Introduction
“The Harappan civilization was a sophisticated urban culture that flourished in the Indus Valley around 2500 BC.”
– National Geographic
The Harappan civilization is one of the most remarkable ancient civilizations in the history of the world. It flourished between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE in the Indus Valley and the Ghaggar-Hakra River basin.
It was one of the largest and most advanced of the early civilizations, covering an area of over one million square kilometers. 
Discovery of Harappan Civilization
The Harappan civilization was first discovered in the 1920s by archaeologists. Excavations of ancient sites in the Indus Valley region of the Indian subcontinent revealed a complex, urban culture that had existed around 3000 BCE. The ancient cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, located in what is now Pakistan, were the two most important sites of the Harappan civilization. Archaeologists also uncovered numerous artifacts, including seals, pottery, and jewelry, which allowed them to piece together the story of the Harappan civilization.
Key Features of Harappan Civilization
The Harappan civilization was the earliest known urban civilization in the region, and is thought to have lasted for over a thousand years. They created an advanced society, with a complex system of government, a sophisticated economy, and a unique culture. The Harappans had a written language, used a standard system of weights and measures, and developed an efficient system of irrigation. They were also accomplished artisans, producing beautiful pieces of jewelry, pottery, and sculpture.
The decline of the Harappan civilization is still a mystery, but it is thought to have been caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, overpopulation, and natural disasters. Despite this, the Harappan civilization left behind a remarkable cultural legacy, which continues to influence the region even today.
The Harappan civilization was noted for its advanced architecture, urban planning, and engineering. Its cities were built on a grid system and featured advanced sanitation and drainage systems. Its artifacts, including pottery, seals, and jewelry, show a high degree of craftsmanship.
The Harappan civilization was highly organized and complex. It had a flourishing trade network, with goods being transported from as far away as Mesopotamia. Agriculture was the main source of food, and the Harappans developed sophisticated irrigation systems to provide water for their crops.
The Harappan civilization eventually declined and disappeared around 1900 BCE. The cause of its decline is still a matter of debate, but it is believed to have been due to a combination of natural disasters and changes in the environment.
Notable Points of Harappan Civilization
• Harappan Civilization was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the Indus Valley
• It was a Bronze Age civilization that thrived from around 3300-1700 BC
• It was located in what is now Pakistan and Northwest India
• Its two most famous cities were Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
• Harappan Civilization is known for its use of a written language, advanced drainage systems and an efficient system of trade
• They also made use of bronze tools, pottery, and other crafts
• They were the first to develop a grid system of town planning, which was used in cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
• Religion played an important role in their society, as evidenced by the many religious artifacts found in their cities
• They were one of the first civilizations to practice agriculture and animal husbandry
• The decline of the Harappan Civilization is still a mystery and is believed to be due to a combination of natural disasters and external invasions.
Main Sites of Harappan Civilization
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Harappan civilization is the number of archaeological sites that have been discovered. A total of more than 1,500 sites have been identified, with the majority located in the modern-day countries of India and Pakistan. Many of these sites are of great historical importance and some have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Mohenjo-daro
The most important sites of the Harappan civilization include: Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi, Lothal, and Banawali. Located in the modern-day province of Sindh, Pakistan, Mohenjo-daro was the largest and most advanced city of the Harappan civilization.
Its impressive architecture and engineering feats include the Great Bath, the Great Granary, and the Great Hall.
Harappa
Harappa, located in the modern-day province of Punjab, Pakistan, is another important Harappan site. Discovered in 1921, it is noteworthy for its distinctive mud-brick architecture and intricate urban planning, which included a grid pattern of streets and residential areas.
Dholavira
Located in the modern-day state of Gujarat, India, Dholavira was a major urban center of the Harappan civilization. It is notable for its sophisticated water management system, which included a reservoir and a rainwater harvesting system.
Kalibangan
Kalibangan, located in the modern-day state of Rajasthan, India, is another important Harappan site. It was one of the earliest cities of the civilization and is of great archaeological importance, as it provides evidence of a pre-Harappan civilization.
Rakhigarhi
Rakhigarhi, located in the modern-day state of Haryana, India, is one of the largest Harappan sites. It is noteworthy for its large scale of excavation, as well as for the evidence of a pre-Harappan civilization it provides.
Lothal
Lothal, located in the modern-day state of Gujarat, India, is another important Harappan site. It is noteworthy for its dockyard, which is the earliest known dockyard in the world.
Banawali
Banawali, located in the modern-day state of Haryana, India, is another important Harappan site. It is noteworthy for its evidence of a pre-Harappan civilization.
The sites of the Harappan civilization provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of its ancient inhabitants and are of great historical importance. They are an invaluable source of information about an ancient civilization that has greatly influenced the development of modern societies.
• What was the area of the Harappan Civilization?
The area of the Harappan Civilization covered an expansive region of around 1,260,000 km2, stretching from modern day Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east, and from the Himalayas in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south.
• Who were the main people of the Harappan Civilization?
They were a sophisticated and advanced civilization, with a complex system of government, religion, and social structure. They developed many of the inventions and practices that we still use today, such as writing, art, and trade.
They were also known for their impressive engineering feats, such as the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro and the development of the Indus Valley script.
• What type of writing system did the Harappan civilization use?
The Indus script was written in an unknown language and its symbols have yet to be fully understood. It is believed that the Harappan civilization used this script to record their transactions and store information.
• What is the main language of the Harappan civilization?
This was the language of the Indo-Aryan people who migrated to the Indus Valley around 1500 BCE. Other languages spoken in the region included a form of Elamite, an early form of Dravidian, and a few other minor languages.
• What kind of art and architecture were found in the Harappan civilization?
The Harappans also excelled at pottery, crafting intricate designs and shapes. Their architecture was also impressive, with houses and buildings built with fired brick and stone.
In some cases, they even constructed elaborate fortifications and city walls. The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were some of the largest and most advanced cities of their time.
• What were the main religious beliefs and practices of the Harappan civilization?
Ritual practices included the use of fire altars, animal sacrifices, and votive offerings. The Harappans were likely also animists, believing in the sacredness of all living things, and may have practiced ancestor worship.
• What were the major trade networks in the Harappan civilization?
The major trade products included cotton and wool textiles, beads, jewelry, pottery, and metal goods. Copper, tin, and lead ores were also traded.
• What were the main technological and scientific advances of the Harappan civilization?
The Harappan civilization was the first civilization in South Asia and one of the oldest in the world. The Harappans were advanced in many areas, including technology and science.
They were the first to use bronze tools and weapons, which allowed them to create basic tools such as knives and arrowheads. They also had a sophisticated system of weights and measurements, which allowed them to accurately measure objects and trade goods.
The Harappans were also the first to develop an irrigation system, which allowed them to grow crops such as wheat and barley. They also had knowledge of basic metallurgy, which allowed them to fashion copper and bronze tools.
In terms of scientific knowledge, the Harappans were able to accurately predict the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, which allowed them to accurately calculate the length of the year. They also developed a system of writing, which is still undeciphered today.
• What were the main cities of the Harappan civilization?
Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were the two largest cities of the Harappan civilization, and their ruins have been well-preserved for centuries. Other significant settlements included Dholavira, Ganeriwala, and Rupar.
• What were the major cultural developments in the Harappan civilization?
Some of the major cultural developments in the Harappan civilization include the development of early cities, the use of pottery and terracotta figurines, the use of brick for construction, and the development of an extensive trade network.
They also developed seals and stamp seals, and used these to mark ownership of goods. In addition, the Harappans developed a system of weights and measures, and they developed a system of writing that is still undeciphered. The Harappans also developed a form of religion that included animal worship, ancestor worship, and the worship of gods.
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