Context
The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, has captivated archaeologists, historians, and the public for over a century since its discovery in 1924. Despite extensive exploration and research, many enigmas surrounding this ancient Bronze Age civilization continue to intrigue and baffle scholars.
Discovery and Significance
- The Harappan civilization was first discovered in 1924 when John Marshall, then-Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), announced the finding of a “civilization of the Indus Valley” in The Illustrated London News.
- This Bronze Age civilization, named after the site of Harappa in present-day Pakistan, filled a significant gap in South Asian history, pushing back the antiquity of settled life in the region by more than 3,000 years.
- The discovery of the Harappan civilization added another ancient civilization to the list alongside Egypt and Mesopotamia, and revealed its extensive maritime contacts with West Asia from as early as 3000 BCE.
- The roots of this civilization can be traced back to Mehrgarh in Balochistan, Pakistan, where the earliest signs of settled life in the region date back to around 7000 BCE.
Phases and Extent
- The Harappan civilization can be divided into three phases: the first development phase which covers 3200 BC to 2600 BC, the second phase which covers between 2600 and 1900 BC before the final phase of 1900 BC to 1500 BC by which time Urban IV began to decline and eventually disintegrated.
- At one time or the other, the civilization extended to the largest region possible occupying some of the largest cities and structures including Mohenjo-daro and Harappa in modern day Pakistan, Rakhigarhi, as well as Dholavira in India.
Technological Advancements
- The Harappan civilization was a highly technological civilization which was well developed in town planning and was successfully involved in water harvesting, construction of the large reservoirs, constructing stadia and warehouses, laid drainage system, built massive fortification walls, and seaborne trading.
- Its craftsmen made bronze and copper artifacts, beads, beautifully painted pots, terracotta items, and small artistic artefacts such as steatite seals engraved with life, like images of the human and animal figures and a writing within a confined area of 2 cm by 1.5 cm.
Cultural Homogeneity and Equality
- A quite remarkable feature of the Harappan civilization, which directly contributes to the mentioned above problems, is the fact that there is no significant variation in the culture of different cities.
- Both the cities had similar construction types and followed the same units of measurements which indicates a well structured and well planned society.
- Also, there does not seem to have been much warfare either: there are not many artifacts celebrating a civilization’s victory over another, and relatively few skulls with signs of murder.
- Another considerable feature regarding the structure of the Harappan society is also fairly egalitarian with no arrow heads pointing to a city-state governance or dominance by the upper class.
- This egalitarian nature has made scholars to the extent that this civilization was probably shaped most by merchants and traders.
Decline and Collapse
- There are still many questions concerning the exact causes for the disintegration and subsequent disappearance of the Harappan civilization.
- These reasons have been namely climate change, degradation of the environment, invasions, internal strife, among others although none of them has been proved.
- During the late phase of the civilization some of the cities were left abandoned and the people themselves became nomadic from 1900 BCE to 1500 BCE.
Ongoing Exploration and Research
- Despite the facts that challenge the researchers today due to the passage of time and the scarce archeological material, the work on analyzing and studying the Harappan civilization continues.
- Recent pioneering advancements like satellite imaging and DNA tissue sampling have brought new paradigms and data concerning civilization, trade relations and migrations.
- Radiocarbon dating at the excavated sites like Rakhigarhi and Dholavira has given substantial amounts of information regarding the nature and ability of planning of the civilization as well as their intricately designed water supply systems and other cultural practices.
- The script of the Indus valley civilization is even today an angel that eludes the efforts of epigraphists, and the search for the civilization improvises.
Conclusion
The Harappan civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, still fascinates scholars, with many mysteries unsolved, such as the Indus script’s decipherment, its decline, and its social-political structures. As new technologies and archaeological discoveries emerge, our understanding of this ancient civilization will deepen, offering valuable insights into human history and development.
Source: The Hindu