UNIT SIX HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION-TWO
UNIT SIX HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION-TWO
Six point zero OBJECTIVES
In this unit, we will study the Mature Harappan phase, its meaning, its chief characteristics and the main sites associated with it. After studying this unit, you will be able to learn about the:
. Mature Harappan phase and how it is different from the Early Harappan phase;
· main sites, their architectural features, town planning, drainage;
· Indus script and problems in its decipherment; and
· society, crafts, trade, religion and economy of the Indus civilization.
Six point one INTRODUCTION
Six point one INTRODUCTION
The sites associated with this civilization are found in large parts of Pakistan and north-west India, with one site located in Afghanistan. The total number of sites discovered till two thousand eight were one thousand twenty-two, out of which six hundred sixteen are in India and four hundred fourteen in Pakistan. The area covered by the civilization is estimated to be between six hundred eighty thousand and eight hundred thousand square kilometers. This makes it the largest civilization in the ancient world, covering almost twelve times the combined area of Egypt and Mesopotamia. We know that the roots of the civilization lie in the Early Harappan cultures, which you have already studied in detail in the previous unit. What you need to understand is that Mature Harappan, despite sharing many characteristics with the Early Harappan phase, is significantly different. Instead of several different cultures in the Mature Phase, we see the existence of one uniform civilization spread across this huge area. One can argue that such standardization and uniformity over such a vast area is completely unparalleled in the ancient world.
The name 'Harappan' or 'Indus civilization' refers to the urban, literate culture of the third and early second millennium before common era. In the initial years of its discovery, many archaeologists attempted to compare this civilization with the Mesopotamian civilization. Off late, archaeologists have become aware that the Indus civilization needs to be studied independently rather than through a Mesopotamian lens.
It is important to mention here that when the unqualified term, Harappan civilization, is mentioned the reference is to the urban phase. Now let's discuss the chief characteristics of Mature Harappan phase.