Indian Civilization
INDIAN CIVILIZATION
Also called Indus Valley Civilization; the earliest in South Asia
Contemporary with Bronze Age civilizations in pre-dynastic Egypt, Mesopotamia
Compared to the other Bronze Age civilizations, Indus Valley Civilization was unspectacular
Early civilizations of the Indian sub-continent were centred on two major river valleys: The Indus River and its tributaries, especially the Saraswati River Valley (2600-1500BCE) – associated with Dravidians. Called Harappan Culture
The Ganges River Valley (1500-500BCE) – associated with the Aryans. Called the Vedic Age.
Along the Indus & Saraswati, there were two major centres of this civilization: Mohenjodaro and Harappa hence Harappan Culture
Other cities of this civilization include Kalibagan, Chanhudaro & Doraji in Gujerat
Origins and Development
This civilization appears as fully developed & distinctive culture; little is known about the cultures that came before it or the factors that led to its development
Recent research indicates that antecedents of this civilization can be found at Mehrgarh on the western edge of the Indus plains
Evidence that domestication of plants & animals, pottery production and village life began here
Around 3200 – 2600 BCE, several pre-urban cultures existed in Indus Plains and the western hill valleys that show aspects of the Harappan culture
HARAPPAN CULTURE: CHARACTERISTICS
Built on irrigation-based agriculture. Irrigation based on dikes and drains.
Barley and wheat the most important crops; grains stored in granaries in Harappa and Mohenjodaro (as a form of tax?)
Domesticated animals cattle, water buffalo, goats, pigs, donkeys
Trade was very important; extensive trade connections with areas around the Arabian Sea & up the Persian Gulf to Mesoptamia
Fortified cities; well-planned with straight streets intersecting at right angles; a system of underground drains and sewers
Buildings made of baked bricks. At Mohenjodaro, multi-roomed houses have been recorded
Thickness of
Also called Indus Valley Civilization; the earliest in South Asia
Contemporary with Bronze Age civilizations in pre-dynastic Egypt, Mesopotamia
Compared to the other Bronze Age civilizations, Indus Valley Civilization was unspectacular
Early civilizations of the Indian sub-continent were centred on two major river valleys: The Indus River and its tributaries, especially the Saraswati River Valley (2600-1500BCE) – associated with Dravidians. Called Harappan Culture
The Ganges River Valley (1500-500BCE) – associated with the Aryans. Called the Vedic Age.
Along the Indus & Saraswati, there were two major centres of this civilization: Mohenjodaro and Harappa hence Harappan Culture
Other cities of this civilization include Kalibagan, Chanhudaro & Doraji in Gujerat
Origins and Development
This civilization appears as fully developed & distinctive culture; little is known about the cultures that came before it or the factors that led to its development
Recent research indicates that antecedents of this civilization can be found at Mehrgarh on the western edge of the Indus plains
Evidence that domestication of plants & animals, pottery production and village life began here
Around 3200 – 2600 BCE, several pre-urban cultures existed in Indus Plains and the western hill valleys that show aspects of the Harappan culture
HARAPPAN CULTURE: CHARACTERISTICS
Built on irrigation-based agriculture. Irrigation based on dikes and drains.
Barley and wheat the most important crops; grains stored in granaries in Harappa and Mohenjodaro (as a form of tax?)
Domesticated animals cattle, water buffalo, goats, pigs, donkeys
Trade was very important; extensive trade connections with areas around the Arabian Sea & up the Persian Gulf to Mesoptamia
Fortified cities; well-planned with straight streets intersecting at right angles; a system of underground drains and sewers
Buildings made of baked bricks. At Mohenjodaro, multi-roomed houses have been recorded
Thickness of