UNIT - I

1. Harappan Civilization
Harappan Civilization is much older than Aryan Civilization. It was believed that the
Aryan civilization was the most ancient Civilization of India. But this view has sustained
injuries in the twenties of the 20th century with the discovery of a very ancient
civilization. Archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of a civilization in the Indus valley
which is very older and contemporary to the civilizations of ancient Egypt and Babylon.
In 1921 A.D., Dayaram Sahani excavated remains of Harappa civilization in
Montgomery of Punjab and in 1922 A.D. Rakhaldass Banerjee discovered Mohenjo-daro
civilization in Larkana of Sind. At the beginning it was named as Indus civilization but
later on it was termed as Harappa civilization.
Area of Harappan Civilization:
After intense study it was found that Harappan civilization was spread in the area
between Iran and Pakistan in the west, the Himalayas in the north and to the Bay of
Cambey. Many samples of this civilization have been found on the banks of Bhogabar
River in Gujarat-known as Lothal; in Rupar on the banks of Sutlez; on the banks of
Gharghara; known as Kalibongan and Alamgirpur in Uttar Pradesh. It can be said that
Harappa civilization had an area of 1100 km in eastwest and 1600 km in northsouth.
Features of Harappan Civilization
Life of Harappan People
The majority of the Harappan people were peasants, and they lived in villages. To the
ruling community they were not dangerous at all, but were indispensable to them for
economic reasons. But at the same time, the peasants were treated as slaves.
Towns Planning of Harappan Civilization
Remains of many travelling house have been discovered in the big city. They range from
two-roomed house to large buildings which five feet in length and ninety seven feet in
width.
Houses were built in rows on both sides of the road. Burnt bricks were used for
building. There was no road obstruction by house-building. There were houses in lanes
also. The houses of rich people were large with several rooms. The poor people,
however, lived in smaller houses.
Granary of Harappan Civilization
A granary has been discovered. The granary was constructed on the high foundation of
the burnt bricks. A bath has been discovered at Mohenjo-Daro. This bath can be called

one of the chief features of the Indus Civilistaion. This bath was for the use by the
public.
Bricks made of burnt clay were used for construction of the reservoir to prevent
outflow of water. The bath was probably constructed for religious purposes. After their
bath, the worshippers probably used small rooms for change of dress, and offered
worship to the temple of Mother Goddess which was adjacent to the public bath.
Civic Organisation of Indus Valley Civilization
The ruins of forts, one each at Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Kalikangan have been
discovered.
The drainage system of Indus Valley Civilization was build in systematic order. Drains
made of bricks of burnt clay were used for outlet of water from each house. Water
flowing along the drain used to pour into the main gutter. A cover made of stone was
put on the drain. There were underground drains along the roads. The drains of the
houses were connected with the road drainage.
Urban Civilization:
Presents-day Pakistans Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, Rajasthans Kalibangan, and
Gujarats Lothal have shown as some signs of urban civilization. In almost every city,
there were two types of areashigh and low. The high areas were known as citadel. In
some cities the citadel areas were surrounded by walls. The cities were well-planned
and buildings were made of burnt bricks. Some of the buildings were two storied, walls
were smooth, the rooms were wide and there were windows, drainpipe, underground
sewerage and large baths. The entire city was planned.
The special feature of this civilization was very large bathroom and very big storehouse
for grains. In brief, we can take that there were centralised municipal system.
Harappan Religion:
From the images and idols discovered, some seem to be the images of god and
goddesses. Some female images, one-horned wale image surrounded on all sides by the
beasts have been found. Perhaps, the Harappan people also worshipped God Pasupati,
i.e., Shiva. Some believe that the people were tree worshippers.
Dress:
They used to wear robes made of cotton and silk. Male and female both used
ornaments.
Social Class:
From town planning of Harappa, it can be presumed that there was class difference in
the city life. Big buildings, palaces, two-room dwelling houses were there. There were

rich, middle-class people and poor people. Even it can be said that slaves were also
there.
Economic Condition:
Their principal profession of Harappan people was agriculture. They used to produce
paddy and other eatable grains. They were good traders and it has been proved that
they had business relationship with countries outside India. The trade with outside
countries was practiced through exchange of materials. From the findings it has been
proved that export trade was done through sea or road route.

2. Vedic Culture
The Vedic Civilization was the culture and traditions of the society prevalent during the
Vedic age ( 1500- 600 BCE). In various examinations which have a section of general
studies, often ask a question or two about the Vedic civilization. This chapter of the
history study material & notes is meant to cover the essential and exam-worthy details
of the ancient Vedic period.
It should be noted here that after the decline of Indus Valley civilization by 1500 BCE,
the next wave of civilization began to take shape in form of Aryan occupation of IndoGangetic plain.
The Aryans:

Typically, the age of Aryans is known as the Vedic age because the four major
Vedas were created in this time.

The word Aryan is derived from the Sanskrit word arya which means noble, not
ordinary.

They arrived from russian steppes, as is believed and agreed to by majority

historians.

But various scholars voice different opinion about thier origin. Bal Gangadhar
Tilak argued that Aryans came from the Arctic region following their
astronomical calculations.

It is generally agreed that they spoke Indo-Aryan Language, Sanskrit.

They were semi-nomadic, pastoral people, who led a rural life as compared to the
urban Harappans.

Vedic Literature:

The term Veda means superior knowledge in Sanskrit.

Four major Vedas constitute the vedic literature. They are Rig Veda, Yajur Veda,
Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda.
1. Rig Veda Earliest veda. Has 1028 hymns in praise Gods.
2. Yajur Veda Has details of rules to be followed during sacrifices.
3. Sam Veda Has a collection of songs. The origins of Indian music are
traced to it.
4. Atharva Veda has a collection of spells and charms.

Besides these Vedas, there were Brahmanas, Upnishads, Aryankas, and epicsRamayana and Mahabharata.

Brahmanas Prose about vedic hymns, rituals and philosophies.

Aryankas Deal with mysticism, rites and rituals.

Upnishads Philosophical texts dealing with soul, mysteries of nature.

Ramayana was authored by Valmiki.

Mahabharata was written by Ved Vyasa.

Classification of Vedic Period:
The period of Vedic Civilization(1500-500 BCE) is divided into two broad parts
1. Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC), also known as Rig Vedic Period.
2. Later Vedic Period (1000- 600 BC).
We will study the following features of the Vedic Civilization under these two periods.
Political Organisation in Vedic Age:
In Early Vedic Age:
Kula was the basic unit of political organization.

Multiple families together of kinship formed a grama.

Leader of grama was Gramani.

Group of villages were called visu, headed by vishayapati.

The highest political and administrative unit was jana or tribe.

There were several such tribal kingdoms Bharatas, Matsyas, Yadus and Purus.

The head of kingdom was Rajan or king.

The Rig Vedic polity was hereditary monarchy normally.

There were two bodies- Sabha(council of elders) and Samiti(general assembly of

people).
In Later Vedic Age:

Larger kingdoms by amalgamation formed Mahajanapadas or rashtras.

Therefore, the power of king increased and he performed various rituals and
sacrifices
to
make
his
position
strong
likeRajasuya (consecration
ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice) and Vajpeya (chariot race).
The kings assumed titles of Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi(lord of all
earth), Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler).
But, importance of the Samiti and the Sabha diminished.
Society in Vedic Civilization:
In Early Vedic Age:
The Rig Vedic society was basically patriarchal.

The basic unit of society was graham or family, its head was called as
grahapathi.
Monogamy was practiced while polygamy among royal and noble families was
observed.
Women had equal opportunities as men for their spiritual and intellectual
development. Apala, Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopamudra were women poets.
Women could attend the popular assemblies.

No child marriage, sati practice.

Social divisions were not rigid.

In Later Vedic Age:
The Varna system became prevalent- four divisions
society:
Brahmins,
Kshatriyas,
Vaisyas and
Sudras.
A Brahmin and Kshatriyas occupied a higher
position than others.
Various sub-castes on the basis of occupation
emerged.
Women were considered inferior and subordinate to
men now and also lost their political rights of attending assemblies.
Child marriages became common.
Economic Conditions in Vedic Civilization:
In Early Vedic Age:
The Rig Vedic Aryans were pastoral, cattle rearing people.

After they permanently settled in North India they began agriculture.

Carpenters produced chariots and ploughs.

A variety of articles with copper, bronze and iron were made by workers.

Spinning was an important occupation cotton and woollen fabrics.

Goldsmiths made ornaments.

The potters made different kinds of vessels for domestic use.

of

Trade was conducted by barter system in beginning but later shifted to use of
gold coins called nishka for large transactions.
Rivers acted as means of transport.
In Later Vedic Age:
More land was put under cultivation by clearing forests. Knowledge of manure
saw development.
Hence, Agriculture became the chief occupation of people growing barley, rice
and wheat.
Industrial activity became specialized with metal work, leather work, carpentry
and pottery advancement.
Internal trade as well as foreign trade also became extensive (they traded with
Babylon through sea).
Hereditary merchants (vaniya) came into existence as a different class.

Vaisyas indulged in trade and commerce organized themselves into guilds

known as ganas.
Coins: Beesides nishka, satamana gold coins and krishnala silver coins
were also used as a media of exchange.