The Discovery of Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization
In 1222, Bengali archaeologist Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay discovered the most advanced patterns of civilization in the copper-stone era. He dug the soil in the Mahan-jo-Daro in the Larkana district of the province of Sindh under the supervision of John Marshall, pushing back the Indian civilization for several thousand years. It was around this time that Dayaram Sahani discovered the pattern of civilization in Harappa in Montgomery district, Punjab. Subsequently, Mortimer Wheeler, Rafiq Mughal, Mackay, Reyks, Dilip Kumar Chakraborty, conducted extensive research on Indus civilization. At present, the patterns of this civilization have been discovered in many places like Mahen-jo-Daro, Kalibangan, Kotdiji, Banawali, Lothal, Dholibira. Although numerous centres of Indus civilization have been discovered, the city itself refers to only five or six. But no written literary material has been found so its political history is not known. The discovery of the Sindulipi is not possible even today because of its ruins. The people of Sindh knew the use of both stone and copper. Who created this civilization remains mysterious today. It was probably the Indians who gave birth to this civilization. The Indus valley civilization time period probably lasted from 25 BCE to the 5th (until it turned).
Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization belongs to which age
There is no clear answer as to when the Indus civilization began and when it was destroyed. According to Marshall, the duration of the civilization dates from approximately 7 BCE to approximately 25 BCE. At present, many people like Marshall do not think that is acceptable. According to Pigo and Wheeler, the enduring phase of this civilization dates from 25 BCE to 4 BCE. Historian like DP Agrawal, Gad, Albright and others have come to the same conclusion. Dr. Dilipkumar Chakraborty believes that the civilization originated in the middle of the fourth millennium BC and the second part of the last second millennium.
Harappan civilization is a symbol of which pre-historic civilization of India? Ans- Copper Stone Age
Architecture of Indus Valley Civilization
Indus Civilization Indian civilization, not foreigners, that is, the people of Mesopotamia is the creator of this civilization, has a disagreement between historians and archaeologists. On the other hand, there is widespread debate about whether this civilization is made of Aryans or non-Aryans, that is, Dravidians. As Father Heras and other scholars have argued in favor of the Dravidians as creators of the Indus civilization, the historical argument that the historians have made against the claims of the Dravidians is no less vigorous. In this case, it is not possible for the Dravidians to come to a definitive conclusion. However, the claim of the Aryans as the creator of the Indus civilization seems very weak. Many think that Sumerian or Mesopotamian civilization has a lot in common with Indus civilization. Renowned archaeologist Mortimer Wheeler questions the claim of the Sumerians, citing many differences between the two civilizations. According to him, the Indians may have borrowed the ideas or ideas of civilization from the Sumerians. But this civilization was actually created by Indians. Professor Bassam also supported Wheeler. The matter is still at the debate level. So it is not possible to come to any definitive conclusions about this. However, this civilization seems to have been created by Indians.
Map (Extent) of the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization
On the basis of the number of centres of Indus civilization discovered, it is said that this civilization developed across a vast area of present-day India and Pakistan. The civilization spread to Punjab, Indus, Balochistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan and some parts of the western part of Uttar Pradesh. This civilization extends from Sutakagendar in Baluchistan in the west to Alamgir in the Mirat district (5 km) in the west. This civilization comprised the area (5 km) from Rupa beneath Shimla Hills in the north to Vogabar in Gujarat in the south. Since the civilization developed across a vast area other than the banks of the Indus River, the name Indus Civilization has become largely irrelevant at present. Yet in general, we still refer to this civilization as the Indus civilization.
The main features of the Harappan Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization Social and Economic Life:-
Indus Valley Civilization Town Planning and Urban Culture
Indus Valley Civilization developed in the centre of the city. The main feature of this civilization was the development of high-quality urban planning and housing. Among the cities are Harappa and Mahen-jo-Daro the plans for the cities were almost the same. The cities were divided into two parts - the fort and the lower city for the common people. The castles were built of brick, on a high platform, and separated from the main city. As a result, the city was not flooded with floods. The ruling class used to live here. A large bath has been discovered at Mahen-jo-Daro. It is 1.5m in north-south, 5m in east-west. And depth 2.5 m. Open porch on three sides of the reservoir. Then the house. The reservoir had brick wells in a room to fill water. No such big bath has been discovered anywhere else on earth. Another notable feature is 1.22 × 22.5 m. One barn across the place.
The urban planning in the city was very high quality. The streets of the city were wide to the north-south and east-west. The roads are almost straight and ten meters wide. Small narrow alleys come and go in these streets. On either side of the road were large three-story houses. Homes were built with fire-burned bricks. Indians used wooden doors. But there was no window system. There was a hole in the wall for light and air to enter. In each house there was room reserved for kitchen and yard. The poor and marginalized people of the city lived in small unhealthy houses. These areas were slum-like. It is clear from the city plan that there was widespread inequality among the townspeople. The water supply and drainage system in the town was of excellent quality. Almost every house had its own well. Apart from that, wells were also dug on the roads for public use. Every house had a sewer system to draw dirty water and that water fell into the big sewer of the road. Sewers were made by digging holes in the side of the road and it was cleaned regularly. According to Professor A. L. Bassam, no other civilization before Roman civilization had such a high standard of sanitation. Researcher D.D. Koshambi thinks that the improved sewerage system has separated Harappa from the Mesopotamian civilization. Although most of the city plans are of the same type, the feature of Lothal is that there was a harbor here.
The urban planning in the city was very high quality. The streets of the city were wide to the north-south and east-west. The roads are almost straight and ten meters wide. Small narrow alleys come and go in these streets. On either side of the road were large three-story houses. Homes were built with fire-burned bricks. Indians used wooden doors. But there was no window system. There was a hole in the wall for light and air to enter. In each house there was room reserved for kitchen and yard. The poor and marginalized people of the city lived in small unhealthy houses. These areas were slum-like. It is clear from the city plan that there was widespread inequality among the townspeople. The water supply and drainage system in the town was of excellent quality. Almost every house had its own well. Apart from that, wells were also dug on the roads for public use. Every house had a sewer system to draw dirty water and that water fell into the big sewer of the road. Sewers were made by digging holes in the side of the road and it was cleaned regularly. According to Professor A. L. Bassam, no other civilization before Roman civilization had such a high standard of sanitation. Researcher D.D. Koshambi thinks that the improved sewerage system has separated Harappa from the Mesopotamian civilization. Although most of the city plans are of the same type, the feature of Lothal is that there was a harbor here.
Religious life of Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization
The life of the Indus people is reflected in the statue carved on the seal. There was a tradition of maternal worship among the Indus people. In addition to the meditation, a three-faced male deity with meditative animals was also found. This idiom has a resemblance to Shiva, so Mortimer Wheeler considers this deity to be an earlier version of Shiva. The discovery of a few Shiva lingas reinforces this hypothesis. Apart from idol worship, worship of stones, trees and animals was also practiced as an adoration of energy. However, no trace of the temple was found anywhere.
Which god was Worshiped by Indus valley people? Ans - Kalan (Yama)
Indus Valley Civilization Political and Social life
In Sindh society, discrimination and class discrimination were evident. The Indus society was divided into different groups, namely, priestly community, merchants, peasants, artisans and workers. The standard of living of the Indus people was very high. Their main food was wheat, barley, curry and dates. In addition, their food list included fish, meat and eggs. Cotton was their main garment. On winter days they wore woolen clothing. Both men and women wore ornaments. Among the things that the people of Sindh used to do was to make various dishes made of clay, such as dishes, jalas, kalsi, bowls, etc. Sometimes these clay pots were painted with various alpana. Items made of copper, silver, bronze and porcelain were also found. Knives, ivory or bone made of chiruni, musk, kurul, four-sided stone (weight size) were also used. The Indus people knew how to read; The proof of which is the script. Of course, the Indus script has not been deciphered even today. The Indus people used to bury dead bodies. But sometimes the skeleton of the corpse was burnt and sometimes the ashes were buried. In the grave, the dead were also given useful things.
Indus Valley Civilization arts and crafts
A large part of the people of the city were artists and artisans. The textile industry was very developed. Besides, many people were also employed in pottery, metallurgy and ornaments. Both gold and silver ornaments were in vogue. Precious stones were brought from Gujarat and Rajputana and used for making ornaments. Moreover, axes, axes, spears, knives, etc. were also made. Copper and bronze were used to make all these products. Indus people did not know the use of iron. However, in the last period of the Indus Valley Civilization, some examples of the use of iron in Lothal have been found. But iron was not widely circulated.
Indus Valley Civilization Trade and commerce
Domestic and foreign trade was their livelihood. There were two-wheeled vehicles for transporting goods. Business was conducted on both land and water. There was a vessel in Lothal. Mesopotamia had close commercial and cultural ties with Harappa. Boats were used on waterways. Copper, peacock, ivory, comb, cloth etc. were the main exports. Silver and other metals were imported. Sealed bullets were probably used in trade. However, the Indus people did not know the use of currency. Probably traded through the exchange system.
Animal Husbandry in Indus Valley Civilization
In addition to agriculture, the Indus people raised livestock. Sheep, cattle, goats and dogs were the main domesticated animals. They also nurture elephants; However, it is doubtful whether he knew the use of horses. Dilip Kumar Chakraborty thinks that horses were also domestic animals. Donkeys and camels were used for heavy load carry.
Agriculture During Indus Valley Civilization
Although the Indus Valley Civilization was urban, most people lived in villages. Agriculture was the main livelihood. Wheat, jab, mustard, sesame etc. were the main crops. The Indus people probably did not cultivate paddy. However, patterns of rice have been found in Lothal. The floodwaters of the Indus flooded the land. There was also an irrigation system. According to many, they did not know how to use the plough. This idea is not true. Signs of plough use have been found in Kalibangan.
The Problem of the Indus Valley Civilization
There are four problems centered on civilization- (1) expansion, (2) creator, (3) time limit and (4) cause of extinction and destruction. Except for the first one, the rest of the problems have not been solved yet. All three questions are highly controversial.
There is no room for debate on the first question, as the position of the centers that have been discovered so far gives an idea of the boundaries of the Indus Valley Civilization. This does not mean, however, that the current boundary is final. This boundary line will certainly change when new centers are discovered in the future.
Causes of Decline of Indus Valley Civilization
It is unknown to us why and how the Indus civilization was destroyed. Probably did not fall everywhere or for the same reason.
(1) According to some, the lack of civic comforts led to the fall of the city of Indus Valley Civilization.
(2) According to many, natural disasters are responsible for the downfall of this civilization. Natural disasters include excess rainfall and floods. Marshalls, Mackay, Rex, Dales, etc. think that the flood is the cause of the decline of civilization.
(3) Many again think that this civilization was destroyed due to drought, not floods. Many believe that deforestation is the cause of variability in rainfall and climate change.
(4) Some, including Rex, have investigated the cause of the fall in the change in the course of the river. This led to a desert-like situation.
(5) Some people think that earthquakes brought about the downfall of this civilization.
(6) According to many, the arrival of foreign enemies is one of the main reasons for this civilization. Many have identified the Aryans as foreign enemies. Gordon Child and Dr. Wheeler are the proponents of this view. At present, however, many have expressed doubts about this.
See Also
See Also
Stone Age Classification and Define
ANCIENT HISTORY
Reference
Wikipedia.org
Ancient.eu
0 Comments