The Harappan Civilization is one of the most important topics of Ancient Indian History. It is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization. The civilization is called Harappan because it was first discovered in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa.
For exams, this topic is important because questions are asked from its geographical extent, major cities, town planning, drainage system, craft production, agriculture, trade, seals, script, religion and decline.
Table of Contents
Why is it Called Harappan Civilization?
It is called Harappan Civilization because the first discovered site of this civilization was Harappa.
Harappa was discovered in 1921. Since the first evidence came from Harappa, the whole civilization came to be known as the Harappan Civilization.
It is also called the Indus Valley Civilization because many of its important sites were located around the Indus River system.
Geographical Extent of Harappan Civilization
The Harappan Civilization covered a very large area.
it covered parts of:
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Sindh
- Baluchistan
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Western Uttar Pradesh
Its extent was from Jammu in the north to the Narmada estuary in the south, and from the Makran coast of Baluchistan in the west to Meerut in the north-east.
The area formed a triangle and was larger than the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Important Cities of Harappan Civilization
The most important Harappan cities are Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
Mohenjo-Daro means the mound of the dead. It was situated in Sindh.
Important Harappan Sites and Their Locations
| Harappan Site | Location Mentioned in PDF |
|---|---|
| Harappa | Punjab |
| Mohenjo-Daro | Sindh |
| Chanhu-daro | Sindh |
| Lothal | Gujarat |
| Kalibangan | Rajasthan |
| Banawali | Hisar, Haryana |
| Rakhigarhi | Haryana |
| Sutkagendor | Afghanistan |
| Surkotada | Kutch |
| Dholavira | Kutch |
These sites are very important for competitive exams because questions often ask site-location matching.
Town Planning of Harappan Civilization
The most striking feature of Harappan Civilization was its town planning.
Harappan settlements were divided into two main sections:
- Citadel
- Lower Town
Citadel
The Citadel was the smaller but higher part of the settlement.
It was built on mud brick platforms. It was also walled and separated from the Lower Town.
This higher area usually had important public buildings.
Lower Town
The Lower Town was larger but lower in height.
It was also walled. Several buildings in the Lower Town were built on platforms that served as foundations.
Grid System in Harappan Cities
One of the most remarkable features of Harappan town planning was the grid system.
The roads cut across one another almost at right angles. This means the city was divided into blocks in a planned manner.
This planned structure shows that Harappan cities were not randomly built. Their builders had a clear sense of urban planning.
Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro
The most important public place of Mohenjo-Daro was the Great Bath.
It was located in the citadel mound.
Features of the Great Bath
- It had a large tank.
- The floor was made of burnt bricks.
- There were side rooms for changing clothes.
- It was probably used for ritual bathing.
The Great Bath is one of the most important examples of public architecture in Harappan Civilization.
Granaries in Harappan Civilization
Granaries formed an important part of Harappan cities.
The largest building of Mohenjo-Daro was the Granary.
Harappa had six granaries.
At Harappa, the platform of the granaries was made of bricks and lay within a few metres of the river bank.
At Kalibangan, the southern part was made of brick platforms, which may have been used for granaries.
This shows that storage of food grains was an important feature of Harappan urban life.
Bricks Used by Harappans
Harappans used different types of bricks.
- Burnt bricks were used maximum.
- Baked bricks were also used.
- Dried bricks were also known.
The PDF also compares this with other civilizations:
| Civilization | Main Brick Type Mentioned |
|---|---|
| Harappan Civilization | Burnt bricks, baked bricks, dried bricks |
| Egypt | Dried bricks |
| Mesopotamia | Baked bricks |
Drainage System of Harappan Civilization
The drainage system was one of the most advanced features of Harappan cities.
The Lower Town was based on the grid system. Streets with drains were laid out first, and houses were built along them later.
Main Features of Harappan Drainage System
- Streets had proper drains.
- Drains were laid before the construction of houses.
- Street drains had manholes.
- Drainage system was found in all Harappan sites.
- It shows attention to health and cleanliness.
This is why Harappan Civilization is often remembered for its urban sanitation system.
Burial Practices of Harappans
The burial practices of Harappans give us clues about their beliefs.
The dead were generally laid in pits. In some cases, the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks.
Some graves contained pottery and ornaments. This may indicate a belief that these objects could be used in the afterlife.
In some cases, the dead were buried with copper mirrors.
However, the Harappans did not appear to believe in burying very precious things with the dead.
Objects Used by Harappans
Objects used by Harappans are classified into two groups:
- Utilitarian objects
- Luxury objects
| Type | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Utilitarian Objects | Objects of daily use made from ordinary materials like stone or clay | Querns, pottery, needles, flesh-rubbers/body scrubbers |
| Luxury Objects | Objects made from costly, non-local materials using complicated technologies | Faience pots, gold objects |
This division shows that Harappan society had both practical daily-use goods and high-value luxury goods.
Craft Production in Harappan Civilization
Harappan Civilization was known for advanced craft production.
Chanhudaro was an important centre of craft production.
Crafts Practised at Chanhudaro
- Bead-making
- Shell-cutting
- Metal-working
- Seal-making
- Weight-making
Craft production shows the technological skill of the Harappans.
Bead-Making in Harappan Civilization
Bead-making was an important craft.
Materials Used for Making Beads
| Category | Materials |
|---|---|
| Stone | Carnelian, Jasper, Crystal, Quartz, Steatite |
| Metals and Other Materials | Copper, Bronze, Gold, Shell, Faience, Terracotta |
Shapes of Beads
- Disc-shaped
- Cylindrical
- Spherical
- Barrel-shaped
Some beads were decorated by incising or painting. Some also had designs on them.
Shell Objects and Coastal Centres
The Nageshwar and Balakot as coastal centres for making shell objects.
These places were known for objects such as:
- Bangles
- Ladles
- Inlay objects
Finished products from Chanhudaro and Lothal were taken to important cities like Harappa and Mohenjo–Daro.
Harappan Civilization as a Bronze Age Civilization
Harappan Civilization is considered a Bronze Age Civilization because bronze tools and weapons were found.
- Bronze tools
- Weapons
- Images
- Utensils
- Spindle whorls for spinning
- Cotton and woollen cloths
Harappans also practised:
- Brick-making
- Boat-making
- Seal-making
- Terracotta object-making
- Gold and silver jewellery-making
- Bead-making
- Potter’s wheel use
Procurement of Materials
Harappans obtained different materials from different regions.
| Material | Source Mentioned in PDF |
|---|---|
| Shell | Nageshwar, Balakot |
| Lapis Lazuli | Shortughai, Afghanistan |
| Carnelian | Lothal |
| Steatite | Rajasthan and North Gujarat |
| Metal | Rajasthan |
| Copper | Khetri, Rajasthan |
| Gold | South India |
The copper from Khetri is linked with the Ganeshwar-Jodhpura culture.
Contact with Distant Lands
Harappans had contact with distant regions.
The Oman was a source for copper procurement.
A large Harappan jar coated with a thick layer of black clay was found at Omani sites.
In Mesopotamian texts, Magan is used for Oman.
Both Indus copper and Omani copper contained traces of nickel.
Mesopotamian texts mention names such as:
- Meluha
- Dilmun
- Magan
This links Meluha with the Harappan region.
Agriculture in Harappan Civilization
Agriculture was the base of Harappan economy.
No hoe or ploughshare has been discovered, but furrows found at Kalibangan show that fields were ploughed.
The Harappans probably used a wooden ploughshare.
Stone sickles were used for harvesting crops.
Important Agricultural Features
- Ploughed field evidence from Kalibangan
- Probable use of wooden ploughshare
- Use of stone sickles for harvesting
- Gabarbands or nalas enclosed by dams for storing water in Baluchistan and Afghanistan
Crops Grown by Harappans
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rai
- Peas
- Sesamum
- Mustard
- Rice
The Harappans were the earliest people to produce cotton.
The Greeks called cotton Sindon, after Sindh.
Domestication of Animals
Harappans domesticated several animals. Such as,
- Oxen
- Buffaloes
- Goats
- Sheep
- Pigs
- Humped bull
- Dogs as pets
- Cats
- Asses
- Camels as beasts of burden
- Horses
- Elephants
- Rhinoceros
The identity of the rhinoceros from a terracotta figurine at Lothal is doubtful.
Animals shown in the Pashupatinath seal were also known to the Harappans.
Religious Practices of Harappans
Harappan religious life can be understood through figurines, seals and symbols.
Fertility Goddess
In one terracotta figurine, a plant is shown growing out of the embryo of a woman.
This suggests that Harappans looked upon the earth as a fertility goddess.
his is comparable to ancient Egypt, where the Nile goddess Isis was worshipped.
Male Deity or Proto-Shiva
A male deity, identified as Proto-Shiva or Pashupatinath, is represented on a seal.
Features of the Pashupatinath Seal
- Three-horned head
- Sitting posture of a yogi
- Surrounded by an elephant, tiger, rhinoceros and buffalo
- Two deer near his feet
Evidence also points to the prevalence of phallus worship, linked with the Shiva linga.
Tree and Animal Worship
Tree and animal worship were also present.
A deity is represented on a seal in the middle of the branches of a pipal tree.
Important Animals in Harappan Worship and Seals
- Unicorn
- Humped bull
- Animals around Pashupatinath
he one-horned animal or unicorn was the most important animal symbol in Harappan art and seals.
No temples have been found.
The use of amulets suggests that Harappans believed in ghosts and evil forces.
Harappan Script
The Harappan script was pictographic.
It was written from right to left.
The script has not yet been deciphered.
Where Harappan Script Has Been Found
- Stone seals
- Copper tools
- Rims of jars
- Copper tablets
- Terracotta tablets
- Jewellery
- Bone rods
- Signboards
This undeciphered script is one reason why the Harappan Civilization is treated as part of proto-history.
Harappan Seals
Harappan seals are counted among the greatest artistic creations of the civilization.
Main Features of Harappan Seals
- Used for long-distance trade
- About 2000 seals have been found
- They carry short inscriptions
- They show pictures of animals
Animals Found on Seals
- Horned bull
- Buffalo
- Tiger
- Rhinoceros
- Goat
- Elephant
Seals are important for understanding Harappan trade, art and script.
Weights and Measures
Harappans used standard weights and measures.
Weights were made of a stone called chert.
They were generally cubical and had no markings.
Weight System
- Lower denominations followed the binary system: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32
- Higher denominations followed the decimal system
- Bronze scales with measuring marks have been found
This shows that Harappans had a developed system of measurement, useful for trade and craft production.
Pottery in Harappan Civilization
Harappan pottery was decorated with designs.
Harappan pottery frequently features painted designs of trees, concentric circles, and human figures.
- Trees
- Circles
- Images of men
Pottery was an important part of daily life as well as craft production.
Images and Sculptures
wo notable artistic sculptures survive from this civilization:
Bronze Dancing Girl
A metal image of a woman dancer was found.
She is shown wearing a necklace and is otherwise naked.
This image is one of the most famous artistic pieces of Harappan Civilization.
Steatite Statue
Another famous artifact is a steatite statue of a priest-king.
It shows a figure wearing an ornamented robe over the left shoulder and under the right arm.
Harappan Civilization: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Other Name | Indus Valley Civilization |
| First Discovered Site | Harappa |
| Discovery Year | 1921 |
| Major Cities | Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira |
| Town Planning | Citadel, Lower Town, Grid System |
| Important Public Place | Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro |
| Largest Building at Mohenjo-Daro | Granary |
| Drainage | Planned drains with manholes |
| Main Craft Centre | Chanhudaro |
| Important Craft | Bead-making, seal-making, shell-cutting, metal-working |
| Main Economy | Agriculture |
| Important Crops | Wheat, barley, peas, mustard, rice, cotton |
| Script | Pictographic, right to left, undeciphered |
| Seals | Used in long-distance trade |
| Weights | Made of chert |
| Religion | Fertility goddess, Proto-Shiva, tree and animal worship |
| Temples | No temples found |
Important Harappan Sites for Exams
| Site | Why Important |
|---|---|
| Harappa | First discovered site; six granaries |
| Mohenjo-Daro | Great Bath, largest granary, Dancing Girl |
| Lothal | Carnelian, craft connection, dockyard in exam section |
| Kalibangan | Evidence of ploughed field/furrows |
| Chanhudaro | Craft production centre |
| Nageshwar | Shell objects |
| Balakot | Shell objects |
| Dholavira | Mentioned as important site; exam section links it with water reservoirs |
| Rakhigarhi | Important site in Haryana |
| Banawali | Important site in Hisar, Haryana |
FAQs on Harappan Civilization
Why is it called Harappan Civilization?
It is called Harappan Civilization because the civilization was first discovered in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa.
What is the other name of Harappan Civilization?
Harappan Civilization is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
What were the two main parts of Harappan cities?
Harappan cities were divided into two parts: Citadel and Lower Town.
What was the Great Bath?
The Great Bath was an important public structure at Mohenjo-Daro. It had a tank made with burnt bricks and was probably used for ritual bathing.
Which was the largest building of Mohenjo-Daro?
The Granary was the largest building of Mohenjo-Daro.
What was special about the Harappan drainage system?
The drainage system was planned with streets and drains laid out before houses were built. Street drains had manholes, showing attention to cleanliness and health.
Which Harappan site was known for craft production?
Chanhudaro was an important centre of craft production, including bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making and weight-making.
What crops were grown by Harappans?
Harappans grew crops such as wheat, barley, rai, peas, sesamum, mustard and rice. They were also among the earliest people to produce cotton.
What was the Harappan script like?
The Harappan script was pictographic, written from right to left, and has not yet been deciphered.
What animals were shown on Harappan seals?
Harappan seals showed animals such as the horned bull, buffalo, tiger, rhinoceros, goat and elephant.
What material was used for Harappan weights
Harappan weights were made of a stone called chert and were generally cubical.
Did Harappans build temples?
No temples have been found in Harappan Civilization.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – Harappan Civilization
- Harappan Civilization was first discovered at Harappa in 1921.
- It is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
- Its area was larger than ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
- Harappan cities followed the grid system.
- Settlements were divided into Citadel and Lower Town.
- The most important public place of Mohenjo-Daro was the Great Bath.
- The Great Bath was probably used for ritual bathing.
- The largest building of Mohenjo-Daro was the Granary.
- Harappa had six granaries.
- Harappans mostly used burnt bricks.
- Harappan drains had manholes.
- The drainage system shows concern for health and cleanliness.
- Chanhudaro was a centre of bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making and weight-making.
- Harappan Civilization was a Bronze Age Civilization.
- Harappans were among the earliest people to produce cotton.
- The Greeks called cotton Sindon after Sindh.
- Harappan script was pictographic and written from right to left.
- Harappan script has not been deciphered.
- About 2000 seals have been found.
- Weights were made of chert.
- Lower weight denominations followed the binary system.
- Higher weight denominations followed the decimal system.
- The most important animal symbol was the unicorn.
- No temples have been found in Harappan Civilization