Harappan Civilization Introduction-The facts that have been hidden under layers of soil for thousands of years are all coming out one by one. Let’s learn about this fascinating Indus civilization.
Indus Valley Civilization Belongs to Which Age
People settled there because the catchment area of the Indus and its tributaries was fertile alluvial soil suitable for agriculture. Gradually cities were formed in addition to the villages. From Balochistan in Pakistan to Uttar Pradesh in India, and Afghanistan to Gujarat in AD. The civil life that lasted till 1300 BC is called the Indus Civilization. Harappa and Mohenjodaro were the most luxurious cities of that time.
what is Harappan civilization?
The city of Harappa was first brought to light during the excavations of the Indus Civilization. So-called Harappan Civilization. So far, 1500 sites related to this civilization have been excavated, 1000 of them in India and the rest in Pakistan. Harappa, Mohenjo Daro, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Lothal, Kunal, etc. were major cities that played an important role in trade during that period. Harappa and Mohenjo daro are located in Pakistan while the rest are located in India. Harappan Civilization Introduction.
About 200 years ago, a British man named Charles Mason resigned from the East India Company’s army without telling him. For that, he travels around the Punjab region like a pilgrim with an agreement to collect and provide secret information about anti-company activities and valuable artifacts. In the process of traveling like that, bricks lying in heaps at one place attract him. Being interested in history, he searched further and thought that there was a big city there, that city could be Harappa.
The man travels to Afghanistan, Balochistan, and elsewhere and writes a book with what he learns. At the same time, the East India Company, anticipating where any riches might be found, commissioned Alexander Burns to explore the area. When going there, the locals take bricks and use them. . A few years later Punjab came under British rule. It was then that new railway lines were started in the country
In the 1861 year
Harappan bricks were used for laying under the railway tracks. These Harappan bricks were used for an almost 100 miles long railway track between Multan and Lahore. After launching the Archaeological Survey of India in 1861, its first Director General Alexander Cunningham conducted surveys there several times. But nothing remarkable happened. An architect named Rakhaldas Bandopadhyay visited Harappa in 1919 to locate a Buddhist stupa. Then he saw a Bronze Age device.
He found that the device used to clean animal skin was older than the stupa. He told the officials that. In the year 1920, excavations under the direction of archaeologist Dayaram sahni gained speed and the objects of the Indus Civilization started to emerge one by one. The Harappan civilization laid the foundations of modern society. They have shown what peaceful coexistence is. The techniques of the Harappan civilization at which we are now at an advanced level will surprise the world.
What was the Harappan civilization called?
Spread over 370 acres in the Punjab region, Harappa had a population of over twenty-five thousand. The remains of a city that flourished for nearly 900 years and are now a small village, were largely destroyed during British rule. Artifacts found were sold. All the piles of bricks were destroyed. The Harappan civilization is known for its bead industry, textiles, and agricultural products made of steatite called soapstone. The merchants here used to buy gold and copper from the south and export it abroad. Harappan Civilization Introduction.
Kunal city
Kunal is the oldest city of 6000 thousand years. Excavations were started in 1986. The specialty of this art is to apply designs like appliqué work with another color on handmade earthenware which is mainly found here. They are made from alluvial soil found around the Hakra river.
Where is Lothal
It is the oldest port city in the world. The port town of Lothal is 19 km from the sea coast. The rectangular-shaped long reservoir has thick brick walls on both sides. There are arrangements for the loading and unloading of goods for anchoring boats. Due to this dock, Lothal town flourished as an industrial and commercial center. Precious gems and beads were exported from here to many countries. They used to import copper and mix it with tin etc. to make various kinds and export it. That is why the Indus Civilization is also known as the Bronze Age.
Rakhigarhi
Rakhigarhi, the largest of the Indus Civilization sites excavated so far, is located in Haryana. Excavations are going on here in an area of five and a half square kilometers. It was known as a regional business center in those days. A pair of male and female property cages were found here in the same grave and have been preserved in the museum.
where is dholavira
Recognized as a World Heritage City, dholavira is located in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The arrangements for water in the city surrounded by high walls and gates on four sides are quite astonishing. Many dams were built on the distant river and water was diverted into the city through canals. There are completely stone-built step wells and reservoirs here like no other place in the world. There is a stepwell here that is three times bigger than the Great of Mohenjo Daro. Spread over 54 acres, there is a signboard carved on a three-meter-long frame at the entrance of this city.
Archaeological excavations
It is a very difficult task. First experts survey and decide where to dig and then design the layout. Grids are made measuring ten meters and divided into four sections each, the ground is dug slowly, layer by layer, by hand by trained workers without the use of machines. The excavated soil is sieved. If traces of objects are found during digging, they are pulled out unharmed. All removed items are cleaned and a label is made with details and stored separately.
Arrangements are being made to identify the areas associated with the Indus civilization as heritage assets and pass on that culture to the previous generations.
Harappan Civilization Introduction