The Harappan Civilization or the
Indus Civilization
From the leftovers of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, the time from which we are introduced this is commonly known as Harappa Civilization. Harappa Civilization was the biggest and the first Civilization of South Asia. This was same as the Mesopotamian Civilization. It is said that the current development is thankful to wheel but it is amazing that around five thousand years before the skillful and intelligent people of Harappan invented already. Normally this great civilization of Pakistan is known as Harappa civilization or Indus Valley Civilization.
This civilization was not only limited to Sindh but it means that
it was big and spread over the four provinces of Pakistan and also the very far
areas and gradually its as also spread to Indian province Punjab, Haryana and
Gujarat. Because its as were found in Harappa for the first time so that is why
it is named Harappa Civilization. The important centers of its in Pakistan are
“Harappa, Ganweriwala, Mohenjo-Daro, Chanho-Daro, Satgan dor, and some more
cities. Which are in spite of being far, are of same civilization. It was from
The Mountains of Himalayas to the Arabian Sea, on around 400,000 sq.km.
In the brightness of the modern technology, an amazing and astonishing fact is discovered that this civilization didn’t come from Iran or Iraq but it grew here on this land.
This civilization is a conclusion of the
continuous hard work of the old people of this area. Scientists on the base of
their vision, after focusing on the evidences of found in 3000 BCE, put on the signs
of the KOT Diji and the same cities. This great civilization begins in KOT
Diji, Rehman Dheri, Sarae Khola and Amri etc. around in 3500 BCE but the people
of this people started and around till 2600 BCE this completing the initial
steps and with greatness and rises which transformed in the cities like
Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa type of great cities. Therefore, the soil of the 7
seas was very fertile. The nature and the rivers waves were very soft and
grateful on them. So, the hardworking and skillful people have a big role in
the evolution and development of the Harappa Civilization.
The Eras of Harappa Civilization
Point of view of some old experts is that the founders of this Civilization are Dravids. In Pakistan the beginning of the ancient civilization started Area of Sun, where the tools and weapons of stone for the first time were made and the completing the initial steps and emerged on the areas in Balochistan; Mehar garh, KOT Diji and more areas and at last got rise on the civilizations like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
According to the modern technology the local people were the creators of the Harappa civilization. Like happened with the signs of KOT Diji (Early Harappa), Harappa, Ganweriwala and Mohenjo Daro. So that the Specialists have divided the civilization into three eras.
1. The beginning era of the Harappan Civilization (2600 to 3500).
2. The development era of Harappan Civilization (1900 to 2600).
3. The last era of Harappan civilization ( late Harappa) 1900 to 1500.
Even though Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are located on the distance of 640 km (around 400 miles) but still are the translators of the developed civilization.
Some extraordinary commons are found in the leftovers of both civilizations. Development, water providence and some more things were all same.
Harappa civilization is actually a complete developed civilization. The beard of the statue of the king of the Mohenjo-Daro “King Priest”, was invented. The cloth he’s wearing is type of a coat, there’s done the work of flowers. The same situation is with the statue of a female dancer. In one hand there are a lot of bangles and in the neck there’s necklace which is known as the modern girl of today.
The creators of the Harappan Civilization knew building pretty much. The map of Harappa was with proper planning and decision. The houses made with beautiful long lasting bricks were on the both sides of the street. There was a washroom in every house. Wide streets, line by line building and had a good system of water providence.
The house architectures of Harappa
The rules healthcare were also focused. They covered drains transformed into a big drain at a specific point even the sewerage system of the modern day is known as the signs of the Harappa Civilization. From Harappa the signs of storage house/ go down, the quarters of laborers, work platform, wells, the east and west doors of the ancient city, melting the iron and the kilns of mud toys besides that; steatite stone, the beautiful stamps made of copper, the utensils made of mud on which there are designs, pots, weight stones, beautiful pearls, beautiful jewelry are found. Qualitative weight stones for scales.
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For the care of scale there were proper teams. But the urban life and discipline continued. The group of traders was in power which controlled urban life and discipline. The people of Harappa may have used the strong for the building of a city in the history of the world. In the strong bricks of Harappa there was good work and were long lasting. These people were expert in creating design full utensils. They made good utensils on chalk. Most of the designs on them were creative from which the work of the worker was expressed.
Normally, now a days we can find utensils or pots from potters. Even after 5000 years, today we don’t see any specific changes in the designs of the pots of then and now. The women used the jewelry a lot for beauty. These jewelries were made of gold, silver, copper, bronze, aqiq, seashells.
The technologies used in the Harappan and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations have for sure amazed the scientists of today. How come people at that time think of those? Though their mysteries are not fully revealed but gradually when their mysteries are being released, new amazements are being discovered.
Also like the facts that those people were fond of jewelry and different artifacts, it shows how creative they were. Being not only just living beings but having meanings in life and giving a proof of a brilliant society, leaving examples as mysteries for the future. They might not even have thought about people like us trying to find out the meanings of simple things they wrote and drew.
And some of their arts as told earlier in the article like their pots which have been almost the same from that time till now, their developments at that time might be normal for us but with a sight of curiosity, searching and exploration, putting yourself in their places just changes the whole perspective.
Their arts and beautiful works are not only arts but also morals for us to be disciplined and to work without thinking about your surroundings and to have the desire to create something new and unique. This thinking is one of the important steps in the beginning of an entrepreneurial society and individuals with smart way of thinking, not only helping the society to be full of creativity but to have people who are the problem solvers.
One day, when we solve the hidden messages of Harappan people, many new discoveries will be done from those we learn about those who once existed, unaware of the fact that their existence, their architectures and their creations will become studies in an upcoming era.
The fashion of Harappan people
In those jewelries there were necklaces, bangles, nose pins and simple rings are worthy of a discussion, ancient women used to wear rings, and gajras (a band to wear on hands with flowers) in hand. They used to decorate tops in the ears. They also used to wear kajal and surmas in the eyes. It was a common tradition to wear bangles. Poor women used to decorate their hands with clay bangles for beauty. The men and women of Harappa were very fond of They used to wear jhumars in their hairs. In the year 1991-92 the
American experts Dr. G.F. Dailor (late) and Dr. J.M. Canoir (late) found a white beautiful jhumar based on very thin pearls made of stone. The holes in those pearls were so thin that a single hair can pass from them only and they can be only seen with a microscope but despite that; they were thin and beautiful pearls and were made with discipline, from which we can determine that the people of Harappa were how much talented and developed in their work before 5000 years.
The beautiful stamps made of stone and copper are the special creations of Harappa. The worrying thing is that we couldn’t read these stamps till today. In Harappa there were jewelers, potters, carpenters, tailors, painters, trimmers, farmers, traders and laborers used to live there. The people of village used to have poultries and do farming. Different grains such as corn, cotton were farmed.. And pet cows, goats, sheeps, donkeys and dogs. For irrigation they weren’t only depended rains and wells. But made barrages on rivers and streams. In Rig Ved (the book of Hindus), the breaking of barrages is the declared the great miracle of “Indra”.
Trading was an important part of the economy besides agriculture. Great cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and Ganweriwala were located near the rivers and also were located on such trading roads which connected the far places and areas to the centers of big cities. With the help of bull-carts and boats the production of farming was taken into the cities.
Urban Planning and Infrastructure
The Harappan civilization is renowned for its advanced urban planning and infrastructure. Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were meticulously laid out in a grid pattern, featuring wide streets intersecting at right angles. Residential and public buildings were constructed using standardized baked bricks, reflecting a high degree of uniformity and planning. One of the most remarkable aspects of these cities was their sophisticated drainage system. Covered drains ran along the main streets, connected to individual houses, ensuring efficient waste disposal and contributing to the overall hygiene of the urban environment. This level of municipal engineering was unparalleled in contemporary civilizations.
Economic Activities and Trade
The economy of the Harappan civilization was diverse and robust, encompassing agriculture, animal husbandry, and extensive trade networks. The fertile plains of the Indus River supported the cultivation of wheat, barley, and peas, while domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, and goats were integral to the agrarian lifestyle. Artisans produced a variety of goods, including pottery, beads, and textiles, which were traded both locally and with distant regions. Evidence of trade relations with Mesopotamia, as indicated by the discovery of Indus seals and goods in Mesopotamian cities, highlights the civilization's far-reaching commercial connections.
Artistic and Cultural Expressions
Art and culture flourished in the Harappan civilization, as evidenced by the discovery of various artifacts. Terracotta figurines, often depicting animals and human forms, suggest a rich tradition of craftsmanship and possibly religious or cultural symbolism. The famous "Dancing Girl" bronze statuette from Mohenjo-daro exemplifies the artistic prowess of the Harappans, showcasing intricate detail and a sense of movement. Additionally, the use of standardized weights and measures indicates a sophisticated understanding of mathematics and commerce.
Religious Beliefs and Practices
While the exact religious beliefs of the Harappan people remain a subject of research, archaeological findings provide some insights. The presence of the "Great Bath" in Mohenjo-daro suggests ritualistic bathing practices, possibly linked to purification rites. Seals depicting animals and possibly deities indicate the worship of various symbols, and the prevalence of mother goddess figurines points to fertility cults. However, the absence of grand temples or palaces suggests that religious practices might have been more community-oriented rather than centralized.
Decline and Legacy
The decline of the Harappan civilization around 1900 BCE is attributed to a combination of factors, including climatic changes, tectonic activities, and shifts in trade patterns. Despite its eventual disappearance, the legacy of the Harappan civilization endures. Its advancements in urban planning, sanitation, and trade have left an indelible mark on subsequent cultures in the Indian subcontinent. Ongoing archaeological research continues to shed light on this enigmatic civilization, offering glimpses into its complex society and enduring influence.