| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Great Bath (d) 2. Harappan Civilisation (e) 3. Humped bull (a) 4. Trade (b) 5. Lord Shiva (c) | (a) Most sacred animal (b) Barter system (c) Pashupati (d) Mohenjodaro (e) Bronze Age |
In 1921 an Indian archaeologist Dayaram Sahni discovered the ruins of the city Harappa. In 1922 Rakhal Das Banerjee discovered the ruins of Mohenjodaro in the larkana district of Sindh (present Pakistan).
The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's earliest urban cultures, had numerous sites spread across present-day Pakistan and northwest India. Here are some of the key sites of the Indus Valley Civilization:
Mohenjo-Daro: Located in Sindh (Pakistan), Mohenjo-Daro is one of the most important and well-explored cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is known for its well-planned streets, advanced drainage systems, and large public baths.
Harappa: Situated in the Punjab region of modern-day Pakistan, Harappa is another major site of the civilization. It features a similar urban planning style to Mohenjo-Daro, with streets laid out in a grid pattern and impressive brick buildings.
Dholavira: Located in the arid Kutch region of Gujarat, India, Dholavira is renowned for its elaborate water management systems, including reservoirs and wells, which suggest the advanced engineering skills of its people.
Lothal: Situated in Gujarat, India, Lothal was a vital trading port and is famous for its dockyard and bead-making industry. It was a center for commerce and trade with other regions.
Rakhigarhi: In Haryana, India, Rakhigarhi is one of the largest Harappan sites, offering insights into the life and practices of the people of the Indus Valley. Excavations have uncovered houses, burial sites, and pottery.
Kalibangan: Located in Rajasthan, India, Kalibangan provides evidence of early agricultural practices and features a significant site with a well-planned grid system and fire altars, hinting at religious activities.
Banawali: Another important site in Haryana, Banawali is known for its strategic location and well-planned streets. Excavations have revealed pottery, beads, and tools, indicating a thriving local economy.
The town planning of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) (c. 2600 -1900 BCE) was highly advanced and well-organized.
1. Citadel and Lower Town Cities were divided into two parts:Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were built on a grid system. Streets were wide, straight and intersected each other at right angles. The streets had lamp posts. Houses were built on both sides of the streets. It makes the grid pattern.
3. Standardized Brick StructuresHouses, walls, and buildings were made of burnt bricks. Houses varied in size and had flat roofs. Many of these were double-storeyed.
The Indus Valley Civilization’s town planning reflects scientific and systematic urban development, making it one of the earliest examples of planned cities in human history.
The drainage system of the Indus Valley Civilization was one of its most remarkable achievements. Each house was connected to a central drainage system. Drains were often covered with slabs, made of stone or baked bricks and cleaned regularly via inspection holesor manholes. Houses had private bathrooms and toilets. Wastewater from kitchens and bathrooms was directed through terracotta pipes or open channels into the covered drains. Larger drains ran along the main streets, collecting water from smaller and private drains. The Sophistication of this drainage system suggests a highly organized administration and understanding of public hygiene.
The Great Bath was one of the most remarkable structures discovered at the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, which was part of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in Pakistan.
The Great Bath was a large and rectangular tank made of baked bricks. It measures about 12 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 2.4 meters deep. It had six entrances. Steps led to the bottom of the pool. There was an outlet to drain the used water and freshwater for the body was taken from an adjacent well. It was surrounded by rooms, possibly for changing or rituals.
Purpose: The Great Bath was used for ritual bathing or religious ceremonies, showing the importance of cleanliness and perhaps spiritual purification in their culture. The Great Bath reflects the advanced urban planning and engineering skills of theIndus Valley people.
The Harappan People worshipped natural elements like trees and animals. Pipal tree was regarded as sacred. The "Pashupati seal" shows a figure sitting in a yogic posture, surrounded by a tiger, rhinoceros, buffalo and an elephant, believed by some historians to be an early form of Lord Shiva as "Pashupati" (Lord of Animals). At various sites clay figures of Mother Goddess have been found. They buried their dead with personal items, suggesting belief in life after death. Therefore the religion of the Indus Valley Civilization seems to have focused on nature worship and ritual purity with possible early elements of Hindu practices.
Based on archaeological evidences scholars generally infer three social categories of the Indus Valley Civilization.
1. Ruling/Elite Class - This included leaders, possibly priests and administrators, who lived in larger houses at Citadel.The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization (around 1900 BCE to 1300 BCE) is still debated by historians and archaeologists, as there was no single reason but a combination of factors that likely contributed to its fall. Here are the main theories:
1. Environmental changes : A major shift in climate may have led to prolonged droughts and reduced monsoon rains, affecting agriculture. The Indus River may have changed its course, disrupting water supply and trade routes.The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was likely due to a mix of environmental, economic and social factors, leading to the slow abandonment of its cities.
