Ancient Indus Valley - An Introduction
The Indus civilization, often known as the Indus valley civilization or Harappan civilization, was the Indian subcontinent's first known urban society. The civilisation appears to have existed between 2500 and 1700 BCE, while the southern sites may have survived into the 2nd millennium BCE. The Indus civilization was the largest of the world's three oldest civilizations—the other two being Mesopotamia and Egypt. Between c. 7000 and c. 600 BCE, the ancient Indus Valley Civilization flourished in the northern Indian subcontinent as a cultural and political entity.
More About IVC
Its current name comes from its location in the Indus River valley, although it is also known as the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization. These latter names are derived from the Sarasvati River, which flowed alongside the Indus River and was mentioned in Vedic sources, as well as the ancient city of Harappa in the region, which was the first one discovered in the modern era. None of these names is derived from ancient texts because, even though scholars believe this civilization developed a writing system (known as Indus Script or Harappan Script), it has yet to be deciphered. All three names are contemporary inventions, and little is known about the civilization's beginnings, progress, collapse, or demise.
Despite this, contemporary archaeology has determined a possible chronology and periodization:
Pre-Harappan – c. 7000 - c. 5500 BCE
Early Harappan – c. 5500 - 2800 BCE
Mature Harappan – c. 2800 - c. 1900 BCE
Late Harappan – c. 1900 - c. 1500 BCE
Post Harappan – c. 1500 - c. 600 BCE
The Indus Valley Civilization is often compared to Egypt's and Mesopotamia's considerably more well-known cultures, but this is a very recent phenomenon. As a result, archaeological excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization began much later than those of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and many of the accomplishments and "firsts" credited to Egypt and Mesopotamia may now be attributed to the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (both in modern-day Pakistan) are the two most well-known excavated cities of this culture, both of which are thought to have once had populations of 40,000-50,000 people, which is incredible when one considers that most ancient cities had an average population of 10,000 people.
Ancient India
India is a South Asian country whose name comes from the Indus River. In its constitution, the country is referred to as 'Bharata,' after the ancient legendary ruler Bharata, whose narrative is recounted in part in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Bharata conquered the whole Indian subcontinent and governed it in peace and harmony, according to the Puranas (religious/historical books written down in the 5th century CE). As a result, the land became known as Bharatavarsha ('Bharata's Subcontinent').
The Indian subcontinent has been home to humans for more than 250,000 years, making it one of the world's oldest populated areas.
Early human artifacts, such as stone tools, have been unearthed during archaeological digs, implying an exceptionally early age for human settlement and technology in the region. While the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt have long been praised for their contributions to civilization, India has been ignored, particularly in the West, despite its rich history and culture. The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 7000-c. 600 BCE) was one of the largest civilizations of the ancient world, spanning more land than Egypt or Mesopotamia and generating a culture that was just as dynamic and advanced.
It is the origin of four major global religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as the Charvaka intellectual system, which inspired scientific thought and investigation. The flush toilet, drainage and sewer systems, veterinary science, public pools, mathematics, plastic surgery, board games, yoga and meditation, and many other aspects of modern life that we take for granted were developed and innovated by the people of ancient India.
The relatively late archaeological interest in the area, unlike Mesopotamia and Egypt, has contributed to the recognition of their existence in India's antiquity. Western excavations in India did not begin in earnest until the 1920s, unlike Mesopotamia and Egypt. Though the ancient city of Harappa was discovered in 1829, its archaeological significance was overlooked, and subsequent excavations focused on locating the probable sites mentioned in the great Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana while ignoring the possibility of a much older past for the region.
Ancient India History
Ancient India history begins with the country's very existence. India, which is located on the Asian continent, has a land area of 2,973,193 square kilometres and a water area of 314,070 square kilometres. With a total size of 3,287,263 square kilometres, it is the world's seventh biggest country. Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh border the country to the north, China to the north, Pakistan to the northwest, and Sri Lanka to the south. India is a nation with a long history of civilizations. The social, economic, and cultural structures of India are the result of a lengthy period of regional growth. The arrival of the Aryans and the creation of the Indus Valley Civilization mark the beginning of Indian history. The pre-Vedic and Vedic ages are the terms used to characterise these two periods. During the Vedic period, Hinduism arose.
Under Ashoka, who had converted to Buddhism, India was unified in the fifth century, and Buddhism expanded across Asia throughout his reign. Islam initially arrived in India in the ninth century, and by the eleventh century, it had firmly established itself as a political power in the country. It culminated in the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, which was eventually followed by the Mughal Empire, during which India regained political unity.
The Indus Valley Civilization and the arrival of the Aryans are the beginnings of India's history. The pre-Vedic and Vedic periods are the terms used to characterise these two periods. The Rig Veda is the first literary source that offers light on India's past. Based on tradition and unclear astronomical information included in the hymns, it is difficult to date this work with any certainty. Between 2800 BC to 1800 BC, the Indus Valley civilization had a sophisticated and prosperous economic system. The people of the Indus Valley practised agriculture, kept domesticated animals, produced copper, bronze, and tin tools and weaponry, and even traded with Middle Eastern kingdoms.
How are the Ancient Indus Valley and the Shang Civilizations Similar?
The civilizations of the Indus Valley and the Shang are extremely comparable. Both civilizations have fertile terrain suitable for agriculture. Many inhabitants of these civilizations opt to cultivate rice, wheat, and barley. Farmers' harvests are very important to their economy. The Shang civilization thrived beside the Yellow River, whereas the Indus Civilization thrived alongside the Indus River. Due to the continuous flooding of these two rivers, the banks of these two rivers possessed a huge amount of fertile land. It enabled farmers in both civilizations to cultivate and produce large quantities of grain.
Conclusion
The Indus civilization was the first known urban culture on the Indian subcontinent. It thrived about 7000 BCE and appears to have existed between 2500 and 1700 BCE. Its beginnings, progress, collapse, and end are all unknown. The Indus Valley Civilization is frequently likened to the more well-known cultures of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Harappa's discovery in 1829 CE was the first indication of such a civilization in India. Many of Egypt's "firsts" and accomplishments may now be traced to this civilization. Humans have lived on the Indian subcontinent for about 250,000 years. The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 7000-c. 600 BCE) was one of the world's most powerful civilizations. Excavations in India by Westerners did not start in earnest until the 1920s.
FAQs on Ancient Indus Valley
1. What was the Indus Valley Civilization?
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was a Bronze Age society that flourished from approximately 3300 to 1300 BCE in the northwestern regions of South Asia. It is considered one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, alongside Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, renowned for its sophisticated city planning, advanced drainage systems, and a unique, still undeciphered script.
2. What were the most important features of cities in the Indus Valley Civilization?
The cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were distinguished by remarkable urban planning. Key features included:
- Grid Layout: Streets were laid out in a precise grid pattern, intersecting at right angles.
- Zoning: Cities were often divided into two parts: a raised area called the citadel for important public buildings and a larger lower town for residential housing.
- Advanced Drainage: Every house had connections to a sophisticated, covered drainage system that ran along the streets, a feature unparalleled in most other ancient civilizations.
- Standardised Bricks: They used standardised, baked bricks for construction across all their settlements, indicating a high degree of central planning.
3. What kind of trade and economy existed in the Harappan civilization?
The Harappan economy was based on a combination of agriculture, crafts, and extensive trade. They cultivated wheat, barley, and cotton. Craft specialisation was evident in the production of pottery, terracotta figures, and particularly in making beads from materials like carnelian and steatite. Trade was robust, both within the civilization and with distant lands like Mesopotamia. This is proven by the discovery of Harappan seals in Mesopotamian cities, which were likely used to stamp goods for trade.
4. Why is the Indus Valley script still undeciphered?
The Indus Valley script remains undeciphered primarily due to a few key challenges. Firstly, the inscriptions found are extremely short, with the average one containing only about five signs. Secondly, there is a lack of bilingual texts, such as a Harappan text alongside a known script like Mesopotamian cuneiform, which was crucial for deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs (the Rosetta Stone). Lastly, the underlying language the script represents is unknown, making it difficult to find phonetic or structural patterns.
5. Is the Indus Valley Civilization considered Indian or Pakistani?
The Indus Valley Civilization predates the modern nations of India and Pakistan by several millennia. Geographically, its sites are spread across both countries, as well as parts of Afghanistan. Major sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are in modern-day Pakistan, while significant sites like Dholavira and Lothal are in modern-day India. Therefore, it is historically inaccurate to label it as exclusively Indian or Pakistani; it is a shared heritage of the entire Indian subcontinent.
6. How was the town planning of the Indus Valley Civilization advanced for its time?
The town planning of the Indus Valley Civilization was remarkably advanced for the Bronze Age. Unlike many contemporary settlements that grew organically, Harappan cities were meticulously planned. The presence of a sophisticated, covered sewage and drainage system in every part of the city was a unique feat of civil engineering, not seen on such a scale again for thousands of years. The use of standardised bricks and a grid-based street layout across multiple cities suggests a level of central governance and technical skill that was unparalleled for that era.
7. What are the leading theories for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization?
There is no single, universally accepted reason for the decline of the Harappan Civilization. Instead, historians believe a combination of factors led to its gradual collapse around 1800 BCE. The leading theories include:
- Climate Change: A shift in climate patterns, leading to increased aridity and the drying up of rivers like the Ghaggar-Hakra, could have disrupted agriculture.
- Tectonic Activity: Earthquakes or other geological shifts may have altered river courses, impacting trade routes and water supply.
- Decline in Trade: A collapse in trade with key partners like Mesopotamia could have weakened the urban economy.
- External Migration or Invasion: While the "Aryan invasion" theory is now largely discredited, gradual migration and internal conflict could have contributed to the breakdown of civic order.
8. Which is considered the oldest known site of the Indus Valley Civilization?
While Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are the most famous, archaeological evidence suggests that Bhirrana, located in the state of Haryana, India, is one of the oldest known sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. Radiocarbon dating of artefacts from Bhirrana has pushed the origins of the civilization back to as early as 7500 BCE, predating the previously established timelines of the well-known urban centres.
