Podcast
Questions and Answers
What civilization is often referred to as Harappan Culture?
What civilization is often referred to as Harappan Culture?
- Civilization of Mesopotamia
- Indus Valley Civilization (correct)
- Shang/Chinese Civilization
- Egyptian Civilization
Which of the following sites is NOT associated with the Harappan Culture?
Which of the following sites is NOT associated with the Harappan Culture?
- Mohenjodaro
- Knossos (correct)
- Harappa
- Kalibangan
Why was the name 'Indus Valley Civilization' reconsidered by historians?
Why was the name 'Indus Valley Civilization' reconsidered by historians?
- Other sites were discovered far from the Indus Valley. (correct)
- It was commonly misunderstood among scholars.
- Most sites were only found in the Indus Valley.
- The term was too long to use in publications.
Who is considered the father of Indian archaeology?
Who is considered the father of Indian archaeology?
In which year was the site at Harappa excavated by Daya Ram Sahni?
In which year was the site at Harappa excavated by Daya Ram Sahni?
What was one barrier to the discovery of the Harappan Civilization prior to 1921?
What was one barrier to the discovery of the Harappan Civilization prior to 1921?
Which archaeologist discovered the remains of civilization at Mohenjodaro?
Which archaeologist discovered the remains of civilization at Mohenjodaro?
Which British traveler first noted the existence of old bricks in Harappa?
Which British traveler first noted the existence of old bricks in Harappa?
What is another name for the Harappan civilization?
What is another name for the Harappan civilization?
During which period did the Harappan civilization thrive?
During which period did the Harappan civilization thrive?
Which finding is associated with the site of Mehargarh?
Which finding is associated with the site of Mehargarh?
Which site is known for evidence of tin and lead alloying?
Which site is known for evidence of tin and lead alloying?
Bhimbetka is best known for which of the following findings?
Bhimbetka is best known for which of the following findings?
What type of shelter is associated with the site of Burzahom?
What type of shelter is associated with the site of Burzahom?
What distinguishes the Vindhya rock shelters in prehistoric studies?
What distinguishes the Vindhya rock shelters in prehistoric studies?
What type of findings were identified at Ajamgarh?
What type of findings were identified at Ajamgarh?
What was one of the notable features of the urban planning in Harappan civilization?
What was one of the notable features of the urban planning in Harappan civilization?
Which major archaeological site is associated with the Sindh region of Harappan civilization?
Which major archaeological site is associated with the Sindh region of Harappan civilization?
In which region was Lothal located, and what was unique about its town layout?
In which region was Lothal located, and what was unique about its town layout?
Which aspects of Harappan urban planning were uniform across different cities?
Which aspects of Harappan urban planning were uniform across different cities?
What function is most likely attributed to the structures found in the citadel of Harappan cities?
What function is most likely attributed to the structures found in the citadel of Harappan cities?
Which two parts typically composed each city in the Harappan civilization?
Which two parts typically composed each city in the Harappan civilization?
Which of the following regions had significant archaeological sites associated with the Harappan civilization?
Which of the following regions had significant archaeological sites associated with the Harappan civilization?
What was a physical characteristic of the citadel in Harappan cities?
What was a physical characteristic of the citadel in Harappan cities?
Study Notes
Harappan Civilization
- One of the four earliest civilizations of the world (along with Mesopotamia, Shang/Chinese, and Egyptian).
- Initially called the Indus Valley Civilization due to the discovery of sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley.
- Later renamed to Harappan Culture after discovering sites with similar characteristics outside the Indus Valley.
- Named after the first discovered site, Harappa, in 1921.
Discovery
- Harappa attracted attention as early as 1826 by British traveler Charles Merson.
- Colonel Burns observed Harappan sites in 1831 while meeting Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
- Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, inspected the Harappan site in 1853 and 1857.
- Harappan ruins were excavated in 1856 to obtain bricks for the Karachi-Lahore railway line, revealing the existence of an ancient civilization.
- In 1921, Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa in the Montgomery district of Punjab (now Pakistan).
- In 1922, Rakhal Das Banerji discovered the remains of civilization at Mohenjodaro in the Larkana district of Sindh (now Pakistan).
- John Marshall first used the term "Indus Valley Civilization".
Major Archaeological Sites
- Afghanistan: Shortughai, Mundigak
- Baluchistan (Pakistan): Mehargarh, Kili Ghul Muhammad, Rana Ghundi, Dabarkot, Balakot, Nindo Bari, Anjira, Sutkagendor
- Punjab (Pakistan): Harappa, Jalilpur, Sanghanwala, Derawar, Ghaneriwal, Saraikhola
- Sindh: Mohanjodaro, Amari, Kotdizi, Rehman Dheri, Sukur, Alhadino, Chanhudaro, Alimurad, Jbukar, Jhangar
- Jammu Kashmir: Manda
- Haryana: Banawali, Rakhigarhi, Bhagawanpura
- Rajasthan: Kalibangan, Ganeshwar, Shishawal, Bara, Hanumangarh, Mithal, Chhupas
- Uttar Pradesh: Alamghirpur, Manpur, Bargaon, Hulas, Sanauli
- Gujarat: Dholavira, Lothal, Surkotda, Bhagatrao, Rangpur, Rozdi, Desalpur, Prabhashpattan
- Maharashtra: Daimabad
Key Features of Indus Valley Civilization
-
Town Planning and Structures:
- Remarkable uniformity in town planning, with some regional variations.
- Standardized layouts, streets, structures, brick sizes, and drainage systems.
- Cities divided into two parts:
- Acropolis (upper town/Citadel) on a higher mound on the western side.
- Town Proper (lower town) on the eastern side.
- The citadel contained large structures that likely functioned as administrative or ritual centers.
- Residential buildings were built in the lower town.
- Most Indus settlements followed a grid system, with roads intersecting at right angles.
-
Exceptions and Deviations from Basic City-Layout:
- Lothal: No walled citadel, but built at a height. No clear internal division into citadel and lower town.
Important Pre-historic Sites and Findings
- Atranjikhera: Textile printing
- Chandoli: Evidence of tin and lead alloying
- Brahmagiri: South Indian Neolithic Sites
- Burzahom: Pit-dwelling
- Chirand: Serpent cult
- Bhimbetka: Cave of Homo-sapiens, 500 Painted rock shelters
- Nevasa: Evidence of cotton
- Hastinapur: Wild sugarcane
- Inamgaon: Statue of mother goddess
- Bagor and Ajamgarh: Evidence of animal domestication
- Mehargarh: Earliest evidence of agriculture
- Bhimbetka and Ajamgarh: Mesolithic rock and cave paintings
- Vindhya rock shelters: First discovered microliths
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Description
Explore the fascinating history of the Harappan Civilization, one of the earliest civilizations in the world. Learn about its initial discovery, the pivotal sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro, and key figures involved in its excavation. Delve into how this ancient culture has shaped our understanding of early human societies.
