The Harappan Civilisation — Question 5
Back to all questionsLook at the newspaper excerpt from Sir John Marshall's article about the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro and answer the questions that follow.
(a) Which 'Forgotten Age' is being talked about in the excerpt? Tiryns and Mycenae were long forgotten ancient cities, what are referred to as Indian "Tiryns and "Mycenae"?
(b) How was this 'Forgotten Age' in India revealed?
(c) Explain briefly the significance of this 'Forgotten Age' in terms of its unique features.
(a) The "Forgotten Age" refers to the Indus Valley Civilization, with Harappa and Mohenjo-daro being the Indian equivalents of the ancient cities of Tiryns and Mycenae.
(b) Indus Valley Civilization was discovered by the combined efforts of Sir John Marshall and two ASI archaeologists Daya Ram Sehni and Rakhal Das Banerji. Daya Ram Sehni found seals, painted pottery, beads at Harappa in 1921-22, and Rakhal Das found seals, pottery, copper products, and crucibles at Mohenjo-Daro in 1922. Marshall interpreted the similarities between objects found in the two cities and announced the discovery of the "civilization of the Indus Valley" in "The Illustrated London News" newspaper.
(c) The significance of Indus Valley Civilization can be seen by:
- Planned Urban Layout — Cities like Mohenjo-daro had grid-pattern roads, citadel, and standardized bricks.
- Drainage System — They had an excellent drainage system with covered drains in the houses connected to the street drains.
- Religious Practices — Worship of nature, animals, and fertility symbols reflects early religious beliefs.
- Script and Seals — The undeciphered script on seals gives insights into administration, religion, and communication.
- Art and Craft — The Harappans produced fine seals, pottery, beads, and sculptures, showing their skill in art and craftsmanship.
- Trade Practices — They had internal and external trade, including contact with Mesopotamia, shown through seals and other objects.
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.