Mature Harappan period was the height of the Indus Valley Civilization. During this time, the Indus Valley people built large cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, and developed a sophisticated urban culture. They also traded with other civilizations throughout the world.

The Late Harappan period was a time of decline for the Indus Valley Civilization. During this time, the Indus Valley cities were abandoned and the population declined. The reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization are not fully understood, but it is likely that a combination of factors, such as climate change, warfare, and internal strife, led to its collapse.

Geography of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was located in the northwestern regions of South Asia, in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. The civilization was centered on the Indus River valley, which is a fertile region that is well-suited for agriculture. The Indus Valley Civilization also extended into the Ganges River valley, which is another fertile region.

The Indus Valley Civilization was located in a region with a temperate climate. The Average temperature in the Indus Valley is about 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). The Indus Valley receives about 500 millimeters (20 inches) of rainfall per year.

The Indus Valley Civilization was located in a region with a variety of natural Resources. The Indus River valley is a fertile region that is well-suited for agriculture. The Indus Valley also has a number of other Natural Resources, such as coal, iron Ore, and copper.

Culture of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was a diverse civilization with a rich culture. The Indus Valley people were skilled farmers, artisans, and traders. They developed a sophisticated urban culture and a writing system. The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1900 BCE, but its legacy continues to be felt in South Asia today.

The Indus Valley people were skilled farmers. They developed a system of Irrigation that allowed them to grow crops in a dry climate. The Indus Valley people also grew a variety of crops, including wheat, barley

What is the Indus Valley Civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus River valley from 3300 to 1300 BCE. It was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, and its people were skilled in agriculture, pottery, and metalworking. The Indus Valley Civilization is known for its well-planned cities, which were laid out in a grid pattern. The cities were also home to large public baths, which suggests that the Indus Valley people were concerned with cleanliness and hygiene.

What are the three main cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The three main cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were the largest cities, and they were both located in what is now Pakistan. Dholavira was a smaller city, and it was located in what is now India.

What are some of the achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization was a highly advanced civilization, and its people made significant achievements in a number of areas. These include:

Agriculture: The Indus Valley people were skilled farmers, and they developed a number of techniques that are still used today. These include the use of irrigation, Crop Rotation, and the use of draft animals.
Pottery: The Indus Valley people were skilled potters, and they produced a wide variety of pottery vessels. These vessels were decorated with geometric designs and animal motifs.
Metalworking: The Indus Valley people were skilled metalworkers, and they produced a variety of Metal objects, including tools, weapons, and jewelry.
Urban planning: The Indus Valley people were skilled urban planners, and they built well-planned cities that were laid out in a grid pattern. These cities were also home to large public baths, which suggests that the Indus Valley people were concerned with cleanliness and hygiene.

What happened to the Indus Valley Civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1300 BCE, and its people disappeared from history. There are a number of theories about what happened to the Indus Valley Civilization, but the exact cause of its decline is unknown. Some possible causes include:

Drought: The Indus Valley region is prone to drought, and it is possible that a severe drought could have led to the decline of the civilization.
Invasion: The Indus Valley region was located on a trade route between Mesopotamia and Central Asia, and it is possible that the civilization was invaded by outsiders.
Internal conflict: It is also possible that the Indus Valley Civilization declined due to internal conflict.

What are some of the mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization is a fascinating and mysterious civilization, and there are a number of things that we still don’t know about it. These include:

The language of the Indus Valley people: The Indus Valley people used a writing system, but we have not yet been able to decipher it. This means that we don’t know what language they spoke.
The cause of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization: As mentioned above, there are a number of theories about what happened to the Indus Valley Civilization, but the exact cause of its decline is unknown.
The fate of the Indus Valley people: After the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, its people disappeared from history. We don’t know what happened to them, or where they went.

What are some of the myths and legends about the Indus Valley Civilization?

There are a number of myths and legends about the Indus Valley Civilization. These include:

The story of the flood: One myth tells the story of a great flood that destroyed the Indus Valley Civilization. The survivors of the flood built a new civilization on the ruins of the old one.
The story of the lost city: Another myth tells the story of a lost city that was once located in the Indus Valley. The city was said to be a paradise, but it was eventually destroyed by a curse.
The story of the flying horse: A third myth tells the story of a flying horse that was once owned by a king of the Indus Valley. The horse was said to be able to carry its rider to any destination in the world.

What are some of the artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization?

There are a number of artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization that have been found. These include:

Pottery: The Indus Valley people were skilled potters, and they produced a wide variety of pottery vessels. These vessels were decorated with geometric designs and animal motifs.
Metalwork: The Indus Valley people were skilled metalworkers, and they produced a variety of metal objects, including tools, weapons, and jewelry.
**Seals

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Indus Valley Civilization:

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(A) They had a complex system of writing.
(B) They built large cities.
(C) They had a sophisticated system of drainage.
(D) They were a peaceful people.
The Indus Valley Civilization was located in which of the following regions?
(A) South Asia
(B) Southeast Asia
(C) East Asia
(D) Central Asia
The Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak during which of the following time periods?
(A) 2600-1900 BCE
(B) 1900-1300 BCE
(C) 1300-1000 BCE
(D) 1000-700 BCE
The Indus Valley Civilization was a major center of Trade and Commerce. Which of the following goods were traded by the Indus Valley Civilization?
(A) Gold
(B) Silver
(C) Copper
(D) All of the above
The Indus Valley Civilization was a major center of Learning and culture. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Indus Valley culture?
(A) They had a rich oral tradition.
(B) They were skilled in the arts and crafts.
(C) They had a sophisticated system of mathematics.
(D) They were a peaceful people.
The Indus Valley Civilization came to an end around 1900 BCE. What is the most likely cause of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(A) A natural disaster
(B) Invasion by another civilization
(C) A decline in trade
(D) A combination of factors
The Indus Valley Civilization was a major civilization that flourished in South Asia from around 2600 to 1900 BCE. It was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, and its cities were well-planned and had sophisticated systems of drainage and sanitation. The Indus Valley Civilization was also a major center of trade and commerce.
The Indus Valley Civilization was a major center of learning and culture. Its people were skilled in the arts and crafts, and they had a rich oral tradition. They also had a sophisticated system of mathematics.
The Indus Valley Civilization came to an end around 1900 BCE. The most likely cause of its decline was a combination of factors, including a natural disaster, invasion by another civilization, and a decline in trade.
The Indus Valley Civilization was a major civilization that left a lasting legacy on the world. Its cities, systems of drainage and sanitation, and trade networks were all ahead of their time. Its culture and learning also had a profound impact on later civilizations.