Indus Vally civilization- Things To Know

With early civilizations likes of Egypt and Mesopotamia, a civilization flourished in South Asia. Today it’s known as Indus Vally Civilization/Harappan civilization.

Is Indus Valley civilization and Harappan Civilization same?

Harappa (now in Pakistan) is the first major city and first representative of this civilization. Hence, sometimes  Indus Vally Civilization also called Harappan Civilization. 

How did the Indus Valley Civilization start?

This civilization stretched around the Indus river valley and regions of western India in Indian subcontinent. Trade and farming suggested a peaceful coexistence and common practices played a vital part, in its development and sustainability. The civilizations growth took place around 3000 BCE. Which give it a place in the world’s earliest civilizations. The reliable water supply and location is the main reason for the gradual rise of this culture.

Importance of Indus river

The rivers proved extremely useful for ancient civilizations. They provided a great source of fresh water and an area to hunt and gather food. When rivers flooded, it left behind nutrient-rich silt which, is great for agriculture. Just like the Nile in Egypt, the Indus river’s annual flooding allowed,  the growing of crops in mass quantities. Hence, it was enough to feed a growing population. These rivers were beneficial for goods transportation and migrations of people. Rivers ultimately meets the seas, Hence they also proved as a  “get way” for foreign trade.

The Indus Valley Civilization had begun as simple farming villages and later developed into advanced urban centers with well-developed City structures. These developments aided to the rise in population as well as the adoption of economic activities, such as trade which further aided to the growth of these cities. By 2600 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization was flourishing. What we know about about the Indus Valley Civilization only comes from archaeology; it remains..

the largest ancient civilization discovered with over 1500 sites.

A hieroglyphics like system of writing has been discovered, but it remains an unsolved mystery as linguistics historians still baffled about the writing system. However, we can paint a picture through archaeological artifacts of what life might have been like on those days. 

   

Who discovered Indus Valley civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization revolved around two major cities; Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. First major excavation was carried out at Harappa in 1921 by an Indian archeologist named Daya Ram Sahni. But, The first evidence were found by Charles Masson; first European to discover the ruins of Harappa. Large-scale excavations were carried out at the cities of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa under the direction of John Marshall and Ernest Mackay and numerous other directors in the 1930s. 

What are the main features of Indus Valley civilization?

These cities like most in the Indus Valley Civilization portrayed a clear indication of prior urban planning with straight roads, elaborate drainage systems and strong durable buildings houses. 

Cities were made of backed or wood bricks. Bricks were made by craftsmen who produced each brick of the same size. There was an advanced water supply and sanitation system which provided a clean environment for the community and with obvious hygiene benefits. Dwellers in these cities had private toilets that connected to wider public drains which used gravity to transport waste and were covered by ornately laid bricks.

   John Marshall at Mohenjo Daro

The sewer network emptied into the surrounding water courses and cesspits that were regularly emptied and cleaned. Both Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were fortified by large robust walls supposedly for the protection from either invaders or wild animals. However, due to the close proximity of rivers it is more likely that these walls were designed for flood control.

Mohenjo Daro had two districts; the citadel evidently for the upper class and the lower town for the ordinary citizens. Although, evidence suggests, there was relative equality amongst citizens, as all of the streets were well-drained, this keep the city dried and clean eventually reducing the potential of disease.

One of the most unique features of the Indus Valley Civilization can be found at Mohenjo Daro, historians and archaeologists named it the “Great Bath” there is no true consensus between historians on the purpose of this great bath but some historians have speculated it was used for religious practices perhaps as a spiritual cleansing effect for those that bathed in it the spiritual beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization remain inconclusive.

Great Bath at Mohenjo Daro

However, it is believed that they honored nature especially water which has similarities with the present-day Hindu beliefs. The population of these cities reached around 30,000 to 60,000 individuals and during the civilizations peak the population subcontinent grew to between four to six million people. This large population was sustained by the Indus River Basin and subsequent biannual flooding.

The inhabitants of Dholavira (another site in Gujarat, India) created a minimum of 16 reservoirs and developed a collection system based on harvesting rainwater. This environment was perfect for farming crops like wheat and barley providing a surplus of food that was stored in granaries. 

The most striking and interesting aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization is economics. they are evidence that suggest that Indus valley people had a trading relationship with Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. Artifacts have been uncovered of seals that were made from clay or ceramics. However, these imprinted seals is not deciphered yet. These seals often depicted images of animals, probably used as an identification mark.

Who was the chief god of Indus Valley people?

One of the most famous seals is known as the Pashupati seal, it depicts a man with a horned headdress surrounded by a buffalo and a tiger along with elephants and deer; often debated by archaeologists and historians that it may suggest the representation of the deity. Some surmise that this seal is one of the earliest depictions of the Hindu god Shiva, who was associated with yoga and regarded as a lord of animals.

Pashupati Seal

Trade in Indus Vally Civilization

Indus Vally Civilization was trading beyond their region. There are numerous seals found in Mesopotamia as early as 3500 BC. As a proof of trade, Traders should keep the respective seals. Sumerian people called the Indus Valley Civilization as Meluḫḫa. Cotton is most important products for trade. However, other items like of jewellery and animals were also exported.

Do you know, Indus originally derived from a word ‘sindus’ means “cotton” in ancient culture. After many centuries, Indus word started to use as “Hindus” for people residing in Indus river basin.

Trading Seals

What caused the downfall of this great civilization is not clearly known. As no defined answer currently exist but there are many theories, most research has concur that due to the gradual decline, the demise was either due to the climate of the region changing or that the river changed course as a result of tectonic variation around 1800 BCE. 

This weather changed leads to decreased food production. Over this extended period of decline, many of the population would have migrated to find more sustainable land for farming. The trade began to disappear and great urban settlements were gradually abandoned at around 1500 BC. Which eventually, leads to the end of this magnificent culture.

How did Indus Valley civilization end?

This civilization will remain largely a mystery. We can speculate and create an idea of their culture and society piecing together their way of life. It is hoped that one day the mysteries and secrets of this fascinating civilization will reveal themselves. But for now, we can only piece together parts of the puzzle and speculate how and why this great civilization rose and vanished.