Indus Valley Script

Study Notes

The Indus Valley Script is a writing system used by the Harappan civilization
The script has not been fully deciphered, but it is believed to be a form of writing
Over 4,000 inscriptions have been found, mostly on seals and pottery
The script consists of over 400 symbols, including logograms, phonetic symbols, and determinatives
The direction of writing is not consistent, with some inscriptions written from right to left and others from left to right
The script is thought to be one of the earliest forms of writing in the Indian subcontinent

Harappan cities were well-planned, with a sophisticated system of urban planning
Cities were divided into two parts: the citadel and the lower town
The citadel was the upper part of the city, where the rulers and elite lived
The lower town was the lower part of the city, where the common people lived
Cities had a grid-like pattern, with straight roads and rectangular blocks
The cities were built with a system of drainage, with drains made of brick and stone
The cities had a sophisticated system of water supply, with wells and reservoirs

Harappan architecture is characterized by the use of mud bricks, baked bricks, and stone
Buildings were constructed using the sun-dried mud brick technique
The Great Bath is one of the most impressive architectural achievements of the Harappans
The Great Bath was a large public bath, built around 2500 BCE
The bath was surrounded by a series of rooms, including a changing room and a sacred room
The Harappans also built granaries, which were used to store grains and other food items
The cities had a system of multi-story buildings, with the upper floors being used for living and the lower floors being used for storage and other purposes

The Indus Valley Script, used by the Harappan civilization, remains undeciphered despite over 4,000 discovered inscriptions on seals and pottery.
The script consists of over 400 symbols, including logograms, phonetic symbols, and determinatives.
Inscriptions exhibit inconsistent writing directions, with some from right to left and others from left to right.
The script is considered one of the earliest forms of writing in the Indian subcontinent.

Harappan cities showcased sophisticated urban planning, divided into the citadel and lower town.
The citadel housed rulers and elite, while the lower town was home to common people.
Cities featured a grid-like pattern with straight roads and rectangular blocks.
A sophisticated drainage system, comprising brick and stone drains, was implemented.
A complex water supply system, including wells and reservoirs, supported urban life.

Harappan architecture is defined by the use of mud bricks, baked bricks, and stone.
Sun-dried mud brick technique was employed in building construction.
The Great Bath, built around 2500 BCE, is a notable architectural achievement.
The Great Bath features a series of rooms, including a changing room and sacred room.
Granaries were built to store grains and food items.
Cities featured multi-story buildings, with upper floors used for living and lower floors for storage and other purposes.