Introduction
- Location: Present-day Punjab, Pakistan, along the Ravi River.
- Significance: One of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization), giving the civilization its name. Important for understanding the urban planning, social organization, and culture of the Harappan people.
- Discovery: Rai Bahadur Daya Ram Sahni in 1921.
Key Features Specific to Harappa
- Granaries: Harappa is particularly known for its well-developed granaries, suggesting a sophisticated system of grain storage and distribution. These granaries were strategically located near the river and the citadel.
- Citadel: A fortified area (citadel) likely used for administrative or religious purposes. Evidence of defensive structures.
- Lower Town: A large, planned lower town with residential areas, workshops, and markets. Demonstrates a clear division of space and functional organization.
- Brickwork: Extensive use of standardized baked bricks in construction, a hallmark of Harappan engineering. The uniformity of the bricks across the civilization is remarkable.
- Pottery: Distinctive pottery styles, including red and black ware, often decorated with motifs. Pottery provides insights into daily life and artistic expression.
- Seals: Numerous steatite seals found at Harappa, often depicting animals (e.g., bulls, unicorns) and the undeciphered Indus script. These seals were likely used for trade, identification, or as amulets.
- Burial Practices: Evidence of various burial practices, including both inhumation (burial) and cremation. Some burials included pottery and other grave goods.
- Figurines: Terracotta figurines of women, men, and animals, possibly used for religious or ritualistic purposes. These figurines are important sources for understanding Harappan culture.
- Drainage System: Like other Harappan cities, Harappa had a sophisticated drainage system, with covered drains and soak pits, demonstrating a concern for sanitation and public health.
Importance of Harappa in Understanding the IVC
- Nomenclature: The discovery of Harappa led to the recognition of this widespread civilization and its naming as the Harappan Civilization.
- Urban Planning: Harappa’s layout provides a classic example of Harappan urban planning, with its grid pattern, citadel, and lower town.
- Economic Activities: The granaries and evidence of trade suggest a thriving agricultural economy and trade networks.
- Social Organization: The organized layout of the city and the presence of specialized craft workshops suggest a complex social organization.
- Cultural Practices: Burial practices, figurines, and seals offer insights into Harappan religious beliefs and cultural practices.
Comparison with Mohenjo-daro
- While both Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, they also have some differences. Mohenjo-daro is known for its Great Bath, while Harappa is particularly significant for its extensive granaries. Both cities, however, share the characteristic features of Harappan urban planning, standardized brickwork, and sophisticated drainage systems.
Here are objective and subjective questions related to the Harappa site and the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC). These questions are designed to help you prepare for competitive examinations like UPSC, SSC, and state PSCs.
Objective Questions (MCQs):
- Where is the Harappa site located?
a) Gujarat, India
b) Punjab, Pakistan
c) Sindh, Pakistan
d) Rajasthan, India
Answer: b) Punjab, Pakistan - Who discovered the Harappa site?
a) R.D. Banerji
b) Dayaram Sahni
c) John Marshall
d) Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: b) Dayaram Sahni - Which of the following is a notable structure found at Harappa?
a) Great Bath
b) Great Granary
c) Dockyard
d) Stupa
Answer: b) Great Granary - What material was commonly used for building houses in Harappa?
a) Stone
b) Wood
c) Baked bricks
d) Mud bricks
Answer: c) Baked bricks - Which river is closest to the Harappa site?
a) Indus
b) Ravi
c) Sutlej
d) Ganga
Answer: b) Ravi - What is the most famous artifact found at Harappa?
a) Terracotta toys
b) Seals with inscriptions
c) Gold jewelry
d) Stone tools
Answer: b) Seals with inscriptions - Which animal is most commonly depicted on Harappan seals?
a) Elephant
b) Tiger
c) Unicorn bull
d) Horse
Answer: c) Unicorn bull - What does the Harappan script primarily appear on?
a) Pottery
b) Seals
c) Walls
d) Jewelry
Answer: b) Seals - Which of the following is NOT a feature of Harappan cities?
a) Grid-like street system
b) Advanced drainage system
c) Pyramids
d) Citadel and lower town
Answer: c) Pyramids - What is the approximate period of the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) 1500–500 BCE
b) 2600–1900 BCE
c) 1000–500 BCE
d) 3000–1500 BCE
Answer: b) 2600–1900 BCE
Subjective Questions:
- Describe the urban planning and architecture of the Harappa site.
- Answer: Harappa was a well-planned city with a grid-like street system. It was divided into a citadel (for administrative or religious purposes) and a lower town (residential area). Houses were made of standardized baked bricks and had proper drainage systems. The city also featured a Great Granary for storage of grains.
- What are the key features of the Harappan drainage system?
- Answer: The Harappan drainage system was advanced and well-organized. It included underground drains covered with bricks and stone slabs. Each house had a connection to the main drainage system, ensuring proper sanitation and waste disposal.
- Discuss the significance of the Harappan seals.
- Answer: Harappan seals, made of steatite, are significant for their inscriptions and animal motifs (e.g., unicorn bull). They were likely used for trade and administrative purposes. The script on the seals remains undeciphered, posing a mystery for historians.
- What evidence suggests that Harappa was a major trade center?
- Answer: Evidence includes the discovery of standardized weights and measures, seals with inscriptions, and artifacts like beads and pottery. Trade links with Mesopotamia and other regions are also indicated by the presence of Harappan artifacts in those areas.
- Explain the possible reasons for the decline of the Harappa site.
- Answer: The decline of Harappa is attributed to factors such as climate change, the drying up of rivers (e.g., the Ghaggar-Hakra), natural disasters, and invasions by nomadic tribes like the Aryans.
- Compare the Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro sites.
- Answer: Both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization. While Harappa is known for its Great Granary, Mohenjo-Daro is famous for the Great Bath. Both cities had advanced drainage systems, but Mohenjo-Daro had more elaborate public structures.
- What role did the Harappan civilization play in the development of early Indian culture?
- Answer: The Harappan civilization laid the foundation for urban planning, trade, and craftsmanship in early Indian culture. Its emphasis on sanitation, standardized weights, and artistic expression influenced later Indian societies.
- Why is the Harappan script considered a mystery?
- Answer: The Harappan script, found on seals and pottery, remains undeciphered due to the lack of a bilingual inscription or a “Rosetta Stone.” Its short inscriptions (usually 5–6 symbols) make it difficult to interpret.
- What were the main economic activities of the Harappan people?
- Answer: The Harappan economy was based on agriculture (wheat, barley), trade (both local and international), and craftsmanship (pottery, bead-making, seal-making). They also engaged in animal husbandry and fishing.
- How did the Harappan civilization contribute to modern urban planning?
- Answer: The Harappan civilization’s grid-like street system, advanced drainage, and standardized construction techniques set a precedent for modern urban planning. Their emphasis on sanitation and organized living spaces remains relevant today.
These questions cover both factual recall and analytical thinking, making them ideal for competitive exam preparation. Let me know if you need further clarification or additional questions!