The Harappan Legacy

Writing historical fiction is easier than validating it. Fiction writers have many sources to take inspiration for their stories. Historians analyze the same sources, and debate among themselves for proving what is right and what is wrong. Many theories will be proposed and few remain true. But, it is the fictionalized accounts that get famous and the true stories surfaced by evidence lie dead in the books unnoticed in the popular lore. Validating history becomes too difficult for the historians when the sources are meager and script cannot be deciphered, which can be seen in the Indus Valley conundrum.

Harappan or Indus Valley Civilization was the earliest civilization in India which began around 3400 BC and continued till 1700 BC. With many sites discovered in the present day Pakistan and India, its urban character and complex society distinguished it from the rest of the riverine civilizations (its contemporaries) of the ancient world. It is widely known for its planned cities which were laid out in grid pattern, with roads meeting at right angles, and the underground drainage system.

Majority of the Harappan sites show common material culture over a large geographical area: civic planning, thick red pottery, use of burnt bricks in the ratio 4:2:1, uniform system of weights and measures, unique script, same kinds of animal symbols on steatite seals, absence of any religious structure that can conclusively called a temple, appearance of mythical unicorn symbol on seals, common metal and stone tool kit, bead making industry, etc. But, coming to the religious beliefs and practices, they are not homogeneous. Great Bath like structures are not found in other sites, except Mohenjodaro, fire altars are found only in few centers, Mother Goddess figurines are not found in Kutch.

Though the civilization declined around 1700 BC, there are some Harappan traits which we can observe in our current day lives. Please take note that the traits mentioned below cannot be taken for granted. These are just opinions of different historians. Some agree with some points and others reject the same.

Two-wheeled Carts: The Harappans had a great interest in making terracotta figurines (small figures made out of clay). Terracotta models of two-wheeled carts with solid wheels have been found at various sites (Rakhigarhi, Allahdino, etc.). Carts did not survive but their tracks have been found at several sites. Though bull is depicted on a number of seals, we cannot conclude that they were drawn by bulls. But, they are extensively used for transportation. They more or less resemble to the carts we use today.

Terracotta Toy Cart

Jewellery: Harappans were very skilled in crafts. They made necklaces using beads of stone, clay, faience and metal; bangles using conch shells and terracotta; gold and silver ornaments such as bracelets, pendants, earrings, armlets, anklets. Excavated bronze and terracotta figurines suggest that women profusely wore jewellery and it is not at all hard to guess who wears more jewellery today.

Various jewellery items recovered and (right) Dancing Girl

Swastika: Interestingly swastika motif appears on some seals. It may have been associated with a protective function or auspiciousness. As the Harappan script was not deciphered, historians cannot conclude its exact meaning.

Beard: Wearing beard is trending today. But guess what, it was in vogue in Harappan times too. Most of the male figurines have beards in various styles such as goatee, combed, spread-out, etc.

The Priest King

Pipal Tree: One can easily find a pipal tree (Ficus Religiosa) in many temples. It is considered auspicious. It is even being worshipped as a goddess. Harappans did the same too. The pipal tree appears frequently on the Harappan seals, amulets, copper tablets along with a number of trees and animals. They may have identified it with Mother Goddess/ fertility goddess (they may have worshipped natural objects like water, fire, trees). Some of the Harappan pots were designed with the motifs of pipal leaves too.

Great Bath: Archeologists cannot find any kind of religious buildings or temples. The absence of magnificent idols or icons profusely decorated structures made it difficult even for identifying them.
But many historians believe that the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro was probably used by the elites for ritual bathing. The floors and walls were made water-tight and it has an outlet for leading the water out. There are side rooms for changing clothes. Same kind of structures can be found in the modern day temples- kunds- which are used for ritual bathing.

Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro

Burning Incense: Burning incense is one of the procedures in performing pooja now-a-days. Harappans also practiced this. Some of the terracotta figures are smoke-stained. BB Lal inferred that those figures were objects of worship and oil or incense was burnt before them.

House Plan: Though people lived in the houses of different sizes, the plan of construction was similar- rooms arranged around a central courtyard. These kinds of houses have been identified at Kalibangan, Banawali, Bhirrana, etc. There are even staircases leading to the second floor or roof. The same kind of houses can be seen in villages with rooms arranged around the central courtyard. We can find them in movies too—a point to ponder.

Fire Altars: In the citadel complex of Kalibangan and Lothal, archeologists have found out 'fire altar like structures'. They were the pits in which offerings were made into fire as part of sacrificed rituals. Ash, charcoal, the remains of rectangular clay piece and terracotta cakes were found in them. It may be interpreted as ritual center where animal sacrifice and ritual ablution used to take place. This is same as Yajnas/Yagnas/Yagas we practice today.

Fire altar excavated at Kalibangan

Namaste: BB Lal opines that there are several clay figures from Harappan sites that show a person with palms held together in a namaste posture. The exact meaning was not found out but we can only guess. We use the same gesture to show respect to people, elders and gods. But today, the practice is restricted for praying to gods, politicians who salute people or other politicians, in the movies and award ceremonies.

Terracotta figurine showing Namaste gesture

Tikka: BB Lal suggests that there are terracotta dolls of women with real vermillion on their foreheads. Today, married women in India apply vermillion on their forheads.


Proto-Shiva: The Pashupati seal of Mohenjodaro shows a male figure seated on a dais with his legs bent double under him, heels together, toes pointed down. His outstretched arms are adorned with bangles, his hands rest lightly on his knees. He is flanked by four animals—an elephant, rhinoceros, water buffalo, and tiger. There are varying views regarding this among the historians. Some identify him as Lord Shiva of Hindu mythology, who is also known as Mahayogi (the great yogi) and Pashupati (lord of the animals). But, Romila Thapar says, 'the identification of the figure is uncertain and the evidence for the link with Shiva is tenuous'.

The Pashupati seal

Amulets: Numerous seals have been discovered in the Harappan sites. They were usually made of steatite, and sometimes of agate, chert, copper and terracotta. They contain figures of different animals, writings in the form of letters. Seals were used for diverse functions like tokens in trading, identification, etc. Some historians suggest that they may have been worn as amulets. They may have had a ritualistic function. We still carry the tradition of tying the amulets when we believe some evil forces are influencing our lives.

It is easy to see some similarities between the Harappan culture and today's Hindu culture. But, one should be careful not to impose current practices on the past. People of the different age may have different connotation for what we believe and practice today. Without conclusive evidence, one can only guess.

References:
1. IGNOU: Part-6, Block-2 (MA)
2. IGNOU: Part-7, Block-2 (MA)
3. Upinder Singh - A History of Ancient and Early India
4. Romila Thapar - History of Early India From the Origins to AD 1300