The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization or Indus Valley Civilization or Indus River Valley Civilization) is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The Indus River basin and its tributaries developed a civilization resembling that of present-day Pakistan and north-west India. The largest Harappan site in India is located at Rakhigarhi in Haryana and the second largest is located at Dhow Alvira in Gujarat. Construction of well-planned cities using bricks, and proper drainage system are the main features of this civilization. The expansion period of the Indus Valley Civilization is considered geographically to Egypt or Mesopotamia. Based on archaeological research and radiocarbon dating, the Indus Valley Civilization is believed to have originated between 3300 and 1300 BCE. Although before this period during the Bronze Age people lived on the banks of the Indus River, they later began to live in smoothly civilized and urban societies. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were two major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Facts about Indus Valley Civilization
The largest construction site of the Indus Valley Civilization is Mohenjo-Daro, and the smallest construction site is Allah Dino.
The total population of the Indus Valley Civilization was more than five lakhs. Most of the people of the Indus Valley Civilization were craftsmen and traders. The merchants were very rich and were given more political powers than others.
The towns of the Indus Valley Civilization were built in a rectangular shape. Most of the houses were two storeyed and very spacious. Town planning was a unique feature of the Indus Valley Civilization. There granaries, city forts, burial grounds and bathing platforms were well built.
Large baths were used in towns. Although the exact purpose of the baths is unclear, it is believed that they were used for religious bathing.
Steep-headed brick is another important feature of the Indus Valley Civilization. The sewerage system of Mohenjo-Daro is considered to be the best among all cities of other civilizations. The bricks used in the construction were made in the ratio of 4:2:1. In which the length of the bricks was 11 inches, width was 5.5 inches and height was 2.75 inches.
Measurement of length, mass and time was done accurately by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. Apart from this, the system of uniform weights and measures was developed by these people only.
These people also knew some new techniques of metallurgy. They used these techniques to produce glass, copper, tin and bronze.
Art was at its peak during the Indus Valley Civilization. Bronze, copper and clay products along with terra-cotta toys were found during the excavations. The evidence of animal figures carved on seals is the most remarkable of all. Hump less bulls or animals with one horn were the most commonly used animals.
There are three phases of Harappan civilization, which are Pre-Harappan, Harappan and Post-Harappan which are known as Rojde, Desalpur and Surkotada respectively.
Lothal, Balakot, Suktajendor and Allahdin (Pakistan) were the main cities of the Harappan civilization which were major ports of that time.
Especially the construction of the port of Lothal shows that the engineering skills of that time were at their peak.
Durable wheels were used in Harappa.
Most of the roads in Mohenjo-Daro were made 10.5 meters wide. Roads with a width of 30 feet were also built in Harappa.
It has been reported by scholars that there were almost identical similarities between the Indus Valley Civilization and the river valley of Egypt. At first both the civilizations were dependent on the river system because the Indus Valley Civilization developed from the Indus River and the Egyptian Civilization developed from the Nile River. It is also being told that the lifestyle and customs of these two civilizations were almost similar.
Limestone and soapstone were used in stone sculpture in Harappa.
At present there is limited information about the religious rites and beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilization. But according to studies it is clear that the people living in this civilization especially worshiped fertility deities. Religious activities were performed by priests. Ritualistic bathing was an important part of the Harappan civilization. On some seals, there are pictures of people sitting in Samadhi and of people sitting in Viparitanga Asana.
Apart from this, very little is known about the language used in the Indus Valley Civilization, but some scholars believe that their language was similar to the Vedic scripts.
Reason for the decline of Indus Valley Civilization
The major reason given by scholars regarding the decline of Indus Valley Civilization was a change in the course of the river and natural calamities like drought, flood etc. The rift in trade between Egypt and Mesopotamia was also an important reason. Some scholars also believe that war with the Aryan civilization could also be the reason for their downfall.
Comments
Post a Comment