Harappan Culture: Beginnings Of The Indus Valley Civilisation
Information of “glorious India’s past” have always been found through myths , epics, vedic texts etc. Archaeology provides many such information too. The first systematic archaeological excavation at Harappa, a Indus Valley site was started by Rai Bahadur in 1920, he also made a discovery on the Indus, it was the site known as Mohenjo Daro, which had been greatest extent about 35,000 inhabitants and same would be true for Harappa.
Following are some characteristics about two cities:
- Mohenjo Daro (religious buildings, shops) was built of Kiln-fired bricks and the buildings were massed into “Super blocks”, of 600 by 1200 feet and most prominent is Citadel, so called Great Bath, surrounded by a paved courtyard, 39 by 23 feet and 8 feet deep, fitted bricks by Bitumen.
- Most impressive and enigmatic artefacts from the Harappan civilisation is Steatite seals- might be considered as firstly found art objects in India, their physical character is fairly consistent, beauty of execution, the depiction of diversity in animals lie bulls, tiger, elephant, one- horned Indian rhinoceros, crocodile, grotesque multi- headed animal forms is astounding and impressive, their linear symbols such as, multiple circles, crosses, dots, swastikas, leaves of pipal tree(3/4 to 1.5) inches in size( 2300-1750 BC), after the carving seals were covered with an Alkali coating and fired, for producing a fine lustrous white finish.
- In Mohenjo Daro, a seal which bears the first Anthropomorphic representation of a deity in India, Pashupati seal, which introduced and continued the concept of Meditation, where figure is seated upon throne in Yogic position, the arms covered with bangles, having a multiple visage (three faces), crowned by a large horned head- dress, whose shape suggests the Trident Symbol of Shiva. More engaging are the small terracotta toys, votive animals and figurines. Terracottas of “Mother Goddess”, organs are exaggerated like, displaying wide hips, ample breasts, bedecked with heavy jewellery, which will be met again and again in early manifestation of Indian idealised feminine beauty. A unique small copper sculpture of Dancing Girl, standing nude expect necklace and an arm completely ringed with bangles, her relaxed body, (one hand rests on her right hip, while other holds a bowl against her left leg), in 14 cm height, with copper.
- Most remarkable, known as Harappan creations is a Priest- King or Deity, well developed and polished (2000-1750c), in (6.7 inch in height) where face is carefully barbered beard, upper thick lip is shaved, wide nose, hair is gathered in bun behind the head, wide headband duplicated on the bangle with flat circular ornament worn high on the right arm, robe or toga- like garment decorated with trefoil designs (used as a sacred sign in early Egypt, Crete and Mesopotamia).
The concept of Giving A Bath to a child, Namaste, Vermillion, Meditation (Yoga), Beads, ornaments of copper, Carnelian, Marine shell, Fired / Unfired steatite, Jasper stone drills in Mehergarh, quite of from Harappan culture and Pottery structure in circular portions, Pots, Terracotta figures, Pottery kilns found in Ganweriwala, people are using this, today as well.
This blog is a compilation of information from the writings of Craven Roy C. and from Prof. Vasant Shinde. Compiled by Anjali Grewal, who holds a Diploma in Education and currently pursuing painting at PLC, SUPVA University, Rohtak. She can be reach at anugrewal271@gmail.com. She is an Art Enthusiast, who successfully completed the certificate course on ‘Exploring Indian Art Semiotics – Interpretations and Appreciations’ conducted by Kalabodh in collaboration with the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Museum, New Delhi.