Indus Valley Civilization

1. Origin

• Location: North-Western part of the Indian subcontinent (modern-day Pakistan and northwest India)
• Geographical Features:
  • Indus and its tributaries (Saraswati, Ghaggar)
  • Fertile alluvial plains
• Time Period: c. 3300 BCE – 1300 BCE
• Climate: Arid to semi-arid, with seasonal monsoons
• Key Sites: Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi

2. Discovery

• Discovery by: Sir John Marshall (1922)
• First Major Site: Harappa (1922)
• Major Site: Mohenjo-Daro (1920s)
• Archaeological Work: Led by R.D. Banerji
• Significance: First urban civilization of the ancient world

3. Early, Mature and Later Stages

4. Society

• Social Structure:
  • No clear evidence of social stratification
  • Possible no presence of a ruling class (large granaries, halls and barracks were found in Indus valley, but no Palace has been found)
  • Presence of artisans, traders, and laborers
• Family Life:
  • Houses had multiple rooms, suggesting multi-generational living
  • Presence of wells and drainage systems
• Gender Roles:
  • No clear evidence of gender inequality
  • Possible roles of women in domestic and economic activities

5. Economy

• Agriculture:
  • Irrigation system (canals, reservoirs)
  • Crops: Wheat, barley, millet, sesame, cotton
• Trade:
  • Long-distance trade with Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, and Central Asia
  • Exports: Cotton, beads, pottery
  • Imports: Lapis lazuli, turquoise, shells
• Industry:
  • Textile production (spindle whorls, loom weights)
  • Pottery (black and red ware, painted pottery)
  • Metalworking (copper, bronze, and early iron tools)

6. Religion

• Belief System:
  • No clear evidence of a centralized deity
  • Possible worship of a mother goddess (Pashupati, proto-Shiva)
  • Presence of seals with animal motifs (unicorn, bull, elephant)
• Ritual Practices:
  • Use of fire in rituals (fire altars)
  • Evidence of drainage systems and water for ritual purposes
  • Possible use of the “Pashupati” seal as a religious symbol

7. Characteristics of Cities

8. Decline

• Possible Reasons:
  • Environmental changes (drought, shifting of rivers like Saraswati)
  • Climate change and desertification
  • Overuse of resources and depletion of water sources
  • Possible invasions or migration of people
• Shift to Smaller Settlements:
  • Decline of major cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
  • Rise of smaller, agrarian communities
• Legacy:
  • Influence on later Indian cultures
  • Basis for understanding early urban planning and civilization

Key Facts for Competitive Exams

• Important Dates:
  • 3300 BCE – 1300 BCE: Duration of the civilization
  • 1920s: Discovery of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
• Important Sites:
  • Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Kalibangan
• Important Terms:
  • Indus Valley Civilization, Mature Harappan, Later Harappan, Pashupati, Fire Altar, Drainage System, Grid Layout
• Important Differences:
  • Indus Valley vs. Mesopotamia: No written script, more emphasis on urban planning
  • Indus Valley vs. Egyptian Civilization: No monumental architecture, no pyramids

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: What is the significance of the Indus Valley Civilization?
  A: It is the first known urban civilization, with advanced city planning, drainage, and trade.

• Q: What is the most important feature of Indus Valley cities?
  A: The well-planned grid layout and advanced drainage system.

• Q: What is the meaning of “Mature Harappan” stage?
  A: The period of peak urbanization, standardization, and economic activity.

• Q: What is the significance of the “Pashupati” seal?
  A: It is believed to represent a proto-Shiva figure and is a key religious symbol.

• Q: What caused the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
  A: Likely due to environmental changes, climate shifts, and possible invasions.