Origin of the Harappan Civilization
The Harappan Civilization was indigenous. The evidence has
established that the Harappan Civilization emerged in Pakistan and grew from
the local Village culture which ultimately developed fully or urbanized by
about 2600BC, the best examples of which are large cities such as Harappa,
Ganweriwala and Mohenjodaro.
Mehrgarh in Balochistan is an important site of that era.
About 7000 years ago, semi-nomadic tribes of the Balochistan, province of
Pakistan used to tame wild animals such as cows, goats and sheep and also
domesticated some important food crops of wheat and barley. These semi-nomadic
tribes entered the plains of the Indus (Sindh) / Ghaghra / Hakra rivers. They
were fascinated by the fertile land of the Indus region of agriculture.
Kot-Digi and Ameri are two early Harappan sites dating about
4000BC in Sindh.
The beginning of the Harappan Civilization (I.V.C) can be traced back to fourth millennium in the Indus Valley itself. It is also Harappa that the antecedents of the Indus Valley Civilization were first discovered and further confirmed by a team of Harappa Archeologist Research Project (HARP) directed by Dr. R.H. Meadow (Harvard University) and Dr. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer (University of Wisconsin Madison), the famous archeologists who worked at the site in 1986-93.
Both of them devoted themselves to exploring the intricacies
of the Harappan Civilization and contributed a lot in this regard. Excavations
and investigations by HARP were conducted for more than five years in
collaboration with Department of Archeology and Museums of Govt. of Pakistan.
Excavations have revealed evidence of some Early Harappan
materials which show a strong affinity with some Kot-Dejian findings (Early
Harappan Phase dating 3500BC).
Digging below the fortification wall unveiled an early phase of this culture.
In short, the long cultural process of the Harappan
Civilization consists of three phases.
1.
Early Harappan, 3200 to 2600BC. (Formative Phase/ Kot
Diji Phase).
2.
Mature Harappan 2600 to 1900BC (Full-fledged urban
phase).
3.
Late Harappan 1900 to 1300BC. (Post-Harappan phase).
Cemeteries
Cemeteries (R-37 and H) excavated at Harappa reveal their belief in life after death. Harappan people buried their dead wearing fingers, necklaces of steatite beads, earrings, shell bangles, copper mirrors, shell spoons and terracotta bangles. Vessels and urns of various shapes have been found in the graves.
Governance
The uniformity of Harappan architecture and similarity in the script, pottery designs, and standard weight system confirm some form of controlling authority (a group of traders or king-priest to regulate seals, weights, and bricks.
Trade Relations and Cultural Contacts with Contemporary Civilizations
The Harappan Civilization was contemporaneous with the civilization of Nile (Egypt) and Mesopotamia (Iraq). But the Harappa Civilization was at least twice as big as either Egypt or Mesopotamia. Wide, straight streets and well-planned houses with drainage systems are still models for the modern town planners. On the contrary, Egyptian and Mesopotamian cities were not well planned. There was no sanitation system even.
The economy was based on agriculture, domestication of animals, and trade. Harappan people used to trade with foreign countries, traveling along the sea as well as on land routes. Sea-Ports were found in the Harappan civilization. Bullock carts were used for land routes for trade. They traded with Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq or minerals, while lead and copper were exported from Indus region. The Raw materials like timber, stone ivory, and animals were exported from different countries and manufactured products were exported to Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt, and Mesopotamia.
The discovery of the Harappan seals at archeological sites in the regions of the Mesopotamian and Egypt Civilizations only proves that the Harappan people had trade links and cultural contacts with other civilizations of the world. The Harappan seals depict figurines of animals like unicorns, bulls, rhinoceros, elephants, and tigers with some script engraved on their bodies. Many scholars suggest that traders may have used the seals on their commercial parcels for identification or status.
They also manufactured stone beads and shell objects. The raw material was imported from Balochistan, Afghanistan, and native area.
Religious Beliefs
They worshipped several god and goddesses. Everyone was worshiped for a discrete purpose. Terracotta female figurines (mother goddesses) and pipal trees seem to have some connection with their religious thoughts. A brief outline of their religious beliefs is given below.
1. 1. Worship of Uni and Ling.
2. 2. Worship of Pipal tree.
3. 3. Animal and Human Sacrifices.
4. 4. King-Priest.
5. 5. Concept of like after death (graves).
Decline of the Harappan Civilization
There was no sudden end or collapse of the Harappa civilization. But it declined over some time. The definite reason for decline is not yet known. Many scholars have different theories based on speculations regarding downfall. This Civilization declined in about 1500BC owing to multiple causes of regional nature.
Theories regarding the decline of the Harappan Civilization
1. Epidemic diseases.
2. Floods.
3. Tectonic Movements.
4. Dissication of River.
5. Change in the River courses.
6. Transformation theory.
7. Aryan’s Invasion.
In deciphered Seals
The Harappan studies still pose complicated problems due to human inability is deciphering the Harappan script. That is why many of the details regarding the people and their religious beliefs are still unclear. Although the Indus writing on the seal is still undeciphered, yet the writing on seals indicates that it had an important role in the economic and social system of the Harappan civilization, which flourished from 2500 to 1900BC in the area comprising Pakistan and part of Western India.
The script found on seals is yet to be deciphered. Let the people think about it and the efforts to decipher the Harappan writing may please be continued.
Significant Findings Impressive Remains and Artifacts
Great Granary.
Worker’s Platforms.
Furnaces for Pottery and Metalworking.
Double Ringed Well.
Underground Drains/ Covered Drains.
Fortification wall.
Terracotta Toys.
Cylindrical Seals.
Statue of a Bearded Man.
Piece of Woven Cloth.
Coffin Burial.
Beads.
Great Bath (The biggest Bath Ghat in Mohenjo-Daro).
Bronze Dancing Girl (found in Mohenjo-Daro).
Cultural Evolution and Technological Advancements
The Harappan civilization's
progression from agrarian communities to urban centers was marked by
significant cultural and technological developments. The inhabitants
demonstrated advanced knowledge in various domains, including metallurgy, as
evidenced by the production of bronze tools and ornaments. Their expertise in bead-making, pottery, and seal carving
reflects a high degree of craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility. The standardized weights and measures used across different
sites indicate a sophisticated understanding of trade and commerce,
facilitating transactions over vast distances.
Religious
and Symbolic Practices
While the precise religious beliefs
of the Harappans remain a subject of scholarly debate, archaeological findings
suggest the presence of ritualistic practices. Structures like
the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro imply the significance of water in ceremonial
contexts, possibly linked to purification rites. Numerous
terracotta figurines, often interpreted as representations of deities or
fertility symbols, have been uncovered, indicating a rich tapestry of spiritual
and symbolic expression within the society.
Linguistic
Enigmas and Script
One of the most intriguing aspects of
the Harappan civilization is its script, found inscribed on seals, pottery, and
other artifacts. Despite numerous attempts, the script remains undeciphered,
posing challenges to fully understanding the language and administrative
systems of the time. The brevity of the
inscriptions and the absence of bilingual texts have hindered decipherment
efforts. Nonetheless, the consistency and
widespread use of the script suggest it played a crucial role in communication
and record-keeping within the civilization.
Environmental
Interactions and Adaptations
The Harappans exhibited remarkable
adaptability to their environment. They implemented advanced irrigation
techniques to manage the seasonal fluctuations of the Indus River, ensuring
agricultural productivity. Urban planning
incorporated features like granaries and drainage systems, reflecting a
proactive approach to food storage and sanitation. However,
shifts in climatic conditions and river patterns may have posed challenges,
influencing settlement patterns and contributing to the civilization's eventual
decline.