To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Harappan civilization at Mohenjo-Daro, the India Study Centre Trust will be conducting a 10-day online lecture series set to kick off on the 5th of October, 2020. The lecture series is made possible through a collaboration with the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Maharashtra. The core focus of the India Study Centre Trust lies in the fields of archaeology, geology, and biodiversity.
The Harappan Civilization: A Brief Overview
The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), was located on and around the banks of the Indus river. It thrived around 2,500 BCE in the western part of South Asia, spreading across contemporary Pakistan, western India, and parts of Afghanistan. It is considered one of the four major ancient urban civilizations, along with the civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China.
The Discovery of this Ancient Civilization
In the 1920s, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out excavations in the Indus valley where they discovered the ruins of two old cities, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Both cities are significant sites of the IVC and are considered some of the earliest and finest examples of urban civic planning, demonstrating advanced planning and engineering skills of that era. The world learned about this new-found civilization from the Indus valley when John Marshall, Director-General of the ASI, made an announcement in 1924.
Artistic Traits and Trade Practices
One notable characteristic of the Harappan civilization was the display of vibrant imagination and artistic sensibilities, seen in the various sculptures, seals, potteries, and pieces of jewellery recovered from the excavation sites. The civilization was also known for its trade, maintaining overseas trade connections with Mesopotamia.
Significance and Decline of the IVC
The discovery of the IVC is significant as it drew global attention to India, sparking interest in studying the Indian culture, society, and history. The civilization, however, declined around 1800 BCE. The reasons behind its decline are still a topic of discussion among scholars, but theories range from invasion by Aryans, to natural causes, to changes in river courses causing flooding.
Key Locations and Findings from IVC Sites
Several Excavation sites have provided us with insights into the Harappan civilization. Notable locations include Harappa (in modern-day Pakistan), Mohenjo-Daro (also in Pakistan), Sutkagendor (in southwestern Balochistan province), Chanhudaro (in Sindh), Amri (located on the bank of the Indus river), Kalibangan (in Rajasthan), Lothal (in Gujarat), Surkotada (also in Gujarat), Banawali (in Hisar district of Haryana), and Dholavira (in Gujarat). Important findings at these locations range from statues, bronze dancing girls, seals, granaries, and pieces of woven cotton to fire altars, rice husks, horse bones, bead maker’s shops, evidence of pre-Harappan and Harappan culture, and even a water harnessing system.
