Lecture Notes on the Harappan Civilization (Class 9 History & Civics)

Overview

• Time Period: Discovered in 1921; civilization dates back to 2500 BCE
• Geography: Present-day Pakistan (Punjab province)

Key Points of Discussion

Important Sources of Information

• Discoveries made in the Indus Valley during 2500 BCE
• First evidence found in Harappa, 1921
• Known as the Bronze Age Civilization due to bronze artifacts

Public Buildings

• Citadel: Raised area in cities
  • Constructed on mud brick platforms
  • Houses of the ruling class
  • Included structures like the Great Bath, Granary, Assembly Hall, Workshop

Seals and their Significance

• Usage: Traders used them to stamp goods
• Information Provided:
  • Insight into script, trade, religion, and beliefs
  • Example: Seal of Pashupati shows the belief in Shiva
  • Depictions of animals like elephants, tigers, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, and deers

Granaries

• Found in Harappa
• Two rows of six granaries
• Circular brick platforms for grain threshing
• Findings of wheat and barley grains

Ornaments Worn by Harappans

• By both men and women
• Types included necklaces, rings, bangles, armlets, anklets, nose rings, head dresses, earrings
• Made from gold, silver, precious stones, ivory

Statue of Dancing Girl

• Found in Mohenjo-Daro
• Made of bronze
• High development in sculpture
• Description: Right arm resting on hip, left arm bangled, small ball in left hand

Clothing

• Men: Dhoti (depicted on post-trade seals)
• Women: Cloaks to cover arms and shoulders
• Some clothes were stitched, indicating needles and buttons

Internal and External Trade

• Internal Trade:
  • Cities like Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Lothal were key centers
  • Banawali, Harappa, etc., were bangles making centers
• External Trade:
  • Contact with western neighbors (Mesopotamia, Central Asia)
  • Important trading coastal towns: Sutkagan Dor, Lothal, Balakot

Features of Decline

• Possible causes:
  • Earthquakes and resultant flooding
  • Deforestation for fuel and construction
  • Climate changes leading to increased aridity

Weights and Measures

• Cubical stone weights
  • Basic weight: 16 (equal to 14 grams)
  • Larger weights multiples of 16
  • Smaller weights fractions of 16

Value of Indus Script

• Sources: Seals, copper tablets
• Characteristics: Pictorial writing found mostly on seals
• Not yet deciphered

Legacy of Harappan Civilization

• Introduced techniques in pottery, bricks, beads, jewelry, and textile
• Cultivation of cotton, later adopted by Egyptians

Town Planning and Architecture

• Cities divided into Citadel and lower town
• Grid pattern streets
• Effective drainage system
• Houses built on raised platforms

Art and Sculpture

• Sculpture Materials: Stone and bronze
  • Famous statues: Yogi figure, bronze dancing girl
• Metal sculptures created through lost wax process

Pottery

• Glossy and shining pottery
• Decorated with black geometric designs
• Large jars with narrow necks

Notable Seals

• Pashupati Seal: Three-faced deity believed to be Shiva, surrounded by elephants, tigers, buffaloes, rhinoceroses with deers at feet
• Made of terra cotta and steatite

Miscellaneous

• Social Structure: Indicated by citadel planning and presence of ruling class buildings
• Geographical Extent: From Baluchistan to western UP, and Jammu to Narmada

Conclusion

• Contributions in urban development, metallurgy, arts, and trade
• Influence on subsequent cultures and civilizations

Note: The lecture suggests reviewing corresponding pages in the textbook for detailed information and visual aids.