Page 30 - SST Class 06

with broken bricks and no attention was paid to of River Ghaggar-Harka that had led to an
the proper sewage system during reconstruction. increase in aridity of the place. Around 2000 BC,
Proper sewage system was one of the major there was found an increase in arid conditions.
characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization. The location where the Indus Valley Civilisation

Then, there was a fall in the average rainfall in once flourished is a desert today.
the cities leading to the formation of desert-like Many theories have been formulated and pro-
condition. This led to the decline in agriculture on vided, but all the theories met with one or
which most of the trade was dependent. Owing another form of criticism. Archeological evi-
to this, people of the Indus Valley started shifting dences do prove that there was no sudden
to some other location leading to the decline in collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization, but it
the entire civilization. As per some scholars, the declined over a period of time and got mingled
reason of the decline is the change in the course with other civilizations of that period.
Terminology

Civilization : advanced stage of human development with great achievements in art, science,
governance, etc.
Citadel : fort-like structure built on raised ground
Type site : a site that is considered to be the model of a particular archaeological culture
Granary : building where grains like wheat, rice, etc. are stored
Terracotta : hard, raddish-brown baked clay
Pictograph : picture-like signs used for writing
Rural : connected with the countryside
Deciphered : to find the meaning of something that is difficult to read or understand
Seal : an object with a design engraved on it
Spindle : thin rod on which thread is twisted by hand
Amulet : an object which is believed to protect oneself against evil
Lapis lazuli : a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a precious stone
Figurines : especially one of a human form

Inside Story
Inside Story
g Evidence of religious practices in this area date back approximately to 5500 BCE.

g Clam and conch shells were brought from the south-western sea coast, timber from the
Himalayas, semi-precious stones from Gujarat and silver and gold from Central Asia.

g The Harappan script is pictographic.
g The granaries were used for storing surplus grains.
g The large number of seals engraved with letters presents the idea that there was high
percentage of literacy among the Indus people.
g They worshipped fertility symbols such as round stones and pierced stones, a practice that
probably preceded the worship of Shiva and Parvathi in the form Shivalinga.
g The Indus people probably worshipped Mother Goddess, in addition to male and female

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