Indus Valley Civilization (2900 – 1700 BC) Important Notes
Indus Valley Civilization
(2900 – 1700 BC)
▪ Marked the beginning of Bronze age civilization
Sights of Indus Valley Civilization
Early (Pre Harappan)
- Harappa (Pakistan, River Ravi)
- Mohenjodaro (Pakistan, River Indus)
- Chanhudaro (Pakistan, River Indus)
- Sutkagendor (Pakistan)
- Sukotada (Gujrat)
- Lothal (Gujrat, River Bhogava)
Mature (Harappan)
- Kalibangan
- Kalibangan (Rajasthan, River Ghaggar)
- Banawali
- Banawali (Hissar, River Ghaggar)
- Rakhigarhi
- Rakhigarhi (Hissar, River Ghaggar)
Late Phase (Post Harappan)
- Rakhigarhi
- Dholavira
- Dholavira (Kutch)
- Dholavira
- Bhagwanpura
- Manda (Jammu),
- Chandigarh,Shangol (Punjab),
- Daulatpur,Mitthal (Haryana),
- AlamgirpurHulas (West UP)
Developments in Indus Valley Civilization
▪ Citadel / Acropolis at cities for member of ruling class (west side) & brick houses below citadel in town for commoners▪ Remarkable grid system of roads → Roads cutting at right angle to each other
▪ Large scale use of burnt bricks & total absence of stone buildings
▪ Remarkable underground drainage system connecting all houses & streets covered by bricks / stone slabs
▪ Agriculture technology was well developed (But no use of ploughshare) : Wheat, Rice, Barley, Peas etc. + Domesticated large scale of animals
▪ Cotton was 1st produced by Indus people hence Greeks called it Sindon which is derived from Sindh
▪ Harappan were 1st to produce silver in the world + wore gold, silver & beads Jewelry
▪ Practiced boat making, seal making, Bronze smith, Weavers etc.
▪ Granaries & seals show Harappan carried on considerable trade but only through Barter system
▪ No temples has been found at any of the site hence can be said that it was ruled by merchants not priests
▪ Worshiped Goddess Earth, Pipal Tree, Pashupati Mahadeva & Animals (Bull / Unicorn Rhino)
▪ 1st to invent the art of writing – Right to left – (Pictographic only → Not deciphered so far)
▪ Used weights for trade (Mostly in multiple of 16) & Bronze made marked sticks for measurements
▪ Were expert in Potter’s wheel & pottery making
▪ Their greatest artistic creation was ” Seals”
▪ Mostly limestone was used for sculptures.
