PART 1 CH1 Bricks, Beads and Bones (Summary)

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I

CH1 BRICKS, BEADS AND BONES
THE HARAPPAN CIVILISATION

SUMMARY

Period:- ( I ) Early Harappa culture – Before 2600 BCE

               (II) Mature Harappa culture-2600BCE to 1900 BCE

               ( III ) Late Harappa culture- After 1900 BCE 

Extent of Harappan civilization:-
Northern boundary-Manda Southern Boundary-Daimabad
Eastern boundary- Alamgirpur Western boundary-Sutkagendor

Characteristics of the Harappan Civilisation:-
Two Sections:-

( I ) The Citadel
( II ) The Lower Town

• Carefully planned drainage system.
• At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits.
• Seals and sealings were used to facilitate long distance communication.
• Exchanges were regulated by a precise system of weignts, usually made of a stone called Chert and generally cubical, with no markings.
• Some archaeologist are of the opinion that Harappan society had no rulers, whereas other archaeologists feel that there was no single ruler but several rulers.
• Several explanations for the decline of Harappan civilization are Climatic changes, deforestation, excessive floods, the shifting and/or drying up of rivers

 Metals known :- Gold, Silver, Copper, Bronze.

 Scripts :- The Harappan scripts are undeciphered. There are 375-400 signs. The script   was written from right to left.

 Craft :- The place Chanhudaro was totally involved for craft production. There were   experts in bead makings, shell cutting, seal making, weight making. Lothal was also one
 of the important place for craft production.

 Modes of Transportation:- Bullock carts and Boats.