Review of content by
umer hameed
Indus Valley
Civilisation
by Ishika Arenja, Chhavi
Garg
Introduction
• The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was one of the
three earliest civilizations, along with
Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• Known as the "Indus Civilization" by Sir John
Marshall and also referred to as the "Harappan
Civilization" after discoveries in Harappa.
• Timeframe: Divided into three phases:
a. Early Harappan (3300–2600 BCE)
b. Mature Harappan (2500–1900 BCE)
c. Late Harappan (1900–1300 BCE).
• Notable for its urbanization, advanced
Geographical
Extent
• Regions Covered:
⚬ Northeast Afghanistan,
Pakistan, and Northwest India.
⚬ Centered around the Indus and
Ghaggar-Harka river systems.
• Major Sites:
a. Mohenjodaro (Sindh, Pakistan)
b. Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan)
c. Dholavira (Gujarat, India)
d. Lothal (Gujarat, India)
Town Planning And
• Key Features:
Architecture
a. Grid-based city layouts with well-defined streets
and lanes.
b. Houses made of baked bricks with courtyards and
bathrooms.
c. Sophisticated drainage systems: covered brick
drains, cesspits, and vertical pipes.
d. The Great Bath: Public bathing structure in
Mohenjodaro, showcasing hydraulic engineering.
• Distinctive Aspects:
i. Non-residential structures: Granaries,
warehouses, and assembly halls.
Art And Culture
• Sculptures:
⚬ Dancing Girl: A bronze figurine showcasing intricate
craftsmanship and grace.
⚬ Red Jasper Torso: A detailed male figure found in
Harappa.
⚬ Terracotta figurines of humans and animals, often
symbolizing religious or daily life.
• Pottery and Seals:
⚬ Black-on-red pottery with geometric and floral
motifs.
⚬ Seals: Depictions of animals, divine symbols, and
Timeline
Early Mature Late
3300 to 2600 BCE 2600 to 1900 BCE 1900 to 1300 BCE
Phase
1. Agriculture: Cultivation of wheat,
Phase
1. Urbanization: Advanced
Phase
1. Decline: Gradual urban
barley, and millet. cities like Mohenjo-Daro, decay, reduced trade, and
2. Settlements: Small villages with Harappa, and Dholavira with abandonment of cities.
evidence of early town planning grid layouts, drainage, and 2. Causes: Climate change,
at sites like Kot Diji and Amri. public baths. drying rivers, and possibly
3. Craftsmanship: Development of 2. Economy: Agriculture invasions or societal shifts.
pottery, bead-making, and (wheat, barley, cotton) and 3. Legacy: Smaller rural
metallurgy. long-distance trade (e.g., settlements continued,
4. Trade: Early trade networks for Mesopotamia). influencing later cultures.
materials like lapis lazuli and 3. Craftsmanship: Beads,
carnelian. pottery, metallurgy, and seals
with Indus script.
Economy And
Crafts
• Agriculture:
a. Crops: Wheat, barley, peas, cotton.
b. Advanced irrigation systems supported
farming.
• Trade:
⚬ Long-distance trade with Mesopotamia
and Central Asia (evidence of seals and
beads).
⚬ Use of weights and measures for trade
standardization.
• Craftsmanship:
⚬ Bead-making: Using semi-precious
stones like carnelian and lapis lazuli.
⚬ Metalworking: Copper and bronze for
Religion And
Beleifs
• Deities and Practices:
⚬ Worship of nature and fertility symbols.
⚬ Proto-Shiva or Pashupati depicted on
seals.
⚬ Female figurines like the Mother Goddess
reflect fertility worship.
• Rituals:
⚬ Fire altars found in sites like Kalibangan.
⚬ No temples; rituals were likely performed
in open or domestic spaces.
Decline And
Legacy
• Theories of Decline:
⚬ Climate change and river shifts.
⚬ Trade disruptions or invasions.
⚬ Decline in urbanization by 1300 BCE.
• Legacy:
⚬ Influences on later South Asian cultures in art,
architecture, and urban planning.
⚬ Innovations in water management and crafts.
Images
Conclusion
• Summary:
⚬ The Indus Valley Civilization was a
pioneer in urbanization, engineering,
and culture.
⚬ Despite challenges like an
undeciphered script, its influence
persists.
• Takeaway:
⚬ A civilization ahead of its time,
offering lessons in sustainability and
innovation.
Thank You
