The Indus Valley Civilization

Hinduism has two meanings –A) The all-inclusive religions of India from the 3rd millennium or earlier to the present; –B) That religion or group of religions that develops around the 6th century B.C.E. and is viewed as separate from the heterodox religions, which include Buddhism and Jainism. Greater Hinduism?

Possible Contributions to Greater Hinduism Goddess Worship and the implication of the  akti or Supreme Goddess Yogic practice Tree and animal worship Emphasis on water as a purifier Possible introduction of the god  iva Phallic worship (possibly connected with  iva

The Civilization probably developed between 2800 to 2600 BCE Its decline occurred around 1900 BCE No monumental structures to distinguish it from other civilizations Origins of the Indus Valley Civilization

About 1052 sites spread over a region covering NW India and Pakistan The size of the territory was around 500,000 square miles. About 70 major sites existed, including Mohenjo-D  ro, Harapp , Ganweriwala, Kalibangan, Chanhu D  ro, Dholavira, Lothal, Rakhigarhi. The Extent of the Indus Civilization

Left: The area in green gives a approximate area where the Indus Valley Civilization flourished. Right: Mehrgarh, Harapp  and Mohenjo-d  ro are highlighted Indus Valley Map

The Major Excavated Sites

Indus Seals: Yoga?

Reverse side of the tablet below, showing a female figure grasping two animals (tigers? wolves?) by the neck. A wheel appears above and an elephant below. Molded terracotta tablet from Harapp  showing a man killing a bull with a spear while a horned figure looks on.

A horned figure rises from a tree (upper left) while a similarly horned figure kneels in supplication. At object which some observers have suggested may be a human head rests on a nearby stool. A giant ram appears in the upper right and a procession of 7 figures with skirts, plumed headdresses and bangles stand by at the bottom. Indus Seals

Discovered at Mohenjo-D  ro by Sir John Marshall. Dancing Girl

Terra-cotta figure of a woman with head- dress from Harapp . Indus Woman

Terracotta slip painted pots of different shapes Terracotta slip painted bowl depicting deer Indus Pottery

Common terracotta pot still in use in Pakistan Terracotta cooking pot of flat shape

Terracotta slip painted Dish depicting whirling fish Terracotta slip painted Bowl depicting radiating Sun motif Indus Pottery

?Priest?

Indus Seal

Terracotta Figurines

Left: Gold and carnelian rings and necklaces Right: Gold and carnelian rings and necklaces Indus Jewelry

Left: Gold Necklace Right: Gold Pendant

Indus Jewelry Left: Jewelry Piece in Gold Right: Gold Necklace

Indus Jewelry Left: Amulet? made in Gold Right: Carnelian pendant set in Gold

Map of the Indus Area A detailed map of the Indus area.