Harappan Civilization for Class 6 – History, Town Planning, Facts & Notes

🧱 Harappan Civilization (Class 6)

The Harappan Civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is one of the oldest urban civilizations in the world. It flourished about 4,500 years ago along the banks of the river Indus and its tributaries. It was discovered in the 1920s when archaeologists found remains at Harappa (now in Pakistan) and Mohenjo-daro. These discoveries showed that an advanced city life existed long before many other ancient civilizations.

📍 Location and Extent

The Harappan Civilization covered a vast area, larger than any other ancient civilization, spreading over parts of present-day India and Pakistan. Major sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, Lothal, Kalibangan, and Rakhigarhi. These cities were usually located near rivers for a good water supply, fertile land, and easy transport.

🏘️ Town Planning

One of the most remarkable features of the Harappan Civilization was its excellent town planning. The cities were laid out in a grid pattern — streets cut each other at right angles. Houses were built with baked bricks of standard size. There were well-planned drains, covered sewage systems, and public baths, which show that cleanliness and public hygiene were important to them.

🏠 Houses and Buildings

Most houses had two or more rooms and were often double-storied. They had bathrooms with drains connected to the main sewage system. Some houses even had wells inside the compound. The Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro is an example of the advanced architecture of that time. It is believed to have been used for ritual bathing by the people.

⚒️ Occupations and Crafts

The Harappans were skilled craftsmen. They made beautiful pottery, beads, ornaments, tools, and toys. They used copper, bronze, gold, and semi-precious stones. They also developed techniques for polishing and designing. Evidence of spinning and weaving has been found too. They traded with nearby regions and even with Mesopotamia, showing they were good traders and navigators.

🚢 Trade and Transport

Trade was very important to the Harappans. They traded goods like cotton, grains, spices, beads, and metals. They used bullock carts and boats for transport. The dockyard at Lothal is evidence of overseas trade. They used standardized weights and measures for trading. Seals with animal motifs and inscriptions were used for trade purposes and might have worked like identity cards or trademarks.

🙏 Religion and Beliefs

The Harappans worshipped nature and animals. Many seals show animals like unicorns, bulls, and elephants. Figurines of a mother goddess have been found, suggesting that they worshipped female deities for fertility. They also worshipped the pipal tree. There are no signs of large temples, so worship was likely done at home or in small shrines.

🔠 Script and Language

The Harappans developed a unique script with about 400 symbols. It has not yet been fully decoded. The symbols were mostly found on seals, pottery, and copper tablets. This script shows they had some form of written communication, but because it has not been understood, many secrets of their life remain unknown.

🍞 Food and Clothing

The Harappans grew wheat, barley, rice, dates, and peas. They kept animals like cows, goats, buffaloes, and sheep. They were one of the earliest people to grow cotton. Men and women wore simple clothes made of cotton and wool. Ornaments made of beads, shells, and metals were worn by both men and women. Hair combs, bangles, and mirrors show they cared about grooming.

📉 Decline of the Civilization

Around 1900 BCE, the Harappan Civilization slowly declined. The exact reasons are still debated by historians. Possible reasons include floods, earthquakes, drying up of rivers, deforestation, and invasions. Gradually, people moved to smaller villages, and the big cities were abandoned.

📝 Importance and Legacy

The Harappan Civilization is very important because it shows us that urban life, trade, sanitation, and planning were advanced even 4,500 years ago. Many of their ideas inspired future generations. Their legacy can be seen in Indian crafts, town planning, and trade practices.

📚 Conclusion

The Harappan Civilization is a fascinating chapter of ancient history. It teaches us about human progress and how people lived, worked, and built communities long ago. By learning about it, we understand how human societies evolved from simple villages to complex cities. The Harappan Civilization truly deserves to be remembered and studied by every student.