Harappan Civilization Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the history, discovery, phases, and key features of the Harappan Civilization and other Chalcolithic cultures.

Civilization

A large group of people living together in an organised way with their own special way of living, including food habits, traditions, and language.

Alexander Cunningham

The first director of the archaeological department of India (founded in 1861), known as the father of the Indian history.

John Marshall

The director of the archaeological department from 1902 to 1928, under whose leadership the Harappan civilization was explored.

Dayaram Sahni

The individual who discovered the Harappan civilization in 1921.

Copper

The first metal ever used by humans to make tools.

Bronze

A stronger metal created by mixing copper and tin.

Chalcolithic Period

A time period when people used both stone and copper tools.

Harappan Civilization

Considered the brightest, best, and most advanced part of the Chalcolithic period, named after the first city discovered.

Indus Valley Civilization

The name given to the civilization because its first cities were found near the Indus river valley.

Early Harappan Phase

The period from $3500\,BC$ to $2600\,BC$ when people primarily lived in mud houses.

Mature Harappan Phase

The period from $2600\,BC$ to $1900\,BC$ characterized by brick houses and city life.

Late Harappan Phase

The period from $1900\,BC$ to $1400\,BC$ which saw the decline of the civilization.

Manda

The northern boundary of the Harappan civilization located in Jammu and Kashmir.

Daimabad

The southern boundary of the Harappan civilization located in Maharashtra.

Sutkagendor

The western boundary of the Harappan civilization located near Pakistan.

Alamgirpur

The eastern boundary of the Harappan civilization located in Western Uttar Pradesh (W-UP).

Citadel

A high mound located on the west side of the city containing large buildings for administration and rituals.

Lower Town

Industrial or residential area on the east side of the city where common people lived.

The Great Bath

A large tank with changing rooms and waterproofing located in Mohenjodaro, used for religious or ritual bathing.

Lothal

A port city featuring a dockyard used for parking ships and trade.

Steatite

A soft stone used to make square seals that featured animal pictures and writing.

Meluhha

The name used in Mesopotamian records to refer to the Harappan civilization.

Pashupati

A male deity depicted on seals, surrounded by an elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, and buffalo.

Matriarchal

A type of society where women hold primary power, evidenced in Harappa by the extensive worship of the Mother Goddess.

Banas culture

A major Chalcolithic culture located in Rajasthan.

Jorwe culture

A major Chalcolithic culture located in Maharashtra.