Harappan Civilization Overview

A Bronze Age civilization in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, flourishing in the Indus River valley.

Another term for the Indus Valley Civilization, named after the city of Harappa, one of its major centers.

The development of advanced cities and infrastructure in Indus Valley Civilization, including sophisticated city planning.

The fertile area encompassing this ancient civilization, crucial to its development.

Early settlement in the Indus valley, preceding Harappa, an important precursor of the Indus Valley Civilization.

The emergence of organized political communities in different ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley.

Early states that demonstrate the features of a functioning polity

The significant number of very large cities found in the Indus Valley during the historical era.

The Indus Valley civilization's leadership structure was relatively egalitarian compared to other ancient civilizations, with less emphasis on a powerful elite.

One of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, known for its advanced urban planning and craft workshops.

Another important Indus Valley city, famous for its well-planned streets, public toilets, and sophisticated drainage systems.

An Indus Valley city, showcasing unique water management systems and well-preserved architecture, demonstrating advanced knowledge of engineering.

A period of the Indus Valley Civilization characterized by urbanization, with the development of strong central control over city-states.

A type of urban planning where streets and buildings are laid out in a regular grid pattern.

Mehrgarh was an early farming village in Balochistan, predating the Harappan Civilization. It's considered a precursor to the Harappan civilization, showing early agricultural practices and village development.

The Harappan Civilization was known for its well-planned, organized cities with sophisticated infrastructure like sewage systems and grid layouts.

The Harappans had extensive trade networks, including those with the Iranian Plateau, exchanging goods like shells, lapis lazuli, and turquoise.

Harappan cities featured impressive architecture using mud-brick, with compartmentalized storage structures and fortified towns.

Early farmers cultivated wheat and barley, developing domestication of cattle, sheep, and goats, and relying on wild game in early stages.

Mehrgarh transitioned from nomadic herding to settled agriculture, showcasing early farming villages in South Asia.

Ancient trade routes used in the Indus Valley, connecting with the Iranian plateau.

Mehrgarh provides the earliest evidence of agriculture predating the Harappan period, indicating early farming practices in South Asia.

Dholavira was an Indus Valley city known for its sophisticated water management systems, collecting rain, river water, and utilizing wells.

The Indus Valley Civilization had extensive trade routes connecting them to regions like Mesopotamia, exchanging goods like ivory, carnelian, gold, agate, and lapis lazuli.

The Indus Valley civilization had its own unique script with around 400 pictographs, written in a boustrophedon style (alternating directions).

One of Dholavira's most notable features was its large reservoirs, demonstrating advanced engineering and water management.

This civilization was one of the oldest and most advanced in the ancient world, notable for its urban planning, organized society, and sophisticated technologies.

While Indus cities showed impressive organization, there's debate about the degree of social equality. Leaders were less prominent, and palaces and lavish burials were lacking.

The Indus Valley civilization's influence on later cultures can be seen in aspects like symbolic roles of elephants and cattle, and possibly even yoga practices.

Around 1700 BC, Indus urban centers were gradually abandoned. Possible reasons include trade problems, environmental changes like deforestation and flooding, or even invasions.

In some Hindu traditions, Purusha is the ultimate reality, the 'Self' that pervades the universe. Vedic deities are seen as aspects of this cosmic being.

According to Vedic tradition, Purusha was sacrificed, and his body parts were transformed into the elements of the universe. The Moon, Sun, and Wind are associated with his mind, eyes, and breath, respectively.

The Vedic texts explain the origin of the caste system as arising from Purusha's body. Each social class (varna) is believed to have emerged from a specific part of Purusha.

Viraj, the female creative principle, is said to have emanated from Purusha himself. She represents the complementary force in creation.

The Aryans arrived in India around 1500 BC. They brought their own social and cultural system, which influenced the development of the caste system.

The Aryans' arrival and interaction with the existing population in India had a profound impact on the caste system, leading to the establishment of a more rigid social hierarchy.

The term 'Aryan' comes from the Sanskrit word 'ārya', which signifies 'honorable,' 'respectable,' or 'noble.' Initially, it was an ethnic self-designation.

The Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism, provides insights into Aryan culture and traditions. It is written in Sanskrit and contains hymns and rituals related to their beliefs and practices.

A unique feature of the Harappan civilization, where pottery was elaborately decorated with intricate designs and vibrant colors, often found in burial sites.

A massive, rectangular pool made of brick, sealed with bitumen, and surrounded by an arcade. It was likely used for public bathing and religious ceremonies.

Dholavira was a well-defended city with 15m high stone walls surrounding it. This suggests a well-organized society and a need for protection.

A highly organized urban layout where streets and buildings are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern. This demonstrates advanced planning and a structured society.