INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Indus Valley Civilization is a Bronze Age civilization. Its period extends from 3300 B.C to 1300 B.C approximately. The period from 2600 B.C to 1900 B.C is called its Mature Period.

Advanced Urban CultureTheir cities had straight streets.They established the first known system of

Flush Toilets.Their cities had proper sewerage system.They built baths for probably some kind of

ritual purity.Cities had protective walls around them.Each city had small fort in it.No proper worship places have been found.No places (for kings) or such large living

places have been found.

Science

They had accurate, measuring & weighting system. Their weights were in the ratio of 5:2:1. The Basic unit of weight was of 28 grams.

They were experts in metallurgy. They produce bronze, copper, lead & tin.

They could build large boats & ships. They had also constructed docks for this purpose.

ArtsThey could make figurines in terra cotta, bronze &

other materials.They could make sculptures, seals, pots & gold

jewelry. According to Archaeologist, John Marshal they had

Achieved the level of Greeks Archaeologists 3000 years before them.

They were also good at working with gem stones & shells.

They were experts in makings Ceramics.They make musical instruments which shaped like

harp.

Trade & Agriculture

They used to trade with central Asian countries Mesopotamia, Iran, Afghanistan & the Persian Gulf countries.

Indus seals have been found at all these places.

They had achieved the good level in agriculture & animal husbandry.

WritingTheir writing has not yet been deciphered.About 600 symbols have been found.Symbols are very small in size. In one case 17

symbols are written in one square inch area.They used to write from right to left.Some scholars claimed that their writing

predicts Sumerian & Egyptian Writings.

ReligionTheir religion is not known.Ritual purity appears to be a part of their

faith.Proper worship Buildings did not exist.Some figurines of humans & animals have

been found.Swastika sign have been found, it could

have a religious value.Earlier, they used to bury their dead. In later

period they started cremation.

DeclineTheir decline started around 1800 B.C.Exact reason is not known. Change in climate around 1800 B.C could be one

factor.Aryan invasion around 1700 B.C onwards could be

another factor.Change in the course of river may have been

another factor.During the period of decline, people shifted

eastwards. The few sites discovered in India are mostly from the period between 1600 B.C to 1300B.C.