The Indus Valley Civilization : Origin, antiquity, extent, authorship and main features

Indus Valley Civilization

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 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 it is often compared to the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

The IVC was located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. It covered an area of about 1 million square kilometers, making it one of the largest civilizations of its time. The IVC was made up of a number of different cities, including Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira. These cities were well-planned and had sophisticated systems of water management.

The people of the IVC were skilled farmers, traders, and craftsmen. They grew wheat, barley, rice, and other crops. They also raised cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The IVC was a trading civilization, and it traded with other civilizations in Mesopotamia, Iran, and Central Asia. They traded goods such as pottery, textiles, and metals.

The religion of the IVC is not well-known. However, we know that they worshipped a number of gods and goddesses. They also built temples and other religious structures.

The IVC had a system of writing called Indus script. Indus script is still not fully understood, but it is believed to have been used for writing religious texts, business records, and other purposes.

The art of the IVC is characterized by its geometric designs and its use of terracotta, stone, and Metal. The IVC people were also skilled in making jewelry and other objects.

The architecture of the IVC is characterized by its large cities, its well-planned streets, and its impressive public buildings. The IVC people were also skilled in making bricks and other building materials.

The IVC declined around 1300 BCE. The reasons for its decline are not fully understood, but it is believed that a combination of factors, such as Climate Change, warfare, and internal strife, may have contributed to its downfall.

Despite its decline, the IVC left a lasting legacy. It was one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations, and it made significant contributions to the development of agriculture, trade, writing, and art.

The IVC was a complex and sophisticated civilization that flourished in the Indus River valley for over a thousand years. Its people were skilled farmers, traders, and craftsmen, and they built impressive cities with well-planned streets and public buildings. The IVC also had a system of writing, which is still not fully understood, but which was used for religious texts, business records, and other purposes. The IVC declined around 1300 BCE, but its legacy continues to be felt today.

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 three major civilizations of the Old World, along with Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.

The Indus Valley Civilization was located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. It was a large and complex civilization, with a population of over 5 million people. The Indus Valley Civilization was known for its urban planning, its sophisticated system of writing, and its advanced technology.

The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1300 BCE, for reasons that are not fully understood. However, it left behind a rich legacy of art, architecture, and technology.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Indus Valley Civilization:

What was 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 three major civilizations of the Old World, along with Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.
Where was the Indus Valley Civilization located?
The Indus Valley Civilization was located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. It was a large and complex civilization, with a population of over 5 million people.
What was the Indus Valley Civilization known for?
The Indus Valley Civilization was known for its urban planning, its sophisticated system of writing, and its advanced technology.
When did the Indus Valley Civilization decline?
The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1300 BCE, for reasons that are not fully understood. However, it left behind a rich legacy of art, architecture, and technology.
What are some of the main features of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Some of the main features of the Indus Valley Civilization include:
- Its urban planning: The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the first civilizations to develop cities. Its cities were well-planned and had a sophisticated system of drainage.
- Its system of writing: The Indus Valley Civilization had a sophisticated system of writing that is still not fully understood.
- Its advanced technology: The Indus Valley Civilization was advanced in many areas of technology, including metallurgy, pottery, and agriculture.
What are some of the reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
The reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization are not fully understood. However, some possible reasons include:
- Climate change: The Indus Valley Civilization was located in a region that is now prone to droughts. It is possible that a series of droughts led to the decline of the civilization.
- Invasion: The Indus Valley Civilization was located in a region that was often invaded by other groups. It is possible that an invasion led to the decline of the civilization.
- Disease: The Indus Valley Civilization was located in a region that was prone to diseases. It is possible that a disease outbreak led to the decline of the civilization.
What is the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization?
The Indus Valley Civilization left behind a rich legacy of art, architecture, and technology. Its cities were well-planned and had a sophisticated system of drainage. Its system of writing is still not fully understood, but it is clear that it was sophisticated. The Indus Valley Civilization was also advanced in many areas of technology, including metallurgy, pottery, and agriculture.

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 cities were some of the largest and most advanced in the world at the time. The Indus Valley Civilization was located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. Its major cities were Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira. The Indus Valley Civilization was a highly developed civilization with a complex social structure, a sophisticated system of writing, and a well-developed economy. It was also a major center of Trade and Commerce. The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1300 BCE, and its cause of decline is still unknown. However, it is believed that a combination of factors, such as climate change, invasion, and internal conflict, may have contributed to its decline.

Here are some MCQs about the Indus Valley Civilization:

Which of the following is not a major city of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(A) Harappa
(B) Mohenjo-daro
(C) Dholavira
(D) Varanasi
The Indus Valley Civilization was located in what is now:
(A) Pakistan and northwestern India
(B) China and Mongolia
(C) Egypt and Sudan
(D) Mesopotamia and Iran
The Indus Valley Civilization was a highly developed civilization with a complex social structure, a sophisticated system of writing, and a well-developed economy. True or False?
The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1300 BCE. What is the most likely cause of its decline?
(A) Climate change
(B) Invasion
(C) Internal conflict
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is not a feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?
(A) Urbanization
(B) Writing system
(C) Trade and commerce
(D) Religion