1.1. Terminologies, Places and Time

“The Harappan Civilisation” is also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation.

The Harappan Civilisation, often referred to as the Indus Valley Civilisation, gets its name from Harappa, one of its major archaeological sites. This name highlights the geographical focus of the civilisation, as it thrived in the river valleys of the Indus River and its tributaries.

Think of the Harappan Civilisation as a vibrant community similar to a modern city like New York, which derives its nickname from New York City. Just as people often refer to it by the name of its popular boroughs, the Harappan Civilisation is named after one of its key sites.

The total time span of the civilisation ranges from 6000 BCE to 1300 BCE.

The Harappan Civilisation existed for a vast period. It began around 6000 BCE with early settlements, entering a formative phase known as the Early Harappan period, which lasted until 2600 BCE. The urban phase, or Mature Harappan, then flourished from 2600 to 1900 BCE, followed by a decline culminating in the Late Harappan period lasting until approximately 1300 BCE.

Consider this timeline similar to the lifecycle of a plant: it starts as a seed (Early Harappan), grows into a flourishing tree (Mature Harappan), and eventually may begin to wither (Late Harappan) before the tree itself may disappear.

The early phase, termed as Early Harappan (6000 BCE-2600 BCE) is a formative phase of the civilisation. The urban phase of the civilisation, termed as Mature Harappan (2600 BCE-1900 BCE) is the most prosperous phase. The decline of the civilisation starts around 1900 BCE. This decadent phase (1900 BCE-1300 BCE) is termed as Late Harappan.

The Harappan Civilisation can be divided into three distinct phases. The Early Harappan phase marks the beginning, when the first settled communities established themselves and started practicing agriculture. The Mature Harappan phase represents the peak of urban development and trade, showcasing advanced city planning and thriving art. In contrast, the Late Harappan phase signifies the gradual decline in culture and complexity, leading to a more rural way of life.

Imagine these phases like the different grades in school: Early Harappan is kindergarten, where foundational skills are formed; Mature Harappan is high school, where knowledge is at its peak, and Late Harappan represents college where students specialize, but some may drop out, leading to less cohesive groups.

Distinctive Harappan pottery, bricks, seals, weights, beads, copper and bronze articles have been found in regions as far as Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Sind and Punjab provinces of Pakistan and several Indian states.

The Harappan Civilisation was not limited to a single location. Archaeological finds reveal that their artefacts were spread across a wide geographical area, suggesting extensive trade networks and cultural connections. This indicates that Harappan culture had a significant influence on neighboring regions.

This scenario is akin to a popular brand that becomes internationally loved. Just like how a popular shoe brand like Nike can be found in stores across different countries, the Harappan artefacts appeared in diverse regions, hinting at the widespread reach of their culture.

You will find certain abbreviations related to dates in this book. BP stands for Before Present. BCE stands for Before Common Era.

Understanding historical dates can involve various abbreviations. 'BP' refers to years before a designated point in time (the present date, 1950 is often used as a reference point), while 'BCE' indicates time before the Common Era, which is synonymous with BC (Before Christ). These terms help historians communicate timelines effectively.

Consider this like a label on a shelf that indicates what year a product expires. The abbreviations are similar markers that help historians know the context and timing of historical events and artefacts.

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