The Origin of the Indus Valley Civilization
The Harappan Civilization came to light during the third decade of the 20th century, when excavations were made by archaeologists in the North-Western region of India. These excavations led to the discovery of the ruins of the prehistoric cities of Harappa in West Punjab and Mohenjodaro in Sindh.As the sites of the early excavations were found on the banks of the River Indus and its tributaries, it first came to be known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
Let’s understand the origins and extent of civilization and the Indus Valley Civilization belong to which age in detail.
> In 1921, the archaeologists under the wing of Daya Ram Sahni unearthed the ruins of the city of Harappa, situated on the bank of the river Ravi in West Punjab, now in Pakistan
And as Harappa was the first site to be excavated, the civilization came to be known as the Harappan Civilization.
> In 1922-23, the excavations under Rakhaldas Banerjee led to the discovery of the ruins of the city of Mohenjo-daro, located in the Larkana district of Sindh, now in Pakistan
> The ruins of Mohenjo-daro were designated a World Heritage site in 1980 by UNESCO
> The most of the Indus valley civilization settlement were located in valley of Saraswati River system.
> River Saraswati was known as the name of Ghaggar in Punjab and Chakra in Baluchistan region.
> Harappan civilization formed a triangle shape. Which is larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian.
Geographical limits of Harappan civilization:
Northern most site - Manda (J & K)
Southern most site - Daimabad (Maharashtra)
Westernmost site - Sutkagendor (Pakistan)
Easternmost site - Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh)
> Common feature was grid system. The towns were generally divided into two parts: upper part or Citadel on the Western side and lower town on the eastern side.
> There was a large scale use of burnt bricks and complete absence of stone building. Round pillars were absent.
> Underground drainage system was found. Drain was made of Mortar, lime and Gypsum, covered with Brick or stone slabs. Drain were built of burnt bricks.
> The vanity case found at Harappa reveals, that the Harappan women knew the art of wall painting.
Religious Beliefs:
> No Temple have been found at any sites & Harappans were lacking in weapons.
> Trees (pipal), animals (bull), birds (dove, pigeon) and stones worshipped. No Temple has been found through idolatry was practiced.
> Indus people believed in ghosts and evil forces and used amulet as protection against them.
Burial practice:
Mohenjo Daro- three forms of burial : complete, fractional and post cremation.
Kalibangan - Two forms of buriel circular and rectangular grove.
Surkotada - Pot-burial
Lothal - Double burial
Harappa - East-West axis, R-37, H cemetery and Coffinburial.
Major Imports by the Harappans
Materials and Sources:
Gold - Afghanistan, Persia, Karnataka
Silver - Afghanistan, Iran
Copper- Baluchistan, Khetri(Rajasthan)
Tin - Afghanistan, Central Asia, Haryana
Agates - Western India, Gujarat
Lead - Rajasthan, South India, Afghanistan, Iran
Chalcedony - Saurashtra
Lapis Lazuli - Badakshan, Kashmir, Afghanistan
Turquoise- Central Asia, Iran
Amethyst- Maharashtra
Jade- Central Asia
Carnelian- Saurashtra
Agriculture
> At Lothal and Rangpur Rice husks were found.
> Harappan people First to Produce cotton in the world.
> Ploughed field found at Kalibangan.
> Woven cotton cloth was found at Mohenjodaro.
> Indigo was evident from Rojdi.
> Well irrigation from Aldinho, dams and irrigation canals from Dholavira.
> Sugarcane was not known to Indus People.
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