Indus Valley Civilization

• Civilization is generally defined as an advanced state of Human society containing highly

developed forms of government, culture, industry and common social norms.

• Around 2500BC a civilization flourished in the north-western parts of Indian subcontinent-

covering modern Baluchistan, Sindh, Punjab, Harayana, Gujarat and western UP

• Indus valley civilization was first discovered by British Archaeologist named John Marshal in
1920s .

• Main towns of Indus were Harappa-Punjab, Mohenjo-Daro- Sindh province in Pakistan,

Kalibangan- Rajastan, Lothal- Modern Gujarat.

Features of Indus Valley Civilization

1. Town Planning: cities were built with proper planning and set pattern.

Big cities were divided into three distinct areas

The Citadel- ruling commercial class

Residential area- burnt bricks

Residential areas - huts and mud houses.

2. Roads : The Harappan followed the grid system according to which roads cut each other at right
angles. Roads were aligned in such a way that sea breeze could sweep the dirt easily.

3. Drainage System: Well planned and can be compared with modern city. Drains were bulit alongside
the roads. The waste from the kitchen and bathrooms directly emptied into the main drain. There were
soak pits and manholes at regular intervals to aid cleaning.

4. Buildings: there were many impressive buildings built on citadel at mohenjo-Daro like;

The Great Bath- A large complex having six entrances, a central bathing pool, dressing rooms. It served
the purpose of ritual bathing.

Assembly Hall- it was a pillared hall within the citadel. Used for taking important decisions.

Granary- there was a brick platform which formed the base of two rows of granaries. Each row had 6
granaries with five corridor separating them. Used for storing surplus foodgrains.

5. Dockyard: it has water channels, sluice, and a dock. This might have been used to maintain or repair
ships. Beautiful dockyards testifies the engineering skills and also suggest that people engaged in
maritime activity including trade and fishing.

Economic Life of the People

• Agriculture and farming were the most important activities of the people. Back then the region
was fertile and densely forested.
• Annual flooding of the Indus river used to deposit alluvial silt making the plains fertile.

• Figures of tigers, bisons and rhinoceros on seals indicates thick vegetation with heavy rainfall.

• People grew wheat, barley,peas, rai, fruits,vegetables and cultivation of cotton.

Domestication of Animals

• They domesticated animals on larger scale. The figures found on the seals depict various
domestic animals like dogs, cats, goats, sheep, buffaloes, elephants etc..

Technology and Crafts (Pottery)

• The Indus people were excellent potters. Clay utensils of various size and shapes were found in
every sites. Harappan pots were usually decorated with pleasing designs( birds,animals, human
figures)

• They also made terracotta pottery- pottery made of fine fire baked clay.

Metal Craft

• They were well acquainted with manufacture, smelting and use of various metals like bronze,
copper, gold and silver. The famous bronze female figure from Mohenjo-Daro representing a
dancing girl with beautiful jewelry (Bracelet,necklace,amulet,nosepin,earings, neat hair style) is
a perfect piece of art.

• Other Crafts

 They were good at sculpture.

Among the stone figures

 a male ‘torso’ made of red limestone has been found in Harappa.

• Engaged themselves in activities like boat making, brick laying, bead making, masonry work,
spinning, weaving, dyeing fabrics etc..

Trade

• Carried trade both within and outside India. Internal trades were carried by bullock carts and
boats.

• Ships and large boats might have been used for external trade. Harappans had commercial link
with Afghanistan, mesopotamia and Iran.

• Many seals were found in mesopotamia. Expoted foodgrains, pottery and jewelry and imported
copper and precious stones.

• Indus people were peace loving . Absence of weapons suggests that they did not fight major
wars.

Daily Life

Food: wheat,barley, milk,peas, fish mutton, beef,pork..

• Dress : wore cotton dresses. A two piece dress-one cover upper part and other lower. Both men
and women adorned themselves with jewelry.

• Mode of entertainment: Surplus production gave people enough leisure time like playing dice,
hunting, dancing and music.

• Political authority

• No evidence regarding the presence of king and priest. Absence of any palace-like building or
temple.

• At the same time their well organized cities suggest that the valley was administered by a group
of merchants or influential people.

• Seals and their Importance

• Discovered around 2000 seals (rectangular and square) – the seals have inscriptions at the top
and engraved with figures of animals.

• Seals are valuable source of information about the life and culture of Indus valley. Seals also
throw light on the dress, ornaments, animals and other items of the period. Seals also testify the
artistic skills of the people.

• Religious Life

• Absence of church or temple suggests that they most probably worshipped in the opened air.

• Neolithic religion- worshipped the sun, the moon, the natural elements on their harvest.

• Religious bathing

• They believed in life after death and buried people along with of daily use.

Reasons for the decline of Indus Valley Civilization

1. Invasions of Indo-European tribe from central Asia called Aryans.

Aryans has domesticated horses and weapons.

2. Natural calamities such as earthquake, drought and flood.

3. Epidemic

4. Increased salinity of the soil

Contribution Of Indus Valley To Modern Day Civilization

 Plumbing

 Social Structure
 Grid pattern of roads

 Cotton Clothing

 Use of seals and symbols

 Domestication of Animals

 Use of Clay and metal for art and craft

 Irrigation

 Use of bricks