Indus Valley Civilization

 The history of Earth concerns the development of planet Earth from  its formation to the present day.[1]

[2] Nearly all branches   of natural science have contributed to understanding of the  main events of Earth's past,  characterized by   constant geological change and   biological evolution. The geological time scale (GTS),  as defined by international   convention,

[3] depicts the large   spans of time from the beginning    of the Earth to the present, and its   divisions chronicle some definitive   events of Earth history. (In the  graphic, Ma means "million years   ago".)Earth formed around 4.54   billion years ago, approximately   one-third the age of the universe,  by accretion from the solar   nebula.[4][5][6]

Cunningham – father of archaeology in India.

Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan civilization (2350 – 1750 )B.C

It forms a part of the prehistoric period of Indian history & belongs to the bronze age. It was centred around the Indus River. With major center's Harappa, Mohen jo Daro, Ropar, part of Lothal, Chanudaro, Banwali (Hisar), Baluchistan, GJ, RJ, Sindh etc. they were Dravidians came Mediterranean sea.

Harappa – Ravi – Montgomerie – PB (Pak)

Mohen jo daro – Indus – Larkan – Sindh (Pak)

Channu Daro – Indus – Nawabshah - …..

Lothal – Ghaggar – Kathiyawar (GJ)

Kalibangan – Ghaggar – Ganganagar (RJ)

Banwali – Saraswati – Hissar (HR)

Dholavira – Luni – Kutch (GJ)

 

Area – 13 lakhs sq. km app. Shape – triangular 1920 – excavation of IVC took place under Sir John Marshall. It is spread over Punjab, Haryana, Sindh, Baluchistan, Rajasthan, Guj. & fringes of western UP.1921 Harappa (Modern site) was discovered in the province of western Punjab on the bank of river Ravi by Dayaram Sahni. In Montgomerie dist. of Pakistan. 1922 Mohen Jo Daro was excavated by R.D. Banerjee on the bank of river Indus. In Larkan district of Pakistan.

Dwelling houses – buildings to live in. Terra-cotta – reddish brown clay that has been baked.

Social condition – an urban society of middle classes, high developed, civic life, division of labour on specialization of work like craftsmen, jewelers, traders etc. the people cultivated rabi, kharif crops. Wheat & barley were their staple food & dietry include fish, wheat & milk. They wore dhoti, shawl, skirts made of cotton fabric. Necklace, bangles, ear rings, anklets, made of gold & silver were prevalent. (the earliest people ot produce cotton)

History of India Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC – 1300 BC)    Vedic period (1500 BC – 500 BC

Historic evidence indicates the presence of Jainism in the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in Pakistan and north-western India. We hope that the Jain Stupa is restored as soon as possible, as there is a need of research on the same. 

Other archaeological evidences belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization of the Bronze Age in India also supports the antiquity of the Jain traditions and suggest the prevalence of the practice of worship of the first tirthankar Rsabha deva along with the worship of other deities. Many relics from the Indus Valley excavations  suggest the prevalence of Jaina religion from 3500 to 3000 B.C, especially in the present Pakistani regions of IVC Jainism in #Pakistan has an extensive heritage and history. 

Several ancient Jain shrines are scattered across the country. The most ancient proof of Jainism there can be derived from the 2nd-century old Jain Stupa found in the Taxila region of Pakistan. Taxila (Old Indian: Takshaçila, Greek: Ταξίλα) was the ancient capital of the Eastern Punjab, the country between  the rivers Indus & Hydaspes. The site consists of several parts, which belong to the Achaemenid, Greek and  Kushan periods. Sir Kap is the only Greek city in the Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent from the Greco-Bactrian times. It is designed like Islamabad. Taxila city, which is synonymous with Sir Kap, has been mentioned by Greek philosopher Apollonius of Tyana of 1st century AD as 'resembling to Athens and Nineveh (Greek colony in present day Iraq)'. Even a Chinese traveler of early times talked of this city being strategically located at the crossroads of trade between India, China, Central Asia and Persia.

Indus script on Jina images.

The majority of the Indus texts begin either with the sign, symbolizing ethical expression of penance

with renunciation as shown in the seal below, of kayot sargi Jina Rishabh surrounded by the cotton wool plants which grows to human height in one season prior to flowering and fruition. The sign presents the plants as a cup showing leaves and buds as lines projected out at the brim of the cup.

 

The second leading sign that is usually seen is that of a spear, which symbolizes self restraint, the basis

of penance. That spear is also shown as going through the body, not for suicidal purposes, but for self

perfection as above. An ancient image of a  Jina in the Mukta giri Jain Tirth is also seen seated on a spear. In all, twenty-five ancient Jina images with Indus texts on them have been noticed so far. Some of them are very interesting, as shown here below:

 

Kundalpur, M.P. Pajanari, M.P. Anjaneri, Dongargarh,

 Maharashtra Chattisgarh  Text in eyebrow Text on leg and base Text on legs Text on base

World’ s Oldest DNA Discovered in Million-Year-Old Mammoths    February 22, 2021

Scientists say they have discovered the oldest DNA on record. It was found in the teeth of  mammoths that lived in northeastern Siberia up to 1.2 million years ago.  A mammoth was a kind of early elephant that lived during the Ice Age. 27/02/2021 World’s Oldest DNA Discovered in Million-Year-Old Mammoths

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/world-s-oldest-dna-discovered-in-million-year-old-mammoths/5785353.html 2/3

Cultural sites in India inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list     Agra Fort (1983)   Ajanta Caves (1983)

Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)   Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)   Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)

Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)   Dholavira: a Harappan City (2021)

Elephanta Caves (1987)   Ellora Caves (1983)

Fatehpur Sikri (1986)   Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)

Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)   Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)   Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)

Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)  Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)

Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)  Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)

Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)  Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)

Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025) Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (2024)

Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)   Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)

Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)  Red Fort Complex (2007)

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)  Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023)

Santiniketan (2023)  Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)

Taj Mahal (1983) The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement 2016)

The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)  Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)

Natural sites in India inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)  Kaziranga National Park (1985)

Keoladeo National Park (1985)  Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)

Sundarbans National Park (1987)  Western Ghats (2012)  Mixed sites in India inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list

Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)  (Also read: National parks in India – full list)

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