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What feature of Mohenjo-Daro serves as a significant example of urban water control?
What feature of Mohenjo-Daro serves as a significant example of urban water control?
Which city is recognized as the 5th largest among major Harappan centers?
Which city is recognized as the 5th largest among major Harappan centers?
What does the Pashupati seal from Mohenjo-Daro possibly represent?
What does the Pashupati seal from Mohenjo-Daro possibly represent?
Which characteristic is NOT associated with the social structure apparent in Harappan civilization?
Which characteristic is NOT associated with the social structure apparent in Harappan civilization?
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Which structure in Mohenjo-Daro is characterized as a large public pool?
Which structure in Mohenjo-Daro is characterized as a large public pool?
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What was a key feature of Harappan civilization?
What was a key feature of Harappan civilization?
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Which ancient pass is an integral part of the Silk Road?
Which ancient pass is an integral part of the Silk Road?
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What evidence suggests that Mehrgarh is a precursor to Harappan civilization?
What evidence suggests that Mehrgarh is a precursor to Harappan civilization?
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What materials were traded in the Harappan civilization?
What materials were traded in the Harappan civilization?
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What type of architecture is characterized by the Harappan civilization?
What type of architecture is characterized by the Harappan civilization?
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What significant transition occurred in Mehrgarh around 5100 BC?
What significant transition occurred in Mehrgarh around 5100 BC?
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Which of the following best describes the Harappan civilization's reliance on agriculture?
Which of the following best describes the Harappan civilization's reliance on agriculture?
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Who conducted excavations at Mohenjo-daro in the 1950s?
Who conducted excavations at Mohenjo-daro in the 1950s?
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What is indicated by the term 'Bos' in the context of early civilizations?
What is indicated by the term 'Bos' in the context of early civilizations?
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Which of the following features is NOT associated with Harappan civilization?
Which of the following features is NOT associated with Harappan civilization?
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Which city was NOT included as one of the eight important cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Which city was NOT included as one of the eight important cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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What time period is associated with the urbanization of the Indus Valley Civilization?
What time period is associated with the urbanization of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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Which architectural feature is characteristic of the Harappan cities?
Which architectural feature is characteristic of the Harappan cities?
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What aspect of Harappan leadership distinguishes it from other ancient civilizations?
What aspect of Harappan leadership distinguishes it from other ancient civilizations?
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Which type of artifact was produced in craft workshops in Harappa?
Which type of artifact was produced in craft workshops in Harappa?
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What type of urban infrastructure was present in the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?
What type of urban infrastructure was present in the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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Which factor did NOT contribute to the features of Harappan Civilisation?
Which factor did NOT contribute to the features of Harappan Civilisation?
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What does Purusha represent in some lineages of Hinduism?
What does Purusha represent in some lineages of Hinduism?
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What was considered sacred to the people of the Indus Valley?
What was considered sacred to the people of the Indus Valley?
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From which part of Purusha were the varnas, or castes, created?
From which part of Purusha were the varnas, or castes, created?
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Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilization's practices is true?
Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilization's practices is true?
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Which ancient civilization is NOT mentioned in relation to the context of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Which ancient civilization is NOT mentioned in relation to the context of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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What prompted the society to create a system of class after the Aryans arrived?
What prompted the society to create a system of class after the Aryans arrived?
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What is the original meaning of the term 'Aryan' in Sanskrit?
What is the original meaning of the term 'Aryan' in Sanskrit?
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What era does Hesira, the first known dentist, belong to?
What era does Hesira, the first known dentist, belong to?
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Which of the following characteristics is associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?
Which of the following characteristics is associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?
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Which document is known for describing the Aryan invaders?
Which document is known for describing the Aryan invaders?
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What geographic feature is commonly associated with the Indo-Gangetic Plain?
What geographic feature is commonly associated with the Indo-Gangetic Plain?
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Which river is not mentioned in the ancient Indian documents?
Which river is not mentioned in the ancient Indian documents?
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What significant impact did the Aryans have on the local populations in north India?
What significant impact did the Aryans have on the local populations in north India?
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Which of the following crops was NOT grown in the Indus Valley?
Which of the following crops was NOT grown in the Indus Valley?
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When is the Rigveda thought to have been composed?
When is the Rigveda thought to have been composed?
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What were the primary sources of water collection for Dholavira?
What were the primary sources of water collection for Dholavira?
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What trade connections did Dholavira have?
What trade connections did Dholavira have?
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Which materials were exported from Harappan sites to Mesopotamia?
Which materials were exported from Harappan sites to Mesopotamia?
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What architectural feature was prominent in Dholavira?
What architectural feature was prominent in Dholavira?
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What characteristic of Dholavira's societal structure remains unclear?
What characteristic of Dholavira's societal structure remains unclear?
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According to the Rigveda, what external factors might have contributed to Dholavira's decline?
According to the Rigveda, what external factors might have contributed to Dholavira's decline?
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What aspect of society does the archaeological evidence suggest about Dholavira?
What aspect of society does the archaeological evidence suggest about Dholavira?
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What writing system is associated with the Indus Valley civilization?
What writing system is associated with the Indus Valley civilization?
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Study Notes
Harappan Civilization
- Early civilization located in the Indus Valley, within modern-day Pakistan and northwest India.
- Flourished between roughly 3000-1750 BCE.
- Features sophisticated urban planning, including a grid pattern, sanitation systems (public toilets and sewers), and advanced water management.
- Evidence suggests an egalitarian social structure, without dramatic inequalities in houses or burial sites.
- Notable cities include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira, each with significant features and discoveries.
- Harappan cities had advanced craft workshops and trade connections with Mesopotamia (trade of goods like ivory and carnelian).
- There is evidence of sophisticated trade routes connected across the region.
Antecedents to Harappan Civilization
- Mehrgarh is an important precursor, located at the meeting point of the Iranian Plateau and Indus floodplain.
- Mehrgarh shows early evidence of agriculture (around 7000 BCE).
- Showed early evidence of farming settlements and trade.
- The people of Mehrgarh transitioned from nomadic pastoralists to agricultural practices over time.
Features of Harappan Civilization
- Urbanism: Cities featured organized layouts (Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira).
- Architecture: Included mud-brick buildings and advanced urban infrastructure (like water systems).
- Leadership: Some believe there was a "egalitarian" leadership.
- Trade, crafts, and agriculture: Evidenced by materials found at archaeological sites and trading networks.
Harappan Sites and Locations
- Important cities in the Indus Valley include: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, and others
- Locations were often close to important trade routes.
Harappan Decline
- The civilization began to decline around 1700 BCE
- Reasons are debated, possible factors include: trade issues, shifts in trade routes, environmental changes, and possibly invasion.
Trade
- The Harappan civilization had trade relations with Mesopotamia and other regions
Art and Culture
- Art forms like sculptures (Priest-King of Mohenjo-daro, Dancing Girl) and seals (Pashupati seals) are significant aspects of its culture.
- Pottery techniques and styles demonstrate the artistic practices of the time.
Pottery
- Harappan pottery displays decorative patterns and styles.
Dholavira
- Significant features included: large reservoirs, impressive stone walls, a well-organized internal layout (Citadel and Lower city), and a sophisticated water system
- The city flourished from roughly 4500 years ago until 1450 BC.
Khyber and Bolan Passes
- These passes facilitated trade, particularly the connections with the Iranian Plateau to the Indus Valley.
Script
- The Harappan script remains undeciphered, despite some 400 existing pictographs.
Puzzling Facts
- The sophisticated urban planning, especially the sewage and water systems, suggests an organized society.
- The lack of elaborate burials or monumental palaces challenges the idea of a top-down leadership, leading to debates about the social structure.
Legacies
- Many consider the civilization's approach to urban planning and public works as a legacy in urban practices.
Castes in India (Background)
- The arrival of the Aryans (and their traditions) impacted the social structure.
- The system of castes in India arose, possibly during or after the arrival of the Aryans.
- This system originated from the concept of Purusha in some religious lineages of Hinduism.
- Purusha and many of the Vedic divinities are interpreted as facets of the cosmic self.
Additional Resources
- Recommended films: "Indus - The Unvoiced Civilization." and "The Indus - The Masters of the River" videos available on YouTube.
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Description
Explore the fascinating history and features of the Harappan Civilization, which thrived in the Indus Valley over 4,000 years ago. Discover its advanced urban planning, social structure, and trade connections with other ancient cultures. Learn about notable sites such as Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, as well as the antecedents that led to its emergence.
