Indus Valley Civilization: Theory Notes

(Based on Solved Papers)

1. Nomenclature and Chronology

• Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) also known as: Harappan Civilization, Bronze Age Civilization, and Saindhav Civilization.
• Mature Harappan Culture Period (NCERT): Roughly between 2550 BCE and 1900 BCE.
• Common Date (Assumed): 2500 BCE to 1750 BCE (based on radiocarbon C14 dating).
• Alternative Date (Historians): Some historians consider the date from 3250 BC to 2750 BC.
• Age of Civilization: Indus Valley Civilization is approximately 4000-4500 years old (Indus Valley Civilization is ____ years old and extends to the lower part of the Gangetic valley in South and till Malwa in North. 3000 B.C. - Closest option based on other info).

2. Key Sites and Locations

• Punjab (India): Ropar is located in Punjab (India).
• Sindh (Pakistan): Mohenjo-daro and Kot Diji are located in Sindh (Pakistan).
  • Mohenjo-daro is in Larkana district of Sindh (Pakistan).
• Haryana (India): Banawali and Balu are located in Haryana (India).
• Gujarat (India): Dholavira, Lothal, Surkotada, Balakot, and near sources of Carnelian from Bharuch.
  • Dholavira is in Kutch region of Gujarat.
  • Surkotada is in Kutch district of Gujarat.
• Rajasthan (India): Kalibangan (Not explicitly mentioned in provided text for state, but generally known to be in Rajasthan).
• Afghanistan: Shortughai (near sources of Lapis Lazuli).
• Balochistan (Pakistan): (Mohenjodaro is in Sindh & Balochistan - Implied by location context).
• North of Malwa and Foothills of Ganges Valley: Indus Valley Civilization extended from 5000 BCE towards the south of Malwa and north to the entire foothills of the Ganges Valley.
• Surkotada State: Gujarat.
• Mohenjodaro State: Sindh.
• Harappa State: Punjab (Pakistan).

3. Important Features and Discoveries

• Urban Planning: Urban Civilization.
• Buildings made of Bricks: Most important feature was buildings made of bricks.
  • Brick was used in all Harappan settlements/buildings.
  • Bricks were in a certain ratio, generally 4:2:1.
  • Burnt bricks were used as construction material.
  • Curved bricks have been found at Chanhudaro (only site).
• Great Bath: Found at Mohenjo-daro, a huge rectangular tank.
• Water Reservoirs: Dholavira has evidence of water reservoirs. Renowned for water management system with stone-cut reservoirs and canals.
• Craft Production Centers:
  • Chanhudaro was almost exclusively devoted to craft production, including bead making, shell cutting, metal working, seal making, and weight making.
  • Specialized drills for craft production found at Chanhudaro, Lothal, and Dholavira.
  • Nageshwar and Balakot: Settlements for shell availability.
  • Lothal: Near sources of carnelian.
• Seals:
  • Standard Harappan seals were mostly made of steatite, a kind of soft stone.
  • Square shaped with a 2x2 dimension.
  • Used for commercial purposes.
  • Seals of Harappan Civilization were rectangular, circular or cylindrical and square in shape.
  • Animals like elephant, rhinoceros, and bulls featured on seals.
  • Harappan seals found in cities of 'Umma' and 'Ur' of Central Asia and Mesopotamia, indicating trade.
• Sculptures and Art:
  • Rock shelters of Bhimbetka are famous for traces of the earliest signs of Human life on the Indian subcontinent & rock paintings dating back to Stone Age. Declared World Heritage Site in 2003.
  • Rock paintings from Stone Age found in Bhimbetka caves (Madhya Pradesh).
  • Bhimbetka caves are considered approximately 30,000 years old; paintings around 12,000 years old.
  • Sandstone statues of human anatomy found at Harappa.
  • Bronze dancing girl found at Harappa.
  • Steatite statue of beard man found at Harappa.
  • 'Nataraja', a stone male dancing figure discovered at Harappa, made of 'lime stone', considered original form of 'Nataraja'.
  • Evidence of Horse bone found at Surkotada.

4. Economy and Trade

• Craft Production: Major part of economy, materials procured from various regions.
  • Shells from Nageshwar and Balakot.
  • Lapis Lazuli from Shortughai (Afghanistan).
  • Carnelian from near Bharuch (Gujarat).
  • Steatite from South Rajasthan and North Gujarat.
  • Metals from Rajasthan.
• Trade Relations: Harappan seals found in 'Umma' and 'Ur' of Central Asia and Mesopotamia, indicating trade with Central Asia.
• Exchange System: Exchange system was an important feature of the Indus Valley Civilization.

5. Decline and Rediscovery

• Decline: Around 1900 BCE. Mature Harappan culture declined around 1900 BCE.
• Possible Causes of Decline: Heavy flood in Ganga around 800 BC destroyed Hastinapura (revealed by excavations).
• Discovery: Archaeological importance of Mohenjo-daro first recognized in 1922, one year after Harappa's discovery.
  • Harappan city excavated by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921 (first site discovered).
  • Mohenjo-daro excavated by R.D. Banerjee in 1922.
  • Dholavira discovered in 1967-1968 by Jagat Pati Joshi.
  • Surkotada discovered by J.P. Joshi in 1964.
  • Bhimbetka caves found by V.S. Wakankar in 1957.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
  • Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (declared in 2003).
  • Dholavira (included in August 2021).

6. Important Figures and Institutions

• Archaeologists:
  • Daya Ram Sahni: Excavated Harappa in 1921.
  • R.D. Banerjee: Excavated Mohenjo-daro in 1922.
  • Jagat Pati Joshi: Discovered Dholavira (1967-1968) and Surkotada (1964).
  • V.S. Wakankar: Found Bhimbetka caves in 1957.
  • B.B. Lal: Carried out excavations at Hastinapura in 1951-52.
  • N.G. Majumdar: Excavated Chanhudaro in 1931.
  • Mortimer Wheeler: Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India in 1944, excavated Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
  • Alexander Cunningham: First Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India, founder of ASI.
• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Government of India's organization responsible for archaeological research, conservation, and preservation. Founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.

7. Language and Script

• Script: Indus script is yet to be deciphered.
• Languages: (Not explicitly mentioned in provided text, but inferred to be related to early forms of languages of the regions).

8. Miscellaneous

• Mohenjo-daro Meaning: "Mound of the Dead" in Sindhi.
• Harappa Meaning: (Not explicitly defined in text).
• First Wheels: First wheels were made of wood.
• Largest City: Mohenjo-daro was once the largest city of Indus Civilization.
• Craft Specialization City: Chanhudaro.
• Water Management Site: Dholavira.
• Horse Bone Evidence Site: Surkotada.
• Rock Painting Site: Bhimbetka.
• UNESCO Sites (IVC related): Dholavira and Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (partially).
• Indus Valley Civilization Extent: Extended to West India and Pakistan (The Harappan civilization developed around 2500 BC. This civilization extends into Western India and Pakistan).
• Animals on Seals: Elephant, rhinoceros and bulls featured on seals (Animals like elephant, rhinoceros and bulls were featured on the seals).
• Not part of IVC: Uruk (Sumerian Civilization) (Which of the following sites is NOT a part of the Indus Valley Civilization? Uruk).
• Contemporaneity: Indus Valley Civilization was contemporary to Sumerian civilization (The early site of the Indus Civilization or Harappa was centered around the Indus River. Hence it was called Indus Valley Civilization).