🧱 Harappan Civilization: An Ancient History | Bricks, Beads and Bones: Uncovering the Harappan Legacy
đź“Ś Introduction
The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is one of the earliest and most advanced urban civilizations in the ancient world. Through the artefacts left behind—like seals, pottery, beads, and bones—historians and archaeologists have pieced together a fascinating account of this mysterious culture.
🧱 Harappan Timeline & Phases
| Period | Timeframe | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Early Harappan | 6000 BCE – 2600 BCE | Agricultural and craft beginnings |
| Mature Harappan | 2600 BCE – 1900 BCE | Urban planning, trade, and technology |
| Late Harappan | 1900 BCE – 1300 BCE | Gradual decline and ruralisation |
🏙️ Key Features of Harappan Civilization
1. Urban Planning at Mohenjodaro
Divided into Citadel (higher area) and Lower Town. Streets laid out in a grid pattern. Houses had private wells, bathrooms, and drainage.
2. Drainage System
Covered brick drains connected to every house. Sumps to trap solid waste – the most advanced ancient drainage system discovered.
3. The Great Bath
Located in the Citadel, used for ritualistic purposes. Waterproof bricks with gypsum mortar.
🌾 Subsistence Strategies
Crops: Wheat, barley, lentils, sesame, chickpeas. Animals: Cattle, goats, buffaloes, pigs, and occasional wild species. Use of bull-drawn ploughs and irrigation (wells, reservoirs in Dholavira).
⚱️ Craft and Trade
1. Craft Production
Beads: Made from carnelian, faience, steatite, gold. Pottery: Standardised designs. Tools: Copper, bronze, and terracotta artefacts.
2. Trade Networks
Inland & maritime trade routes. Imported copper from Oman, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan. Exported: Seals, beads, pottery, and possibly peacocks!
🧬 Social Life and Differences
Burials indicate limited social inequality. Presence of ornaments, pottery, and beads in graves. Some “luxury” artefacts like faience pots found only in large cities.
🔍 Archaeological Evidence and Discoveries
Sites like Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Harappa, Mohenjodaro reveal remarkable city planning. DNA studies at Rakhigarhi suggest genetic continuity of Harappans in modern populations.
🔣 Seals and Script
400+ symbols found on seals, copper tools, pots. Script remains undeciphered. Seals used for trade, ownership, and identification.
🔚 Decline of the Civilization
Possible reasons: Climate change, deforestation, floods, drying rivers, internal disintegration. After 1900 BCE, signs of urban decay, loss of writing, and reduced trade emerged.
🧠FAQs – Harappan Civilization
Q. Who discovered Harappan Civilization?
A. Official discovery was announced by John Marshall in 1924.
Q. What was the main feature of Harappan cities?
A. Advanced drainage, town planning, and uniform brick sizes.
Q. Where is Rakhigarhi located?
A. In Hisar district of Haryana, considered the largest Harappan site.
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