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Harappan Civilization
ðïž Harappan Civilization â Easy Study Guide with Emojis Hereâs a simple, emoji-filled summary of all the key points from your Harappan Civilization PDF for SSC CHSL:
ðºïž Discovery & Geography ðïž Discovered: 1920-21 at Harappa (by D.R. Sahni) & Mohenjo Daro (by R.D. Banerjee)12. ð Spread: Over 1,250,000 sq km, covering parts of modern India & Pakistanâmuch larger than Egypt or Mesopotamia13. ðïž Sites: 1,400+ settlements, including Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Kalibangan, Lothal, Rakhigarhi, and more13. ðïž Location: Most settlements on river banks, especially the now-dry Saraswati river system1. ðïž Town Planning & Architecture ð§ Grid Layout: Streets and buildings aligned east-west and north-south123. ðïž City Design: Well-planned cities with large gateways, citadels, and public buildings123. ð§± Materials: Mud bricks, kiln-fired bricks, wood, stone; bricks in 1:2:4 proportion12. ðª Houses: Private homes, large houses, and public structures; doors/windows faced side lanes for privacy1. ðïž Public Buildings: Great Bath at Mohenjo Daro (12x7m, 3m deep), granaries, and Lothalâs dockyard for trade123. ð° Sanitation & Drainage ð¿ Advanced Drainage: Covered drains, bathing platforms, and latrines connected to main sewers123. ð§¹ Civic Sense: Even small towns had impressive sanitation systems12. âïž Crafts, Tools & Technology ð ïž Bronze Age: Tools of copper, bronze, and stone; simple but effective (axes, chisels, knives, saws, etc.)123. ðš Artifacts: Seals (often with animals), pottery, jewelry, terracotta figurines, toys, and the famous bronze âDancing Girlâ123. ðª Standardized Weights: Cubical/spherical weights made of chert, jasper, agate; used for trade (based on 16 and its multiples)14. ðº Pottery: Wheel-made, painted with geometric and animal designs12. ð¢ Trade & Commerce ð¢ Trade Centers: Lothal had a dockyard; extensive internal and overseas trade with Mesopotamia and Egypt143. ð€ïž Transport: Bullock-carts, boats, and ships1. ð Imports: Copper (Rajasthan), stones (Sindh, Gujarat), lapis lazuli (Afghanistan), etc.1. ð Script & Language ð Script: 400â500 pictographic signs, still undeciphered1453. ð£ïž Language: Possibly Dravidian or Indo-Aryan, but not confirmed13. ðŸ Agriculture & Food ðŸ Crops: Wheat, barley, rice, millets, peas, beans, cotton (worldâs oldest evidence), sesame, mustard, dates152. ð Domesticated Animals: Sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, elephants, camels, pigs, and possibly horses15. ðœïž Diet: Included grains, milk products, vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat2. ð Religion & Beliefs ð§âðŠ° Mother Goddess: Terracotta figurines found in many homes123. ð§ Male Deity: Seals show a yogi-like figure (possibly Shiva as Pashupati)123. ð³ Nature Worship: Trees, animals, stones, and fire-altars123. ð§¿ Amulets & Charms: Used for protection; swastika symbol common12. ð§ââïž Yoga: Figurines in yogic postures suggest yoga practice12. ðïž Society & Politics ð° Social Structure: Elite (citadel), middle class, and lower class (outside fortifications)1. ðïž Political Setup: Possibly regional capitals; no evidence of kings or palaces13. ð©âð¬ Fashion: Ornaments (gold, silver, beads), different hairstyles, cosmetics like cinnabar, face-paints, and collyrium2. â°ïž Burial & Decline â°ïž Burial: Extended burials, cremation, grave goods (food, ornaments)13. ð Decline: Gradual, due to environmental changes (floods, droughts, river shifts), resource overuse, and possibly Aryan migration (debated)13. ð°ïž Chronology: Early (c. 3500â2600 BCE), Mature (c. 2600â1900 BCE), Late (c. 1900â1300 BCE)1. ð¯ Quick Recap Table Emoji Key Feature ðïž Discovered in 1920-21 ð Largest ancient civilization area ðïž Planned cities & drainage ð Great Bath at Mohenjo Daro ð¢ Lothal dockyard, maritime trade âïž Standardized weights/measures ð ïž Bronze/copper tools, jewelry ðš Seals, pottery, terracotta art ð Undeciphered script ðŸ Wheat, barley, rice, cotton ð Mother Goddess, yoga, fire-altars ðïž Social classes â°ïž Burial & cremation ð Gradual decline Use these emojis and points for quick, easy revision of the Harappan Civilization for SSC CHSL! Good luck! ð 164523