Indus Valley Civilization, one of the most fascinating ancient civilizations that once thrived in the Indian subcontinent. This blog aims to delve into the rich history, culture, and achievements of this remarkable civilization that flourished around 2600-1900 BCE.
The Rise of the Indus Valley Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was a Bronze Age civilization that spanned across modern-day Pakistan, northwest India, and parts of Afghanistan. It was one of the earliest urban civilizations, characterized by its advanced cities, sophisticated urban planning, and complex social structure.
IVC phases
The Early Harappan Phase (c. 3300–2600 BCE), the Mature Harappan Phase (c. 2600–1900 BCE), and the Late Harappan Phase (c. 1900–1300 BCE) are the three phases of the IVC.
The Hakra Phase, found in the Ghaggar-Hakra River Valley, is connected to the Early Harappan Phase.
3000 BC is when the earliest known instances of the Indus script were created.
A more urbanized way of life and centralized power are the defining characteristics of this age.
There are indications of crop cultivation as well as the existence of trade networks. During that time, crops such as cotton, dates, sesame seeds, and peas were farmed.
The period preceding the Mature Harappan Phase is symbolized by Kot Diji.
The Indus Valley Civilization reached a mature state by 2600 BC.
Large urban centers, such as Lothal in India and Harappa and Mohenjodaro in Pakistan, were emerging from the early Harappan communities.
It is thought that the Indus River Valley Civilization began to show signs of a slow decline about 1800 BC, and by 1700 BC, the majority of the towns had been abandoned.
Later cultures do, however, exhibit many of the characteristics of the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization.
Based on archeological evidence, the Late Harappan culture endured until approximately 1000–900 BC.
Town Design and Organization
Town planning was a distinctive feature of Harappan society.
Each of the ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro had an acropolis, or citadel, that may have been inhabited by members of the governing elite.
In every city, there was a lower town with brick dwellings where the common people lived beneath the citadel.
The fact that the houses in the cities were arranged according to the grid pattern is impressive.
An essential component of the Harappan cities were granaries.
The utilization of burnt bricks in the Harappan cities is noteworthy, as the majority of bricks employed in Egypt's modern constructions were dried.
Mohenjodaro's drainage system was astounding.
Every home, regardless of size, had an own courtyard and bathroom in practically every city.
Many homes in Kalibangan had their own wells.
The entire village was walled in places like Dholavira and Lothal (Gujarat), and parts of the town itself were divided by walls as well.
Geography and Settlements
The Indus Valley Civilization was centered around the Indus River and its tributaries, which provided fertile land for agriculture and a network of waterways for transportation. The two major cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were among the largest cities in the ancient world, with well-planned streets, drainage systems, and public baths.
Agriculture and Trade
The Indus Valley Civilization was an agrarian society, with a diverse range of crops including wheat, barley, peas, and cotton. They also domesticated animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. The civilization's extensive trade networks extended to Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and the Persian Gulf, facilitated by their advanced seafaring capabilities.
Enough foodgrain was produced by the Harappan settlements, which were primarily located close to the river plains.
There was mustard, wheat, barley, rai, peas, sesame, lentil, and chickpea production. Gujarati sites are also the source of millet. However, there weren't many uses for rice.
The first humans to cultivate cotton were the Indus tribe.
Grain findings show the presence of agriculture, but reconstructing actual agricultural operations is more challenging.
The bull was recognized based on depictions on seals and terracotta sculpture, and archaeologists infer that oxen were also utilized for plowing.
Given that the majority of Harappan sites are found in semi-arid regions, irrigation was most likely necessary for agriculture.
Canal remnants have been discovered at the Afghan Harappan site of Shortughai, but not in Punjab or Sindh.
The Harappans raised animals on a vast scale in addition to practicing agriculture.
A dubious ceramic piece from Lothal and a superficial level of Mohenjodaro provide evidence of the horse. In any event, horses were not central to Harappan society.
Finance
The existence of several seals, consistent writing, and standardized weights and measurements throughout a large region attests to the significance of trade in the Indus culture.
The Harappans engaged in extensive trade in shell, metal, stone, and other materials.
Trade was conducted through the barter system, and metal money was not used.
On the Arabian Sea coast, they practiced navigation.
Evidently, their establishment of a commercial colony in northern Afghanistan aided in trade with Central Asia.
Additionally, they conducted business with people in the Euphrates and Tigris regions.
Lapis lazuli was a long-distance commodity traded by the Harappans, which may have raised the social standing of the ruling elite.
Arts and Crafts
The Harappans had extensive knowledge of the production and application of bronze.
The Khetri copper mines in Rajasthan provided the copper, and it's possible that tin was imported from Afghanistan.
Several objects have also been discovered to have impressions of textiles.
Massive brick structures imply that placing bricks was a significant craft. This confirms that there is a class of masons.
The Harappans were skilled in seal, bead, and boat building. Making terracotta was a significant craft as well.
Precious stones, gold, and silver were used by the goldsmiths to create jewelry.
The potter's wheel was in full swing, and the Harappans created their own distinctively glossy and brilliant pottery.
Institutions
The Indus valley contains very few written materials that have been found, and scholars have not yet been able to interpret the Indus script.
Understanding the structure of the Indus Valley Civilization's polity and institutions is very challenging.
At none of the Harappan sites have temples been discovered. Thus, the notion that priests ruled Harappa may be ruled out.
It is possible that a group of traders controlled over Harappa.
There are no quick fixes in archeological records when it comes to finding a power center or representations of powerful individuals.
According to some archaeologists, everyone in Harappan civilization had equal rank and there were no rulers.
According to a different idea, each of the metropolitan centers was represented by a number of rulers rather than a single one.
Faith
Many terracotta sculptures depicting women have been discovered in Harappa. One figure depicts a plant emerging from a woman's embryo.
Because of this, the Harappans saw the earth as a fertility goddess and worshipped her similarly to how the Egyptians worshipped Isis, the goddess of the Nile.
The masculine deity is shown as a sitting yogi and is featured on a seal with three horned heads.
This god has a buffalo beneath his throne and is flanked by elephants, tigers, and rhinoceroses. Two deer emerge at his feet.Pushupati Mahadeva is identified as the god seen.
There have been discovered several stone representations of the phallus and female genitalia.
The Indus region's inhabitants also revered animals and trees.
The one-horned unicorn, which is comparable to a rhinoceros, is the most significant of them all, followed by the humped bull.
Numerous amulets have also been discovered.
The Indus Valley Civilization's decline
The IVC began to decline about 1800 BCE, however the precise causes of its demise are still up for discussion.
According to one version, the Indo-European group known as the Aryans invaded and subjugated the IVC.
Different IVC components have been discovered in later societies, indicating that civilization did not vanish overnight as a result of an invasion.
However, many academics think that the IVC's reduction is due to natural causes.
Climate and geology may be the natural influences.
Earthquakes are thought to be caused by many tectonic disturbances that occurred in the Indus Valley region. This also caused rivers to dry up or change their path.
Variations in rainfall patterns could be another natural explanation.
Additionally, there might have been significant changes to the river courses, which could have caused flooding in the regions that produce food.
These natural factors combined to cause the IVC to slowly but inevitably collapse.
In conclusion
The Indus Valley Civilization was a remarkable ancient civilization that thrived in the Indian subcontinent. Its advanced urban planning, sophisticated trade networks, and rich cultural heritage continue to captivate historians and archaeologists alike. While many mysteries remain, the Indus Valley Civilization's legacy endures, inspiring awe and wonder at the ingenuity of our ancient ancestors.
Sources: britannica.com
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