Chapter 3 (A) - Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic Age

Ancient and Medieval India

Geography

• India is a subcontinent, geographically distinct from the rest of Asia.

• Cut off from Asia by the Himalayas.

• Divided into two main regions:

  • Northern Plains: Flat low-lying areas.

  • Deccan Plateau: Characterized by many hills.

• Two main river systems:

  • Indus River

  • Ganges River

Historical Context

Indus Valley Civilization

• Emerged around 3000 BCE with initial settlements along the Indus River in present-day Pakistan.

• By 2500 BCE, the region was dominated by two major city centers:

  • Harappa

  • Mohenjo-Daro

Key Trade Routes

• Harappa traded with regions in Iran and eastern India.

• Mohenjo-Daro engaged in trade with the Persian Gulf and Sumer in the west.

City Planning

Urban Features of Indus Valley Cities

• Lower City:

  • City avenues measured about 10 meters wide.

  • Block dimensions approximately 350 x 250 meters.

  • Residential areas featured windows, plaster, paint, and carved timber elements.

  • Advanced public sanitation systems with clean water supply and wastewater removal facilities.

Granaries and Storage

• A large granary noted in Mohenjo-Daro, signifying agricultural surplus.

• Smaller two-room dwellings were used for government officials and housing for workers.

Architectural Development

Key Structures

• Raised Mound Structures:

  • Located on the western perimeter at a height of 10 meters.

  • Thick mud brick walls (over 10 meters) provide structural support.

  • The Great Bath: 12 x 7 meters and 2.5 meters deep, suggesting significance in purification rituals.

Sociopolitical Structure

• Cities were economically connected via trade networks but politically decentralized.

• Common language and culture across cities with evidence of a written language.

• Innovators in cotton cultivation and cloth production.

Religious Beliefs

• Society centered on the concept of an afterlife, with large communal baths for purification rituals.

• Evidence of burial practices where individuals were interred with personal belongings.

The Vedic Age (1700 B.C.)

• Following the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic Age emerged due to migrations from the North East (Black and Caspian Seas).

• Arrival of Indo-Aryans who were known for horse domestication and chariot development.

Vedic Texts and Religion

The Vedas

• Comprising religious texts foundational to Hindu beliefs:

  • Rig Veda: Completed around 1200 B.C., detailing revelations about the gods.

  • Sama Veda: Hymns and musical traditions.

  • Yajur Veda: Ritualistic prayers, particularly for sacrifices.

  • Atharva Veda: Contains religious and magical formulas for health and community harmony.

Later Vedic Age (1000-600 B.C.)

• Indo-Aryan tribes settled along the Ganges, leading to more complex societal structures.

• Introduction of varna systems, classifying people based on occupation distinct from the later rigid caste system.

Varna Classification

• Brahmins: Highest varna, religious leaders, and teachers known for ritual purity and vegetarianism.

• Kshatriyas: Class of kings and warriors dedicated to protecting society.

• Vaishyas: Traders and farmers initially focused on agriculture and livestock.

• Shudras: Servant class and often born from unions of higher-status individuals and "untouchables."

Aryan Invasion and Influence

• Around 1500 BCE, Indo-Aryans invaded, introducing iron use and chariot technology.

• Clans were led by warrior chiefs (rajas), emphasizing a tribal structure.

The Vedic Period and Textual Evolution

• Introduction of Sanskrit and the Vedas (1500-1000 BCE).

• Early literary collections reflecting the beliefs and lifestyles of the Aryans built the foundation of Hinduism.

Epic Period (1000-500 BCE)

• Key literary works include The Ramayana and The Mahabharata, chronicling Aryan culture, values, and significant conflicts.