Review the socio-economic life of the Harappan civilization.
Review the socio-economic life of the Harappan civilization.
Until the Indus script is deciphered, nothing can be said with certainty about the Harappan culture. The history of the Indus civilization has to be discussed on the basis of the information available from archaeological remains, seals, etc.
Economic life of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Agriculture:-
The centers of the Indus civilization developed between approximately 2300 and 1700 BC. Looking at the evidence of granaries found in Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, it is believed that the people of Sindh were mainly agriculturalists. Wheat and barley have been found in Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Kalibangan. Among the food grains produced, wheat, barley, various types of nuts, barley - etc. were notable.
In addition, the discovery of rice husks from the Lothal archaeological site suggests that the Harappans cultivated rice. Archaeologists have found evidence of cotton production at Mohenjodaro. In addition, the discovery of copper axes proves that fishing was common among the Indus Valley Civilizations.
Animal husbandry -
Animal husbandry was closely related to agriculture. Among the domesticated animals, notable ones were - bull, buffalo, goat, pig, sheep, camel - etc. The image of bulls on seals proves that bulls were prevalent among the Harappans. It is believed that bulls and buffaloes were used for tilling the land.
Industry -
Apart from agriculture and animal husbandry, another significant aspect of the economy of the Indus Valley Civilization was industry. The weaving industry was widely practiced in the centers of Indus. Maku has been found in Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Cotton and woolen clothes were made during this era. In addition, the Harappans were very skilled in pottery. Very high quality pottery was made. The ornaments of that era can be guessed from the dancing statues found in the archaeological sites.
Although gold was not found in this region, it was imported from South India. Apart from gold, traces of silver, copper, stone and clay ornaments have been found. In addition, a bronze dancing statue has been found in Mohenjo Daro, which proves that the Indus people were also advanced in the bronze industry. In addition, the Indus people were very skilled in making various types of dolls, toy cars, idols of gods and goddesses made of clay.
Trade -
By land, the Indus people used to travel with goods to Balochistan, Sumerian region and Mysore in South India. Again, various raw materials were imported. For example, conch and some special stones from Saurashtra and Dakshinatya; cedar wood from Himalayas; copper from Persia and Rajasthan; silver from Persia and Afghanistan, etc.
Seals of Mohenjodaro have been found in Elam and Mesopotamia, and their seals have been found in Mohenjo Daro. Mohenjodaro had commercial contacts with Mesopotamia in the export of cotton products. In addition, cotton cloth was exported to Babylon and silver was imported from Sumer.
Maritime activities -
Images of fish have been found on some seals of Indus. Again, images of boats at anchor have been found on some seals. The ruins of a harbor have been found in Lothal, Gujarat. It is 710 feet long and 120 feet wide. It may have been used to anchor large ships. The Indus people traded with the countries of West Asia such as Egypt, Sumer, Persia, Crete, etc. by sea.
According to Dr. Mackey, the Indus Valley was connected with Sumer, Elam, etc. by sea.
Social Life of Indus Valley Civilization:-
Social Division -
Society in the Indus Valley was divided into several classes - 1. Rich priests, 2. Middle class, 3. Merchants, 4. Artisans and 5. Workers. Like Egypt and Babylon, the priests were the most influential in Harappa. Byasam says - The middle class of Harappa was much larger and richer than the middle class of Sumer and Egypt. Most of the workers and artisans were slaves of the priests and middle class. However, the workers and laborers of Indus lived a better life. Because, small brick houses have been seen in rows on both sides of the highway. Workers and laborers lived in these.
Class-divided society is one of the features of the Harappan civilization. D. D. Kosambi says that the different types of houses discovered in Harappa and Mohenjodaro clearly prove that class division was sharp in the society of that time. Starting from large buildings to two-room huts, traces of a walled palace have been found in Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.
Traces of a palace surrounded by a wall have been found in Harappa. This palace, 150 feet long and 56 feet wide, is believed to have been a granary.
In addition, evidence of a fortified building suitable for storing the wealth of the ruling class has been found in Mohenjo Daro. As the ruling class possessed huge wealth, there was a class division in the society.
Municipal system: -
Looking at the road plan of the two cities, the water and garbage drainage system, etc., it seems that the two cities had a developed municipal system and its examples were also unimaginable. No evidence has been found that any ancient civilization before the Romans had a developed organization like the municipal organization of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Political life -
Each city had a series of forts as a defensive arrangement; the existence of the fort of the third capital Kalibangan proves it. The cities of the Indus Valley were republican. The strength and security of the cities depended on the administrative strength and stability.
According to Piggot, a centralized system of government was prevalent in the two cities.
According to Wheeler, the people of Sindh believed that the gods of Harappan ruled the city through priests.
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