Indus Valley Script

Indus Valley Script

• 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

Urban Planning

• 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

Architecture and Buildings

• 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

Indus Valley Script

• 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.

Urban Planning

• 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.

Architecture and Buildings

• 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.