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100 Years of Harappan Civilization

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Why in the News?

It has been 100 years since the discovery of the Harappan Civilization, announced by John Marshall on September 20, 1924.

Harappa: Remains of a Civilization

  • The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, flourished between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE, with earlier settlements dating back to 3200 BCE.
  • The origins of this civilisation are traced back to Mehrgarh in Balochistan, which dates to 7000 BCE.
  • It is considered one of the three earliest civilizations, alongside Egypt and Mesopotamia.
  • The civilization covered over 1.5 million sq. km, stretching across modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
  • Remains of the civilization include:
    • Well-planned cities with a grid layout, intersecting streets, and fortified structures.
    • Advanced drainage systems with underground sewers and covered drains, showing a strong emphasis on hygiene.
    • Granaries, warehouses, and dockyards, indicating the presence of structured trade and food storage mechanisms.
    • The discovery of seals made of steatite, often engraved with animals and an un-deciphered script, suggesting a sophisticated administrative system.
    • Craftsmanship in pottery, bead-making, terracotta figurines, metal artefacts, and weaving.
    • Water management systems such as reservoirs, wells, and baths, indicating an advanced understanding of hydraulic engineering.

The Discoverers:

  • Two ASI archaeologists were credited with the discovery:
    • Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa in 1921-22, discovering seals, pottery, and beads.
    • Rakhal Das Banerji began excavating Mohenjo-daro in 1922, finding similar items such as seals and copper objects.
  • John Marshall noticed the similarity between the objects found at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, despite the sites being 640 km apart.

About the Mohenjo-daro Site:

  • Mohenjo-daro is one of the largest cities of the Harappan Civilization, located in the Sindh province of Pakistan, discovered in 1922 by Rakhal Das Banerji.
  • The city represents one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning:
    • Great Bath: A large, centrally located structure thought to be used for ritual bathing or religious ceremonies. It is considered one of the earliest public water tanks in history.
    • Granaries: Massive storage facilities near the citadel suggest an organized system of storing food for the community.
    • Citadel and Lower Town: The city was divided into a raised citadel for the ruling elite and a lower town for common people. Both areas had well-planned streets and residential complexes.
    • Drainage Systems: Mohenjo-daro featured covered drainage systems with individual toilets connected to the drainage network, showcasing an impressive public sanitation system.
    • Residential Buildings: Homes were built from uniform mud bricks, with courtyards and bathrooms, and were often multi-storied. The use of standardised brick sizes (ratio 1:2:4) and cubic weights showed their high degree of organisation.
  • Artefacts found at Mohenjo-daro include:
    • Seals with animal motifs and the un-deciphered Harappan script, believed to have been used for administrative or trade purposes.
    • Pottery and tools made of bronze and copper.
    • Terracotta figurines, jewellery, and toys that reflect a highly developed artistic culture.
    • Weights and measures based on a uniform standard, indicating the use of a standardized economic system.
  • The city’s streets were aligned north-south and east-west, cutting at right angles, allowing for efficient transportation, including bullock carts.
  • Mohenjo-daro is believed to have had trade links with Mesopotamia, as suggested by artefacts with Mesopotamian connections.

PYQ:

[2013] Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Valley Civilization?

1. They possessed great palaces and temples.

2. They worshipped both male and female deities.

3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in warfare.

Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of the statements given above is correct

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