Pre-Harappan and Indus Valley Civilization PDF

PRE-HARAPPAN AND SINDHU VALLEY CIVILIZATION Pre-Harappan Period (c. 7000–3300 BCE) This period is considered the precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization, marked by the development of early agricultural settlements and the beginning of organized societies. 1. Neolithic Settlements: Me...

PRE-HARAPPAN AND SINDHU VALLEY CIVILIZATION Pre-Harappan Period (c. 7000–3300 BCE) This period is considered the precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization, marked by the development of early agricultural settlements and the beginning of organized societies. 1. Neolithic Settlements: Mehrgarh (c. 7000 BCE) in present-day Pakistan is one of the earliest Neolithic settlements. People lived in small villages and practiced agriculture, domesticated animals (sheep, goats), and used stone tools. Barley and wheat were among the first crops cultivated, and they used granaries to store surplus food. 2. Transition to Urbanization Over time, these small settlements grew larger and more complex. Pottery, metallurgy (copper), and the use of ploughs were introduced. Early signs of trade and interaction between different regions, possibly even with Mesopotamia. 3. Cultural Practices: Early forms of religious practices and burial traditions, such as placing the dead in specific positions with burial goods. The Pre-Harappan period was mostly rural, focusing on small settlements with basic agricultural practices.  Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1900 BCE) The Indus Valley Civilization (also known as Harappan Civilization) was one of the world's earliest urban cultures, flourishing along the Indus River in present-day Pakistan and northwest India. 1.Urban Planning: 1. The cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were highly organized with a grid system of streets and advanced drainage systems. 2. Houses were made of uniform fired bricks, and they had facilities like wells and bathrooms. 3. There were public buildings such as granaries and what might have been assembly halls or temples. 2.Trade and Economy: 1. The Indus people had a highly developed trade network, with evidence of trade with Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and Persian Gulf regions. 2. Major goods included cotton textiles, copper, bronze, and seals that were used for trade identification. 3. Agriculture: The economy was largely based on agriculture, with wheat, barley, and peas being the major crops. They had an irrigation system to control water from the rivers. 4. Writing and Seals: They developed a form of writing which remains undeciphered to this day, found on seals and pottery. The seals often depicted animals and possibly represented the names of traders or deities. DRAINAGE SYSTEM THE GRANARY SEAL TOWN PLANNING 5. Society and Culture: The Indus Valley Civilization had a social hierarchy, though we do not know exactly how it was structured. Art and crafts included terracotta figures, pottery, jewelry, and intricate beadwork. Religion is not fully understood, but some figurines suggest worship of fertility goddesses and symbols resembling the Shiva-like figure or Pashupati. 6. Decline: Around 1900 BCE, the civilization started to decline. Reasons might include climate change, floods, drought, or the shift of the river. The Indus Valley Civilization marked a significant leap into urban life, with advanced town planning, trade networks, and a complex society.