Indus valley civilization

1. 1. Content: • Time period • Location • Religion and Beliefs • Society • Art • Economy • Architecture • Reason of flourishment
2. 2. • The Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan Civilization was a ‘bronze’ age civilization. • It lasted from 3300 – 1700 BCE.
3. 3. • This civilization is mainly located in the (from today) northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and the northwest part of India.
4. 4. Religion and Beliefs • They made clay figures of animals and women that probably were used in special rituals. • Small limestone was used to carve sculptures of deities. • They buried their dead in wooden coffins along with pottery vessels with food, ornaments made of gold, silver and precious stones.
5. 5. Society • Mostly peaceful farmers. • Built large cities with ordered streets and bricks made all the same size. • Strong central government. • Statues of priests and kings. • Advanced civilization with large cities, running water and sewage system.
6. 6. • Writing developed from earlier trading seals, which let the merchants name and symbols of trade items. • The main society was classified into four categories – i) Brahmana ii) Kshatriya iii) Vaishya iv) Shudra
7. 7. Art • The artisans painted various designs on pottery, different type of clay figurines, toys seals and ornaments. • They were usually made of clay, bronze and silver. • They started using wheels from 2300- 2200 BCE.
8. 8. Economy • Indus valley farmers planted winter crops like wheat, barley, peas, lentils, linseed and mustard. • In summer they grew millet, sesame and cotton. • Evidence shows that about half the animal bones came from cattle.
9. 9. • The Indus cities were connected with rural agriculture communities and distant resources and mining areas through strong trading system. • The outsiders were attracted to India for its ornaments, metal tools and pottery. • Cotton, lumber, grain and other food stuffs were the major commodities of this internal trade. • They traded with Iran and Persian gulf.
10. 10. Architecture • There were well planned cities and towns built on massive mud brick platforms. • In larger cities the houses were made of backed bricks. • The houses were multi – storied. • The houses were connected to an elaborate drainage system. • They constructed wells, bathing areas and a place for proper sanitation.
11. 11. Reason for collapes • Archeologists have offered four explanation for the collapse of Harappan civilization. • Three are based on ecological factors: intense flooding, increase in population and the desiccation of the Indus river. • The fourth reason is that of the Aryan invasion.