INDUS VELLY CIVILIZATION (IVC):
INTRODUCTION :
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was
a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the northwestern regions of South Asia
from about 3300 to 1300 BCE. It is considered one of the world's three earliest
civilizations, alongside those of Mesopotamia and Egypt. The civilization extended
from modern-day northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India, with its
most prominent cities being Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. The Indus Valley people
were known for their advanced urban planning, standardized weights and measures,
seal carving, and metallurgy. They had a well-developed trade network that extended
to regions as far as the Nile River valley,and Anatolia.
MOHENJO-DARO :
Mohenjo-Daro is an archaeological site located in Larkana District, Sindh,
Pakistan. It was built around 2500 BCE and was the largest settlement of the ancient
Indus Valley Civilization.The name Mohenjo-Daro is reputed to signify "the mound of
the dead".The city has a planned layout with rectilinear buildings arranged on a grid
plan, most of which were built of fired and mortared brick.The covered area of
Mohenjo-Daro is estimated at 300 hectares, and the peak population is estimated to
have been around 40,000.The site contains the remnants of one of two main centers
of the ancient Indus civilization, the other one being Harappa.Mohenjo-Daro suffered
more than once from devastating floods of abnormal depth and duration.The site
was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.
HARAPPA:
Harappa is an archaeological site in Pakistan, located about 25 km north of
Sahiwal. It is the type site of the Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus
Valley Civilization, which emerged around 2600 BCE along the Indus River Valley in
the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan.The civilization covered an area as large
as Western Europe and is known to have consisted of two large cities, Harappa and
Mohenjo-daro, and more than 100 towns and villages.The people of the Indus Valley
achieved many notable advances in technology, including great accuracy in their
systems and tools for measuring length and mass, and were among the first to
develop a system of uniform weights and measures that conformed to a successive
scale.The Harappan religion remains a topic of speculation, but it has been widely
suggested that the Harappans worshipped a mother goddess who symbolized
fertility.
Geographical area:
The geographical area of the Indus Valley Civilization encompassed the
floodplain of the Indus River and its tributaries in what is now modern-day Pakistan
and northwest India. This region includes parts of present-day Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Haryana, and Balochistan. The civilization's major urban centers, such as
Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, were situated within this area, which provided fertile
land for agriculture and facilitated trade and communication networks with
neighboring regions.
RELIGION:
The religion of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) people is not fully
understood due to the lack of decipherable written records. However, archaeological
evidence suggests that they had a complex religious belief system. Excavations have
revealed numerous artifacts, including seals and figurines, depicting animals,
deities, and ritual scenes. Some scholars believe that the people of the IVC
worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with fertility, water, and
nature. The presence of fire altars and ritual bathing areas indicates the performance
of religious rituals and possibly a form of proto-yoga. Overall, while the exact details
remain speculative, it's clear that religion played a significant role in the lives of the
IVC people.
LANGUAGE:
The language of the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan
civilization, remains unknown. Various hypotheses have been proposed regarding
the language(s) spoken during that time. Some scholars suggest that the language
could have been Dravidian, Proto-Indo-Iranian, or even a lost language with no living
continuants. Recent research published in Nature supports the idea that Proto-
Dravidian was spoken in the Indus Valley based on linguistic and genetic evidence.
The Indus script, which is associated with the civilization, remains
undeciphered, adding to the mystery surrounding the language used during that
period. The extreme brevity of inscriptions and the lack of bilingual texts have made
deciphering the script challenging.
In conclusion, while there are various theories and hypotheses regarding the
language of the Indus Valley Civilization, including Dravidian and Proto-Indo-Iranian,
the exact language(s) spoken during that time period remain uncertain due to the
lack of definitive evidence and the complexity of deciphering the Indus scrip
CULTURE :
The culture of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was rich and complex, as
evidenced by archaeological findings from excavations at sites such as Harappa,
Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal. Here are some key aspects of the IVC culture:
1. **Urban Planning:** The IVC cities were meticulously planned, with well-
organized grid layouts, advanced drainage systems, and brick-built structures. This
reflects a high level of urban sophistication and centralized authority.
2. **Architecture:** The architecture of the IVC included multi-story buildings,
public baths, granaries, and fortified citadels. Houses were typically made of baked
bricks and featured private wells and bathrooms.
3. **Art and Craftsmanship:** The IVC people were skilled artisans, producing a
wide range of artifacts including pottery, seals, jewelry, and figurines. They used
materials such as terracotta, stone, metal, and faience to create intricate designs and
motifs.
4. **Seals and Writing:** The IVC is known for its distinctive seals made of steatite,
featuring engraved symbols and animal motifs. While the script on these seals
remains undeciphered, it suggests the existence of a written language or system of
communication.
5. **Trade and Commerce:** Trade played a significant role in IVC culture, with
evidence of long-distance trade networks extending to Mesopotamia, Central Asia,
and the Arabian Peninsula. Goods such as pottery, metals, beads, and luxury items
were exchanged along established trade routes.
6. **Religion and Rituals:** The religious beliefs of the IVC people are not fully
understood, but archaeological findings suggest the presence of ritual practices and
possibly a pantheon of deities associated with fertility, water, and nature. Ritual baths,
fire altars, and figurines indicate the performance of religious ceremonies.
7. **Social Organization:** The society of the IVC was likely stratified, with
evidence of elite residences, public buildings, and specialized craft production.
Standardized weights, measures, and seals suggest a degree of central authority
overseeing economic activities.
Overall, the culture of the Indus Valley Civilization reflects a sophisticated
and thriving urban society characterized by technological innovation, artistic
creativity, and complex social organization.
CONSTRUCTION ARCHITECTURE :
The construction and architecture of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)
were characterized by several distinctive features:
1. **Brick Construction**: The IVC primarily used baked mud bricks for construction,
which were uniformly sized and shaped. This allowed for efficient building processes
and standardized structures.
2. **Urban Planning**: Cities in the IVC, such as Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, were
meticulously planned with grid-like street patterns. The streets were laid out in a
precise north-south and east-west orientation, showcasing advanced urban planning
skills.
3. **Multi-Story Buildings**: While most buildings were single-story, evidence
suggests that some structures in the IVC were multi-story, indicating architectural
innovation and engineering prowess.
4.**Citadels and Fortifications*. Some cities had citadels or fortified areas,
suggesting the presence of centralized authority and the need for defense against
potential threats.
5. **Great Bath**: The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is an iconic architectural feature
of the IVC. It was a large, brick-lined tank with a sophisticated drainage system, likely
used for ritual bathing or religious ceremonies.
6. **Drainage Systems**: The IVC had advanced drainage systems, with carefully
constructed brick-lined sewers and covered drains running beneath the streets. This
helped manage wastewater and maintain sanitation within the cities.
7. **Residential Architecture**: Houses in the IVC were typically built around central
courtyards and featured multiple rooms. Many houses had their own wells and
bathrooms, indicating a level of comfort and hygiene.
Overall, the construction and architecture of the Indus Valley Civilization
demonstrate a high level of engineering skill, urban planning, and social organization,
contributing to the civilization's prosperity and endurance.
SEVRAGE SYSTEM :
The Indus Valley Civilization had a sophisticated system of underground
drainage, which was the most unique aspect of their planning. The main sewer was
1.5 meters deep and 91 cm across, connected to many north-south and east-west
sewers. It was made from bricks smoothened and joined together seamlessly, and
the expert masonry kept the sewer watertight. Drops at regular intervals acted like an
automatic cleaning device, and a wooden screen at the end of the drains held back
solid wastes. Liquids entered a cesspool made of radial bricks, and tunnels carried
the waste liquids to the main channel connecting the dockyard with the river estuary.
Commoner houses had baths and drains that emptied into underground soakage jars.
ECONOMY :
The economy of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was primarily based on
agriculture, trade, and craftsmanship. They had a sophisticated system of urban
planning and drainage, indicative of a well-organized society. Agriculture was
supported by an extensive irrigation system, allowing for surplus food production.
Trade networks extended to Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and other regions,
facilitating the exchange of goods such as pottery, metals, and precious stones.
Craftsmanship flourished, producing goods like pottery, seals, jewelry, and metalwork.
AGRICULTURE :
During the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), granaries were essential structures
for storing agricultural produce. Evidence of granaries comes mainly from sites like
Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, and Rakhigarhi. These granaries suggest organized
and centralized storage activities within the Harappan settlements.
Rice cultivation in the IVC is indicated by findings of charred rice husks
and rice husk and leaf impressions in Harappan pottery, specifically at Lothal and
Rangpur in Gujarat. However, it should be noted that rice cultivation in the Indus
Valley was not as prominent as the cultivation of wheat and barley, which formed the
core of the Harappans' agrarian economy.
Sumerians were a separate civilization that developed independently in
the Fertile Crescent, centered along the Tigris and Euphrates river basins in modern-
day Iraq and Syria. They established one of the first complex societies, predating the
Indus Valley Civilization by approximately 1,000 years.
TRADING SYSTEM :
IVC made cloths and were exported to Sumer and other places. They had all
the ships, own Dockyard and ship repair facility. Other export items were cedar tree
trunks for making roof etc in Mesopotemia and other places. The most important
items of export were Lapislazuli and carnelian jewellery. Lapis lazuli was obtained
from Afganisthan and carnelian from southern part of india. They were shaped at IVC
sites. Carnelian beads were very finely drilled. Whichever museums you see carnelian
items, it is from IVC for sure. Items of import were gold and bronze too. May be tin to
make bronze locally. Food grains were another item of trade. There was no rice.
Maize, wheat, Bajra.. All traded items with marks of seals to identify seller to buyer. It
was mostly barter trade. Many seals for export have been found in Lothal. The main
port for seafaring vessel. While trade to gulf was there and one major place on way
was Dilmun, in Baharien.
DEVELOPMENT :
The development of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) can be attributed to
several factors:
1. Geographic advantages: The fertile plains of the Indus River and its tributaries
provided excellent conditions for agriculture, allowing for surplus food production
and supporting a growing population.
2. Urban planning and organization: The IVC cities, such as Mohenjo-Daro and
Harappa, exhibited remarkable urban planning, with well-laid-out streets, advanced
drainage systems, and sophisticated and central authority.
3. Trade networks: The IVC engaged in long-distance architecture. This indicates a
high level of organization trade with neighboring regions, including Mesopotamia,
Central Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. This facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas,
and cultural influences, contributing to economic growth and societal complexity.
4. Technological advancements: The IVC people developed advanced techniques
in pottery-making, metallurgy, and craftsmanship. Their mastery of bronze and
copper tools and artifacts suggests a level of technological sophistication that
contributed to their economic prosperity and cultural development.
5. Social cohesion: The presence of standardized weights and measures, as well
as uniform seals and symbols across the region, indicates a degree of social
cohesion and centralized authority within the IVC society.
Overall, the combination of favorable geography, urban planning, trade
networks, technological advancements, and social organization contributed to the
development and prosperity of the Indus Valley Civilization.
CAUSE OF DOWN FALL /DECLINE:
The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) likely resulted from a
combination of environmental, social, and economic factors:
1. **Environmental Changes**: Shifts in climate patterns, including changes in
rainfall and river courses, could have led to decreased agricultural productivity and
resource scarcity, affecting the civilization's ability to sustain its population.
2. **Natural Disasters**: The region was susceptible to natural disasters such as
floods and earthquakes, which could have caused widespread destruction of
infrastructure, disrupted trade routes, and destabilized settlements.
3. **Aryan Migration**: The arrival of Indo-Aryan peoples from Central Asia
possibly led to cultural assimilation, conflicts, and changes in power dynamics. This
migration may have contributed to the decline of the IVC through social disruptions
and conflicts.
4. **Internal Factors**: Internal challenges such as political instability, social
unrest, and economic inequality might have weakened the centralized authority of
the civilization, leading to societal fragmentation and decline.
5. **Trade Disruptions**: Disruptions in trade networks, whether due to
environmental changes or conflicts with neighboring regions, could have affected the
economy of the IVC, leading to a decline in prosperity and urbanization.
6. **Disease**: Epidemics or diseases within densely populated urban areas could
have spread rapidly, leading to population decline and social upheaval.
It's important to recognize that the decline of the IVC was likely a complex
and multifaceted process, with various factors interacting and reinforcing each other
over time. The exact sequence and significance of these factors remain subjects of
ongoing research and debate among historians and archaeologists.
. ~ THE END
