Indus Valley Civilization
Indus civilization | History, Location, Map, Artifacts, Language, & Facts by home Academy indus valley sites
About Indus civilization, also called Indus valley civilization is the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent.
It is also called Harappan Civilization after the first city to be excavated, Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan).
Among the world’s three earliest civilizations—the other two are those of Mesopotamia and Egypt—the Indus civilization was the most extensive.
Time Period:It was established around 3300 BC. It flourished between 2600 BC and 1900 BC. It started declining around 1900 BC and disappeared around 1400 BC.
Geographical Extent:
Covered Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Western Uttar Pradesh.
It extended from Sutkagengor (in Balochistan) in the West to Alamgirpur (Western UP) in the East; and from Mandu (Jammu) in the North to Daimabad (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra) in the South. Some
Indus Valley sites have also been found as far away as Afghanistan.
Important Sites:
Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, Surkotda (Gujarat), Banawali (Haryana), Ropar (Punjab).
In Pakistan: Harappa (on river Ravi), Mohenjodaro (on Indus River in Sindh), Chanhudaro (in Sindh).
The Indus Valley cities show a level of sophistication and advancement not seen in other contemporary civilizations.
Most cities had similar patterns. There were two parts: a citadel and the lower town showing the presence of hierarchy in society.
Most cities had a Great Bath.
There were also granaries, 2-storied houses made of burnt bricks, closed drainage lines, excellent stormwater, and wastewater management system, weights for measurements, toys, pots, etc.
A large number of seals have been discovered.
Agriculture:
The first civilization to cultivate cotton.
Animals were domesticated like sheep, goats, and pigs.
Crops were wheat, barley, cotton, ragi, dates, and peas.
Trade was conducted with the Sumerians (Mesopotamia).
Metal Products :
These were produced including those with copper, bronze, tin, and lead. Gold and silver were also known.
Iron was not known to them.
Religious Beliefs:
No structures like temples or palaces have been found.
The people worshipped male and female deities.
A seal which was named ‘Pashupati Seal’ has been excavated and it shows an image of a three-eyed figure.
Pottery:
o Excellent pieces of red pottery designed in black have been excavated.
o Faience was used to make beads, bangles, earrings, and vessels.
Art Forms:
o A statuette named ‘Dancing Girl’ has been found from Mohenjodaro and is believed to be 4000 years old.
o A figure of a bearded Priest-King has also been found from Mohenjodaro.\
Other Facts:
lothal was a dockyard.
Disposal of the dead was by burial in wooden coffins.
The Indus Valley script has not yet been deciphered.
largest site of indus valley civilization Rakhigarhi
indus valley civilization belongs to which age The Indus Valley Civilisation was a Bronze Age civilization that existed in the northwestern part of South Asia from 2500–1700 BCE.
indus valley civilization sites
- Mohanjodaro.
- Harappa.
- Kalibangan.
- Lothal.
- Chanhudaru.
- Dholavira.
- Banawali.