INDUS CIVILIZATION PART 1 



VAJIRAM & RAVI (6) Indus people believed in ghosts and evil forces and used amulets as protection

against them. Terracotta Figurines (1) Terracotta figurines were made of baked clay. Majority of them are hand

modelled. (2) Both male and female figurines are found, the later being more common.

Also terracotta figurines of a range of birds and animals, including monkeys, dogs, sheep and cattle are seen. Both humped and humpless bulls are found;

the pride of place seemingly going to the great humpless bulls. Images (1) images of both metal and stone have been discovered. (2) The best metal specimen is that of a bronze image of a nude woman dancer at

Mohenjodaro. (3) The best stone specimen is a steatite image of a bearded man at Mohenjodaro. (4) Stone sculptures have also been found form Harappa, Dabarkot and Mundigak. Pottery (1) The Indus people indulged in widespread use of potter's wheel. (2) Pots were painted in various colours and decorated with human figures, plants,

animals and geometrical patterns. (3) Harappan glazed pottery was the first of its kind in the world. (4) Both plain and painted pottery were present, but the plain pottery is more

common than the painted ware. The plain pottery is red in colour whereas

painted pottery is of red and black colour.. . Weights and Measures (1) Harappans used weights and measures for commercial as well as building

purposes. Numerous articles used as weights have been discovered. The weight proceeded in a series, first doubling from 1,2,4,8 to 64 etc. and then in decimal multiples of 16. Several sticks inscribed with measure marks have been discovered. Harappans were the authors of a linear system of measurement with a unit equal to one angula of the Arthasastra which was used in India till recently. The measure of length was based upon a foot of 37.6 cm and a cubit of 51.8 to 53.6.

Burial Practices (1) Cemeteries are generally located around the perimeter of the settlements,



VAJIRAM & RAVI (2) Three forms of burials are found at Mohenjodaro, viz. complete burials, fractional

burials (burial of some bones after exposure to wild beasts and birds) and postcremation burials. The general practice was extended inhumation, the body lying on it back, with the head generally to the north. A number of graves took the form of brick chambers or cists as in the case of those found at Kalibangan. At Harappa, traces of a wooden coffin and bodies covered by a reed-shroud were found. From Surkotada comes the evidence of the practice of pot-burial. From Lothal cemetery comes evidence of double burial with several examples of pairs of skeletons, one male and one female in each case, buried in a single

grave. (8) In Harappa, cemetery it is present in which graves are not situated in the usual

North-West axis but are situated on East-West axis. Theory of Decline (1) Theory of Aryan invasion talks about the reference to the destruction of forts by

Aryans in the Rig Veda. The discovery of human skeletons huddled together at Mohenjodaro might indicate invasion by foreigners. There is also evidence/of.

further strengthening of defences at Harappa. (2) Natural calamites such as recurring flood's leading to decline of Mohenjodaro and

Chanhudaro, drying of rivers leading to decline of. Kalibangan and Banwall, decreasing fertility; deforestation; occasional earthquakes have also been

suggested. (3) Suicidal weaknesses of the Harappans due to lack of flexibility of mind, ignoring

of defences have also been suggested. The decline of oceanic trade with the Sumerians priust have contributed partly to

the decline of Indus civilisation. (5) Outbreak of certain epidemics such as Malaria might also have been responsible

for the decline. Thus, the Indus civilisation did not come to a sudden dead end, but faded away

gradually. Special Features of Some Harappan Sites (1) Harappa

(a) It was the first Indus site to be discovered by Daya Ram Sahni in 1921. (b) It is located on the banks of river Ravi.