SINDHU-SARASWATI CIVILIZATION----------- SOCIAL SCIENCE----- HISTORY CLASS 8

This PPT deeply explains about Indus valley civilization

1. SINDHU-SARASWATI CIVILIZATION Chapter -3

2. The Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, thrived from around 3300 to 1300 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, along the Indus River and the Saraswati River . Saraswati River is an important one. Saraswati used to be extremely large river . Hundreds of townships are discovered in the basin region of river Saraswati . Harappa , Mohenjo-Daro are some of the first ones to have been discovered.

3. However , " Sindhu- Saraswati civilization" is a more accurate as it is developed in the region where the rivers Vitasta (Jhelum) , Asikni (Chenab ) , Parushni (Ravi) , Vipasha (Beas) , Shutudri (Sutlej ) Saraswati and Sindhu flowed. These rivers are located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, primarily in the region that is now Pakistan and northwestern India And these rivers are termed as “Sapta Sindhu Rivers”

4. Harappa Civilization The traces of the ancient civilization in Harappa were first discovered in 1921 by Daya Ram Sahni, the accidental discovery of Harappa sites during railway construction in Punjab's Sindhu Valley led archaeologists to identify them as part of an ancient town, later collectively termed the Harappa civilization due to similarities with earlier discoveries near Harappa itself. Discovery Of Ancient Towns

5. Town Planning Harappan towns had two main divisions: the smaller western parts were called forts, and the wider, low-lying eastern parts called villages. Each division had strong walls of interlocking burnt clay bricks, showcasing the civilization's advanced construction techniques. Harappan Fort:- Burnt clay bricks

6. In Mohenjo-Daro, experts identified a ground-level tank built with bricks as an open bath. It had leak-proof precautions, stairs on two sides, and surrounding rooms. Water likely came from a nearby well and was drained after use, possibly for prominent town residents. Mohenjo-Daro

7. The low-lying village areas had systematically planned houses, roads etc. Every houses had their own baths and common wells. The towns had advanced internal drainage systems made of brick Such well-equipped town construction is not seen in Egypt, Mesopotamia and other civilizations. Even in terms of physical expanse , the Indus Valley C ivilization was more advance and B igger

8. Dancing Girl is a prehistoric bronze sculpture made in the Indus Valley civilization city of Mohenjo-Daro which was one of the earliest cities. The statue is 10.5 centimeters (4.1 in) tall, and depicts a young woman or girl with stylized ornaments etc . Dancing Girl

9. Torso of Priest King The Priest-King is a small male figure made of steatite, found in Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan, and dated to around 2000–1900 BCE, representing the Indus Valley civilization and now housed in the National Museum of Pakistan.

10. SWASTIK symbol was found in Indus Valley. It seems later it was adopted world over. The symbol of the true Swastika goes back over 11,000 years and is believed to have originated in the Harappan period and the culture of the Indus Valley Civilization. Swastik Sun Seal

11. Sindhu Script The Indus script, also known as the Harappan script, consists of symbols from the Indus Valley Civilization. Most inscriptions are very short. Discovered first in 1875 . Some scholars suggest a link between the Indus script and the Brahmi Script. S ome believe it may be related to a Dravidian language.

12. Artifacts found at Harappan sites include metal and precious stone items, with many beads and seals. Harappan beads, known for their drilled holes, were even in demand in Mesopotamia. Pots with various designs, metal and shell bangles, and female figurines wearing these bangles have also been found. The practice of women wearing shell bangles, considered sacred, continues today. The township system had a clear hierarchy, with precious jewelry worn by the elite and beads by commoners. Women also wore vermilion on their foreheads, a tradition still observed today. Ancient Indus Ornaments

13. The seals show still undeciphered script. They could engrave scripts on the seals even back then. Vrushabha (bull) is one of the most important figures found on seals of those times with the leaf of the sacred fig (peepul or ashvattha) tree being another prominent figure on the seals. Seals Of Indus Valley Civilization Seal Of Pashupathi Seal Of Bull Seals Of Unicorn

14. The ancient civilization at Banavali , Haryana, deeply respected Agni through a dedicated temple, while sites like Lothal and Kalibangan featured worship platforms. Dholavira's town planning, proportionate to the dimensions of ' mahavedis ' used in Vedic rituals, Art forms flourished, evidenced by sculptures of dancing female figurines, musical instruments, masks, and toys like carts and whistles, reflecting a rich cultural heritage in literature, music, dance, painting, and sculpture. Fire Altar at Banavaali

15. Sindhu- Saraswati population were dependent on farming and trading . Wheat, barley and pulses were their primary crops. Hunting and fishing were also vastly practiced. Cotton farming was done to manufacture textiles.it is obvious that they were experts in irrigation which helped in their farming. Oxen were used to plough the fields. Urban centers used to trade with country side and foreign nations –Baluchistan, Sourashtra and Deccan regions were prominent among them. Lothal was their primary center of sea trade . Dholavira had best of practices of rain water management. Agriculture And Trade

16. Historians attribute the decline of urban centers of the Sindhu- Saraswati civilization to various factors such as:- River drying S hifting courses D eforestation leading to flood. River Drying The Decline

17. After transitioning from nomadic life, early settlements like Mehrgarh near the Bolan Pass thrived with cultivated crops such as barley and wheat, alongside sheep and goat husbandry. These villages featured well-built houses with multiple rooms etc. From Nomadic Life Towards Village Settlement

18. Vedic Civilization The Vedic civilization is a significant ancient culture that emerged in the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BCE and lasted until approximately 500 BCE which is the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the word ‘Vid’ which means knowledge .

19. Classification Of History

20. Vedic Culture Rig-Veda is the first among all the Vedas . It has 1028 Sukthas and 10 Mandalas . It contains Nature, God / Goddess, Sukthas. Social,Religious,Political and Economic system during Vedic Period:- Pre-Vedic Period :- Purushasukta that appears in the tenth mandala of Rig Veda refers the Varna system in society. There were four Varna's - existed in the society. They were Brahmana's, Kshatriyas, Vyshyas and Shudras. The Varna's were decided on the basis of profession, not by birth. Women had equal status in the society. King was termed as ' Rajan ' The king was assisted by Sabha, Samiti and Vidata. Widow marriage was in practice. The main occupation was animal husbandry and farming.

21. Post Vedic Period : A persons cast was determined by birth. The caste system became more complex. Women did not have equal status in the society. During this period they used to do Yajnas and Yagas. ‘ Vidat ' was disappeared. Widow marriage system was banned. Dowry system, Parda system, and Child marriage came into existence. Agriculture became the main occupation rather than hunting and animal husbandary .

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