What is civilization? Discuss various characteristic features of civilization with reference toHarappan culture

Civilization is typically defined as a complex society that has reached an advanced stage of development in terms of social organization, culture, economy, and technology.

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It involves the establishment of cities, the development of writing systems, social hierarchies, and advancements in arts, science, and governance. Civilizations are marked by the ability to organize large populations, maintain social order, and produce surplus resources that support non-agricultural specialists such as artisans, priests, and rulers.

Characteristics of Civilization with Reference to the Harappan Culture:

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), was one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, flourishing around 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in modern-day Pakistan and parts of India. This civilization is known for its highly developed urban planning, technology, trade systems, and social organization.

1. Urbanization and City Planning:
   • The Harappan Civilization is noted for its well-planned cities, such as Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, and Kalibangan.
   • The cities were built with grid-like streets, suggesting advanced urban planning. Streets were wide, straight, and often intersected at right angles.
   • Drainage systems were highly sophisticated, with covered drains running along the streets to dispose of waste, demonstrating concern for sanitation.
   • Residential houses were constructed using brick and were of varying sizes, indicating social differentiation.
2. Written Language:
   • The Harappans used a script, known as the Harappan Script, although it has not yet been fully deciphered. It is found on seals, pottery, and other artifacts.
   • The script is believed to have been used for administrative and religious purposes, indicating a need for record-keeping and communication.
3. Social Organization:
   • The Harappan society appears to have been highly organized, with evidence of centralized control over urban planning, trade, and possibly religious practices.
   • The lack of large palaces or monumental tombs suggests that the Harappan civilization may have been more egalitarian than other ancient civilizations, such as Egypt or Mesopotamia.
   • Artifacts suggest the existence of specialized workers, including potters, bead makers, and metal workers, indicating a degree of social stratification based on occupation.
4. Economy and Trade:
   • The Harappan economy was based on agriculture, but the civilization also had a thriving trade network.
   • Evidence suggests the Harappans traded with regions as far as Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), as indicated by the discovery of Harappan seals in Mesopotamian archaeological sites.
   • Harappa was known for its craftsmanship in producing high-quality beads, jewelry, pottery, and metalwork. They also had a system for measuring weight and used a standardized form of weights and measures.
5. Art and Architecture:
   • Harappan art included seals, pottery, and figurines, many of which were made from materials like clay, terracotta, and bronze. These artifacts often had symbolic or religious significance.
   • The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is an example of Harappan public architecture, suggesting that the civilization had advanced knowledge of water management and hygiene.
   • The artistic style was often geometric and abstract, and the depiction of animals and human figures on seals suggests a symbolic or religious function.
6. Religion and Beliefs:
   • While much of the religious practices of the Harappans remain unknown, the presence of figurines of mother goddesses, lingam symbols, and seals with animal motifs (such as the unicorn seal) suggests the importance of fertility and possibly shamanistic or animistic beliefs.
   • The Harappans also had ritual bathing practices, as seen in the Great Bath and in some private homes, which may indicate a focus on purification and religious rituals.
7. Technology and Innovation:
   • Harappans were skilled in various technologies, including the manufacture of pottery, metalworking (especially bronze and copper), and the production of beads and jewelry.
   • They also developed advanced techniques in mathematics and engineering, as seen in the design of their drainage systems and standardized brick sizes.
   • The brick kiln at Harappa indicates their advanced knowledge of pottery production techniques.
8. Agriculture and Subsistence:
   • Agriculture was the backbone of the Harappan economy, with evidence of wheat, barley, cotton, and rice cultivation.
   • The Indus Valley Civilization also had domesticated animals like cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, which were integral to the economy.
9. Decline of Harappan Civilization:
   • The reasons for the decline of the Harappan civilization remain unclear, but theories include environmental changes, such as shifts in the course of the Indus River, and possible ecological degradation, including deforestation and overuse of resources.
   • Another theory is the possible invasion or migration of other groups, though there is little evidence to support this.

Conclusion:

The Harappan Civilization is one of the earliest and most advanced civilizations of the ancient world. It demonstrates many features of a highly organized and complex society, including urbanization, a written language, advanced technology, and a thriving trade system. Its achievements in city planning, art, and trade highlight its remarkable level of sophistication, making it a significant chapter in the history of human civilization. The mystery of its script and the cause of its decline continue to be subjects of research and fascination in archaeological studies.