indus valley civilization

indus valley civilization

1. Harappa-dicoverd by Daya Ram Sahni 1921

   • bank of river Ravi-mont gomery district western punjab

2. mohenjodaro-discovered by Rakhaldas Banerjee 1922-1923

   • means the mound of the dead- located in lothal district of sind

3. chalcolithic age-no traces of iron

4. period-2500BCE to1500BCE

5. trade links-mesopotamia,persia and afghanistan have found because seals and pottery of indus valley have been found in the ruins of sumerian cities

6. 2800 sites-largest ancient civilization

7. name given due to principle cities discovered around the river indus and its tributaries

8. majour sites-lothal.surkotada and dholavira are in GUJ.Rakhigarhi and banawali are in HAR.alamgirpur in UP.Kalibangan in rajas tan and rupar in punjab

9. indus trade-1.used barter system-2.traded by land ad sea-3.weights and measures were found

   • dockyard found in Lotahl

10. Seals-they were used by traders to mark the package before it was bought by buyers-made of soapstone,copper and clay,carved with pictures of humans and animals eg. unicorn,bull goat -generally small,flat,rectangular ad square

    • seals gave us information-life and culture of people,religious beliefs ,artistic skills,trade contacts,dress and ornaments

11. Government-good system like concern for hygiene etc.we know about it because uniform pattern of the cities,brick and craft

12. religion-no temple,found numerous smoke stained clay figures of a female deity-mother goddess,three faced figure surrounded by various animals in yogic posture-shiva,pashupathi

    • pipal tree was sacred
    • amulets discovered worn as lucky charms to word of evil spirits
    • believed in life after death

13. cities

    • town planning-main street ran parallel to each other,cut at right angles by smaller street dividing the city into rectangular blocks.
      • main road straight,wide-30 feet and curved,paved with baked brick streets,were based on grid pattern.
        • divided on two level-citadel and lower town
    • buildings-2 types
      • dwelling house-double storied,flat roofs,different sizes-palaces and some were two small rooms
        • made of baked bricks-good quality
        • had courtyards surrounded by rooms,bathroom,kitchen and well-narrow staircase led to rooms upstairs.
      • public buildings-great granary largest building,used to store surplus food grains-2 rows of granaries each row had 6 granaries,close to river banks for easy transportation of grains through boats brick platforms used threshing grains furnaces were also found
        • great granary found at harappa
        • great bath at mohenjodaro resembled a large swimming pool-6 entrances central bathing pool,galleries and dressing room-made of burnt brick and made watertight with a lining of bitumen-water fresh water came in from adjacent well and used water drained out from a corner outlet
          • used during religious ceremonies
        • assembly hall found in mohenjodaro-pillared hall with 20 pillars and thick walls made of burnt or baked bricks could be an assembly hall,a prayer hall or a palace.
    • drainage system-well planned ,kitchen and bathroom connected to street drains through slopping floors,ran along side of the streets and were usually covered,paid attention to sanitation and cleanliness ,made of baked bricks,had manholes at regular intervals.

14. characteristics

    • society-social groups-ropers,merchants,traders and artists
    • food-wheat was staple food-also grew barley,mustard and fruits-milk,meat and vegetables formed part of diet
    • dress and ornaments-wore cotton and woollen garments-2 pieces worn by men and women-men woe dhoti women wore skirts-wore necklaces,amulets and finger rings-rich wore jewellery made out of gold,silver and ivory-poor wore jewellery made out of shell,bone and copper
    • recreation and amusement-preffered indoor instead of outdoor-spent free time singing and playing with dice-toys generally made of terracotta
    • occupation-activities in return of which get money
      • agriculture-main occupation of people-grow wheat barley-grew enough food for the town and cities to survive on.
      • domestication of animals-like goat,sheep and buffaloes were domesticated
      • art and craft-skilled craftspeople-made terracotta female figurines were probably the mother goddess-knew how to use metals
        • goldsmiths made gold and silver jewellery .
        • coppersmiths made utensils
        • bronze smiths made tools,weapons and metal sculptures
        • other crafts like brick laying,boat making and carpentry were done
        • spinning and weaving were also important occupations

15. decline and destruction of the civilisation-scholars feel that it was done by either natural calamities-invasion by foreign tribes or the river changed its course and land became infertile.