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100 years of Discovery of the Harappan Civilisation
Context:
On September 20, 1924, The Illustrated London News announced the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization, which now spans 2,000 sites across 1.5 million sq. km in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Discovery and Significance:
- Announcement: Discovered and announced by John Marshall, then Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in The Illustrated London News on September 20, 1924.
- Origins: Known as the Indus Valley Civilization, the Harappan civilization emerged around 3200 BCE and lasted until approximately 1500 BCE.
- Historical Impact: Filled a significant gap in South Asian history, revealing a sophisticated civilization alongside Egypt and Mesopotamia.
- Maritime Contacts: Demonstrated extensive trade and cultural exchange with Mesopotamia and West Asia from around 3000 BCE.
Phases and Extent
- Early Phase (3200 BCE – 2600 BCE): Initial development and establishment of urban centres.
- Mature Phase (2600 BCE – 1900 BCE): Peak of the civilization with advanced urban planning and technology.
- Late Phase (1900 BCE – 1500 BCE): Decline and eventual collapse.
- Geographical Spread: Spanned across 1.5 million square kilometres in modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
- Major sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Rakhigarhi, and Dholavira.
Major Features:
- Urban Planning: Advanced city layouts with brick houses, well-planned streets, courtyards with wells and bathrooms, and underground drainage systems.
- Technological Advancements: Proficient in metallurgy, pottery, bead-making, and other crafts.
- Built reservoirs, warehouses, and fortification walls.
- Trade and Commerce: Extensive trade networks reaching Mesopotamia, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Peninsula.
- Craftsmanship: Notable for intricate pottery, jewelry, seals, and bead-making.
- Produced red pottery with black motifs and detailed steatite seals.
Archaeological Enigmas:
- Undeciphered Script: The Harappan script remains undeciphered despite efforts by scholars like Iravatham Mahadevan.
- Cultural Influence: Pre-dates Aryan civilization, with maritime trade and cultural interactions influencing ancient Asia.
Social and Cultural Aspects:
- Social Organisation: Likely a hierarchical but relatively egalitarian society with no significant evidence of warfare or social stratification.
- Religion and Iconography: Artefacts depict symbols and motifs possibly related to religious beliefs, including the “Priest King” and animal figures.
- Agriculture: Cultivated crops like wheat, barley, peas, and cotton.
Decline and Collapse:
- Possible causes include climate change, environmental degradation, invasions, and internal conflicts.
- Cities were abandoned, and people became nomadic by 1500 BCE.
Ongoing Research and Exploration:
- Modern Techniques: Use of satellite imaging, DNA sampling, and radiocarbon dating to study Harappan sites like Rakhigarhi and Dholavira.
- Unresolved Mysteries: Continued efforts to decipher the Harappan script and fully understand the civilization’s social and political structures.