Lesson 1 in India &Indus Valley Civilization

CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

Stone Age in India & Indus Valley Civilization ...... 2 Pre-History...... 2 Classification of Pre-Historic Phases ...... 2 A. Palaeolithic Age – Hunters & Food Gatherers (5,00,000 BCE – 10,000 BCE) ...... 2 Different Cultures in Lower Palaeolithic Era ...... 3 Let us Summarise Palaeolithic History ...... 4 B. Period (10,000 BCE – 6,000 BCE) ...... 5 C. Neolithic Period (Food Producing Stage) ...... 6 D. Chalcolithic Period (c. 3000BCE – 500BCE)...... 6 Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600 – 1900 BCE) – The Bronze Age Civilization ...... 8 Understanding Indus Valley Civilization ...... 8 Town Planning in Indus Valley Civilization...... 8 Important Buildings of Harappan Civilization ...... 9 Economic Life in Indus Valley Civilization ...... 10 Social Life in Indus Valley Civilzation ...... 11 Religion in Indus Valley Civilization ...... 12 Decline of Indus Valley Civilization ...... 13 Major Excavation Sites ...... 13 Test Yourself ...... 16

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 1 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

However, were not uniform throughout the STONE AGE IN INDIA & Indian subcontinent.

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION A. PALAEOLITHIC AGE – HUNTERS & FOOD GATHERERS (5,00,000 BCE – PRE-HISTORY 10,000 BCE)

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY PREHISTORY? ▪ The Palaeolithic Age is the earliest period of the Stone Age, which developed in the ▪ It refers to a time in history marked by the Pleistocene period or the Ice Age. absence of written records. India with a rich ▪ It was spread in practically all parts of India heritage and culture can trace its history of except the alluvial plains of the Indus and human settlements since the pre-historic times. Ganga.

HOW DO WE GET TO KNOW ABOUT PRE- CHARACTERISTICS OF PALAEOLITHIC MAN HISTORIC TIMES? ▪ The Palaeolithic man of India are said to have ▪ Written records are not the only source which belonged to the Negrito race and lived in caves help in reconstructing the history, there are and rock shelters. several other things which help us doing that. ▪ They were food gathering people who lived on ▪ Example, archaeological remains like – stone hunting and gathering wild fruits and tools, pottery, artefacts and metal implement vegetables. etc. ▪ They had no knowledge of agriculture, house ▪ It is the study of these archaeological remains building, pottery, or any metal. It was only in which has helped us to reconstruct the history of later stages that they attained the knowledge of pre-historic times. fire.

ROBERT BRUCE FOOTE PALAEOLITHIC TOOLS ▪ Robert Bruce Foote did an extensive study of ▪ Man, during this period, used tools of Indian Pre-History what was probably the unpolished, undressed rough stones — mainly first Palaeolithic tool discovered in India — hand axes, cleavers, choppers, blades, burin, and the Pallavaram handaxe. scrapers. ▪ Since the stone tools were made of a hard rock CLASSIFICATION OF PRE-HISTORIC called ‘quartzite’, Palaeolithic men are therefore PHASES also called ‘Quartzite men’ in India. NARMADA MAN ▪ Narmada Man or Narmada Human is the Pre-Historic Period earliest Homo species of Indian sub- continent. ▪ This fossil was found on banks of Narmada Palaeolithic Mesolithic Neolithic River in Hathnora Village of Madhya Pradesh (Old Stone (Middle (New Stone Metal Age Age) Stone Age) Age) in 1982. ▪ Narmada Man used to live 2.5 Lakh years ago DIFFERENT PHASES IN DIFFERENT PARTS and belonged to Homo erectus species, which OF SUBCONTINENT was first among the three Homo species ▪ Different Phases of Pre-History (Old (Homo habilis, Homo ergaster and Homo Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), erectus) to acquire tool making skills. Neolithic (New Stone Age) and the Metal Age. ▪ These three species predate Homo sapience sapience, to which we belong.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 2 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

▪ The importance of Narmada man is that it is DIFFERENT CULTURES IN LOWER only authentic record of a Homo species fossil PALAEOLITHIC ERA from Stone Age in India. Culture Important Aspect CLASSIFICATION OF PHASES UNDER ▪ Extensive deposits of pebble PALAEOLITHIC AGE tools and choppers found in the Soan river (a tributary of Palaeolithic SOAN Indus) valley in Pakistan along (Old Stone CULTURE with some other similar sites Age) in nearby area are collectively called Soan culture or Sohan culture. Early (Lower) Middle Late (Upper) Palaeolithic Palaeolithic Palaeolithic Age Age Age ▪ Robert Bruce Foote had discovered hand axes near MADRASIAN Chennai. Consequently, he A. LOWER PALAEOLITHIC AGE CULTURE called it Madrasian culture. TOOLS Foote was a geologist of the ▪ In lower Palaeolithic phase, the tools were Geological Survey of India. mainly hand axes and cleavers with some flakes also. ▪ Some Middle Palaeolithic era ▪ These tools were relatively blunt and have flake tools, scrappers, borers been found all over India except plains of etc. were found at Nevasa site Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra (because (Ahmednagar district of NEVASAN raw material may not be available in these Maharashtra) in the valley of CULTURE plains to make tools). river Godavari and are called

▪ Many Palaeolithic tool assemblages were Nevasan culture. found around Tapti, Godavari, Bhima and ▪ It was termed so by HD Krishna rivers. Sankalia. ▪ The raw material used for making tools was mainly quartzite and chert but quartz and ▪ Acheulian culture was named basalt was also used. after the French site of St. Acheul. ▪ Most of the sites in India including those in peninsular India, Deccan, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, East ACHEULIAN and North East have been CULTURE categorized in Acheulian culture. ▪ They were starkly different from the earlier pebble tools in the sense that there began to appear a standard design and there were more blows to remove flakes.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 3 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

B. MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC PERIOD ▪ A few Old Stone Age paintings have also TOOLS been found on rocks at Bhimbetka and ▪ In comparison to the lower other places. Palaeolithic era, the tools in LET US SUMMARISE PALAEOLITHIC middle Palaeolithic HISTORY became smaller, thinner and lighter. Early Middle Late ▪ There was also a change in Parameter Paleolithic Paleolithic Paleolithic the choice of raw material Age Age Age 5,00,000 40,000 for making tools. Time 50,000 BCE BCE−50,000 BCE−10,000 ▪ While quartzite, quartz and basalt continued to Period −40,000 BCE BCE BCE be used, in many areas they were replaced or Found in Found in supplemented by fine-grained siliceous rocks Andhra Soan and Pradesh, like chert and jasper. Sohan river Found in Karnataka, valley (now Soan, SITES Maharashtra, in Pakistan), Narmada and Central MP, Found in Soan, Narmada and Tungabhadra river Kashmir, Tungabhadra Southern UP valleys, Potwar plateau (between Indus and Thar Desert river valleys, and Jhelum), Sanghao Cave (near peshawar, Pakistan). (Didwana, Potwar Chhotanagpur Places Rajasthan), plateau Plateau. C. UPPER PALAEOLITHIC PERIOD Found Hiran Valley (between Bone tools (Gujarat), Indus and found only at KEY CHARACTERISTICS rockshelters Jhelum), cave sites of ▪ The Upper Palaeolithic period has recorded of Sanghao Kurnool and a rich panorama of fossils in the peninsular Bhimbetka Cave (near Muchchatla (MP), and peshawar, rivers of India. Chintamani Belan Valley Pakistan). ▪ Homo sapiens first appeared at the end of Gavi in Mirzapur Andhra this phase. Coincided with the last phase of (UP) the Ice Age, when the climate became Pradesh comparatively warm and less humid. Use of hand Use of stone axes, tools made Parallel-sided choppers, of flakes, TOOLS blades, and mainly ▪ The tools of Upper Palaeolithic Era are burins, and Tools Used cleavers, scrapers, some further refined upon the lower and middle mainly for borers, instances of periods and show a marked regional chopping, points, and bone tools. diversity with respect to the refinement of digging, and bladelike techniques and standardization of finished skinning. tools. Established tool forms. Homo only in 1960 sapiens first ▪ The advancement in tools is evident from by H.D. appeared at bores in stones, grinding slabs etc. Covers the Sankalia and the end of this greater part was named Misc Fact phase. UPPER PALAEOLITHIC SITES of the Ice Nevasan Coincided ▪ The most opulent archaeological evidence of Age. industry after with the last this period comes from Andhra Pradesh, the site of phase of the Nevasa Karnataka, Maharashtra, Central MP, Ice Age. Southern UP and Chhotanagpur Plateau. (Maharastra). ▪ Bone tools found only at cave sites of Kurnool and Muchchatla Chintamani Gavi in Andhra Pradesh.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 4 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

B. MESOLITHIC PERIOD (10,000 BCE – ▪ In 1867, the first rock paintings in India were 6,000 BCE) discovered at Sohagighat (Kaimur Hills, UP). ▪ Now, over 150 Mesolithic rock art sites have ▪ The Mesolithic Age represents the intermediate been discovered across India, with rich stage in Stone Age Culture. concentration in Central India such as the ▪ Both Mesolithic and Neolithic Cultures belong Bhimbetka Caves, Adamgarh, etc. to the Holocene era (which succeeded the Pleistocene era around 10,000 years ago). SIGNIFICANCE OF ROCK ART: ▪ Bagor, Rajasthan on River Kothari is one of the ▪ Animals dominate the scenes at most largest and best documented Mesolithic sites in Mesolithic rock art sites. However, no snakes India. are depicted in Mesolithic Paintings. ▪ Burials and rock paintings give us ideas about LIFE OF MESOLITHIC MAN the development of religious practices and also ▪ The Mesolithic man lived on hunting, fishing, reflect the division of labour on the basis of food gathering, and in later stages, also gender. domesticated animals. ▪ The last phase of this age saw the beginning of plant cultivation.

MESOLITHIC TOOLS ▪ There was a reduction in size of well-established tool types. ▪ The characteristic tools of this age were . ▪ They were not only used as tools in themselves but also to make composite tools, spearheads, arrowheads, and sickles after hafting them on wooden or bone handles.

Rock paintings at Sohighat

OTHER ASPECTS OF MESOLITHIC AGE ▪ Pottery is absent at most Mesolithic sites, but it is present at Langhnaj in Gujarat and in the Kaimur region of Mirzapur (UP). ▪ The last phase of this age saw the beginning of plant cultivation.

HISTORY OF ROCK ART ▪ The Mesolithic era-initiated rock art in pre- history. Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 5 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

C. NEOLITHIC PERIOD (FOOD ANIMAL REARING PRODUCING STAGE) ▪ Chalcolithic people domesticated cows, sheep, goats, pigs and buffaloes, and hunted deer. ▪ In northern India, the Neolithic age emerged ▪ They ate beef but did not like pork and were around c.8000−6000 BCE. also not acquainted with horses. ▪ At some places in south and eastern India, it is as late as 1000 BCE. CULTIVATION ▪ They practiced more slash-burn or jhum INNOVATIONS IN NEOLITHIC PERIOD cultivation. However, neither the plough nor ▪ Due to remarkable progress noticed in Neolithic the hoe has been found at any site of this Phase of Indian Pre-History, this period is period. sometimes referred to as Neolithic Revolution ▪ The people of the Chalcolithic phase produced as well. wheat and rice as their staple crops. Bajra,

several pulses such as lentil, black gram, green D. CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD (C. gram, and grass pea were also cultivated 3000BCE – 500BCE) ▪ While those living in eastern regions lived on fish and rice. EVOLUTION OF SMELTING TECHNOLOGY ▪ The Neolithic period was followed by DWELLINGS Chalcolithic (copper-stone) period. ▪ Chalcolithic people were unaware about the ▪ With the development of smelting ore burnt bricks and generally lived in thatched technology, copper became the first metal to be houses. used but bronze was also occasionally used. ▪ Their economy was village based economy. ▪ Crafting metal artefacts turned to be an important development in human civilization. CHALCOLITHIC CULTURES ▪ Use of stone tools was however not given up, ▪ People began to travel for a long distance to Some of the micro-lithic tools continued to be obtain metal ores. This led to a network of essential items. Chalcolithic cultures and the Chalcolithic cultures were found in many parts of India.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 6 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

▪ The Chalcolithic culture in the region of Rajasthan is known as Banas Culture after the river of that name. This is also known as Ahar Culture after the type-site.

CHALCOLITHIC POTTERY ▪ The Chalcolithic people used different types of pottery of which black and red pottery was most popular. Black and Red pottery CHALCOLITHIC CRAFT ▪ The Chalcolithic people were expert coppersmiths. ▪ They knew the art of copper-smelting and were good stone Beads of Semi-Precious Stones workers as well. ▪ They manufactured beads of semi-precious stones such as carnelian, steatite, and quartz crystal. ▪ They knew spinning and weaving.

CHALCOLITHIC SITES ▪ Important sites of this phase are spread in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, MP, etc. In South India the river valleys of the Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Pennar and Kaveri were settled by farming communities during this period. ▪ In the Malwa region, the important Chalcolithic sites are: Kayatha, Navdatoli, and Eran.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 7 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION (C. ▪ In case of Harappan culture these distinctive objects include seals, beads, weights, stone 2600 – 1900 BCE) – THE BRONZE blades & even baked bricks. AGE CIVILIZATION ▪ There were earlier and later cultures, often called Early Harappan and Late Harappan, in the UNDERSTANDING INDUS VALLEY same area. The Harappan civilization or Indus CIVILIZATION Valley Civilization is sometimes called the Mature Harappan culture to distinguish it from ▪ The Indus Valley Civilization was an ancient these cultures civilization thriving along the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River in what is now Phases of Harappan Pakistan and north-western India. Culture ▪ It forms the part of proto history and bronze age of India Early- Mature- Late Pre-Harappan ▪ It is also called Harappan Civilization because Harappan Harappan Harappan this civilization was first discovered in 1921 at the modern site of Harappa situated in the province of West Punjab in Pakistan. PRE-HARAPPAN CULTURE GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT OF INDUS VALLEY ▪ Located in eastern Baluchistan at sites such as CIVILIZATION . ▪ Indus valley Civilization arose in the north- ▪ In this stage, the nomadic people began to lead western part of the Indian subcontinent. a settled agricultural life. ▪ The Civilization covered parts of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujarat, Rajasthan and some parts EARLY HARAPPAN CULTURE ▪ People lived in large villages in the plains. of Western UP. ▪ There was a gradual growth of towns in the ▪ It extended from Manda in Jammu in the north Indus valley. Also, the transition from rural to to Daimabad in the south and from Alamgirpur urban life took place during this period. in W. UP to Sutkagendor in Baluchistan in the ▪ The sites of Amri and Kot Diji remain the west evidence for early-Harappan stage.

MATURE HARAPPAN CULTURE ▪ Great cities like Harappa and Mohenjodaro emerged. The excavations at Kalibangan with its elaborate town planning and urban features prove this phase of evolution

Late Harappan Culture ▪ Decline of the Indus culture started. The excavations at Lothal reveal this stage of evolution. Geographical Extent Of Indus Valley Civilization

PHASES OF HARAPPAN CULTURE TOWN PLANNING IN INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION WHAT IS CULTURE? ▪ Archaeologists use the term 'culture' for a Harappan civilisation is known for its urban outlook group of objects, distinctive in style, that are and sophisticated sense of civic planning and usually found together within a specific organisation. geographical area and period of time. Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 8 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

CITADEL - RAISED ▪ This part occupied a smaller area, and was frequently situated to the west of the city. ▪ Rulers class lived here. ▪ It also contained public buildings, granaries, and important workshops. Harappan Drainage DWELLINGS OF HARAPPAN PEOPLE LOWER PART OF CITY ▪ Houses were often of two or more storeys, ▪ The common citizenry lived and carried on their though varied in size but quite monotonous. professional lives in this part of the city. ▪ No window faced the streets and the houses ▪ It occupied a larger area. had tiled bathrooms. Some houses had their ▪ It was frequently situated to the east of the city. own wells.

HARAPPAN STREETS ▪ City planning roughly followed a grid pattern and streets ran from north and cut at right angles. ▪ The streets were wide, the main street being ten A Typical Home in Harappan Civilization metres wide and dividing the town IMPORTANT BUILDINGS OF into rectangular HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION and square blocks. GREAT BATHS ▪ There were lamp- ▪ The most important public place of posts at intervals. They used burnt bricks of Mohenjodaro is the Great Bath measuring 39 good quality and the unique feature of this brick feet length, 23 feet breadth and 8 feet depth. was its identical ratio of 1:2:4 in terms of ▪ Flights of steps at either end lead to the surface. thickness:width:length. ▪ There are side rooms for changing clothes. ▪ The floor of the Bath was made of burnt bricks. DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN HARAPPAN Water was drawn from a large well in an CIVILIZATION adjacent room, and an outlet from one corner ▪ They had an excellent drainage system — of the Bath led to a drain. drains (underground) were made of mortar, ▪ It must have served as a ritual bathing site. lime and gypsum and covered with large brick slabs for easy cleaning.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 9 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

▪ While most seals are square, it was found that triangular, rectangular and circular seals were also used. ▪ Steatite, a soft stone found in the river beds, was although the most common material used to make seals, yet metallic seals have also been found. ▪ Animal impressions were also there, generally

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro five, which were carved intaglio on the surfaces. ▪ The common animal motifs were unicorn, GREAT GRANARY humped bull, rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, ▪ The largest building in Mohenjodaro is a buffalo, bison, goat, markour, ibex, crocodile, granary measuring 150 feet length and 50 feet etc. breadth. But in the citadel of Harappa we find ▪ However, no evidence of cow has been found on as many as six granaries any seal. ECONOMIC LIFE IN INDUS VALLEY ▪ Generally, the seals had an animal or human CIVILIZATION figure on one side and an inscription on the opposite side or inscriptions on both the sides. EVIDENCE OF TRADE & ECONOMY OF INDUS Some seals had inscriptions on a third side as VALLEY CIVILIZATION well. ▪ The inferences about Harappan Economy have ▪ Some seals have imaginary animals as well such been derived from its flourishing trade relations as half-man and half-animal. with its contemporary Mesopotamian and Persian civilisations. ▪ Mesopotamians called the Indus Region ‘Meluhha’.

HARAPPAN SEALS ▪ Seals hold a special significance in context of trade. ▪ Harappans seals have been found in Mesopotamian cities like Susa and Ur. In Nippur, a seal has been found bearing Harappan script and a unicorn. ▪ Every merchant probably had a seal bearing an emblem, often of a religions character and a MONEY, TRADE & TRANSPORT name / brief description on one side. ▪ They carried out internal and external trade. ▪ The standard Harappa seal was a square / oblong ▪ There was no metallic money in circulation and plaque made of steatite stone. Though its trade was conducted by means of barter. primary purpose is inferred to mark the ▪ Inland transport primarily employed bullock ownership of property, they may also have carts. served as amulets. EVIDENCE OF EXTERNAL TRADE

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 10 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

▪ In Mohenjo-Daro, three cylinder seals of the SOCIAL LIFE IN INDUS VALLEY Mesopotamian type have been found, CIVILZATION which underlines their trading relations. ▪ In Lothal, a button seal has been found. INDUS VALLEY SOCIETY ▪ ▪ There were bead-making factories at Indus Valley Society was largely an urban society Chanhudaro and Lothal. The products of comprising mostly of middle classes. these factories were items of export. ▪ Harappan sites indicate socio-economic ▪ A dockyard has been exacavated in Lothal differentiation. There were at least 3 distinct and sea ports have been found at Rangpur, social groups – the rulers, rich merchants & poor Somnath and Balakot. labourers. ▪ Lapis-Lazuli, a semi-precious stone, used to ASPECTS OF LIVING be imported from Afghanistan (trade ▪ The dress of both men and women consisted of outpost at Shrtughai). two pieces of cloth, one upper garment and the WEIGHTS & MEASURES other lower garment made of cotton or wool. ▪ A remarkable aspect of the Harappan ▪ Beads were worn by men and women. Culture was its standardisation and ▪ Jewelleries such as bangles, bracelets, fillets, accuracy in the context of weights and girdles, anklets, ear-rings and finger-rings were measures. worn by women. These ornaments were made of ▪ Weights followed a binary system in the gold, silver, copper, bronze and semi precious lower denominations — 1, 2, 8, 16, 32 to stones.

64, and then in decimal multiples of 160 like ▪ Various household articles made of pottery, 160, 320, 640, 1600, 3200, and so on. stone, shells, ivory and metal have been found at ▪ Weights were made of chert, limestone, and Mohenjodaro.

steatite and were generally cubical in ▪ Spindles, needles, combs, fishhooks, knives are shape. made of copper. ▪ A shell scale has been found at Mohenjo- ▪ Children’s toys include terracotta carts. Daro, a shell object probably used to ▪ Marbles, balls and dice were used for games.

measure angles has been found at ▪ There were numerous weapons such as axes, Saurashtra, and an ivory scale has been spearheads, daggers, bows, arrows made of discovered at Lothal. copper and bronze. BURIAL METHODS ▪ QUESTION 1 The cemeteries discovered around the cities like Q. Which one of the following animals was not Mohenjodaro, Harappa, Kalibangan, Lothal and represented on the seals and terracotta art of Rupar throw light on the burial practices of the the Harappan culture? [2001] Harappans. a) Cow ▪ The most common method was extended burial b) Elephant in North-South direction. c) Rhinoceros ▪ Complete burial and post-cremation burial d) Tiger were popular at Mohenjodaro. Answer: A ▪ At Lothal the burial pit was lined with burnt bricks indicating the use of coffins. The practice of pot burials is found at Lothal sometimes with pairs of skeleton. ▪ Wooden coffins were also found at Harappa

POTTERY

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 11 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

▪ The Harappans were great surrounded by four animals (elephant, tiger, experts in the use of the rhino, and buffalo each facing a different potter’s wheel but were poor direction). Two deer appear on his feet. in artistic works of stone. ▪ The chief female deity was the Mother ▪ Primarily red black pottery Goddess represented in terracotta figurines. (red ware pottery painted ▪ There are also indications that phallus like with black designs, usually stones were worshipped. that of trees and circles) was popular. ▪ Many trees (papal), animals (bull), birds (dove, ▪ Some of these pots were used for storing grain pigeon) and stones were worshipped. or water, while some perforated pots were ▪ Unicorn was also worshipped. However, no probably used for brewing fermented alcoholic temple has been found, though idolatry was beverages. practiced. ▪ At Kalibangan and Lothal fire altars have been SCRIPT found. ▪ The Harappan script has still to be fully ▪ They believed in evil forces and used amulets deciphered. The script is not alphabetical but as protection against them. pictographic. The number of signs is between 400 and 600 of which 40 or 60 are basic and the QUESTION 2 rest are their variants. Q. Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, ▪ The script was mostly written from right to left. consider the following statements: [2011] For long writings, the boustrophedon method – 1. It was predominantly a secular civilization and writing in the reverse direction in alternative the religious element, though present, did not lines - was adopted. dominate the scene 2. During this period, cotton was used for TERRACOTTA manufacturing textiles in India ▪ A lot of terracotta has Which of the statements given above is/are been found at many correct? sites, including figurines a) 1 only of animals such as bulls, b) 2 only buffaloes, dogs, c) Both 1 and 2 monkeys, toy carts, and d) Neither 1 nor 2 humans. Answer: C ▪ Terracotta bangles have also been found. It is important to note that more female figurines QUESTION 3 have been uncovered in comparison to male Q. Which of the following characterizes the figurines. people of Indus Civilization? [2013] 1. They possessed great palaces and temples RELIGION IN INDUS VALLEY 2. They worshipped both male and female CIVILIZATION deities 3. They employed horse-drawn chariots in ▪ From the seals, terracotta figurines and copper warfare tablets we get an idea on the religious life of Select the correct statement/ statements using the Harappans. the codes given below: ▪ It was predominantly a secular civilization and a) 1 and 2 only the religious element, though present, did not b) 2 only dominate the scene. c) 1, 2 and 3 ▪ The chief male deity was Pasupati, (proto-Siva) d) None of the statements given above is correct represented in seals as sitting in a yogic posture Answer: B with three faces and two horns. He is Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 12 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

DECLINE OF INDUS VALLEY ▪ Large granary (the CIVILIZATION largest building of Mohenjo-daro); ▪ There is no unanimous view pertaining to ▪ Piece of woven the cause for the decline of the Harappan cotton along with culture. Various theories have been spindle whorls and postulated. needles; ▪ Natural calamities like recurring floods, ▪ Superficial evidence drying up of rivers, decreasing fertility of of horse; the soil due to excessive exploitation and ▪ Evidence of direct occasional earthquakes might have caused trade contact with the decline of the Harappan cities. Mesopotamia; ▪ According to some scholars (Mortimer ▪ A bronze dancing Wheeler) the final blow was delivered by girl; the invasion of Aryans. The destruction of ▪ Evidence of violent forts is mentioned in the Rig Veda. death of some of ▪ Also, the discovery of human skeletons the inhabitants huddled together at Mohenjodaro indicates (discovery of human that the city was invaded by foreigners. skeletons put MAJOR EXCAVATION SITES together); ▪ A seal representing SITE RIVER MAJOR FINDINGS Mother Goddess with a plant growing Harappa Ravi ▪ Excavated by D.R. from her womb, and Sahni in 1921. a woman to be ▪ 2 rows of six sacrificed by a man granaries with brick with a knife in his platforms; 12 hand; granaries together ▪ A bearded man had the same areas (Priest-King); and as the Great Granary ▪ A seal with a picture at Mohenjo daro; suggesting ▪ evidences of coffin Pashupati. burial and cemetery. Banawali ▪ Chess-board or grid ▪ Single-room pattern of town barracks. planning was not ▪ Red sandstone male always followed. torso ▪ It lacked a ▪ Stone symbols of systematic drainage female genitals. system. Mohen-Jo- Indus ▪ Excavated by R.D. ▪ A high quality barley daro Banerjee in 1922 has been found in ▪ a multi-pillared excavations. assembly hall; ▪ Terracotta Replica of ▪ the Great bath; Plough.

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 13 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

Lothal ▪ Remains of rice husk ▪ Factories producing (the only other seals, beads, toys Harappan city where and bone the rice husk has implements been found is ▪ Only Harappan city Rangpur, near without a citadel Ahmedabad) ▪ footprints of an ▪ An artificial elephant and dog dockyard chasing a cat. ▪ Evidences of direct Sutkagendor Dasak ▪ Said to be originally trade contract with a port which was Mesopotamia later cut off from the ▪ Houses with sea due to coastal entrances on the uplift. main street (the Kot Diji Indus ▪ Pre-Harappan houses of all other fortified settlement. Harappan cities had ▪ Existed in the first side entries). half of the third ▪ A ship designed on a millennium BC and seal; a terracotta was destructed by ship force. ▪ Evidence of double Ropar Satluj ▪ Remains of pre- burial (burying a Harappan and male and a female in Harappan cultures a single grave). have been found. ▪ Several burials Kalibangan ▪ A ploughed field; a interred in oval pits, wooden furrow; and a rectangular ▪ seven `fire-altars’ in mud-brick chamber. a row on a platform, ▪ There is also an suggesting the evidence of burying practice of the cult a dog below the of sacrifice. human burial ▪ remains of massive (Though the practice brick wall around was prevalent in both the citadel and Burzahom in Kashmir the lower town (the it was rare in the second Harappan Harappan context) site after Lothal to Amri Indus ▪ Evidences of a Pre- have the lower town Harappan settlement also walled). but lacks the ▪ bones of camel fortification plan of the pre Harappan Chanhudaro Indus ▪ Three cultural layers: phase. Indus, Jhukar and ▪ Actual remains of Jhangar rhinoceros

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 14 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

▪ Traces of declining Harappan phase and fire altars. Surkotda - ▪ The first actual remains of horse bones. ▪ A cemetery with four pot burials with some human bones has also been found. ▪ A grave has been found in association with a big rock, a rare finding of the Harappan culture. Alamgirpur Hindon ▪ Considered the eastern boundary of the Indus culture. ▪ The site is remarkable for providing the impression of cloth on a trough.

Question 4 Q. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [2002] List 1(Ancient List 2 (Archaeological finding) site) A. Lothal 1. Ploughed Field B. 2. Dockyard Kalibangan 3. Terracotta replica of a C. Dholavira plough 4. An inscription comprising ten D. Banawali large sized signs of the Harappan script. A B C D a) 1 2 3 4 b) 2 1 4 3 c) 1 2 4 3 d) 2 1 3 4 Answer: B Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 15 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

A B C TEST YOURSELF a) 2 1 3 b) 3 1 2 Q1. Consider the following statements in context c) 4 2 1 of ancient Indian History: d) 1 2 4 1. Paleolithic Age was spread in all the parts of Indian Sub-continent. Q4. Match List I with List II and select the correct 2. Paleolithic Man is said to have belonged to answer using the codes given below the lists: Indo-Australoid race. List List 2 (Characteristic) 3. Palaeolithic Man used tools made of a hard rock 1(Culture) called quartzite. A. Pre 1. Elaborate Town Planning & Which of the above given statement/s is/are Harappan Urban Features correct? B. Early 2. Decline of a Civilization a) 1 and 2 only Harappan b) 2 and 3only C. Mature 3. Nomadic People began to have c) 3 only Harappan a settled life d) 1, 2 and 3 D. Late 4. Transition from Rural to Urban Harappan Life Q2. In context of ancient Indian History, consider the following statements about Narmada Man: A B C D 1. It is the earliest known homo species of Indian a) 1 2 3 4 sub-continent. b) 3 4 1 2 2. Its fossil was found on the banks of river c) 3 1 4 2 Narmada in Gujarat. d) 2 3 4 1 3. Its fossil is the only authentic record from stone age in India. Q5. Match List I with List II and select the correct Which of the above given statement/s is/are answer using the codes given below the lists: correct? List 1(Ancient List 2 (River) a) 1 and 2 only site) b) 2 and 3only A. 1. Ghaggar c) 1 only Mohenjodaro d) 1, 2 and 3 B. Kalibangan 2. Ravi Q3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: C. Lothal 3. Indus List 1(Phase List 2 (Characteristics of Tools) of Stone Age) D. Harappa 4. Bhogwa 1. Smaller & lighter tools with A. Upper more use of fine-grained A B C D Paeleolithic siliceous rocks like chert &

jasper. a) 1 2 3 4 b) 3 4 1 2 B. Middle 2. Blunt stone tools made from c) 3 1 4 2 Paeleolithic quartzite. d) 2 3 4 1 C. Lower 3. Standardized and finished Paeleolithic tools. 4. Microliths Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 16 CivilsTap Crash Course for UPSC Prelims 2020| Ancient Indian History by Chandan Sharma Sir

Q6. Which of the following pairs are correctly Answers: matched? Q. No. Answer List 1(Ancient 1 C List 2 (Meaning) site) 2 C A. 3 B Mound of the Dead Mohenjodaro 4 B 5 C B. Kalibangan Bangles of Clay 6 C Select the correct answer using the codes given below: a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: C

Visit: www.courses.civilstap.com For Any Query Mail us: [email protected] or call us at - (+91)-8146207241 17