**Harappan Civilisation: Chapter Notes - In The Earliest Cities**

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world. It flourished around 2500 BCE in the region of present-day Pakistan and northwest India. The Harappan Civilization is significant because it was one of the first complex societies to develop in South Asia.

**1. Introduction to the Harappan Civilisation**

- The Harappan Civilization was discovered in the 1920s by archaeologists who found the remains of two major cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
- These cities were well-planned and had advanced systems of drainage, as well as brick houses and public buildings.

**2. Urban Planning and Architecture**

- The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were designed on a grid pattern, with streets running at right angles to each other. This shows evidence of careful urban planning.
- The houses were built with baked bricks, and many had multiple rooms and even bathrooms with drains.
- The cities also had public buildings, such as granaries, where surplus food was stored, and large public baths, which were likely used for ritual purposes.

**3. Agriculture and Trade**

- The Harappan people were skilled farmers who cultivated various crops such as wheat, barley, and peas. They also practiced irrigation to enhance agricultural productivity.
- Trade played a significant role in the Harappan Civilization. Archaeologists have found evidence of long-distance trade with regions as far away as Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) and Afghanistan.
- The discovery of seals with Indus script suggests that the Harappans had a system of writing, although it remains undeciphered.

**4. Social Life and Religion**

- The Harappan society was likely divided into different social classes, with evidence of a ruling elite and common people.
- Religion played an essential role in Harappan life, as evidenced by the presence of numerous terracotta figurines, seals, and sculptures depicting deities and animals.

**5. Decline and Legacy**

- The Harappan Civilization declined around 1900 BCE, and the exact reasons for its decline are still debated among historians.
- The legacy of the Harappan Civilization can be seen in the continuity of certain cultural practices and ideas in the Indian subcontinent, such as the worship of the mother goddess and the use of the Indus script in later periods.

In conclusion, the Harappan Civilization was a highly advanced urban civilization that flourished in the Indus Valley around 2500 BCE. Its well-planned cities, advanced architecture, agricultural practices, and trade networks indicate a complex and prosperous society. The decline of the Harappan Civilization remains a mystery, but its legacy continues to influence the cultural and historical development of South Asia.

Indus valley civilization