Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappan civilisation)

The Indus Valley Civilization was established around 3300 BC, it flourished between 2600 BC and 1900 BC (Mature Indus Valley Civilization) and started to decline around 1900 BC and disappeared around 1400 BC.

The source of knowledge about Harappan culture is - Archaeological excavations.

In 1912, Harappan seals with then unknown symbols were discovered by J. Fleet.

In the 1920s, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out excavations in the Indus valley wherein the ruins of the two old cities, viz. Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were unearthed.

In 1924, John Marshall, Director-General of the ASI, announced the discovery of a new civilisation (Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa) in the Indus valley to the world.

The first archaeologist who excavated Harappa, but could not recognize its significance, was - A. Cunningham.

Archaeologists have discovered usage of copper, bronze, tin, silver and gold.

It was the first time that silver was extracted and used in Indus valley Civilisation.

Iron was not known to the Harappan people.

The pottery found at Harappa is of the light red or brown colour, excepting some specimens which are black.

Idol workship in India can be traced to the period of Pre-Aryans.

The people of Harappa seemed to have worshipped the Mother Goddess and Shiva Pashupati.

Cow, camel, horse, and lion were not depicted on seals.

Unicorn (bull) was the animal most commonly represented on the seals.

In fact, horse was an animal that was unknown to the Harappan Civilization.

It was the first civilization to cultivate cotton and agriculture was the most important occupation.

No structures like temples or palaces have been found.

Related MCQs