Home > Indian History > History of India > Culture of Indus Valley Civilisation
Culture of Indus Valley Civilisation
Culture of Indus Valley Civilization has been deduced from various excavations and inscriptions. Indus Valley culture has been a subject that requires more research by the Historians.

Share this Article:

Culture of Indus Valley CivilisationIndia`s past was revealed by the recent discoveries made in the Punjab and Sindh which was watered by the Indus, hence the name given to these cultures as the Indus Valley civilisation. Mohenjo-Daro seems to have been a smaller city than Harappa. It may have been larger for its outskirts which are buried beneath the silt deposited by the river Indus.

Architecture and Masonry in Indus Valley Civilization
The cities appear to have been laid out in accordance with some pre-arranged scheme according to their foundations. For example, in Mohenjo-Daro the streets run in straight lines and are crossed at right angles. This suggests planning and existence of some authority to control the development of the city. Town-planning was also accompanied by strict enforcement of building regulations as great care was taken to prevent any structure from encroaching upon the streets. Masonry was excellent and houses were carefully built. Sanitation and hygiene was paid due importance. Streets were wide. The buildings made of burnt bricks and it was devoid of decoration. The windows hardly existed and the entrances were placed in narrow by-ways. These cities were divided into wards for protection.

Culture of Indus Valley Civilisation Dress and Ornaments in Indus Valley Civilization
The dress on the clay figures can be considered as the normal attire of the female population. These figures are bare to the waist and wear only a scanty skirt. The skirt is held by a girdle made either of beads or of bands of woven material. There are also head-dresses probably made of stiffened cotton cloth. The male figures are generally nude. There is a probability that robs with or without embroidery was worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm. No footwear as such is to be found. It seems that people were fond of jewellery and hair-dressing. Various types of jewellery have been unearthed made both of stones and of gold and silver. Men had varied styles of hair-dressing, for instance, one wears his hair parted in the middle and the short locks at the back of the head are kept tidy by a woven fillet. Curling hair is also found. Beards were trimmed in various fashions. The metal ornaments were made of gold, silver, copper and bronze. Stones used were like lapis lazuli, turquoise. The ornaments are girdles, necklaces, bracelets, pectorals, beads, cones, ear-rings, nose-rings, finger-rings, anklets, bangles,

Culture of Indus Valley Civilisation Language in Indus Valley Civilization
The script on the seals is pictographic bearing a close resemblance to the Proro-Elamitc script in Babylonia. Some writers claim that the language see in the animals on the Harappa seals symbols is a kind of writing used in the Tantric books. There are many signs found on the script, accompanied by inscriptions on seals, pottery and bangles. The direction of the writing has been from right to left.

Amusements in Indus Valley Civilization
Toys were used by children for amusement. Men were indulged in gambling. This was the board game in which men were moved on the boards and dice was used. Games were also played with pebbles. Dancing was popular. Drum, tambourine, castanets are the musical instruments that have been found.

Arts and Crafts in Indus Valley Civilization
The people of the Indus Valley had a large variety of pottery, both decorated and plain. All the ornamented wares are coated with opaque, red slip, upon which various designs and motifs are painted with a thick black pigment. Figures of trees, animals and birds also occur. Pottery was used as jars for storage purposes of various kinds. It was used for drinking and keeping ornaments. Use of glaze has been found. Objects of extraordinary fine workmanship were also visible. Vases were made of ivory has been also found. Gold needles have been discovered; probably they were used in embroidery.

Thus it can be said that the Indus Valley people were more urban and mercantile. Planned cities were a major feature of their culture.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.