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The history of India begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization.

It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan and Western India.

The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations.

In 1924, John Marshall, Director-General of the ASI, announced the discovery of a new civilisation in the Indus valley to the world.

The picture of John Marshall is shown below -

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The Harappan civilization was located in the Indus River valley. Its two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were located in present-day Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces, respectively. Its extent reached as far south as the Gulf of Khambhat and as far east as the Yamuna (Jumna) River. The Indus Valley Civilization spread westwards to the present Iranian border, southwards to the banks of the river Godavari, and eastwards to areas beyond Delhi.

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People who excavated different sites in Indus Valley Civilization

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People who excavated different sites in Indus Valley Civilization

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1.  Harappa - Dayaram Sahini

2. Mohenjo-daro - Rakhal Das Banerjee

3.  Sutkagendor - Major Edward Mockler

4.  Chanhudaro - Nani Gopal Majumdar

5.  Amri - Nani Gopal Majumdar

6.  Kalibangan - Luigi Tessitori

7. Lothal - Shikaripura Ranganatha Rao

8. Banawali - Ravindra Singh Bisht

9. Dholavira - Jagat Pati Joshi

10. Alamgirpur - Ram Sharan Sharma

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Agriculture: Farming was the main occupation of the Indus Valley people. Crops such as wheat, barley, peas and bananas were raised.

Domestication of Animals: The people of Harappa domesticated animals like oxen, buffaloes, pigs, goats and sheep.

Trade: Traders carried on trade in the country as well as with other countries like Egypt, Babylon and Afghanistan.

Art and Craft: They made pottery of various shapes and sizeson the potter's wheel.These pots were generally glazed and painted. They made statues using terracotta, bronze, etc.

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Wheat was the staple food.

Farmers also grew barley, mustard, fruits and vegetables.

Milk, eggs, meat and fish was also a part of their diet.

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The caste system had four main groups:

1. the Brahmins consisting of priests and kings;

2.  the Kshatriyas, the warriors and aristocrats;

3. the Vaishyas, cultivators, artisans and merchants;

4.  the Shudras or peasants and serfs.

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Amusements and Recreation: The Indus Valley people liked more indoor games than outdoor amusements. They were fond of gambling and playing dice. Dancing and singing were considered great arts. Boys played with toys made of terracotta, while girls played with dolls.

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The people of the Harappan Civilization probably believed in life after death, as they offered materials as grave offerings. The offerings buried with the dead usually included pottery and grain.

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The Harappan city had a well-planned drainage system where every house had a drain connected to the street drains which further were connected to the bigger drains. The drains were also covered with stone slabs that were laid in straight lines along with inspection holes for the cleanup purpose.

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People wore cotton and woollen garments.

Two-piece dresses were worn by both men and women.

The men wore a garment similar to the dhoti while the women wore skirts.

The upper garment was a shawl worn around the shoulder.

Both men and women wore ornaments.

They wore necklaces. amulets and finger rings.

The women also wore a headdress, earrings, bangles, girdles, bracelets and anklets.

The rich wore ornaments made of gold, silver and ivory.

The poor wore shell bone and copper jewellery.

The men kept beards.

Their hair was combed backwards and was either cut short or coiled in a knot on top of the head.

The women probably tied their hair tightly and used hairpins and combs to keep their hair in place.

They also used cosmetics.

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Monuments found in Indus Valley Civilization 

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Monuments found in Indus Valley Civilization 

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Great Bath and Great Granary

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Most Indus cities were divided into two parts the citadel and the lower town.

The citadel was built on a raised ground. It was enclosed by high walls that provided protection in times of flood. It had pu blic buildings, religious structures and granaries. The ruling classes probably lived here.

The lower town , was at a lower height than the citadel but much bigger in area. It had small buildings and houses of the common people.