It can be inferred from the available
evidence that the Harappans made cotton
and woollen textiles
Standardization extended to units of
weights and measure. Cubical weights
made of chert, chalcedony, black stone,
etc. have been found at all excavated sites
There are evidences that the Harappan
traded with parts of India as well as other
parts of the world Eg - Egypt, Babylon and
Afghanistan
Rice was imported from Gujarat to Punjab
Lothal and Surkotada provided cotton for
the developing townships of Mohenjo-
Daro, Harappa, Banawali, etc
Balakot and chanhudaro were centers for
shell-working and bangle-making
Lothal and Chanhudaro were centers for
the manufacturing of beads of carnelian
etc
Gold, copper, tin and several semi-precious
stones were imported
The people who lived within the Harappan
culture zone comprised villagers and city
folk
Harappan society included occupational
groups such as farmers, herders, hunter-
gatherers, craftspeople, fisherfolk,
merchants, sailors, rulers, administrative
officials, ritual specialists etc.
differences in house sizes and the hoards
of jewellery do indicate a concentration of
wealth and differences in social and
economic status
The affluent social groups would have
comprised rulers, land owners, and
merchants
Class and rank differences based on
occupation, wealth, and status must have
existed
However, claims that the caste system
existed in Harappan society are highly
speculative
There is no clear idea about the political
organization of the Harappan people
Decline had set in at Mohenjodaro by
2200 BCE and the settlement had come
to an end by 2000 BCE. In some places,
the civilization continued till 1800 BCE
There is no unanimous view pertaining to
the cause for the decline of the Harappan
culture
Archaeological evidence does not give
direct access to the possible social and
political dimensions of the decline of the
Harappan civilization
It does indicate very clearly is that the
Harappan culture underwent a gradual
process of de-urbanization
Agriculture was the mainstay,
supplemented by animal husbandry and
hunting. Riverine and marine food
resources were tapped, where available
Wheat and barley were the main crops
grown besides sesame, mustard and
cotton. Surplus grain is stored in granaries
Regional variation in the plants grown -
Wheat has been found at Mohenjodaro
and Harappa, Rice occurs at Harappa,
Kalibangan, Lothal, and Rangpur
Irrigation canals have been found at
Shortughai
Bones of wild animals have been found at
Harappan sites. These include many
varieties of Deer, Rhinoceros, Elephant,
Camel etc.
Harappans exploited riverine and marine
resources where these were available
Harappan sites have also yielded remains
of domesticated animals such as humped
and humpless cattle, buffalo, sheep, and
goat
it is a long and complex cultural process
consisting of at least three phasesa long
and complex cultural process consisting of
at least three phases
Economy early Harappan phase (3200–2600 BCE)
was the formative, proto-urban phase of
the culture
Chronology
mature Harappan phase (2600–1900 BCE)
was the urban phase, the full-fledged
stage of civilization
late Harappan phase (1900–1300 BCE) was
the post-urban phase, when the cities
declined
IVC was urban does not mean that all or
even most of its settlements had an urban
character
Rural-Urban interaction: The cities
depended on villages for food and labour,
and various goods produced went to the
villages
Varying size of the Harappan sites: The
Harappan sites varied a great deal in size
and function, from large cities to small
pastoral camps
Planning of cities: The streets and houses
of Harappan cities were majorly laid on a
grid-pattern oriented north–south and
Settlements east–west
Society
Mohenjodaro, Harappa, and Kalibangan
have a similar layout, consisting of a raised
citadel complex and a lower city
At Lothal and Surkotada, the citadel
complex is not separate; it is located
within the main settlement
Indus Valley Planning of houses: People lived in houses
Civilization of different sizes, mostly consisting of
rooms arranged around a central
courtyard, some had stairs
Drainage System: Well laid-out streets and
side lanes associated with an efficient and
well-planned drainage system
The Indus Civilisation and the
contemporary cultures covered nearly 1.5
million sq. km area in India and Pakistan
Sutkagen-dor in the west on the Pakistan
Iran border
Decline
Geography Shortugai (Afghanistan) in the north
Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh, India) in the
east
Daimabad (Maharashtra) in the south
The worship of female goddesses
associated with fertility is a major feature
Harappans also worshipped a male god
represented on a steatite seal discovered
at Mohenjodaro, usually referred to as the
Pashupati seal
On the seal, he is surrounded by four
animals (elephant, tiger, rhino, and buffalo
each facing a different direction). Two deer
appear on his feet
Religion
There is sufficient evidence for the
prevalence of phallic worship
Agriculture
The worship of fire is proved by the
discovery of fire altars at Lothal,
Kalibangan and Harappa
Indus people worshipped Gods in the form
of trees (pipal, etc) and animals (unicorn
etc)
They believed in ghosts and evil forces and
used amulets as protection against them
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