The Harappan Civilisation — Question 1
Back to all questions(a) The Harappan Civilisation had its roots in Indian soil.The civilisation evolved in areas near the Indus river and expanded over the time.The urban culture which has been observed was just the extension of local village culture along with effect of trade relations with Mesopotamia.The historians found some marked similarities between the pre-Harappan and proto-Harappan culture at Kot Diji, Amri and Kalibangan in terms of granary, defensive walls and long distance trade in these settlements.
(b) The Harappan Civilisation was the largest of all ancient civilisations covering a triangular area of 1.3 million sq.km . It extended from Suktagendor (Baluchistan) in west to Alamgirpur (U.P.) in the east and from Manda (Jammu) in the north to Bhagatrav (Narmada Estuary) in the south. The Harappan Civilisation covered parts of Punjab, Haryana, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan and fringes of western Uttar Pradesh.
(c) The four important cities of the Harappan Civilisation are:
- Harappa — It is situated in Montgomery district of Punjab on the left bank of Ravi river. It was the first site to be discovered in 1921. It measured around 5 km in circuit and was an important centre of Metallurgy.
- Mohenjo-daro — It is situated in Larkana district of Sindh on the right bank of Indus river. It was the second site to be discovered in 1922. The main feature of this city is it's drainage system and it's roads. It is linked to Harappa through Indus river.
- Chanhudaro — It lies about 130 km south of Mohenjo-daro. It was probably the industrial hub with bangle and beads making industries. Copper and Bronze models of carts with seated drivers were also found from this city.
- Lothal — It is situated in Gujarat. A rectangular dockyard was discovered here. Lothal was an important trading and manufacturing centre of the Indus Valley Civilisation and was used for carrying out overseas trade.
Chapter Overview: The Harappan Civilisation
The Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilisation was one of the world’s earliest urban civilisations, flourishing from approximately 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE along the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra river systems. It covered parts of present-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, making it the largest of the ancient civilisations. Major sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira, and Rakhigarhi.
The civilisation was remarkable for its advanced town planning with grid-pattern streets, sophisticated drainage systems, standardised baked bricks, granaries, and public baths (the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro). The Harappans engaged in agriculture (wheat, barley, cotton), crafts (pottery, bead-making, metallurgy), and long-distance trade with Mesopotamia. The undeciphered Harappan script, absence of monumental temples, and evidence of a non-monarchical governance structure make it unique among ancient civilisations.
Board Exam Weightage: 5-6 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Key Sites & Features
| Site | Notable Feature |
|---|---|
| Mohenjo-daro | Great Bath, granary, Dancing Girl bronze statue |
| Harappa | Granaries, workers’ quarters, cemetery (R-37) |
| Lothal (Gujarat) | Dockyard (earliest known), bead-making factory |
| Kalibangan (Rajasthan) | Ploughed field, fire altars |
| Dholavira (Gujarat) | Water reservoirs, stadium, signboard with Harappan script |
Must-Know Concepts
- Town Planning: Grid-pattern streets, citadel and lower town division, underground drainage, standardised bricks (4:2:1 ratio)
- Economy: Agriculture (wheat, barley, rice, cotton), trade with Mesopotamia, use of seals, standardised weights and measures
- Religion: Mother Goddess worship, Pashupati seal (proto-Shiva), sacred animals, tree worship, no temples found
- Script: Boustrophedon writing (right-to-left, then left-to-right); still undeciphered; found on seals
- Decline: Multiple theories — floods, drought, tectonic shifts, Aryan invasion (now debated), climate change, trade disruption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing specific features with wrong sites (e.g., attributing the dockyard to Mohenjo-daro instead of Lothal)
- Writing that the Harappan script has been deciphered — it remains undeciphered
- Stating that iron was used — the Harappans used copper and bronze, not iron
- Claiming only one cause for decline — always present multiple theories
Scoring Tips
- Pair each site with its unique feature for identification questions
- For town planning answers, cover streets, drainage, bricks, citadel-lower town division systematically
- Mention trade with Mesopotamia and use of seals when discussing economy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Harappan Civilisation called a Bronze Age civilisation?
The Harappans used copper and tin to make bronze tools and weapons. They did not know the use of iron. This places them in the Bronze Age (approximately 3300–1200 BCE).
What was the Great Bath used for?
The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro was likely used for ritual bathing and purification ceremonies. It was made waterproof with bitumen and had steps leading down from both sides.
How do we know the Harappans traded with Mesopotamia?
Harappan seals have been found at Mesopotamian sites, and Mesopotamian texts mention trade with “Meluhha” (believed to be the Indus region). Lothal’s dockyard further confirms maritime trade.