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Questions and Answers
What is the main reason why the Indus Valley civilisation is now better known as the Harappan civilisation?
What is the main reason why the Indus Valley civilisation is now better known as the Harappan civilisation?
Which geographical regions were encompassed by the Harappan civilisation?
Which geographical regions were encompassed by the Harappan civilisation?
What was the significance of the Great Bath located at Mohenjodaro in the Harappan civilisation?
What was the significance of the Great Bath located at Mohenjodaro in the Harappan civilisation?
What architectural feature of Harappan towns demonstrated their advanced planning and construction?
What architectural feature of Harappan towns demonstrated their advanced planning and construction?
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Why is the draiñage system of Harappa considered almost unique according to the text?
Why is the draiñage system of Harappa considered almost unique according to the text?
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What were the important sites of the Harappan Civilisation?
What were the important sites of the Harappan Civilisation?
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What was the staple food of the people in Sindh and Punjab during the Harappan Civilisation?
What was the staple food of the people in Sindh and Punjab during the Harappan Civilisation?
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Which materials were known to the Harappans but not iron?
Which materials were known to the Harappans but not iron?
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Which sites functioned as seaports during the Harappan Civilisation?
Which sites functioned as seaports during the Harappan Civilisation?
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What type of society was the Harappan society known to be?
What type of society was the Harappan society known to be?
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Study Notes
Indus Valley Civilization
- The Indus Valley civilization is now better known as the Harappan civilization, as it was first discovered in Harappa and extended beyond the Indus region.
- The civilization spread across modern-day Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Pakistan, and some adjoining areas.
- The Harappan civilization stretched from Manda, Jammu, in the north, to Daimabad, in the south, and from Alamgirpur, Uttar Pradesh, in the northeast, to Sutkagendor, Baluchistan, in the west.
- Over 1000 sites belonging to this civilization have been excavated.
Urban Planning and Architecture
- The civilization revealed features of a modern town, divided into two parts: a raised citadel for the rulers and a lower town for the ruled and the poor.
- The town planning had a remarkable arrangement, with streets laid out on a grid plan, some as much as 30 feet wide.
- The drainage system of Harappa is unique, indicating that the Harappans paid a great deal of attention to health and cleanliness.
- The Great Bath, located at Mohenjodaro, is a tank made of beautiful bricks, meant for some elaborate ritual of vital importance.
Important Sites
- Important sites of this civilization include Mohenjodaro and Chanhudaro in Sindh, Harappa in West Punjab, Pakistan, Lothal and Dholavira in Gujarat, Kalibanga in Rajasthan, and Banwali in Haryana.
- Other sites include Ropar in Punjab, Rangpur and Surkotada in Gujarat, Alamgirpur in western U.P., Kot Diji and Ali murad in Sind, and Sutkagan Dor in Baluchistan.
Society
- The Harappan society was an urban society consisting mainly of middle-class inhabitants.
- The existence of different sections of people, such as priests, traders, artisans, cultivators, fishermen, etc. is known.
- The people of Sindh and Punjab ate wheat and barley as their staple food, whereas people of Rangpur and Surkotada preferred rice and millet.
- Fish, milk, and curd were known to them.
- Their pottery was red or black, and they knew copper, bronze, silver, and gold, but not iron.
Economy and Trade
- Harappans engaged in internal and external trade, which was by means of barter.
- Sea-trade can be verified by the fact that many representations of ships and boats are found on the seals in Harappa, Mohenjodaro, and Lothal.
- Lothal had a dockyard, and Rangpur, Somanath, and Balakot functioned as seaports.
- Sutkagan Dor and Sutkakoh functioned as outlets.
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Description
Learn about the ancient Indus Valley civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, which thrived in modern-day regions including Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, and Pakistan. Explore the spread and key archaeological sites of this ancient civilization.
