Key Points

The most ancient civilisation of India is known variously as the Harappan, Indus, or Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation. It was remarkable for its well-balanced community where differences between rich and poor were not glaring.

A civilisation is an advanced stage of human society, defined by characteristics such as government, urbanism, diverse crafts, trade, writing, cultural ideas, and productive agriculture.

Civilisation began at different times globally; in the Indian Subcontinent, the Indus-Sarasvatī Civilisation flourished from approximately 2600 to 1900 BCE.

This civilisation developed in the fertile plains of the Indus River and its tributaries, and along the now-seasonal Sarasvatī River. Around 2600 BCE, villages in this region grew into cities, marking India's 'First Urbanisation'.

The civilisation is often called 'Harappan' because Harappa, located in Pakistan's Punjab, was the first city of this culture to be excavated in 1920-21.

Harappan cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were built with precise plans, featuring wide streets oriented to cardinal directions and distinct 'upper' and 'lower' towns. The quality of construction was consistent across different house sizes.

The Harappans placed great importance on water management and cleanliness, evidenced by elaborate drainage systems, individual bathrooms in homes, and large reservoirs for water harvesting, as seen in Dholavira.

They practiced productive agriculture, growing cereals like barley, wheat, and millets, along with pulses and vegetables. They were also the first in Eurasia to cultivate cotton, and their diet was diverse, including dairy products, turmeric, ginger, and banana.

The Harappans engaged in brisk internal and external trade, exporting ornaments like carnelian beads and shell bangles, timber, and cotton. They imported goods such as copper, using land, river, and sea routes, with Lothal serving as a significant dockyard.

Thousands of small steatite seals, depicting animal figures and a unique writing system, were used to identify goods and traders. The Harappan script, however, remains undeciphered.

Harappan craftspeople were highly skilled in making ornaments and objects from various materials. They mastered copper working and produced bronze tools, pots, and figurines by combining copper with tin.

A notable structure in Mohenjo-daro was the 'Great Bath', a large, waterproof tank measuring about 12x7 meters. Its purpose is debated, but it is often interpreted as being used for religious rituals.

Around 1900 BCE, the Sindhu-Sarasvatī Civilisation began to decline, with cities being abandoned and inhabitants adopting a rural lifestyle. This was likely due to climatic changes, including reduced rainfall and the drying up of the Sarasvatī River.

Archaeological evidence suggests the Harappan civilisation was largely peaceful, as there is no significant trace of warfare or weapons. Despite its decline, much of its culture and technology influenced subsequent Indian civilisations.