INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION SSC EXAMINATION 2025 POV
Introduction to the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the northwestern regions of South Asia. It was one of the three earliest civilizations of the Old World, along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. What makes it truly remarkable is its sophisticated urban planning and advanced culture for its time.
Time Period: c. 2500 BCE – 1750 BCE (Proto-History/Bronze Age)
Named by: John Marshall was the first to use the term 'Indus Valley Civilization'.
Capital Cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
Official Name: Harappan Civilization (as Harappa was the first site to be excavated).
Geographical Extent
The IVC was the most widespread of the ancient civilizations, covering parts of modern-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.
Northernmost Site: Manda (Jammu & Kashmir, on the banks of River Chenab)
Southernmost Site: Daimabad (Maharashtra, on the banks of River Pravara)
Easternmost Site: Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of River Hindon)
Westernmost Site: Sutkagendor (Pakistan-Iran border, on the banks of River Dasht)
Society and Town Planning
The hallmark of the IVC was its systematic town planning.
Grid System: Streets and lanes cut across each other at right angles, following a grid pattern.
Citadel & Lower Town: Cities were often divided into two parts. The Citadel (on a raised platform) housed important administrative or religious buildings, while the Lower Town was for common residents.
Drainage System: The most impressive feature was the advanced covered drainage system. Each house had its own drainage connected to the main street drain.
Building Material: Burnt bricks of a standardized ratio (4:2:1) were used.
The society was likely matriarchal, as indicated by the large number of terracotta female figurines (Mother Goddess). It was a highly organized society, but there is no clear evidence of a king or a centralized political authority. It was possibly ruled by a class of merchants.
Economy
The economy was robust and based on agriculture, crafts, and trade.
Agriculture: They grew wheat, barley, pulses, and rice (evidence from Lothal). Cotton was a major produce, and the Greeks called the region 'Sindon' (derived from Sindh).
Trade: Trade was extensive, both internal and external.
They had trade links with Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), Persia, and Afghanistan.
The Mesopotamian texts refer to trade with 'Meluha', which is believed to be the Indus region.
Seals: Over 2000 seals have been found. Made mostly of steatite, they were used for commercial purposes (like a stamp of authority). The most common animal motif was the Unicorn. The Pashupati Seal found in Mohenjo-daro is the most famous.
Religion
Mother Goddess: Worship of a female deity (Shakti) was prominent, symbolized by terracotta figurines.
Pashupati Mahadeva: The Pashupati seal depicts a three-faced deity sitting in a yogic posture, surrounded by animals (elephant, tiger, rhino, buffalo) and with two deer at his feet. This is considered a prototype of Lord Shiva.
Nature Worship: They worshipped trees (like the Peepal tree) and animals (like the bull).
Fire Worship: Evidence of fire altars has been found at Kalibangan and Lothal.
Burial: The common practice was complete burial in the north-south direction. Coffin burial was seen in Harappa, and double burial in Lothal.
Art & Craft
Pottery: They used red and black pottery, often with designs of trees, birds, and geometric patterns.
Sculptures:
The Bronze Dancing Girl: Found in Mohenjo-daro, it's a masterpiece of art, showcasing the lost-wax (cire-perdue) technique.
The Bearded Priest-King: A steatite statue from Mohenjo-daro.
Script: The Harappan script is pictographic and has not been deciphered yet. It was written from right to left in the first line and then left to right in the second line, a style called Boustrophedon.
Decline of the Civilization (around 1750 BCE)
The exact reason for the decline is still debated, but several theories exist:
Aryan Invasion: A theory proposed by Mortimer Wheeler, which has been largely discredited now.
Climate Change & Natural Disasters: Tectonic shifts, floods in the Indus, and the drying up of the Ghaggar-Hakra river system are considered more plausible reasons.
Decline in Trade: A decline in trade with Mesopotamia could have weakened the economy.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER: -
Key Facts & Terminology
Civilization: Harappan Civilization / Bronze Age Civilization.
Time Period: c. 2500 - 1750 BCE.
Discovery: Harappa was the first site excavated in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni.
Geographical Extent: Covered parts of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Key Feature: Sophisticated urban planning on a grid system.
Most Impressive Feature: Advanced covered drainage system.
Building Material: Standardized burnt bricks (ratio 4:2:1).
Society: Believed to be matriarchal (due to Mother Goddess figurines).
Script: Pictographic and undeciphered. Written in Boustrophedon style (right-to-left and then left-to-right).
Main Crops: Wheat and Barley. Cotton was a major produce (Greeks called it 'Sindon').
Largest Site: Mohenjo-daro.
Largest Indian Site: Rakhigarhi (Haryana).
Most Important Sites & Their "One-Liner" Finding
Harappa: Row of six granaries and Coffin Burial.
Mohenjo-daro: Great Bath, Bronze Dancing Girl, and Pashupati Seal.
Lothal (Gujarat): Artificial Dockyard (Port City) and Rice husk evidence.
Kalibangan (Rajasthan): Ploughed field surface and seven Fire Altars.
Dholavira (Gujarat): Unique water management system and city in 3 parts.
Chanhudaro: The only city without a Citadel.
Banawali (Haryana): Terracotta model of a plough.
Surkotada (Gujarat): Evidence of horse bones.
Religion & Seals
Chief Female Deity: Mother Goddess (Goddess of Fertility).
Chief Male Deity: Pashupati Mahadeva (Proto-Shiva), found on a seal surrounded by an elephant, tiger, rhino, and buffalo.
Worship: Worshipped nature (Peepal trees, animals). Evidence of Fire Altars (Kalibangan).
Seals: Mostly made of steatite. Used for trade.
Most Common Animal on Seals: Unicorn Bull.
Trade & Economy
Trade Links: Well-established trade with Mesopotamia (modern Iraq).
Mesopotamian Name for IVC: Meluha.
Key Export: Cotton.
Known Metals: Copper, Bronze, Gold, Silver. Iron was NOT known to them.
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