HISTORY

OF
SOUTH-ASIA
Submitted by: MUHAMMAD ANAS SHEIKH
Reg no. :301320
Batch no.09

Teacher : Ms.Abeda Ashfaq

Q.1) Why the archaeologists of the world called
the “Harappa” and “Mohenjo-Daro” are the
proved Indus Civilization ?

Ans) What Is Indus Civilization ;

Indus Civilization was an ancient Civilization like in
Egypt. These Civilization thrived along the course
of Indus River in North-Western part of Indian
subcontinent. It was also the period of Bronze Age,
in which weapons and tools were made up of
bronze rather than stone.
Indus Civilization was also inspired by ancient
Civilization because there were many similarities
between them, such as establishing Civilization or
town along the bank of major rivers, so the fertile
land around the river help them for agricultural
purposes and help Civilization to thrive.
Indus Civilization was spread over a very large
area which today a part of northern western India
and Pakistan. So far archaeologist have come
across more than 1000 sites belonging to Indus
Civilization , but only 6 can be classified as
Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Chanu-daro, Lothal,
Kalibangan and banwali. But two major sites are
evidence of Indus Civilization, which are Harappa
and Mohenjo-daro Civilization .

Mohenjo-Daro:
The name mohenjo-daro , which means the.
“mound of dead” and it refers to the Harappa,
which were first discovered in
1922. Mohejo-daro was build
about 5 thousand years ago.
Archaeologist discoveries at
the site revealed that the city
was the biggest in the Indus
Civilization, because of the city
size which about 3 miles (5 km) in a circuit.
Basically it is situated in the plains of larkana in
Pakistan province Sindh and between the main bed
of Indus River. Mohenjo Daro surrounding also
know as Nakhlistan (Garden of sindh).
Harappa:
Harappa is known to be a
4700 years old city in the
subcontinent, including
Mohenjo-daro, and other
cities such as lothal, and
kalibangan, all were discovered near the bed of
Indus River. So due to this they also known to be
called as Harappan Civilization. Harappan
Civilization also believed to be a hub of art and
culture
.
Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa Are Proved Indus
Civilization:
There are many important features that made
mohenjo-daro and Harappa to be called as Indus
Civilization and some of them are ;
Town Planning :-
These Indus Civilization towns and cities were built
as per grid pattern. There are many dwelling
houses in the city. Some are small buildings with
two rooms and some are palatial structures with a
height of about 25.5 meters. These large houses
are usually build with two or more storeys and
have wide hallways and stairs. They are usually
decorated with painted wall and doors. These
buildings features a large open courtyard with
galleries that are unknown in ancient world. It is
also equipped with variety of luxuries that were
only found in ancient towns. On the other hand
drainage system was also very impressive in
Indus Civilization towns. Burnt bricks of uniform
size were used to build buildings. Large places for
communal bath were found also.

Agriculture:-
 Mohenjo-daro and
Harappa people sowed
seeds in the flood plains
in November, when the
flood water receded
and the reaped the
harvest in April before the advent of next flood.
They also produce rai, peas, sesame and mustard,
they also produced wheat and barely. Indus People
were the earliest people to produce cotton.

Domestication Of Animals:-
Oxen, buffalos, goats, sheep’s and pigs were
domesticated. However humped bulls were
favoured, where as camels and asses were used
as beast of burden. Archaeologists also
discovered remains skeletons of buffaloes,
sheep’s, elephants and camels which
proved that they all were domesticated
but Dogs and cats are regarded as pets.
Trade And Commerce:-
Mohenjo-daro and Harappa carried out there
trades and commercial
activities mainly from land
routes and as well from sea
routes. For land trade,
carts, chariots and animal
used as a mean of transport, where as big boats
were used for sea trade. Archaeologists do not
find any strong evidence that at that time currency
or money is used, where as they say during Indus
Civilization Indus people give barter system
importance rather than using currency.

Art Of Indus Civilization:-

The Indus Civilization belongs to the Bronze Age. So
Indus people used many tools and implement of
stones, but they were very well acquainted with
the manufacture and use of bronze, which was
made by mixing Tin and copper. Bronze smiths not
only manufactured Images and utensils, they also
made various tools from bronze such as weapons,
axes, saw, knives and spears. Brick laying was an
important craft at that time and Indus people are
best in It. Indus Civilization
people were also expert in
jewellery making by gold,
silver, and by using precious
colourful stones.

Seals:-
The Indus people also has knowledge of seal
making. Seals were most commonly made up of
steatite (soft stone) and it used to be known as
one of the greatest
artistic creation of
Indus people. The
majority of the seals
have animals engraved
on them with a short
Inscription.
Indus Civilization Religion:-
The chief male deity was the Pashupati Mahadeva
(protoshiva). Indus people also represented their
god on seals as he is sitting in a yogic posture on a
low throne and has three face
with two horns in front. In seal
they also show four animal
(elephants, tiger, rhino and
buffalo) around their god and
two deer at his feet.

Chief female deity was mother goddess, who has

been depicted in various form. In Harappa people
also worship fire which was made
proved by many discoveries by
archaeologists. They also worship
god in a form of trees (peepal) and
animals (unicorn).

Mohenjo-Daro & Harappa Script:-

Harappan script is regarded as pictographic since
its signs represent birds, fish and a variety of
human forms. The language of Harappan people is
unknown as its script has not been deciphered till
date.

Food & Clothing Of Indus People :-

The Indus Valley people has a
balanced diet comprising staples,
meat, fruit and vegetables. Maize
and Barley were the main staple
food. Domesticated animals like
goats and cows provided milk and meat. There is
evidence of more fruit and vegetables as the
preferred source of nourishment than meat.

Harappan Clothing Earliest evidence

of Cotton Clothing was found in the
Indus Valley Civilization and was
used extensively for trading.

Decline Of Indus 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.
Three most prevalent theories for the decline of
the civilization are:
• Invasion by conquerors like the Aryans.
• Ecological disturbances like low rainfall,
floods, change in the course of the river.
• Natural Disaster like earthquakes.

THANKS! 😊