[Ancient History - Notes]*Chapter 3. The Harappan Civilization

 

[Ancient History - Notes]*Chapter 3. The Harappan Civilization

Notes of Ancient History - The Harappan Civilization

The Harappan Civilization, one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, flourished along the Indus River Valley in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. Its origins can be traced back to around 7500 BCE, with its peak period spanning from 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE. The civilization was renowned for its advanced urban planning, sophisticated technology, and intricate art.

Key Features

* One of the world's earliest urban civilizations

* Flourished along the Indus River Valley

* Peak period from 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE

* Advanced urban planning, technology, and art

Significant Discoveries

* Harappa and Mohenjo-daro

* Well-planned streets, granaries, public baths

Characteristics

* Urban centers

* Sophisticated irrigation systems

* Thriving trade network

Name Change

* Initially known as "Indus Valley Civilization"

* Renamed to "Indus Civilization" and then "Harappan Civilization" to reflect broader geographical extent

Significance

* Offers insights into India's ancient past

* Provides valuable information about social, economic, and cultural aspects of the Harappan Civilization

Key Sites of the Harappan Civilization

The Harappan Civilization was characterized by a network of interconnected cities and settlements, each with its unique features and contributions. While Harappa and Mohenjo-daro remain the most well-known sites, numerous other excavations have revealed a rich tapestry of the civilization's urban and rural life.

Significant Sites

* Kot Diji: Earliest known settlement, fortified citadel, distinctive pottery.

* Kalibangan: Urban and rural aspects, planned city layout, granaries, agricultural practices.

* Rupar: Early phases of Harappan Civilization, artifacts, trade.

* Banawali: Well-preserved granaries, circular structures, agriculture, animal husbandry.

* Lothal, Surkotada, Dholavira: Maritime connections, dockyard.

Urban Planning

* Larger cities spanned around 100 hectares.

* Mohenjo-daro: Largest city, covering 200 hectares.

Significance

* Provide invaluable evidence of Harappan Civilization's achievements.

* Offer insights into urban planning, trade, agriculture, technology.

* Help piece together the fascinating story of this ancient civilization.

The Evolution of the Harappan Civilization

The Harappan Civilization, like many ancient civilizations, underwent a gradual evolution over several centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests four distinct stages in its development.

Harappan Civilization: Evolution and Key Features

Early Stages

* Pre-Harappan Stage:

* Key features:

   * Location: Eastern Baluchistan, Pakistan

   * Key site: Mehrgarh

* Characteristics: Nomadic lifestyle transitioning to settled agriculture

* Early-Harappan Stage:

* Key features:

   * Location: Indus Valley plains

   * Key sites: Amri, Kot Diji

   * Characteristics: Growth of large villages and early towns

* Mature Harappan Stage:

* Key features:

   * Sophisticated urban planning

   * Advanced infrastructure

   * Large-scale cities

* Key site: Kalibangan

* Late Harappan Stage

* Key features:

   * Decline of the civilization

   * Trade with other regions

* Key site: Lothal (well-preserved port)

Factors influencing evolution:

* Climate change

* Social and economic developments

* Interactions with other cultures

Note: The Harappan Civilization was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, known for its advanced planning, sanitation, and trade. Its decline remains a subject of debate among historians.

Dating the Harappan Civilization

Determining the exact dates of the Harappan Civilization has been a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. Early estimates, based on the excavations at Mohenjo-daro, placed the occupation between 3250 and 2750 BCE. However, as more sites were discovered and dating techniques advanced, these estimates have been refined.

Early estimates:

* Based on excavations at Mohenjo-daro

* 3250-2750 BCE

Radiocarbon dating:

* Introduced in the mid-20th century

* Fairservis' revision: 2000-1500 BCE

D.P. Agarwal's estimate:

* 2300-1750 BCE

Current consensus:

* Harappan Civilization flourished between the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE

Note: The exact dates of the Harappan Civilization are subject to ongoing research and may be refined with new archaeological discoveries and advancements in dating techniques.

Salient Features of the Harappan Culture

The Harappan Civilization, one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, flourished along the Indus River Valley in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. Known for its advanced town planning, sophisticated infrastructure, and intricate trade networks, the Harappan Civilization offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. This introduction will delve into the key features of this ancient society, providing a foundation for further exploration.

Town Planning and Urban Infrastructure

* Grid-like layout: Streets and lanes intersected at right angles, dividing cities into rectangular blocks.

* Citadel and lower town: Citadel served as the administrative and religious center, while the lower town was inhabited by common people.

* Advanced construction techniques: Extensive use of burnt bricks for buildings.

* Sophisticated drainage system: Underground drainage connected houses to street drains, ensuring sanitation.

* Public facilities: The Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro was a significant public facility.

* Food storage: Granaries ensured food security.

Economic Life

* Agriculture: Wheat, barley, sesame, mustard, and cotton were primary crops.

* Domesticated animals: Sheep, goats, and buffalo played crucial roles in agriculture.

* Craftsmanship: Specialization in goldsmithing, brickmaking, stone cutting, weaving, boat-building, and terracotta manufacturing.

* Trade: Internal and external trade, with Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, and Iran.

* Transportation: Bullock carts, oxen, boats, and ships for land and water transport.

Social Life

* Clothing: Simple garments made of cotton or linen, with beads as adornments.

* Personal care: Use of cosmetics and household articles.

* Recreation: Children's toys, fishing, hunting, and bullfighting.

* Conflict: Presence of weapons suggests potential threats and conflicts.

Arts and Crafts

* Sculpture: Terracotta and stone figures of men, women, animals, and birds.

* Pottery: Painted pottery with intricate designs and various colors.

* Seals: Carved seals made of steatite, depicting animals, humans, and mythological scenes.

The Harappan Script

* Undeciphered script: Estimated to have between 400 and 600 distinct signs.

* Writing direction: Primarily right to left, with some inscriptions using boustrophedon.

* Language theories: Various theories, including Dravidian and Brahmi connections.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

* Pantheon: Pasupati (proto-Shiva), Mother Goddess, Linga worship.

* Nature worship: Reverence for trees and animals.

* Supernatural beliefs: Belief in ghosts and evil forces, use of amulets.

Burial Practices

* Complete burial: Entire body interred in a pit.

* Post-cremation burials: Cremated remains placed in a burial pit.

* Pot burials: Pairs of skeletons found within pottery vessels.

* Coffins: Wooden coffins and brick-lined pits used for burials.

Note: These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the Harappan Civilization, covering its town planning, economy, social life, arts, script, religion, and burial practices. For competitive exams, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of these key features and their significance in the history of ancient India.

The Decline of the Harappan Civilization

The exact causes of the decline of the Harappan Civilization remain a subject of scholarly debate. Various theories have been proposed, each with its supporting evidence.

Potential causes:

* Natural calamities:

   * Recurring floods

   * Drying up of rivers

   * Decreasing soil fertility

* Aryan invasion:

   * Evidence from Rig Veda and huddledhuman skeletons at Mohenjo-daro

Theories:

* Environmental factors: Climate change and resource depletion.

* External pressures: Aryan invasion or other factors.

Note: The exact causes of the Harappan Civilization's decline remain a subject of debate, and a combination of factors likely contributed to its downfall.

Overview of The Harappan Civilization

Key contributions:

* Advanced urban planning

* Sophisticated technology

* Intricate art

Unanswered questions:

* Decipherment of the Harappan script

* Causes of the civilization's decline

Legacy:

* Reminder of India's rich and diverse history

* Enduring fascination and inspiration for future research

The Harappan Civilization's legacy continues to captivate scholars and the public alike, and ongoing research is essential for unraveling its mysteries and appreciating its full impact on human history.