Write a note on the characteristic features of the Indus Valley Civilization
Answers
Answer:
1. This civilization is extended far beyond the Indus Valley. The main towns of Indus
valley civilization were Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Kalibangan, Lothal.
2. The significant features of Indus Valley civilization are personal cleanliness, town
planning, construction of burnt-brick houses, ceramics, casting, forging of metals,
manufacturing of cotton and woolen textiles.
3. Mohenjo-Daro people had finest bath facilities, drainage system, and knowledge of
personal hygiene.
4. They were equally conscious of plant medicine since there was occasional warfare.
5. The town planning and other characteristics indicate that a homogeneous indigenous
culture developed.
Indus Valley Civilization (also known as Harappan Civilization) is an ancient India
civilization that flourished more than 4000 years ago in the north-western parts of Indo-
Pakistan sub-continent. It derived its name from river Indus, which is the main river of
the region. The various features of Indus Valley Civilization are given below:
1. This civilization is extended far beyond the Indus Valley. The main towns of Indus
valley civilization were Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Kalibangan, Lothal.
2. The significant features of Indus Valley civilization are personal cleanliness, town
planning, construction of burnt-brick houses, ceramics, casting, forging of metals,
manufacturing of cotton and woolen textiles.
3. Mohenjo-Daro people had finest bath facilities, drainage system, and knowledge of
personal hygiene.
4. They were equally conscious of plant medicine since there was occasional warfare.
5. The town planning and other characteristics indicate that a homogeneous indigenous
culture developed.
The question about the origin of the Indus valley civilization is largely unanswered.
Various researches have linked significantly the origin of Indus Valley civilization to the
Neolithic site of Mehrgarh. Mehrgarh which lies on the “Kachi Plain” of Baluchistan in
Pakistan is a Neolithic site. Mehrgarh was a centre of transformation from the hunter
gatherer to farming (wheat and barley are found) and herding (cattle, sheep and goats
were reared).
Apart from this, a Neolithic settlement has been found in South India which is
contemporary with the Early Indus valley Civilization. These sites were characterized as
Neolithic sites by Bruce Foot at sin Karnataka such as pikkalilal, Utnur, Kupgal,
Kodekal, pallavoy. Ash mounds have been found and they have given the evidence that
cattle were herded there. This along with views of some other scholars indicates that
this was a “Dravidian Civilization”.