“The Indus Valley Civilization” Unveiling the Ancient Splendor of the Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations, flourished over 4,300 years ago in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. This ancient civilization’s remarkable achievements in urban planning, architecture, art, and trade continue to captivate historians and archaeologists alike.

Location and Timeline

The Indus Valley Civilization spanned across present-day Pakistan and northwestern India, with its core region situated along the Indus River and its tributaries. The civilization thrived from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.

Geographical Extension of Indus Valley Civilization

The First excavated city was Harappa that is why it’s also called Harappan civilization,

It is also called SARASWATI-SINDDHU CIVILIZATION, based on the fact that most the Indus Valley Civilization found on the banks of Ghaggar-Hakra river

• In India: Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, Surkotda (Gujarat), Banawali (Haryana), Ropar (Punjab). In Pakistan: Harappa (on river Ravi), Mohenjodaro (on the Indus River in Sindh), Chanhudaro (in Sindh).
• The civilization was first discovered during an excavation campaign under Sir John Hubert Marshall in 1921–22 at Harappa following the discovery of seals by J Fleet.
• Harappan ruins were discovered by Marshall, Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni and Madho Sarup Vats.
• Mohenjodaro ruins were excavated for the first time by R.D. Banerjee, E. J. H. MacKay and Marshall.
• The Indus Valley cities show a level of sophistication and advancement not seen in other contemporary civilizations.
• Most cities had similar patterns. There were two parts: a citadel and the lower town.
• Most cities had a Great Bath.
• There were also granaries, 2-storied houses made of burnt bricks, closed drainage lines, excellent stormwater, and wastewater management system, weights for measurements, toys, pots, etc.
• A large number of seals have been discovered.
• Agriculture was the most important occupation. The first civilization to cultivate cotton.
• Animals were domesticated like sheep, goats, and pigs.
• Crops were wheat, barley, cotton, ragi, dates, and peas.
• Trade was conducted with the Sumerians.
• Metal products were produced including those with copper, bronze, tin, and lead. Gold and silver were also known. Iron was not known to them.

PLACE:

The Discovery of the Ancient Indus Civilization September 20, 1924

On September 20th, 1924 Sir John Marshall published his story A FORGOTTEN AGE REVEALED that announced the discovery of the ancient Indus civilization to the world for the first time

Mohenjo-daro and Interregional Connections in the Indus Civilization: Evidence from Inscribed Seals

Gregg M. Jamison

One way to understand the connections between ancient Indus sites, often separated by enormous distances, is to look ever more closely at some of their smallest artefacts – in this case unicorn seals, usually merely 5 cm square.

• No structures like temples or palaces have been found.
• The people worshipped male and female deities. A seal which was named ‘Pashupati Seal’ has been excavated and it shows an image of a three-eyed figure. Marshall believed this to be an early form of Lord Shiva.
• Excellent pieces of red pottery designed in black have been excavated. Faience was used to make beads, bangles, earrings, and vessels.
• Civilization also was advanced in making artworks. A statuette named ‘Dancing Girl’ has been found from Mohenjodaro and is believed to be 4000 years old. A figure of a bearded Priest-King has also been found from Mohenjodaro.
• Lothal was a dockyard.
• Disposal of the dead was by burial in wooden coffins. Later on, in the H Symmetry culture, bodies were cremated in urns.
• The Indus Valley script has not yet been deciphered.

THE MOUND OF DEAD, MOHENJO-DARO

Evolution of the Indus Valley Civilisation

It is thought that the Indus Valley Civilisation began by expanding and growing the villages of the neighbours or predecessors. The irrigation method used was certainly an adaptation of the Mesopotamian method of irrigation. The people of the Indus valley began to prosper when they learned to mitigate the devastating floods of the river Indus and use it to their advantage. The valley was very fertile, and gradually, the human population began to prosper along the river, enjoying the plentiful harvests and the security that came with it. The inevitable consequence of a growing population was an expansion to newer territories. This is the reason for the vast geographical extent of the Harappan civilisation.

Social and Political System of the Indus Valley Civilisation

Even though there are extensive archaeological finds in relation to the Harappan Civilisation, its society and political system are still a mystery. Researchers can only conjecture and speculate about what ancient society was like.

Geographical Extent of the Harappan Civilisation

The geographical extent of the Harappan civilisation was the most extensive out of the three most ancient civilisations. At its height, the Harappan civilisation was spread over the whole of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Western Uttar Pradesh. It is said to have reached from Sutkagendor (in Balochistan) in the West to Alamgirpur (Western UP). Its boundaries are as follows:

1. The western boundary started from Sutkagendor on the Makran coast of Pakistan.
2. The eastern boundary was till Alamgirpur in Western UP.
3. The Southern boundary reached Daimabad in Maharashtra.
4. The Northern boundary was till Manda Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indus Valley Civilization Decline

In this section, we discuss the possible reasons and theories given by experts for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.

• The causes of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization have not been firmly established. Archaeologists now believe that the civilization did not come to an abrupt end but gradually declined. People moved eastwards and cities were abandoned. Writing and trade declined.
• Mortimer Wheeler suggested that the Aryan invasion led to the decline of the Indus Valley. This theory has now been debunked.
• Robert Raikes suggests that tectonic movements and floods caused the decline.
• Other causes cited include a drying up of the rivers, deforestation, and destruction of the green cover. It is possible that some cities were destroyed by floods but not all. It is now accepted that several factors could have led to the decline of the Indus Valley civilization.
• New cities emerged only about 1400 years later.