Introduction – Discovering the Harappan Civilization

• The Harappan Civilization was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• First discovered in 1921 at Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan) by Daya Ram Sahni and at Mohenjo-Daro (Sindh, Pakistan) by R.D. Banerjee in 1922.
• The civilization flourished in northwestern India and Pakistan, covering Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and western Uttar Pradesh.
• Key Sites: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi, Banawali.

Urban Planning – The Features of Harappan Cities

Harappan cities were well-planned, with grid-pattern streets, drainage systems, and advanced architecture.

The Citadel and the Lower Town

• Citadel (Western Side) – Built on a raised platform, it had important structures like granaries, warehouses, and religious buildings.
• Lower Town (Eastern Side) – Residential areas where common people lived, with houses made of baked bricks.

Drainage System

• Underground drainage system with covered drains, inspection holes, and soak pits.
• Houses had bathrooms with drains connected to main sewage channels.

Great Bath (Mohenjo-Daro)

• A large, water-tight tank used for public bathing or rituals.
• Steps on both sides and changing rooms nearby.

Agriculture and Economy

The Harappans practiced agriculture, animal husbandry, trade, and crafts.

Crops and Irrigation

• Main crops: Wheat, barley, lentils, sesame, peas, and dates.
• Cotton cultivation – Harappans were among the first to grow cotton.
• Irrigation – Wells and canals were used in some regions.

Domesticated Animals

• Cattle, sheep, goats, buffaloes, and camels were reared.
• The absence of horse remains suggests horses were not common.

Crafts and Industries

Harappans were skilled artisans, producing fine goods like beads, pottery, metal tools, and seals.

Bead-Making and Jewellery

• Lothal was a major center for bead-making.
• Materials used: Carnelian, lapis lazuli, agate, steatite, and gold.
• Harappans made bangles, necklaces, and earrings.

Pottery

• Red and black pottery with painted designs.
• Pots were made using the wheel, with geometric and floral patterns.

Metalwork and Tools

• Used bronze and copper to make tools, weapons, and sculptures.
• The famous “Dancing Girl” statue (Mohenjo-Daro) was made of bronze.

Trade and Commerce

The Harappans engaged in local and long-distance trade, using standardized weights and measures.

Internal Trade

• Trade between Harappan cities (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira).
• Transport through bullock carts and river routes.

Foreign Trade (Mesopotamian Connection)

• Traded with Mesopotamia (Iraq), Persia, and Afghanistan.
• Exports: Cotton textiles, beads, pottery, ivory, and metals.
• Imports: Gold (from South India), silver (Afghanistan), lapis lazuli (Badakhshan),
• Mesopotamian records mention “Meluhha,” referring to the Indus region.

Script and Seals – The Mystery of Harappan Writing

• The Harappans used a pictographic script, but it has not been deciphered yet.
• Over 400 symbols have been found on seals, pottery, and copper plates.

Features of Harappan Seals

• Made of steatite (soft stone), usually square or rectangular.
• Had animal motifs (unicorn, bull, elephant) with inscriptions.
• Used for trade and possibly administrative purposes.

Social and Religious Life

Harappan society was divided into different occupational groups, with no clear evidence of kings or rulers.

Society and Lifestyle

• Houses varied in size, suggesting social hierarchy.
• Men and women wore cotton clothes, with women using ornaments and cosmetics.
• Recreational activities: Dice games, music, and clay toy-making.

Religion and Beliefs

• No large temples, unlike Mesopotamia and Egypt.
• Worship of Mother Goddess and a proto-Shiva figure (Pashupati Seal).
• Sacred animals: Bull, unicorn, and trees (Peepal tree was revered).
• Fire altars found at Kalibangan, indicating ritual practices.

Decline of the Harappan Civilization

The Harappan Civilization declined around 1900 BCE, but the reasons remain debated.

Theories of Decline

• Climate Change: Changes in monsoon patterns led to droughts.
• River Shifting: Drying up of the Saraswati River impacted agriculture.
• Floods or Natural Disasters: Some sites show evidence of sudden abandonment.
• Aryan Invasion Theory (Now Discredited): Earlier believed that Indo-Aryans invaded and destroyed Harappa.

Legacy of the Harappan Civilization

Despite its decline, Harappan culture influenced later Indian traditions.

Continuity in Later Cultures

• Town planning principles (drainage, grid system) influenced later Indian cities.
• Pottery styles, terracotta figurines, and bead-making continued in later cultures.
• Religious symbols (Mother Goddess, Shiva-like figures) influenced Hinduism.

Conclusion

• Harappa was India’s first urban civilization, known for its advanced town planning and architecture.
• Agriculture, craft production, and trade (local and foreign) supported a strong economy.
• Social life was well-organized, with no evidence of centralized monarchy.
• Harappans had an undeciphered script and used seals for trade.
• The civilization declined due to environmental changes, not invasions.
• Its legacy influenced later cultures, including Vedic society and modern Indian traditions.