The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, locations, and characteristics of the Indus-Sarasvatī (Harappan) civilisation based on the lecture material.

Metallurgy

The techniques of extracting metals from nature, purifying or combining them, as well as the scientific study of metals and their properties.

Civilisation

An advanced stage of human societies characterized by government, urbanism, various crafts, trade, writing, cultural ideas, and productive agriculture.

Mesopotamia

The region where civilisation began about $6,000$ years ago, located in modern-day Iraq and Syria.

Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation

The most ancient civilisation of India, dating from about $2600$ to $1900\text{ BCE}$.

Tributary

A river that flows into a larger river or lake, such as the Yamuna flowing into the Ganga.

Harappans

The name used for the inhabitants of the Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation, derived from the first city excavated in $1920–21$.

First Urbanisation of India

A term for the development around $2600\text{ BCE}$ when villages in the Indus and Sarasvatī plains grew into towns and cities.

Ghaggar-Hakra River

The modern seasonal names for the Sarasvatī River in India and Pakistan, respectively.

Fortification

A massive wall surrounding a settlement or city, generally for protective purposes.

Elite

The higher layers of society, such as rulers, officials, administrators, and often priests.

Great Bath

An elaborate tank in Mohenjo-daro measuring about $12 \times 7\,\text{metres}$, featuring waterproofing made of natural bitumen.

Natural Bitumen

A form of tar used as a waterproofing material by Harappan builders, specifically applied to the Great Bath.

Reservoir

A large natural or artificial place where water is stored, such as the stone-cut structures found at Dholavira.

Pulses

A category of crops grown by Harappans that includes beans, peas, and lentils (dal).

Cotton

A plant used to weave clothes; the Harappans were the first in Eurasia to grow this crop.

Carnelian

A reddish semiprecious stone found mostly in Gujarat, used by Harappan craftspeople to make beads for ornaments.

Bronze

A metal harder than copper created by adding tin to copper, used by Harappans for tools, pots, and figurines.

Dockyard

A structure used to receive and send boats, such as the huge basin at Lothal measuring $217\,\text{metres}$ in length.

Steatite

A soft stone that could be hardened through heating, used by the Harappans to make thousands of small seals.

Dancing Girl

A bronze figurine from Mohenjo-daro that stands $10.8\,\text{cm}$ high.