Differences between Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic civilization.
Differences between Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic civilization.
Differences between Harappan and Vedic civilizations.
Differences between Indus Valley Civilization and Aryan civilization.
Differences between Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic civilization.
There are many differences between Harappan and Vedic civilizations. The differences are as follows -
1. In terms of expansion: -
Harappan civilization was mainly developed in the northwestern part of India and later its influence spread to the Gangetic plains and the south.
On the other hand, Aryan or Vedic civilization spread throughout India, centered around Aryavarta.
2. In terms of nature: -
Indus Valley Civilization was urban-centered, but Aryan civilization was rural-centered. The houses of the Aryans were made of bamboo and straw. On the other hand, the inhabitants of Harappan civilization lived in multi-storey houses made of burnt bricks. The wide highways, well-developed sewerage system and bathrooms of Harappa bear witness to a prosperous urban life. On the other hand, the Aryan civilization bears the identity of rural life in all areas - agriculture, administration, trade and production.
3. In terms of the use of iron: -
Harappan civilization was a civilization of the Copper and Bronze Ages. The use of iron did not start in this era. On the other hand, the Vedic civilization was a civilization of the Iron Age. The Aryans introduced iron widely in agriculture and warfare.
4. In terms of the use of horses: -
The use of horses was unknown in the Harappan civilization. Horse skeletons have been discovered in only one case in the Harappan civilization and at the very top level. Therefore, horses were almost unknown in the Harappan civilization. On the other hand, horses were very important animals in the life of the Aryans. The Aryans used horses during wars and used horse-drawn chariots. In fact, horses were one of the tools of the Aryans in winning wars against non-Aryans.
5. In terms of writing: -
Writing was well-established in the Harappan civilization. That script is engraved on various seals. On the other hand, the writing system was not introduced in the Vedic civilization. The oldest literature written by the Aryans, the Vedas, was based on hearsay.
6. In terms of economy: -
Agriculture, industry and trade were the mainstays in the economy of Indus Valley Civilization. But the economy of the Vedic Aryans was based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Which makes the difference between urban and rural civilizations more clear.
7. In terms of religion: -
(a) There is a great difference in the worship system of both the civilizations. There is considerable doubt about the existence of temples in the Harappan civilization. But in the Vedic civilization, temples were an important part of the religious life of the Aryans.
(b) Idol worship was prevalent in the Harappan civilization, but idol worship was unknown in the Vedic culture. In the Vedic civilization, mainly the worship of fire, trees, etc. was prevalent. The Vedic Aryans were basically nature worshippers.
(c) Bull worship was prevalent in the Harappan civilization; but the Vedic Aryans worshipped the cow.
(d) The Harappans worshipped Shivalinga and the mother goddess. But in the Aryan civilization, linga worship was condemned.
(e) Female goddesses were predominant in the Harappan civilization; but in the Aryan civilization, male gods were predominant.
8. Mother centric and father centric :-
The society of Harappan was mother centric; but the Vedic society was father centric.
9. In terms of funeral methods: -
The Harappans buried the dead bodies. But the Vedic Aryans cremated the dead bodies.
10. In terms of self-defense and weapons: -
There is evidence of the use of self-defense weapons such as shields, helmets, etc. in the Harappan civilization. But no such self-defense weapons have been found in the Vedic civilization.
11. In terms of pottery: -
There was a considerable difference between the two civilizations in terms of pottery. In the Harappan civilization, the color of the pottery was red-black. On the other hand, the color of the pottery of the Aryans was gray (Grey ware).
12. Caste division in terms of labor: -
Although there was an effect of class discrimination in Harappa, the Chaturashrama system was not prevalent in the life of the Harappans. On the other hand, the Chaturashrama system was prevalent in the social life of the Aryans.
13. In the case of maritime trade: -
The influence of maritime trade can be seen in the Harappan civilization. The people of Sindh used to trade with the countries of West Asia by sea. But the trade of the Aryans was limited to the coastline.
14. Cow as wealth: -
There is ample mention that the cow was the acceptable wealth in the Vedic culture. But there is no such mention in the Harappan culture.
There is no doubt that there were considerable differences between the Indus Valley and Vedic civilizations in various respects. The Harappan civilization was of a fairly advanced and standard; in comparison, the Aryan civilization was backward.
That is why many historians have called the Aryans a barbarian race. Dr. R.S. Sharma has identified the Aryans as city destroyers. Although the idea that the Aryans were barbarians is not entirely correct. The reason why the Aryans did not initially develop a civic life was because they preferred pastoralism and therefore did not stay in one place for long. The Aryans played a major role in the development of later Indian culture. However, although there were considerable differences between the two civilizations, the contribution of both cultures to the development of Indian civilization was considerable.
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