Bricks, Beads, and Bones
Class 12
History Notes
Chapter 1: The Harappan Civilisation
Introduction
The Harappan Civilisation (Indus Valley Civilisation) flourished between 2600 BCE
– 1900 BCE.
It was one of the earliest urban civilisations, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Named after Harappa, the first site discovered in present-day Pakistan.
1. Discovery of the Civilisation
First discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni at Harappa.
Later, R.D. Banerjee discovered Mohenjodaro in 1922.
John Marshall played a key role in identifying it as an ancient civilization.
It was spread across Pakistan, India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, UP,
etc.).
2. Key Features of the Civilisation
(A) Town Planning and Architecture
Well-planned cities with a grid system.
Drainage System: Covered drains with soak pits, houses connected to the main
drainage system.
Great Bath (Mohenjodaro): The Great Bath, situated in the ancient city of
Mohenjo-Daro in present-day Pakistan, is a notable structure from the
Indus Valley Civilization. Dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE, it is
considered one of the earliest known public water tanks. The bath
measures approximately 12 meters in length, 7 meters in width, and has a
depth of about 2.4 meters. Constructed with finely fitted bricks and sealed
with bitumen to ensure water tightness, the structure features two wide
staircases on the north and south sides, providing access to the pool.
Adjacent rooms, including one housing a large well, likely served as
changing areas and supplied water to the bath. While its exact purpose
remains a subject of debate, many scholars believe the Great Bath was
used for ritualistic or ceremonial bathing, underscoring the significance of
water in the cultural and religious practices of the time.
Citadel and Lower Town:
In the urban planning of the Indus Valley Civilization, cities like Mohenjo-
Daro and Harappa were systematically divided into two primary sections:
the Citadel and the Lower Town.
Citadel:
Positioned on elevated terrain, the Citadel was a fortified area that housed significant
structures and possibly served as the administrative and religious center.
, Notable edifices within the Citadel include the Great Bath and large granaries, indicating its
role in communal and ceremonial activities.
Lower Town:
Situated adjacent to the Citadel, the Lower Town was the residential and commercial hub
where the general populace resided.
This area showcased a well-organised layout with a grid-like pattern of streets and lanes,
reflecting advanced urban planning.
Houses in the Lower Town varied in size, suggesting a diverse socio-economic structure
among its inhabitants.
The deliberate division between the Citadel and the Lower Town underscores the Indus Valley
Civilization's emphasis on functional urban zoning and sophisticated city planning.
(B) Agriculture and Economy
Agriculture:
o Main crops: Wheat, barley, peas, mustard, sesame, cotton (first to grow
cotton).
o Use of plows (evidence from Kalibangan).
o Irrigation depended on the Indus River.
Domestication of Animals:
o Cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels.
o Elephants and horses were rare.
Crafts and Industries:
o Bead-making: Popular at Chanhudaro.
o Pottery: Painted and plain types, often with geometric designs.
o Metalwork: Copper and bronze tools, weapons, ornaments.
o Stonework: Steatite seals, terracotta figurines.
Trade:
o Internal trade: Lothal was a major trade centre.
o Foreign trade: Mesopotamian records mention trade with “Meluhha”
(believed to be Indus region).
o Used weights and measures (standardised cubes).
3. Social and Religious Life
Society:
o Evidence of social hierarchy from different house sizes.
o No evidence of rulers like kings, but governance by merchants or elites.
Religious Beliefs:
o Worshipped Mother Goddess, Pashupati (proto-Shiva), trees, animals, and
nature.
o No temples, but fire altars found at Kalibangan.
Class 12
History Notes
Chapter 1: The Harappan Civilisation
Introduction
The Harappan Civilisation (Indus Valley Civilisation) flourished between 2600 BCE
– 1900 BCE.
It was one of the earliest urban civilisations, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Named after Harappa, the first site discovered in present-day Pakistan.
1. Discovery of the Civilisation
First discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni at Harappa.
Later, R.D. Banerjee discovered Mohenjodaro in 1922.
John Marshall played a key role in identifying it as an ancient civilization.
It was spread across Pakistan, India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, UP,
etc.).
2. Key Features of the Civilisation
(A) Town Planning and Architecture
Well-planned cities with a grid system.
Drainage System: Covered drains with soak pits, houses connected to the main
drainage system.
Great Bath (Mohenjodaro): The Great Bath, situated in the ancient city of
Mohenjo-Daro in present-day Pakistan, is a notable structure from the
Indus Valley Civilization. Dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE, it is
considered one of the earliest known public water tanks. The bath
measures approximately 12 meters in length, 7 meters in width, and has a
depth of about 2.4 meters. Constructed with finely fitted bricks and sealed
with bitumen to ensure water tightness, the structure features two wide
staircases on the north and south sides, providing access to the pool.
Adjacent rooms, including one housing a large well, likely served as
changing areas and supplied water to the bath. While its exact purpose
remains a subject of debate, many scholars believe the Great Bath was
used for ritualistic or ceremonial bathing, underscoring the significance of
water in the cultural and religious practices of the time.
Citadel and Lower Town:
In the urban planning of the Indus Valley Civilization, cities like Mohenjo-
Daro and Harappa were systematically divided into two primary sections:
the Citadel and the Lower Town.
Citadel:
Positioned on elevated terrain, the Citadel was a fortified area that housed significant
structures and possibly served as the administrative and religious center.
, Notable edifices within the Citadel include the Great Bath and large granaries, indicating its
role in communal and ceremonial activities.
Lower Town:
Situated adjacent to the Citadel, the Lower Town was the residential and commercial hub
where the general populace resided.
This area showcased a well-organised layout with a grid-like pattern of streets and lanes,
reflecting advanced urban planning.
Houses in the Lower Town varied in size, suggesting a diverse socio-economic structure
among its inhabitants.
The deliberate division between the Citadel and the Lower Town underscores the Indus Valley
Civilization's emphasis on functional urban zoning and sophisticated city planning.
(B) Agriculture and Economy
Agriculture:
o Main crops: Wheat, barley, peas, mustard, sesame, cotton (first to grow
cotton).
o Use of plows (evidence from Kalibangan).
o Irrigation depended on the Indus River.
Domestication of Animals:
o Cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels.
o Elephants and horses were rare.
Crafts and Industries:
o Bead-making: Popular at Chanhudaro.
o Pottery: Painted and plain types, often with geometric designs.
o Metalwork: Copper and bronze tools, weapons, ornaments.
o Stonework: Steatite seals, terracotta figurines.
Trade:
o Internal trade: Lothal was a major trade centre.
o Foreign trade: Mesopotamian records mention trade with “Meluhha”
(believed to be Indus region).
o Used weights and measures (standardised cubes).
3. Social and Religious Life
Society:
o Evidence of social hierarchy from different house sizes.
o No evidence of rulers like kings, but governance by merchants or elites.
Religious Beliefs:
o Worshipped Mother Goddess, Pashupati (proto-Shiva), trees, animals, and
nature.
o No temples, but fire altars found at Kalibangan.
