Indus Valley Civilization

THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION

Two centers were discovered at Harappa in 1921 and at Mohenjo-daro in 1922. Both centers are located in the Indus Valley. So in the beginning the name of this civilization was Indus civilization. But later, many centers of this civilization were found outside the Indus Valley. There is no reason to call all these centers, the center of the Indus Valley. As a result, the name of that civilization is Harappa civilization. Because that is where the first center of that civilization was discovered. Moreover, Harappa was the largest center of that civilization.

The Harappan civilization is almost - the civilization of the historical era. Because Harappan people knew how to write. But, that writing could not be read even today. So it is necessary to know the history of Harappan civilization based on archeology. The people of this civilization knew the use of copper and bronze metals. That is why it is also called the civilization of the Copper and Bronze Age. The Harappan civilization is the largest among the Copper-Bronze Age civilizations. The Harappan civilization flourished from 2600 BC to 1600 BC. However, the period of this civilization can be traced from 3000 BC to 1500 BC. 

  

Spread of Harappan Civilization :

How far was the Harappan civilization spread? Generally speaking, Manda in Jammu is the northern boundary of this civilization in the Indian subcontinent. However, an archeological site in northern Afghanistan has also shown many signs of Harappan civilization. The Harappan civilization spread to Gujarat and Kutch in the south. Further south, however, the Daimabad region of Maharashtra also bears the imprint of this civilization. The western boundary of the Harappan civilization extended to Balochistan in present day Pakistan. Two important archeological sites have been discovered there. Traces of Harappan civilization have been found in the east up to Alamgirpur. This Alta is east of Delhi. The Harappan civilization was spread over an area of ​​about seven million square kilometers.

Town Planning :

The first city in the Indian subcontinent was formed during the Harappan civilization. So it is called the first urbanization. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were the two largest cities. Lathal and Kalibangan were younger than him. Perhaps in the Harappan civilization there was a small difference between the cities. Not all cities were equal in importance.

The settlements in the cities of Harappa were divided into two distinct and distinct areas. The city used to have an elevated area. Archaeologists call him Citadel. This area was located on a Bananatibi. The mound is usually rectangular. Emergency building in Banana Hate in high area. They are not usually home to ordinary people. The main settlement area of ​​the city was in the lowlands. Most of the buildings in that area are houses. The highlands were often to the north or northwest of the city. The low-lying area was in the eastern or southeastern part. There was no citadel in the corner of Chanhudara alone.

The Citadel area was surrounded by high walls. Harappa had two dhaka and berana gates to the north and west of the city. There was a large reservoir in the highlands of Mohenjo-daro. It is made of bricks. It may be used for bathing. The rectangular reservoir also had stair steps for ascent. A few small houses can also be seen near the reservoir. The reservoir was probably used by prominent people of the city.

The Citadel area was surrounded by high walls. Harappa had two dhaka and berana gates to the north and west of the city. There was a large reservoir in the highlands of Mohenjo-daro. It is made of bricks. It may be used for bathing. The rectangular reservoir also had stair steps for ascent. A few small houses can also be seen near the reservoir. The reservoir was probably used by prominent people of the city.

Storing food grains was of special importance in the urban life of the Harappan civilization. Mohenjodaro and Harappa had two large storage facilities for food grains. They are a lot like a house made of pakite. Inside the house where the Harappan grain was kept, there was a matte barateta shelf divided into two rows. There were also holes for ventilation. As a result, it is possible to keep food grains dry and fresh. Moreover, there was a system of sifting and sorting the grains. Two rows of six houses can also be seen there. Probably those who worked there lived in that house.

The main settlement was in the lower part of the city. The houses come in different sizes. A house of about 300 square meters has been found in Mohenjo-daro. It had twenty-seven houses and a courtyard. Another staircase leading to the house was found broken. That house probably had many floors. It is believed that rich people lived in such big houses.

Although there were several rooms in the houses, there was a kitchen. It is believed that the occupants of the house had the same hansel. Perhaps there was a joint family in the Harappan civilization. Looking at the six houses, it seems that they were inhabited by poor people. This suggests that there was a rich-poor divide in Harappan city life.

Toilets and bathrooms were another important aspect of the urban life of the Harappan civilization. From this it seems that the cities were generally clean. There were at least twenty-seven wells for about two thousand houses in the lowlands of Mohenjo-daro. Although there were no wells in Harappa, every house had a toilet. There was also a drainage system with paved drains. The big sewers were covered. Six drains go from each house to the mixed sewers. This drainage system was a model of improved urban governance.

There were roads in the lower part of the city. Several wide, paved roads have been seen in Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. Those roads usually go north-south. There were less wide roads and narrow alleys in the east-west. For such a plan of roads, the city designs are square in shape. It seems that the standard of urban life of the Harappan civilization was very high. In order to maintain that standard, efficient and strong governance is needed. Administrators probably lived in the upper part of the city.

Merchants may have had a special status in the cities of Harappa due to the improvement of trade. Then there were people of different craftsmen and professions. It seems that the condition of the workers and laborers in this society was quite bad. However, they all lived in the city. Agricultural people lived in rural areas outside the city. Direct food production in the city does not stop. The city dwellers have to depend on the villages for food grains. Various crops are cultivated in the village. For example, wheat, barley, sorghum, buckwheat, various pulses, mustard and paddy. However, the yield of paddy is not lost everywhere. Signs of paddy have been found only in Rangpur and Lathale in Gujarat. Besides, cotton, sesame and other crops are also cultivated. Fruit stains of a wooden plow were also found in a field in Kalibangan, Rajasthan.

Livestock was directly associated with agriculture. The Harappan people knew the use of domestic animals. The most important were the use of cattle, bulls, sheep and goats. The Harappan people also knew the use of camels. However, the Harappan people did not know the use of the neck. There was also a wandering pastoralist group. Together they formed the society of Harappan civilization.

Looking at the statues, one can guess about the clothes, jewellery and ornaments of the Harappan people. They used cotton and wool garments. Many army, silver, copper and ivory ornaments have been found in various places of Harappan civilization.

 

Technical industry :

One of the most important aspects of the economy of the Harappan civilization was the technical industry. Both stone and metal are used in the technical industry. Copper, bronze and bronze are used in metals. The Harappan people did not know the use of Lahar. Knives, axes, batali, etc. made of copper and bronze have been found in this civilization. Moreover, earthenware and metal utensils are also made. The stone knife factory was also in the Harappan civilization.

The various earthen pots of the Harappan civilization were examples of technological advancement. Most pots are simple, for the use of razors. They turned red as a result of persecution. Some of the pots are covered with shiny red polish. They are also painted in bright black colors. Archaeologists call those pots red-black earthenware pots. Light and thin earthenware pots are not used for livelihood. Dishes, bowls, cooking utensils, nets are made of clay in the Harappan civilization.

The Harappan civilization also had the art of weaving cloth. An example of old cloth weaving has been found in Mohenjo-daro. The art of weaving cloth is also seen in the Harappan civilization. The male idol found at Mohenjo-daro has a pattern on its body.

The brick making industry is an important technical aspect of this civilization. The use of clay bricks and paved bricks in the furnace can be seen. However, the bricks used in the furnace are probably used in the construction of emergency buildings.

One of the specimens of the technical art of the Harappan civilization is the variety of beads. Sekaje saena, copper, shells, precious stones, ivory, etc. are used. Blue lapis lazuli stones were also used to make jewellery. Malar grain banana factory has also been found in Harappan civilization. Fine weight scales have also been found.

The first specimens of stone and metal sculptures can be seen in the Harappan civilization. There are also examples of terracotta sculptures. A bronze statue of a woman has been found in Mohenjo-daro. That is very important in terms of industry. Several bronze animal statues have also been found in the Harappan civilization. However, the number of statues made of terracotta is much higher. Terracotta is used to make statues of women, animals and birds. A terracotta monkey statue has also been found. They were probably toys.

But where is the raw material required for such technical industry. Available? Not all raw materials could be found in the Harappan civilization. Various raw materials were brought from different areas. Raw materials were one of the major aspects of the Harappan civilization's trade. The seals of the Harappan civilization must also have been used in that work. These seals are very important to know the history of this civilization.

Harappan Trade :

 Twenty-three seals of the Harappan civilization have been found in Mesopotamia. From this it can be deduced that there were commercial transactions between these two civilizations. In Mesopotamia, probably Harappan merchants also established permanent settlements. Inscriptions have been found in a seal in Mesopotamia. It is known that Mesopotamia had commercial connections with the Harappan civilization by water. During the Harappan civilization, maritime trade in the Persian Gulf became important. Even interpreters who knew the language of different regions became more important. Probably imported from abroad to Harappan civilization. Saina, silver, copper, precious stones, ivory combs, bird statues, etc. Barley, flour, oil and fur products are exported.

However, not only by water, but also by land. Seals of the Harappan civilization have been found in Iran. Harappan artifacts have been found in present-day Turkmenistan. These imports and exports are done by land.

In the Harappan civilization, there were different ways of arranging transport. Cargo animals, cars, boats and ships are used. Rajkar traveled and traded by land and water. The use of oxen, donkeys and camels in the Harappan civilization. However, donkeys and camels were probably brought from outside the Indian subcontinent. The use of bullocks in pulling cars is more. Clay toy cars have been found in Banana in the form of many cars in Harappa. They also have the use of wheels. Most cars were two-wheeled. The wheels are quite stiff. They are made of three equal-sized planks cut into gauze. A few six cars were also found. They put a lot of wheels.

Deep impressions of car wheels were found on Harappan Road. It can be deduced from him that the structure of the car was not small. Many of the roads in Harappa were bumpy. Bulldozers could easily move on high and low roads.

However, it took less time to travel by car or boat. The car pulled by the animal was moving very slowly. On top of that it costs money to feed the animals. Rather, the boat could move easily with the help of the current and wind. So traveling by water was much cheaper. Pictures of the boat have been carved in Silmah of Mohenjo-daro. Sailing boats were used in the Harappan civilization. The Harappan economy and transportation system depended heavily on the river.

Harappan Religion :

Archaeologists have unearthed many terracotta statues at various centers in Harappa. It is believed that the idols are worshiped. In other words, it seems that mother worship was practiced in Harappan civilization. A seal was found at Mohenjo-daro. There is a statue of a yogi carved in it. Jaegi is sitting in a pair. It is surrounded by rhinos, tigers, elephants and many other wild animals. At one time that idol was considered to be the original form of Pashupati Shiva. But the sound of animals makes domestic animals angry. But all the wild animals can be seen around the statue. That is why there is no reason to think that the idol is the original form of Pashupati Shiva.

            The Harappan people worshiped a variety of animals and plants. The worship of the idol of the unicorn is very much done. From the imprint of the bull in Harappa Silmah, it seems that the worship of bull is also lost. But the statue of Gaeru is never seen in Silmah. Pictures of Ashwattha trees and leaves can be seen in Silmaher and earthenware pots. The Ashwattha tree seems to be worshiped as a deity. Water is used for religious purposes. Perhaps the Mohenjo-daro reservoir is used for religious purposes.

In the Harappan civilization, corpses were buried. The head of the corpse is lying on the north side. Jewellery and earthenware are kept inside the tomb. Brick tombs can also be seen in Kalibangan.

The Last Stage of the Harappan Civilization :

The huge and diverse Harappan civilization gradually ceased to exist after 1650 BC. But suddenly a civilization does not end. Several events led to the decline of the Harappan civilization. The huge wall of the city at Mohenjo-daro was destroyed several times. The same in the wall. Impressions are gained in a fluid, global, diffused way. Moreover, mud marks were also found on the wall. The accumulated mud was probably the result of the flood. Mohenjodaro seems to have been damaged by the Indus floods.

Rainfall has been declining in many parts of Asia since 2200 BC. The result is a dry climate. Agriculture was a problem for him. The agricultural system of the Harappan civilization also seems to have been affected by this problem. In addition, wood is used as a fuel for brick kilns. It seems that the wood could have been obtained by cutting down the trees. Extensive deforestation also reduced rainfall.

The Harappan trade with Mesopotamia declined around 1900 BC. As a result, the economy of the Harappan civilization was in trouble. Seems to be. At the same time, the city-governance system was weakened. The people of Harappan civilization could not find a way out of these problems.

Inscriptions of the Harappan civilization :

Harappan residents could write. Their script has been found. But if there is a problem, then that script has not been read till today. Only a few scripts can be guessed. The Harappan script is symbolic. It has 365 to 400 votes. However, the alphabet was probably not in the Harappan script. This script is written from right to left. The six symbols in the script can be numbered. It is speculated that the Harappan language was similar to the Dravidian language. The influence of Dravidian language can also be noticed in the language of Rekveda.

Harappan inscriptions have been found on pottery, silmehr, and copper plaques. According to the signboard, the items were found from the center. This inscription is a sample of the progress of the Harappan civilization. If they are read correctly, many unknown histories of the Indian subcontinent. It will be known.