Category History

      The Harappans were great traders and had a complex system of trade networks that made them very rich. They traded in shell, dried fish, fish grain, and pearls from the coast, as well as copper, tin, turquoise, ivory, precious and semiprecious stones from the hilly areas.

        Of course, grains, animals and wood were produced and traded from the rural areas. The Harappans had networks that extended into Central Asia, Mesopotamia and the Arabian Peninsula. Through trade, the Harappan Civilization expanded its culture, and came into regular contact with faraway lands.

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       Like any civilizations in the world, the Harappan Civilization too had to face decline. Its glory finally diminished between 2000 and 1800 BC. We cannot really pinpoint one single reason.

       Climate changes may have played a role, since the Earth was becoming warmer during this time. The land became drier, and water for the cities ran short. It is also thought that earthquakes or fires may have destroyed many cities. The city of Mohenjo-Daro shows evidence of having been destroyed by fire. Other scholars feel that the population was wiped out by an epidemic or disease.

       It is also likely that the area became too large to be effectively controlled, encouraging attacks by outsiders. In any case, the nomadic Aryans invaded India around 1500 BC, destroying the Indus Valley Civilization, bringing to an end the most brilliant civilization of the ancient world.

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       Of the many parts of a Harappan city,  the citadel at the centre had a vital role to play. The citadel was the main part of the city, built on a raised platform. It was built of bricks and surrounded by a huge brick wall. The citadel consisted of public buildings, a bath, and granaries and quarters for providing shelter to the persons who taught religion. The remaining parts of the city were spread around the citadel. People went to the citadel for protection when the city was under attack.

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       Do you know how large the largest civilization of the ancient world was? The Indus Valley Civilization covered an area the size of Western Europe! It spread across over 1.3 million square kilometres of land! It was spread out over what is today Pakistan, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

       It has been discovered that the Indus Valley Civilization stretched from Jammu and Kashmir in the north, to the Narmada in the south, and from the Makran coast of Baluchisthan in the west to the River Yamuna in the east.

       Over 1000 sites have been discovered, belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization. Is it any wonder that it was considered the largest of the four ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China?

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Do you like to wear ornaments? It is believed that the people of the Indus Valley Civilization were also fond of dressing up and wearing ornaments. Archaeological discoveries from this period suggest that both men and women wore jewellery. Necklaces, beads and amulets were made from gold, silver and semi-precious stones, including carnelian, turquoise and lapis lazuli.

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       The cities of Harappa were well planned, and even had covered drains like those of modern cities. Large areas were built with bricks of the same size and weight. They used kilns to make bricks and used burnt bricks, in domestic and public buildings.

      A Harappan city was divided into two parts. At the centre was the massive citadel. It had temples and granaries, an assembly hall and baths. Around it was what is known as the lower town. The streets were straight and broad.

They were paved, and laid at right angles to each other. The houses had protection against noise, odours, and thieves. Houses faced streets, and were at least two stories high. They had brick staircases leading to the upper levels and the roof.

       Life was centred around an enclosed courtyard, and there was a balcony over the courtyard. Each house had its own well, and one even had a large bathtub!

Picture Credit : Google