Subsistence Pattern of Harappan Civilisation | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Subsistence Patterns in the Harappan Civilization

The Harappan civilization thrived in a vast area with diverse ecological zones, including alluvial plains, mountains, plateaux, and sea coasts. This variety contributed to a rich resource potential, capable of generating the food surpluses necessary for urbanization. The diversity of the subsistence base likely played a crucial role in sustaining the population; if one food resource failed, people could rely on others.

Agriculture formed the backbone of the Harappan economy, supported by animal husbandry and hunting. Additionally, riverine and marine food resources were utilized where available.The sources of information on subsistence patterns in the Harappan civilization include:

• Plant remains
• Animal bones
• Artefacts
• Motifs on seals and pottery
• Analogies with modern practices

Nature of the Environment

There is ongoing debate about the nature of the Harappan environment and its relationship with subsistence patterns. Here are some key points regarding the nature of the environment:

Wetter Climate

Archaeologists like Mortimer Wheeler and Stuart Piggott have suggested that the Harappan period experienced a wetter climate based on several arguments:

• The large number of burnt bricks found at Harappan sites would have required significant amounts of fuel, which would have been possible only with heavy forest cover supported by increased rainfall.
• The embankments constructed in the Baluchistan area indicate the need for managing heavier rain.
• The depiction of animals such as the tiger,elephant, and rhinoceros on seals suggests a landscape of forest and grassland that could only be sustained by greater rainfall.
• The elaborate drainage system of Harappan cities was designed to carry off excess rainwater.

Contesting Views

While some scholars argue for a wetter climate, others believe that climatic conditions in the greater Indus Valley have remained relatively constant since Harappan times. However, some studies provide evidence for climatic changes.

• Gurdip Singh conducted pollen analysis from various lakes in Rajasthan and suggested an increase in rainfall around 3000 BCE and a decrease around 1800 BCE.
• Contrarily, a recent study of Lunkaransar lake indicates that it dried up by 3500 BCE, suggesting a drier climate well before the Harappan civilization.

The debate over the nature of climatic conditions during the Harappan period remains unresolved.

Agriculture

Regional Variation in Plants Grown

Evidence from various Harappan sites indicates regional variations in the plants cultivated:

• Wheat has been found at Mohenjodaro and Harappa.
• Barley has been discovered at Mohenjodaro,Harappa, and Kalibangan.
• Sesamum seeds have been found at Harappa.
• Watermelon seeds,peas, and dates have been discovered at Harappa.
• Rice occurs at Harappa,Kalibangan,Lothal, and Rangpur.
• Millets have been identified at Harappa,Surkotada, and Shortughai.
• Grapes and henna were also known.
• Cotton may have been grown, as evidenced by a fragment of cotton cloth found at Mohenjodaro.

Cropping Pattern

Modern cropping practices provide insights into the protohistoric patterns of agriculture:

• In Sindh, despite low rainfall, the Indus River brings floodwaters and silt, making the land fertile without the need for deep ploughing, irrigation, or manuring.
• Sesamum and cotton were likely sown in June/July and harvested in September/October as kharif(summer) crops.
• Wheat and barley would have been sown in November and harvested in March/April as rabi(winter) crops.
• In Gujarat,rice is a kharif crop, which was likely the case during the Harappan period as well.

Plough: The discovery of a ploughed field at Kalibangan during the early Harappan phase suggests the use of the plough. Terracotta models of ploughs found at Bahawalpur and Banawali provide further evidence of this agricultural implement. The absence of actual ploughs is likely because they were made of wood.

Irrigation: Farmers in the Harappan period likely constructed bunds(embankments) of mud or stone to divert river water for irrigation, similar to practices in present-day Baluchistan. Some evidence of irrigation canals has been found at Shortughai. While Fairservis proposed that a well and associated drains at Allahdino represent an irrigation system, this evidence is not conclusive. Additionally, the idea that the dockyard at Lothal was an irrigation reservoir is not convincing.

Canal Networks: Although identifying ancient canals from the Harappan phase is challenging, some evidence of a small-scale canal network in the Haryana area has been identified by H. P. Francfort. Additionally, some ancient canals traced in the Ghaggar-Hakra plain may date back to the Harappan period.

Animal Husbandry, Hunting, and Riverine & Marine Resources

Wild Animals

• At Harappan archaeological sites, bones of various wild animals have been discovered. These include different types of deer, pigs, boars, sheep, goats, donkeys, and wild pigs.
• Bones of rhinoceros have been found only at the site of Amri, despite the rhinoceros being commonly depicted on seals and in terracotta figurines.
• Bones of elephants and camels are found in very small quantities, although elephants are also depicted on seals.
• Figures of tigers are frequently found in figurines, while figures of leopards are rarer. Bones of smaller animals like rabbits, as well as birds such as peacocks, pigeons, ducks, and wild fowl, are also represented in figurines and pottery paintings.

Riverine and Marine Resources

• The Harappans utilized riverine and marine resources when available. At coastal sites in Gujarat, mollusks were a significant source of protein in the diet.
• The discovery of marine catfish bones at Harappa indicates that coastal communities might have traded dried fish with inland cities. Bones of tortoises and various fish have also been found.

Domesticated Animals

• Remains of domesticated animals such as humped and humpless cattle,buffaloes,sheep, and goats have been found at Harappan sites. Cattle and buffaloes were particularly important, likely used for meat, milk, and as draft animals.
• Goats and sheep would have been used for meat, wool, and milk, and possibly as pack animals. Figurines of dogs suggest that this animal was also domesticated.

The Horse

• The presence of the horse in Harappan sites is a subject of debate. It is difficult to determine whether certain bones belong to domestic horses or half-asses.
• Bones identified as horses have been found at sites like Harappa, Lothal, Surkotada, Kuntasi, and Kalibangan, with some reports from superficial layers at Mohenjodaro.
• While some scholars argue that certain bones from Surkotada are from horses, this claim has been challenged. Overall, while horse bones are not completely absent at Harappan sites, they are not commonly found either.