INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION

2300-1700 BC

THE CIVILISATION
Indian culture is an ancient and dynamic entity, spanning back to the very beginnings of the human civilization. Among the world's earliest civilizations, and contemporary to the Bronze age civilizations of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. Peaked around 2500 BC in the western part of the south Asia. A great civilization that grew up along the river Indus. Larger than the civilizations of either Sumer or ancient Egypt.

 Thrived for almost a 1000 years and began to decline about 1700 BC after the directional change of Indus leaving the fertile farmland dried up. Aryans - people from the north, also invaded the valley bringing about the end of the civilization in 1500 BC. Was forgotten until its rediscovery in 1920 by Dr. RD Bannerjee.

An artistic conception of ancient Lothal

SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Study of remains illustrates 5 grades of people in the society Priests Nobles & warriors Traders Craftsmen & farmers Servants & untouchables. People belonging to one caste could not marry , work or even eat with people of other castes. Priests were very powerful and performed religious ceremonies. Patriarchal set up was prevalent.

STATUS OF WOMEN
Women were regarded high in the society. Were entitled equal honor along with the men in the society. Could not own land or establish their business though. The worship of MOTHER GODDESS demonstrates that they were treated in the form of mother. Parents of the girl gave dowry to the young man when wedded.

RELIGION
Indus Valley people worshipped many Gods & Goddesses. The primary Gods being- Mother Goddess and Father God. The Father God was considered to be a progenitor of the race and was probably a prototype of Shiva as the lord of the animals-"Pashupati". Animals too appear to have played significant role in religion . The sacred Bull is often shown with only one horn.

PASHUPATI SEAL

CLAY TABLETS

 Pipal tree was also considered sacred as depicted in seals. People were familiar with some form of Yoga and meditation. Three ways of disposing the dead were knownburial burning of the corpse with burials underneath the soil. dead bodies left for wild animals to scavenge on. People also believed in magical rituals, spirits & demons, charms and amulets.

KNOWLEDGE & ACHIEVEMENTS

City planning on a grid pattern with complex drainage and sewage system. Origin for Decimal system First to spun cloth from cotton Unique system of writing was developed which is still not deciphered. Among the first to develop a system of uniform weights & measures. Achieved great accuracy in measuring length, mass & time.

TRADE
Carried out between cities and farming communities. Goods like- copper, stone, ivory, wood and animals were exported to other parts of India, Afghanistan, Persia & Mesopotamia. Weaving was a substantial trade of the inhabitants of Mohenjodaro.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Most interesting creations of Indus valley artisans areSmall seals Pottery Gold Jewellery Anatomically detailed figurines in terracotta, bronze & steatite.

Artisans were skilled in pottery, weaving and metal working. The pottery was of a very high quality with unusually beautiful designs. Many useful objects discovered comprise- jewelry ornaments, pots, pans & tools made from gold, silver, bronze & copper.

CLOTHING
SOURCES OF EVIDENCE - terracotta , bronze & stone figures - seals People were highly stylish. Clothing was made from resources available in the region - cotton & wool. Lavish embroidery and embellishments were also a part of the clothing styles.

COSTUME COMPONENTS
(Men & Women)
Basic costume was a length of cloth wrapped around the lower part of the bodies. The upper body was covered with a loose fitting garment which was again a length of fabric. Men wore a long cloak or shawl , draped over the edge of the left shoulder , leaving the right shoulder and the chest bare. The cloaks were sometimes richly patterned. The fabrics used were wool and cotton.

PRIEST

FEMALE WITH DECORATED BELT AND SKIRT

HAIR & HEADDESS

(Men)
Bearded as well as clean shaven. Had both long & short hair prevalent for men. Turbans and headbands were also worn.

HAIR & HEADDESS

(Women)
The wide variety of headdresses reflect- the ethnic diversity of the cities - continuously changing styles Massive hairstyles that may have needed the hands of skilled hairdresser. Elaborate braids Hair tied into double or twisted buns at the back of the head. Fan-shaped headdress.

FEMALE WITH TIERED HAIRSTYLE

FEMALE WITH TURBAN

HORN SHAPED HEADDRESS

FEMALE FIGURINE WITH FAN SHAPED HEADDRESS

JEWELRY
Most exquisite ornaments. Comprised of - armlets, rings, earrings, belts, fillets, necklaces , chokers & bangles. Necklaces were made of gold, bronze, agate, carnelian, silver, copper, amethyst, turquoise, lapiz lazuli, shells, ivory, glazed terracotta, etc. Stylized flower shaped ornaments were worn over the forehead.

FEMALE WITH SHELL ORNAMENTS

FEMALE WITH 3 CHOKERS

PENDANTS

STRING OF BEADS

PERSONAL ADORNMENT
Ivory combs, bronze mirrors etc. were also found during excavations. Indus women also applied lipsticks to adorn their faces.