Indus Valley Civilization

Group 2
What is the Indus Valley Civilization
The Indus civilization, dating from 3300 to 1300 BCE, represents the earliest urban culture of the
Indian Subcontinent, ranking among the world’s three oldest civilizations, alongside Mesopotamia
and Ancient Egypt. Initially discovered in 1921 at Harappa in the Punjab region, and shortly after in
1922 at Mohenjo-daro near the Indus River in Sindh, both sites now lie within present-day Pakistan,
specifically in Punjab and Sindh provinces, respectively. Mohenjo-daro's ruins were granted
UNESCO World Heritage status in 1980. Spanning from modern-day northeast Afghanistan to
Pakistan and northwest India, the Indus Valley also known as the Harappan Civilization, flourished
with remarkable urban planning and sophisticated trade networks.
Map of the Indus Civilization
About the Indus Civilization
The Indus Valley civilization covered most of what is today Pakistan and the Indian states of Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. Settlements which were closely related to the core civilization and
may have been colonies of it, have been found in Afghanistan and central Asia. The huge Indus river
system waters a rich agricultural landscape. The Indus plain is surrounded by high mountains, desert
and ocean, and at that time there were dense forests and swamps to the east.
About the Indus Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilization utilized advanced technology to support agriculture, notably through the
development of irrigation systems that facilitated the farming of crops like wheat and barley. Their
economy thrived on trade, made possible by innovations such as carts and early boats, which served
as vital means of transportation and commerce.
The Indus Also Engaged in Trade
The Indus People
The social life of the Indus Valley people was quite systematic and rich. The people of this civilization
were peace-loving. The society was predominantly matriarchal. There were strong family
organisations among the people. Social amusements included hunting wild animals, bullfighting,
fishing, and clay modelling. The children of artisans inherited their skills in crafting from their
parents.

Artistic Renditions
of the People
INNOVATIONS OF
INDUS VALLEY
CIVILIZATION
1. The invention of standardized weights

● originated from Harappa

● The weights then discovered were
all in graduated sizes and had proven
to be according to the Harappan binary
weight system.
● The smallest of all in the series had
0.856 grams, and the most common
one weighed 13.7 grams.
2. Discovery of various cooking methods

● With the availability of different food like wheat, barley, sesamum, peas, and other pulses,
the cooking methods had to be discovered to cook these.

● The primary staple food like

wheat and barley was cooked
using both underground and
overground mud ovens.

● The rest were cooked using the

regular cooking pots.
2. Discovery of various cooking methods
 3. Discovery of Artefacts

● Distinct arts, sculptures, pottery, seals,

and pieces of jewelry were the
significant discovery of the Indus
Valley Civilization.

● gems, gold, and semi-precious stones.

● The painted terracotta pots, sketches,

and paintings were made with expertise
in the art of work
 4. Creation of typical scripts and Gods

● also known as the Harappan script

● Various gods including Pruthvi Dev, Nagdevta, Siva
Linga, Pasupathi,
Surya Dev, and a few trees were worshipped as their
gods. Worshipping these gods would mean
that they are followers of Hinduism.
5. The innovation of Seal and Trade
● The expertized work on seal carving and stamping of clay for the trading of goods was
notably the most efficient work of that period.
● The use of seal carving was to identify the property and also to stamp clay on the
products that were meant for trading.
● The perfectly balanced with accurate weighing stones were also traded.
6. Start of a well-structured living area and housing
● The housing and the living
areas during the Indus Valley
Civilization were made in a
well-structured manner.
● The planning of the cities was
done in such a manner that
gave the feel of dedication
● The drains were directly
connected to the street’s
central conduit, and many
houses had their wells as well.
7. Demonstration of World’s first-known urban sanitation systems
● The drainage systems of that period proved to be the most developed and most used
systems of
sewage and drainage.
● The advancement and
efficiency of the sewage and
drainage systems were made
in such a way that the water
used in homes was drawn
from the wells and the
drainage pipes were attached
directly to the operations of
the main streets.
 8. The invention of the Ruler

● The ruler was invented during 1500 BCE in

the Indus Valley Civilization
● They were made out of Ivory
which was widely in use in that
area.
● The ruler was divided into numerous
units correlating to 33.5 mm. The
correlating units were marked in the
decimal subdivision, which had an
accurate measurement of 0.13 mm.
9. Origination of Stepwell

● The stepwell was first found in

Mohenjo Daro
● It combines three significant
features: a bathing pool, structures
of religiously important figures,
and steps leading towards water.
● provides water for drinking,
washing, bathing, and the
irrigation of crops
10. Ornamental buttons made from seashell

● They were made from the seashell

during 2000 BCE. and considered
one of the most significant inventions
during this era.
● Used as an ornament for various
events and programs.
● Some buttons were also made from
copper and alloys
SUMMARY
● The Indus Valley Civilization's discoveries offer insights into ancient lifestyle,
culture, and technology, as well as urbanism, trade networks, and cultural
development in South Asia.
● In summary, the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization is crucial for
understanding the early development of complex societies, technological
advancements, economic systems, cultural diversity, and environmental adaptation in
ancient history. It continues to inspire research and exploration into the origins of
human civilization.
SUMMARY
● The Indus Valley Civilization, despite its decline, continues to influence South Asian
culture, urban development, trade networks, language, religion, social organization,
and environmental adaptation.
● Overall, the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization has significantly enriched our
understanding of ancient urban societies and continues to be a subject of fascination
and study for archaeologists and historians.