Indus Valley Civilisation and Harappan Civiliastion | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Introduction

• The Indus Valley Civilisation is classified within the proto-historic era due to the undeciphered nature of its pictographic script.
• Presently located in the Hisar district of Haryana, this 5000-year-old civilisation is dated from 2400 to 1700 BC.

Phases of Indus Valley Civilisation in Haryana

• Divided into three phases: early, mature, and late.
• Haryana exhibits 241 settlements from the initial phase, 145 from the second, and 842 from the third.
• Initial findings in Haryana from the Saraswati and Drishadvati river valleys.

Important Centres of Indus Valley Civilisation

(a) Banawali

• Located in the Saraswati river valley in Fatehabad district, Haryana.
• Discovered by RS Bisht in 1973-74, planned in a chessboard pattern.
• The Western part was crucial with higher-status inhabitants.
• Stamps with animal depictions found; absence of drainage system.

(b) Rakhigarhi

• Positioned on the right bank of the Rigvedic Drishadvati river in Narnaund Block, Hisar district.
• The largest Indus Valley site in Haryana, covering 350 hectares.
• Divided into two parts with signs of a protective Parkota.

(c) Mitathal

• Located in Bhiwani district, excavated by Kurukshetra University under Dr Surajbhan.
• Significant for Early, Mature, and Late Harappan Culture sources.

(d) Madina

• In the Central Block of Rohtak district, excavated in 2007-08 under Dr Manmohan Kumar.
• Residences from late Harappan and Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Culture discovered.

(e) Bhagwanpura

• In Kurukshetra district, excavated by archaeologist GP Joshi.
• Main relics: glass and copper bangles in white, black, and blue.

(f) Farmana Khas (Daksha-Khera)

• In Rohtak district, the second-largest Harappan site in Haryana.
• Excavations revealed Harappan seals, cemetery remains, and cotton/woollen clothes.

(g) Giravad

• In Maham tehsil, Rohtak district, discovered in 2006.
• Excavated in 2007, revealing remnants of Hakra culture, 13 trough residences, and pottery cooking kilns.

(h) Balu

• In Kaithal district, discovered in 1977 by Dr. Surajbhan and Dr. Jim J Shaffer.
• Remnants from Early, Mature, and Late Harappan Cultures were obtained.

(i) Siswal

• A village 26 km West of Hisar, covered under Adampur tehsil.
• Signs of a more ancient culture discovered, with abundant handmade earthen utensils.

Important Features of Indus Valley Civilisation

• The first urban civilisation with a mix of merchant and peasant groups.
• Barley was the main crop, along with cultivation of wheat, rice, etc.
• The script remains undeciphered and is pictographic.
• Various religious beliefs emerged, including worship of peepal trees and animals.