Ancient India
Ancient India brought inventions, ideas, philosophies and social and
cultural traditions that have spread throughout many of the world’s
cultures. This huge subcontinent with its rich and varied history was
certainly one of the greatest early civilizations in the world.
Indus Valley Civilization
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
1
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.
2
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.)
3
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.
Cause of Decline Historian
of Indus
Civilization
Aryan Invasion Wheeler, Gordon,
Childe
Ecological Fairservice
Disturbance
Change in Indus Dales, M.S. Vatsa
River’s Course
Low Rainfall Stein
Floods Macay, S. R. Rao
Drying of Ghaggar D. P Agrawal and
River Sood
Earthquake Raikes and Dales
